Kara's POV:
Once he finishes cleaning up the mess--by himself, I start to draft a text to Jack, but frankly I have no clue what to say. Get the fuck out of my house, weirdo; What about "break up" don't you get?; or maybe the infamous read notification? That never works. I just have to deal with him in person... sadly. Shawn insisted on wiping up the lemonade himself, so that I wouldn't "ruin anything else". Jokes on him, I wouldn't have objected anyway.
"Alright, finished. Now I can get rid of you", he smiles sardonically.
"Ha ha", I exaggerate. "I just want to be in my bed! I'm tired as hell. It's been a long couple days", I palm my forehead.
"To go bra-less and put on fuzzy slippers?", he asks sarcastically. What? He remembered that?
"Precisely", I agree, not letting him see any reaction. I'm not easily surprised by words anymore, and I learned this skill the hard way.
He looks up with bright eyes, apparently pleased with the fact that he'd cleaned the mess by himself. Does he want a cookie or something?
"Come on, designated driver, let's get a move on things", I say.
"As much as I love when my existence is reduced to the simple task of driving, I am not your designated driver, but we are--", he pauses. I poke my head forward, basically asking what the hell he wanted to say with the movement.
He stutters and gags, "Fr-fr-fr-iends", he barely gets the word out. If I had a pillow, it would be hurling toward him.
"Please! You are lucky to be my fr-fr-fr-iend", I mock his fake stutter. "You may be pessimistic, but I know we're gonna be good friends because we like the same pizza", I cross my arms triumphantly.
"Whatever, get in the car", he smiles.
We turn on my street, and he parks in front of the house. Time to go in. I brace myself, but it looks more like constipation, I guess.
"Are you okay? You look like you're going to barf", he looks over to me. I feel that way, so thanks. "Because if so, I need to pull over", he shakes his head, "You're not ruining my car for the second time today", he finishes. Hey, the light pink tint looks pretty.
"The light pink tint will remind you of me", I smile, and for a moment the pit in my stomach reduces in size.
He just rolls his eyes, but smiles slightly at the street in front of us.
For a few minutes, we both just stare straight ahead, not moving or speaking.
"So, you gonna get out?", he asks, but it doesn't seem insincere or sardonic like usual. He seems to care? Had he read my message from Jack?
"Uh--", I start, looking all around us. I definitely look as anxious as I feel.
"Want me to go in with you?", he asks, but it's not insincere or sardonic like usual. He seems to care?
"Why would I need you to go in with me?", I ask, raising an eyebrow.
"Just checking", he shrugs, "Your boyfriend", I raise my brow higher. "Sorry", he puts his hands up in defense, "Your ex-boyfriend is weird".
"And what are you?", I ask.
"Do you want me to come in or not?", he crosses his arms.
"That would be somewhat appreciated by me", I say lowly.
"Huh?", he smiles--sardonically again.
"Yes, please", I mutter. "So I take it you eavesdropped on my text message?", I ask, but I know the answer.
"You can't eavesdrop a message", he shrugs, with false triumph.
"Well did you read mine?", I clarify.
"Maybe", he tucks a strand of hair behind his ear. "The point is, I see why you would need a little support in there", he shrugs, placing a hand on my shoulder. Aww, affectionate Shawn.
"I don't need extra support. I can handle myself", I place my hand disingenuously over his, and he yanks his away with a sarcastic smile.
"Not from that fucker", he blurts. He doesn't seem apologetic, either.
"What? I thought you were on his side?", I frown.
"One: there aren't sides to your break up!", he blurts, "Two: he's just not a cool person to be around, in general", he stares straight ahead. What's with the shift in disposition?
"Well, I don't think I have the time nor energy to fully unpack this", I sigh, opening the car door.
He gets out and heads over to my front door.
We walk in to see Tiana, Kaylynn, and Jack on the couch, watching music videos.
Here we go.
Jack looks up as the door slams open. I snap a wide-eyed look at Shawn, as to say Why did you slam the door so loud?
He just rolls his eyes. Typical Shawn.
Shawn turns to hopefully gently close the door, and Jack sends him vicious looks. Again: what's his problem?
"I'm here: talk", I say flatly. He brushes off his pants and stands up.
