POV: Kaiden.
Everything was going well between me and jace, no more awkwardness, no more side glances or one worded conversations.
But something felt off about him. He was more quiet than usual. He had always been spacing out and he had become more anxious and paranoid.
"You know, we should all hang out this Saturday." Jacob suggested with his mouth full of food.
"Hey! Eat with your mouth closed you slob!" Jayden yelled. Jacob smiled sheepishly and continued with his meal.
It was currently Wednesday and we were all in the cafeteria eating lunch and chatting.
I was listening to my friends conversation and chuckling lightly at their lame jokes as I noticed Jace playing around with his food and looking lost in his thoughts.
I nudged him and he looked up at me startled. "What's wrong?" I mouthed to him.
He bit his lip and shook his head. He looked back down at his food and pushed it away.
I've noticed ever since our detention he had been off. He wasn't his usual self anymore.
It bothered me a whole lot and I tried asking what was wrong but he always said nothing.
"I'm leaving for the library." He said barely above a whisper. Everyone surprisingly heard then nodded sympathetically because they've also noticed his abnormal behavior before continuing their conversation so as to not pressure him.
He picked up his plate and trashed his leftovers before leaving through the double door. I watched as he walked out and noticed he had a limp in his steps.
I decided to go after and know what's really going on with him.
Whatever was going on with jace is affecting him very badly, he didn't have that spark he used to have anymore and he wasn't very active. His eyes didn't hold the twinkle it used to that made his eyes bright and innocent, instead his eyes was dark, void and distanced.
"I have to go as well." I said and walked out of the cafeteria without waiting for a reply.
I headed to the bathroom to see if he was there because I had a feeling that's where he would go first.
I opened the door and found him leaning on the sink his head bent low.
His eyes snapped up to mine as he heard the door opened.
He quickly wiped away his tears and cleared his throat. "W-what are y-you doing here?" He stuttered.
I ignored his question and walked up to him. I pulled him to my chest and wrapped my arms around me.
He was hesitant before he wrapped his arms around me.
He began sobbing heavily on my shoulder as I soothed him.
I drew random shapes on this back as he slowly calmed down.
I pulled him a few inches away from me and wiped his tears as he sniffled.
"I-im sorry f-for-" I interrupted him.
"Ssh it's okay. Everyone cries at one point. There's no need for you to be sorry." He nodded weakly and fell back into my embrace.
I rocked him as I felt him become more relaxed. He smelled like a mixture of roses, strawberries and lavender. A very odd sent yet unique just like his personality.
"Do you want to go home and maybe talk about what's wrong?" He shook his head and pulled away.
"I'd like to go home but I don't think I'm ready to talk about it." He whispered out.
I nodded sympathetically. " Whenever you're ready to talk, I'm always here." I said and kissed his forehead.
There was a light blush forming on his cheeks but I brushed it off.
I walked him to my car and helped him in,nafter that I got in and drove off.
The car ride was silent and comfortable.
I glanced over at Jace, he was looking outside the window peacefully, the afternoon sun illuminating his skin making him look ethereal.
He turned his head towards me and we locked eyes. I smiled softly at him and looked back to the road.
"Mine or yours?" I asked as I took a right turn.
"Yours." He mumbled shortly.
I chuckled. "Guessed as much."
"How are you holding up with Grandpa?" I asked trying to make a light conversation.
He sighed and shifted a little in his seat. "Ever since he came I've been so stressed. He doesn't mind his business and he always seems to pick fights with me at every single opportunity he gets." He rambled.
"Wow. You must be having an amazing time with the old man." I joked.
He laughed, and for the first time in days. It wasn't a forced laugh or smile, it was a genuine laughter. One that sounded like music to ears.
We talked a little more and by the time we got to my house Jace was a little bit more alive than when he was in school.
We got out of the car and we headed straight to my room.
He crawled into my bed and made himself comfortable in my sheets. I cooed at his cute self and shook my head with a fond smile.
I liked the way he was always comfortable around me than the others. It makes me feel special and a warm feeling in my heart.
"I see you've gotten yourself comfortable." I asked with a raised eyebrow and teasing smile.
He peeked out from under the covers and gave me a shy smile, his cheeks turning a rosy red colour.
"Wanna have ice cream and watch a movie?" I suggested. He nodded rapidly from under the covers, indicating that he wanted to.
I quickly rushed to the kitchen and grabbed a big tub of strawberry, two spoons and some Skittles and Cheetos puffs.
I made it back up in record time and set the snacks in the middle of the bed.
Jace sat upright and rested his back on the headboard. I grabbed the remote from my side table and switched on the TV.
"What movie do you want to watch?" I asked while surfing through multiple movie options.
"Ywesh mhan." Jace jumbled out. I looked at him and noticed that he had already started munching on the Skittles.
I looked at him with my mouth agape. He sent me a sheepish smile before swallowing the mouth of Skittles.
"I would like to watch Yes man, if you don't mind. Even if you did mind, I don't give a flying sausage." He said with a smile, eyes fixated on another packet of Skittles.
"I'm just gonna ignore that and watch whatever." I said with a sigh trying to stop the smile tugging at my lips.
We started watching the movie we had seen together a gazillion times. Somewhere through the movie the snacks got finished including the very large tub of strawberry ice cream.
My eyes began drooping as exhaustion started kicking in. I tried as much as possible to fight it off but I was failing woefully.
Before my eyes finally fell shut, I felt suddenly warm and a body pressed against me. Something was whispered into my ear before I finally knocked out into my dreamless slumber.
"Please, always stay by my side."