TrueCalling2

True Calling

Sorting Life

Morning slid through my window, I glance up and nearly have a stroke. Harrison is sleeping holding me and I’m in my apartment. Last night slowly slips into my mind, I remember him coming to my rescue and driving me home without an explanation. We got back to my apartment and I broke down on the sofa, he wrapped his arms around me and just let me cry.

I relax seeing he must have brought me into my room the night before, he was protecting me and I smile at this thought. “Jack.” The notion makes tears again burn my eyes, I still am angry and hurt. His blunt refusal to try and fix this mess broke my heart. Careful not to wake Harrison I slide from the bed and make my way out of the darkened room.

Taking in my apartment the truth hits me pretty hard. I glance around the living room noting the brown furniture is covered in the usual assortment of pillows, blankets, and the couch itself is still a pile of linens from Jacks last night at my home. The love seat where I had my collapse was still a mess, not to mention that I was still wrapped in the blanket that Harrison had covered me with. I trail my fingers across the material frowning slightly due to the fact it had a picture of a white tiger on it.

I spot a familiar white tiger stuffed animal and fling it harshly across the room. “Death by tiger.” I turn quickly to the sound seeing Harrison holding the offending stuffed animal.

“Feed it to the garbage disposal.” I add bitterly before flopping among the love seat surrendering to my emotions again.

Tears fall down my face all over again, a never ending water fall of hell for me. Harrison glances at the tiger then notices the note tucked into the arms that once held red roses. “Ouch.” He stuffs the animal in the garbage; he knew I didn’t need anymore grief from Jack. I sit with my face buried in my arms ignoring everything but my steady sobs, life just plain sucks. Cautious he sits down beside me placing an arm on my shoulder; I feel like pushing him off but can’t find the energy. I continue to cry disliking not only what has happened but myself for being so weak.

He lifts his cell phone already knowing who it was. “He sis.” He attempts to stand but I surrender leaning on his shoulder and burrow myself into the blanket further. “Yeah, I came by to check on her, she’s been sick all morning. I’ll have her call you when she wakes up.” I hear a clip knowing he put his cell phone away. “What are you going to tell Tru? She knows you better than you think Akira.” His arm lifts around my shoulders before I find the courage to meet his expression.

There is anger there within his gaze but I ignore it for now. I have enough to deal with right now; adding Tru to the mix makes things considerably more difficult. “Why do I have to worry about it right now?” I sniff reaching for the nearest tissue and just barely smile when he offers me one.

“Because she will be here in about ten minutes, she knows that you will need her and probably already knows something is up. You left yesterday without a warning or call to her…not like that isn’t partly my fault.” He adds with a half smile that I recognize all to well, she won’t back off and I have to tell her the hardest thing ever in my life.

“Harry…” I pause watching him raise his brow curiously. “…why didn’t you tell her or Davis? You said you had an idea.” For the first time since knowing him I could swear he was red, I saw him try to look everywhere but me and surrender.

He flounders for words momentarily but again meets my eyes. “I have…had…still have a crush on you. Tru hasn’t let me live it down. We’re friends first though and I hate to see you hurt, I like having a friend that doesn’t mind my long list of faults.” He laughs but I detect the nervousness there, against his better judgment he told me the truth.

“Thank you Harry.” I contemplate Tru wondering how I was going to tell her that I had kept Jack a secret and still keep her on my side. “She’s going to kill me…I will loose everything.” Groaning I try to move away from Harrison but his arm refuses my retreat.

“Did he tell you?” I shake my head before pausing.

“A little actually…nothing to make me suspect who he really was, he wouldn’t tell me anything when I confronted him. We’re done.” The finality brings tears to my eyes again, but I finally feel like I’ve used them all up.

Harrison’s expression turns serious before we both turn to a sharp knock on my door. “Harry? Akira?” Tru calls curiously. Harrison winces at the sudden appearance of his sister while I just slump into the couch wishing it would swallow me whole. “Guys?”

He stands leaving me as the miserable ball on the couch and walks over letting Tru into the apartment. She is at my side in seconds but I refuse to meet her gaze, instead I slid further into my cocoon and curl away from her attempt to touch me. Tru is confused by my behavior and turns seeing Harrison with an expression she hadn’t seen since Jack had hurt her, her stomach does knots now.

“Harry?” He nods toward the kitchen watching her reluctantly leave my side.

I peek out of my hideaway wondering what on earth Harrison is doing. Twenty minutes or so later I hear both return and reluctantly meet both their faces. Harrison offers a strangely encourage smile while Tru appears lost in deep thought.

“Bastard!” I nearly jump from my blanket at her sharp words, she is pissed and that is only the half of it. “Akira, please come out of there…I’m mad at him not you. You had no idea what a mess this really was.” She adds watching me reluctantly poke my head out of my sanctuary before Harrison returns to my side again.