"Can we go to your room or somewhere private", he says while pointing to the audience that had formed.
Shawn shoots me a caring look, and it's honestly good to have his support--even if our relationship is as weird as it is.
"Uh, let's go to the other sitting room", I point.
He seems disappointed. The fact that he thinks he'll be going into my room again is appalling.
We sit down on the red velvet sofas, and reluctantly he begins.
"I-I", he looks around, "I don't want to be broken up", he says. That's too bad.
"I do", I respond. "Can you leave now?", I ask. I know I seem mean, but he'd come here uninvited and we're not on the best terms--at all.
"Can you just let me finish?", he snaps. I raise my eyebrow and give him a you're on thin ice look, and he continues.
"I didn't know you were unhappy in our relationship--I mean, I thought we were doing great", he shrugs. That's the problem.
"That's your problem", I raise my voice, "You're oblivious to so many things--I'm tired of having to clarify everything that I want", I pat my thigh. "As a boyfriend, you should know me well enough by now".
"There wasn't even a warning", he whines.
"The warning was our slow drifting away from each other--mentally, emotionally", I reply.
"I-I just want to start over", he looks down, "I want you". Please... give me a break.
"I don't... and you should go", I say softly.
"Fine, but I will stop at nothing to get you back", he replies. Huh? I'm very clearly rejecting him--I don't know what else to do.
He gets up, pauses to look at me for a second--probably thinking I'll change my mind--then leaves.
I walk out to see Shawn, Kaylynn, and Tiana on the couch--and Kaylynn's painting Shawn's nails black--I knew that wasn't just a goth phase.
"Oh no", I exclaim, "She's gotten to you too!".
He flashes his hands up to display his new paint.
"Twinsies", he says in a mocking tone.
"Are you two dating?", Kaylynn asks casually--too casually.
"Hell no", I exclaim.
"Ouch", he says, clutching his arm as if I'd punched him.
"I-I mean he's just not my type", I shrug.
"We're friends", we say in unison but also like a question.
"Do you two need to think on that a little longer?", Kaylynn asks.
"No", I roll my eyes, "We're friends", I assure.
Tiana's sitting miles away on the love seat, not breaking eye contact with the TV.
I look back over at Kaylynn and my "friend".
"I thought you wanted to get rid of me", I say slyly.
"I'm staying for this", he raises his hands a little, receiving a stern look from Kaylynn, "free service, then I',m leaving".
"Sure", I roll my eyes. "I'm going back upstairs to change into my PJs".
Yes, bra-less.
As I come down in sweats, a tank top, and slippers, Shawn's drying his new paint.
He and Kaylynn seem cool--at least I don't have to worry about them clashing, but Tiana on the other hand...
She's not looking anywhere other than the TV, not acknowledging me, Kaylynn, Shawn--nothing else.
Is she mad at something?
"Hey Tiana, can you help me with something upstairs?", I ask sincerely.
"Sure", she nods, and rolls off the love seat.
When we get up to my room, I close the door to get some privacy.
"I didn't actually need something. I just wanted to make sure you were okay", I place a hand on her shoulder. She turns and walks up to one of my beanbags, plopping herself down.
"I just don't think it's cool that you're all buddy-buddy with him", she crosses her arms. Hey, It's not my fault he rejected you.
"Why?", I ask flatly.
"Because he", she pauses, "he--"
"Rejected you?", I ask bluntly.
She firmly locks her lips, "No", she affirms, "Nobody rejects me", she shrugs. "He's just missing out, and he's too dumb to realize", she finishes.
Whatever.
"Well, I chose to be his friend, and your relationship with him cannot affect mine", I settle.
"You didn't even know him before Andrew's party", she states.
"I knew him before you even set eyes on him. He's in my Geometry class", I clarify.
"Whatever, just don't bring him around me anymore", she finishes, and exits the room.
Salty.
As I finally return to the living room, my mom is talking to Shawn. This is not good. People like Shawn do not hang out with people like me. I'm around the preppy crowd more than the alt, goth, loner crowd. She's definitely gonna have questions and I don't know how to answer them.
