Eleven

~Claire

The whole school had prolly gone to their various homes so the vast compound was extremely quiet and totally empty.

It made me wonder just how long we were in Jace's secret space. The cloud looked kinda dark though, so I was guessing maybe 6pm?

We walked side by side in silence till we reached the garage where his bike was kept. He got on it, throwing on his helmet but I stood still, rooted to the spot.

There was no way I was going to experience the near-death feeling that I faced earlier in the morning. Riding this bike was supposed to be among the top five list of fastest ways to die. Plus the fact that he was one hell of a reckless driver!? What was worse was the fact that I couldn't even tell him all these.

"What? Get in,"he mumbled at me, revving the engine to life.

"The.... you...."I paused, thinking of the best words to use and not offend him.

"Can you just speak normally?"he spoke, sounding kinda pissed.

"I...I just...."I tried saying.

"Speak without breaking your words, Kïttên,"he spoke in a commanding tone and I looked down at my feet. "Oh, and look me in the eyes,"he added.

What? It was like he was asking me to eat the food I'm aware was poisoned. Eye to eye stares was literally the fastest way to have gotten me killed, scratch the bike issue.

"Now."

I sighed, forcing my face to look up and focused my gaze on his violet coloured eyes. It was harder than I was making it sound.

"You're a rough driver, I'm scared you'll get me killed if I hop on,"I spoke all in one breath and though he was already wearing the helmet, I could tell he gave his usual smirk. My gut just told me.

"Don't worry, you're not gonna die,"he spoke teasingly, bringing back the engine to life again. "Besides, it's not like you've got any other choice. Get on."

I bit on my lower lip, looking at the bike hesitantly. Deciding to just have faith that I wouldn't die like in the morning, I begrudgingly got myself to sit on the bike.

Lord, if I die, please accept my soul into heaven.

"Hold on tight,"he spoke and I obeyed, clutching on to his shirt from behind. I heard his silent scoff as he helped me wrap my arms around his torso.

I tried not to gasp as I subconsciously felt around some more since his abs felt amazing to touch. Gawd, was he gymming or something? But I hadn't seen him enter the home gym in the nearly 2 weeks I'd known him. So where the hell did the abs come from?

"Careful, you just might get used to it,"his teasing tone had my hands freezing in place and he chuckled before zooming off shortly after.

We eventually got home in one piece after a couple of minutes, and I couldn't feel more relieved.

"See? Told you you'd survive,"Jace winked at me before walking away. I shook my head, silently wondering how a human could be as complicated as he was.

He would be nice one minute, naughty the next, and extremely cold before you can even blink. Trying to understand Jace Finn was just like trying to make cookies with sand — impossible.

I followed behind him, walking in slow, calculative steps. I was one hell of a clumsy girl so I'd rather spend time trying to avoid embarrassing myself.

I'd initially thought Mom and Rowan wouldn't be home since they both seemed like busy people, but I was proven wrong the moment i and Jace walked in to see a fuming Rowan and a silent Helen — my mom.

I could totally tell that something terribly dramatic was about to play out. "Uh.... Good evening, Rowan. Mom?"I greeted.

Jace didn't bother saying any word of greeting, he just stayed there, leaning against the wall as if waiting to he scolded.

"Where have you been?"Mom asked me, and I frowned at the disappointment on her face.

"Exactly. Where have you been?"Rowan chipped in.

"I've been in school. I had serious assignments to figure out,"I replied, wondering what they seemed so mad about.

"At least you put your time to good use, studying. Unlike this empty vessel I've got for a son,"Rowan spoke coldly glaring at Jace and I flinched at his harsh words.

Why would he say such a thing to his son? His blood? If anything, I was the one it'd look reasonable to have been saying such words to. Not his son.....his heir. I looked at Jace who looked so bored as he stared at his dad.

"Today was just day one, Jace. And after the talk I had with you, I'd expected you to fucking tighten your damned seatbelts and sit the fuck up! But no. You turned around to mess things up. Your last year, Jace!"Rowan yelled, scratching the fact that my Mom and I were witnessing the whole thing.

"What is it you heard this time?"Jace asked with a bored yawn as he pushed himself off the wall. "Oh, Mr Rowan, Jace missed classes again. He attended maths, but got thrown out cause he was being rude?"Jace mimicked the principal's voice and if the situation wasn't carrying some dark clouds, I'd surely have laughed out loud.

"No. What I heard was they're slowly getting tired of you. They said they'll soon be forced to stop accepting my sponsorship and fucking kick you out!! Do you even know what it'll do to my reputation? My career, your future!!"Rowan shouted, his anger palpable.

"Of course. Your reputation is always the first on your list of priorities. Do you even see me as your son or just some investment that you think is failing because I failed to dance by your tunes?"Jace asked icily, shoving his clenched fists in his pockets.

Rowan went mute, only his angry breaths being heard.

"I find it really funny though. You demanded an explanation for why she was late. From her,"Jace nodded at me. "Would you have died to ask me? Of course you wouldn't. But you just fucking choose to think the very worst about me. I'm pretty sure if the cops walk in here and accuse me of murder, you'd fight just to make sure the media doesn't hear of it. You wouldn't even try taking my side. You'll prefer protecting your silly image than serving your son justice. Am I wrong?"Jace asked and Rowan hissed.

"You don't even deserve to be fought for,"Rowan spat. It was so fast, I'd almost thought I imagined it, but it was there. I'd seen it for real. The hurt flashing in Jace's eyes.

"Yeah, I thought so too. It's nothing new, is it?"Jace mumbled. "I'm done talking with you tonight. We can continue the conversation tomorrow. I feel like throwing up right now,"he looked his dad up and down in disgust before heading for the stairs.

"I got a report from him. You're still smoking?"Rowan spoke, his anger resurfacing all over again.

"And it's supposed to be any of your business?"Jace asked, glancing at Rowan over his shoulder.

Jace....smoked? Okay, that was unexpected. Really really unexpected.

"Every single wrap.....drop em, now,"Rowan spoke after awhile of silence. The silence seemed to calm him down in an oddly weird way.

"If I don't?"Jace dared.

"I'll fucking call the cops on you right now and I won't rest till you're given a satisfying sentence,"he spoke so seriously, he definitely meant his words.

I looked at Mom who was still silent. She wasn't even making an attempt to cool Rowan down.

An emotion I couldn't exactly pinpoint lingered in Jace's eyes before defeat sipped in as he moved back to where his dad stood. Dipping his hands into his pockets, he emptied them in front of him.

"There you go. I hope you're feeling so happy now,"he spoke sarcastically.

"Marijuana?"Rowan asked in disbelief, making his way closer to Jace.

"What, it spites you?"Jace asked mockingly. "I'd prolly have committed suicide long ago if it wasn't for this. You make me so sick, most times I want nothing more than to just join her."

His words seemed to hit a nerve, cause Rowan launched towards his son, making to punch him. I have no idea what force pushed me, but I ended up diving into the scene and taking the heavy punch.

"Claire!!"