“What about Davis?” Harrison surprises me by shrugging returning his arm about my shoulders, I give him a look and that ever familiar smirk crosses his face before he removes his arm. “He’s going to be…

“Not mad at you…he will want to hunt Jack down.” Tru smiles darkly which in turn makes me a little nervous. “I just wish you didn’t get in the middle of this…I should have said something about him instead of…well you get the point.” She adds reluctantly glancing at her cell when she recognizes the number. “Be back.” She leaves us to the living room.

I know Harrison is trying to help but that insufferable twinkle he has hidden in his gaze bugs me and he knows this. I attempt to smack him but he’s already aware of my action and dodges. Despite the hellish day I have had so far I still smile, he has a way of infecting me with that cocky charm of his. Tru walks hastily from the back of my apartment followed by an abrupt thump. I am on my feet in minutes rushing over to see if she is ok, naturally she is and glares at my upturned decorative carpet.

“One of these days I am going to kill myself on that thing.” I giggle at her agitated look, it had to be the hundredth time or so she found it the hard way. “Not funny…we need to get down to the morgue, Davis has a lot more cleaning for us.” I groan not wanting to hear how many more boxes of paperwork we had to fish through.

--Morgue--

Three boxes later I glance up watching Harrison again splat on the floor. “Second time today Harry…are you sure you’re not trying to leave an impression there?” I smile at Tru before my vision again blurs slightly with memories.

I need to focus on my work but can’t seem to do so. To my surprise Davis had become rather violent sounding when Tru had explained everything, he even offered to give me the day off. I didn’t need to be home to keep hating myself, my tears had run dry by now but it didn’t mean I couldn’t cry if I had to. I swear dropping a box on my foot and wonder when paper became so heavy.

“Everyone take a break, we all need one.” Davis lifts the box from my foot offering one of those odd forced smiles of his, being in the morgue all the time was definitely crippling his social skills.

“I’m fine.” I flinch grasping my purse and hobble from the office after Tru.

Tru wasn’t letting me out of her sight today; she was going to keep me from having to face Jack so soon and on my own. Harrison had insisted on tagging along but after Tru threatened a shopping spree he fled like the true male he was. I smile at the expression I remembered on his face, he looked very frightened truth be told. I had my suspicions he had been a human shopping cart on more than one occasion with Tru and her friends.

Tru’s hand is locked around my wrist momentarily bringing me from my thoughts. I follow her gaze noting her rigidness and see a figure disappear quickly from view. I knew it was Jack I can see that anger in her expression again, I wasn’t the only one hurt by him. I start to ask her why she is so insistent to protect me but stop, it wasn’t really my business and I didn’t really want to know when I thought about it.

We get to where she plans on having lunch and introduces me to her mates from college. I like the new boyfriend which I’ve only seen on occasion. I smile in relief when Harrison finally pops in, I have nothing against Tru’s friends but I feel awkward at the moment. Somehow it seems Harrison has a six sense to my emotions and immediately follows the greeting of the others by goosing me.

I glare giving him the finger before wishing to crawl under a rock; apparently I’m very amusing when around Harrison. “You are getting it Harrison Davies.” I warn making sure to give him my most evil look ever.

“Tru…” Avery observes Harrison and I closely, something in her expression makes me want to duck somewhere. “…do those two always act like that?” her smile makes Tru, Harrison and me a little uncomfortable considering recent circumstances.

“Yes…but they aren’t dating like you think, I know that look far too well Avery.” I am relieved at Tru’s quick stop to the budding problem and smile before we all become engrossed it events that Tru wants to discuss.

I don’t exactly feel left out but I still miss Jack. I knew he was now considered the enemy but it didn’t make the pain easier, in all honesty I want to talk to Jack but getting away from my two guardians would be difficult. “He could hurt me.” I shake aside that thought, the pain he had in his eyes was not fake and I truly believed he wouldn’t hurt me. I grow anxious finally standing and explain I will be right back just heading to the restroom.

I am sure all is clear before I continue past the restrooms and out the back of the restaurant. I know Tru won’t buy my disappearance for long and come look for me, but I need to do this on my own terms. They have a past with Jack and it isn’t pleasant but mine was very pleasant, happy and pleasing at the very least. I will deal with their issues later right now I need to see if he’s still lurking.

“You shouldn’t sneak off, I will get blamed.” I turn to Jack and am strangely glad to see him regardless of the situation we seem to share at the moment. “I had a feeling you might come looking…

“Why won’t you tell me?” I think I was out of tears and find I have more to offer, I mentally curse my weakness.

