Title: Keep It Together (4?)
Author: Morgan
Feedback: Yes, please, it's kind of like fuel for writing
Disclaimer: These characters aren't mine and I'm just borrowing them for a while.
Summary: I'm not good at the whole summary thing...something's up with Jessie but she won't tell anyone what it is?
Author's Note: I haven't written anything in this story in ages, to put it nicely. So, this chapter may be a little rusty. Hopefully, I'll get back into it. Anyway, let me know what you think.
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When Jessie finally got home that night, all she wanted to do was go to sleep. Ignore the piles of homework building up; ignore the parents asking too many questions. As she crawled into her cozy bed in the attic, the rain started to come down harder than it had in ages. She couldn't help but remember the last time it was raining so hard.
"I think the rain must be our special thing" Katie said as she took off her sweatshirt.
"Really?" Jessie asked smiling from ear to ear "Why do you say that?"
"Well, every time it's raining and we're in the attic, good things happen."
"Good things?"
"Very good things" Katie said as she laid down next to Jessie
Jessie leaned in and kissed Katie passionately. They hadn't had time to be alone in awhile, and it felt like their first kiss all over again. It was the kind of kiss that can make you forget not only your name, but how to speak.
"See what I mean?" Katie said as they pulled apart to get some air. "Very, very good things" Since that was all the air she needed, she went back in for more.
The phone started ringing incessantly which pulled Jessie back to reality.
Don't let it be for me Jessie pleaded silently.
"Jessie!" Zoë Screeched up the stairs "It's for you!"
Jessie thought about reaching for the phone, but when she still hadn't answered Zoë decided to yell again.
"OK! I got it!" Jessie finally answered back as she picked up the phone, "Hello?"
"Um, hi, Jessie? It's Josh." The other end of the phone said quickly.
Figures thought Jessie as she decided to participate in the conversation
"Oh, hey Josh, what's up?"
"Not much, just procrastinating doing my English paper, but I was just wondering if you wanted to go out with me again tomorrow night. Maybe to a movie?"
"Well," Jessie started trying to think of what to say next. But before she could answer Josh jumped in
"I'll even let you pick the movie. Chick flick if necessary."
Jessie laughed. He was actually a nice guy. "Ok, sounds fun"
"Great," Josh answered almost sighing with relief. "See you tomorrow at school."
"K, see ya" Jessie said as she hung up.
She just put the phone back into the receiver when a voice said, "So, how's Josh?"
Jessie looked up and saw Grace standing at the entrance to her bedroom.
"God, carry a bell or something" Jessie spat quickly.
"So, how's Josh?" Grace asked again ignoring Jessie's remark.
"Great," Jessie said tonelessly "I was just going to go to sleep, do you mind?"
"Not at all," Grace said as she sat down next to Jessie on the bed "As long as you don't mind me sitting here until you tell me what the hell is going in that crazy mind of yours."
I can't get a break Jessie thought to herself
"Why is it that the more I want people to go away and leave me alone the more they want to bug me?" Jessie asked.
"Guess you're the cat hater and we're all cats." Grace answered stupidly.
"Whatever that means." Jessie answered with a roll of her eyes.
Nobody said anything for awhile, and the silence became awkward.
"Look," Jessie started quietly as she stared at her hands "Why can't you just let it go that I'm not interested in Katie anymore? I mean, I don't see you with all of your ex-boyfriends. Why don't you go back to them?"
"Completely logical question" Grace said "It's just too bad love isn't logical, isn't it?"
Jessie just stared at her.
"Ok," Grace answered finally trying to be serious "I'm not letting it go because obviously something's going on. And the thing is, I'm not even sure that Katie is the problem. You broke up with her for no reason. Your relationship was great, and you were happier than I've ever seen you. So, what happened that wasn't involved with Katie? I mean, you're not even friends with her anymore for god's sake!"
"Why aren't you friends with your…." Jessie started
"Oh shut up Jessie," Grace snapped, cutting Jessie off, "It's different. You know it is. You are or were so much closer with Katie than I've been with…well, with anyone. And I don't understand what could have happened to make you stupid enough to give that up!"
Jessie had gone back to staring at her hands. The same deep man's voice played in her head as clearly as if he were next to her 'You're so stupid. You don't even realize what you are. What you're doing. You're a pathetic stupid, little moron who's in over her pretty, little head'
"…and I don't understand" Grace finished. "Hello? Jessie? Are you even listening?"
Jessie looked up confused for a second "Sorry, I must've spaced out"
"Whatever" Grace said as she got up to leave "Fine, if you're not talking to me, I hope you're at least talking to someone."
"I don't need to talk to anyone" Jessie answered angrily "I don't love Katie, and I don't need her. So just back the hell off"
"Who are you trying to convince?" Grace retorted from the bottom of the stairs "Me? Or yourself?"