"So you and my daughter are 'hanging out'?", she airquotes. She looks to be in disbelief--she doesn't even know that Jack and I broke up. There's so much going on--I just never got the chance to tell my parents. I usually talk to my dad about relationship drama, though.
"Yeah", I chime in, "We're friends".
He smiles.
"And that's code for...", she pauses.
Nothing, mom--it's just friends.
"Shawn, you should get going", I pipe up. This is getting a little weird...
"Uh we have um", he points to the door. I shoot him a confused look until I realize. You cannot make gestures to speak outside when people are already suspicious of us!
"Oh yeah", I pretend like I know what he's talking about.
Once we're outside, he speaks.
"Your mom works in the White House?!", he whisper yells. Yes, and?
"Yeah?", I say.
"So she's definitely an advocate for the New World--like she fully supports this?", he asks.
"I mean yeah", I start, "She was one of the first investors on the project".
"This is crazy! This is crazy!", he's hysterical. "How could I be so stupid", he grabs the sides of his head. What the hell is he talking about?
"Shawn, what the fuck are you on about?", I whisper yell.
"She could be tapping your phone, or you could be an informant", he's frustrated. "I mean, they tell us about these cases in meetings. I don't know why the hell I didn't think deeper!", he's moved onto real shouting.
"Lower your voice", I snap.
He takes a deep breath, "Are you really ready to do what we agreed on, or are you stringing me along?", he asks genuinely. I look into those honey pools, and I'm not sure how to answer this. I thought I firmly believed in the New World at first, but he makes a great point, too. How can I so easily shift from what I've known for my whole life? I'm still kind of figuring it out, to be honest. In theory, travelling through time and changing the world indefinitely sounds exhilarating and justified (in this situation), but it's also risky.
"I'm prepared to do what it takes", I assure.
"Good", he breathes, "Just be on alert", he finishes. "And see you tomorrow for a", he looks all around us, "meeting", he whispers. "I'll pick you up from work".
I nod. Phew.
He turns around, but he stops. "Sorry for acting a little", he moves his index finger in circular motions around his temple. Crazy? I know.
"No, I get it", I give him a sympathetic smile. "I would be suspicious, too, but I'm serious about this", I assure. He nods and leaves.
I instantly feel a weight lift from my chest.
Jack's POV:
She rejected me. She rejected me. Who the hell does she think she is? She expects me to appease every single need she has? How selfish and just plain inconsiderate--I'm done with her. I'm done.
I walk into my house, and dad's cooking spaghetti--my favorite. At least it will make up for this pitiful day.
"Hey, dad", I greet him, "How was your day?".
"Good, good", he continues stirring. I sit down and grab a bread roll from the basket on the kitchen table.
Straight ahead, there's a framed picture of my mother, Terra Thompson, one of the pioneers of the New World. She was a scientist alongside President Carrington--her bestfriend--before she died in the experimental process of the change.
My dad, Harold Thompson, has been there for her since she met President Carrington. He knows his role, and he embraces it, as all men of the New World should.
"Did you do it?", he asks. I automatically know what it is. I tried to do it, honestly.
"No, dad", he stops stirring, "But I tried", I finish.
"You tried?", he seethes. I scratch my neck, getting ready for the lecture. "Trying isn't good enough. You need to assess the threat and neutralize it", he finishes. He loves using code words to mask what he really means. Just say it. "You need to get back together with that girl", he says.
That girl. Now she's that girl. He never referred to her in that way at family cookouts or school dances.
"She's been spotted at a counterrevolution meeting", he adds. Oops I forgot: my dad's an informant for the government, and he's been suspicious of Kara since day one. Of course he would spew this nonsense. I know she wouldn't attend such a controversial group. I mean this new world is for her benefit. She may seem a little open-minded sometimes, but she's loyal to our New World--I just know it.
"I don't believe you, dad", I pat my thigh, "And I'm not pretending to want her just for your benefit. I'm not pretending anymore", I finish. I'd told him about my fling with Jaden already. I'm not hiding it--not as much as before, anyway. We're going to be together.
"You will get with that girl, and expose her true intentions", he says sternly.
"What? So you can have her shipped off to one of those education camps", I ask sarcastically.
"She needs to be set straight", he finishes.