He sighs softly before offering an outstretched hand, I hesitate my hand just about to grasp his and then I stop. “I can’t promise the answer will make you happy…” he glances at the restaurant before reaching over and catching mine. “…I will try and tell you something about why, but they will be looking for you very soon.” I know he’s right but I’m not sure I dare run off with him.

I never hesitated to trust him before and now I am wary of everything that revolves around Jack Harper. He tugs gently a small smile showing before I follow carefully after him down the alley and out into another street. We aren’t far from the restaurant but it will buy us a few minutes to try and sort this out, I have the feeling it isn’t going to go the way I want though.

Jack pauses near a small sitting café and walks to the back. We sit at one of the tables where he finally meets my stare a sad expression still there. “You know of negative and positive forces and how balance is important to those, I know this because you have shared so much with me. Tru interferes with this balance because of…” he pauses unsure of how to state the next part. “…of a special gift.” I feel shock knowing he knows of her gift, but before I can ask he continues. “I try to balance things out because she creates a ripple in the necessary foundations of this balance, I try to right the world and she doesn’t understand the consequences of her actions.” His hand laces with mine trying to get me to meet his gaze.

I want to believe him but I know that it isn’t possible for Tru to be evil; I have to ask him one thing before I consider anything at this point. “Why does Tru hate you so much? I can understand dislike but she truly hates you. I see it in her eyes whenever you are nearby and the others share these feelings.” I see his eyes lower; he doesn’t want to discuss this reason and is clearly working on a way to avoid an answer.

He appears to be ready with his answer but stops eyes focusing past me, I know just by his annoyed look Tru has found us and probably looks ready to rip into him. “I will talk to you later…somehow.” Before I get the answer I need he is gone disappearing into the crowds.

I lean into my hands and allow the rest of my sanity to fall down my cheeks, sobs again raking my body. “Why does this have to be so complicated?” I feel a hand on my shoulder and glance up to see Avery offering me a soft smile. Tru must have explained that I had a break up recently and am not doing so well. Tyler and Jensen join us a few minutes later and I can see the hatred in Harrison’s gaze, I just made things worse walking off with Jack.

“Meet us back at the restaurant.” Without question Harrison follows the others, he knows something I can tell by his body language. “Are you alright?” the others are gone out of site leaving me to listen to Tru’s sympathy.

“No.” I meet her dark eyes and know this is my chance. “He won’t answer me. Can you please answer me Tru? I really need to know…” I pause she seems to sense what is coming and fidgets uncomfortably. “…why do you hate Jack so much? He explained his side of the repeats but not why you hate him so passionately.

Tru nods her expression turning sad. “I saved someone; Jack didn’t want me to and decided to teach me a lesson. He’s only done this particular thing once but I have lost lives to him before.” Here tears appear in her eyes and I feel bad for causing her grief. “He allowed the person I saved to live…Luke who I dated at that time wasn’t so lucky, he became the victim as a lesson to me. I hate Jack but I fight because that is what Luke would have wanted and my mother.” She offers a weak smile standing and waiting for me to follow.

I can’t believe what I just heard; Jack had killed someone innocent to teach a horrible lesson to Tru. I understood why he didn’t want to answer me then; it would have made him out to be the true evil he denied. How I fell for someone so cruel was beyond my comprehension at that point, I did know that it did a great deal to kill off what remained of my feelings.

He knew that was it; there was no trying to convince me otherwise now. Tru had won and now he had to add the person he cared for most to his list of enemies.

--Next Day at Morgue--

It seems that papers will never end, somehow Davis had produced at least fifty more boxes and my patience is running very thin. Harrison walks in with a smile before it fades at what he sees. I smile wryly watching Tru soon follow with a wrinkled nose at the sight.

Tru walks off muttering about Davis and his work leaving Harrison and I to ponder the pile. “Where does he find this crap?” I point to Harrison seeing his brow quirk at this. “Me?”

“Yep.” I hand him a box before sorting through my own. “This is why he keeps sending you down to the town records…you keep signing out this stuff at his request.” I laugh at the evil look he sends toward Davis’s office.

“How are you doing today?” there’s that endearing quality that I have grown fond of in Harrison.

“Good…thanks to Tru.” His attention remains on me and I smile slightly before explaining our conversation the other day, he seems satisfied at the end of it offering a strangely amused grin. “What are you up to? You always have that expression when I should watch out for being goosed or worse.” His smile only broadens before he disappears back towards Davis’s office.

Sometimes Harrison is impossible. I hear my cell and automatically lift it ignoring the caller I.D.; I’m feeling pretty good today regardless of past events. “Yes?” I freeze in my work at the reply I get in turn.

“I wanted to tell you. It’s more complicated than black and white Akira…” I frown nearly slamming the phone shut. “…can I…

“No you can’t Jack.” I keep my voice in a low hiss; I am finally over the hurt even if it was rather easy to do so considering the situation. “Don’t ever call me again or I will change the number and give your address to Satan himself.” With that I close the phone yelping in surprise at the wide-eyed look I am receiving from Davis.

I feel sheepish and shrug knowing my face is red. “Um…” he pauses apparently floundering for words. “…I think I want to stay on your good side, Tru wants to know if…” he stops watching a smoking body come into the morgue, being literal due to the fact the victim had been severely burned.

--Repeat--

Tru walks off muttering about Davis and his work leaving Harrison and I to ponder the pile. “Where does he find this crap?” I point to Harrison seeing his brow quirk at this. “Me?”

“How are you doing today?” there’s that endearing quality that I have grown fond of in Harrison.

“I wanted to tell you. It’s more complicated than black and white Akira…” I frown nearly slamming the phone shut. “…can I…

I feel sheepish and shrug knowing my face is red. “Um…” he pauses apparently floundering for words. “…I think I want to stay on your good side.” He turns to Tru watching her smile wryly. “What do I need to do?”

“Nothing yet Davis, I need Akira and Harrison though.” He nods walking back to his office; Harrison is immediately at attention watching us carefully. “Name was Penny Garret, librarian locally and college student. Meaning I have my end and you two have the library, apartment end?” I nod ignoring Harrison’s curious look and reach around for my things.

Harrison is sure he missed something. “Sis?” True smiles patting his arm before leaving without filling him in, this clearly annoys him. “Ok…what did I miss?”

I pause halfway out the door. “I told Jack off.” I continued on my way down the hall hearing Harrison skid to a halt beside me before following in step with my exit. “The library is closer than her apartment. We will stop there first and maybe catch her before she leaves, according to what I can remember we have about three hours.” I hope traffic is much better this time around, three hours is not the best amount of time when in these situations.

“How did he take it?” I climb into the jeep the minute he asks the question.

“I don’t know…hung up. Tru and Davis could have had their eyes pop out though.” I smile at the intent expression on his face; Harrison is looking for the whimpering mess I was before to come out of the strong exterior I was showing. “Harry, finding out someone you care about is a murderer kind of kills the whole lovesick thing. I’m good and Jack and I are done for good.” Sure of myself I nod to convince him before stopping outside the library.

The trip was short and traffic was surprisingly easy to get through. I make my way up toward the large sandstone style building ignoring the curious stares I get. I realize that wearing a bunch of silver skulls, black and white striped shirt and black jeans is probably not the best impression for most people. I had a weird style and sort of went to my own beat to life, I shrug off the looks ignoring Harrison’s stifled laughter before getting inside the cool building. I am greeted by a familiar comfort of hundreds of books, neat tiled floor and near silence regardless of the computers and phones.

Harrison walks over to talk with one of the librarians while I try to find my way to Penny’s boss. I’m sure the head librarian will be more help than the younger one Harrison finds so interesting. I shake aside the evil glare I offer in their direction, learning to like the punk was not happening, no matter how charming he is.

“Can I help you?” I nearly crash into who I am looking for.

“Ah…” I freeze collecting myself before smiling my warmest smile possible, I swear it makes my face hurt. “…I was looking for the head librarian. I was told by some friends that Penny works hear and I haven’t seen her in a while. I would like to catch up on old times.” This woman is tall with graying brown hair and narrow blue eyes; despite this she has a kind smile.

“Penny isn’t here at the moment; she will be in to work in about…” she pauses looking up at the large clock in the center of the library wall. “Three hours.” I nod watching her run off to scold some obnoxious kids in the back of the building.

Harrison walks up beside me with a slight inquisitive expression. “She died before getting to work…she’s someplace within three hours of here.” I add deciding it would make sense considering what little we knew.

“The college?” I tilt my head to give him a sidelong glance, a smile slips across my lips.

“How observant of you Harry.” I smirk smugly satisfied; sometimes our teasing would get out of hand and make me wonder why we got along.

If looks could kill I would have had no pulse, I turn exiting the library both of us pausing at the sight of Jack leaning on my jeep. I grab Harrison’s arm before he even thinks of approaching him, this isn’t the best of times to fight with him. Jack is now at his usual game trying to stop any of us from saving Penny’s life. I shake my head at his insistent attempt to go after Jack.

“Harry…stay.” I warn before making my way toward the jeep, I know he will listen because the tone I used on him happens to mean I am definitely threatening and to avoid me at all costs.

I walk slowly pausing just before reaching Jacks side, my hands on hips and eyes narrowed I wait. “Don’t help them; I don’t want this to get ugly Akira. I still care in spite of everything.” His tone is soft yet there is a clear order there.

Crossing my arms I give him a glare that I hope shows exactly where we now stand. “Jack, don’t even try to patronize me. We’re done and I will fight with them every step of the way…you shouldn’t have done that to Tru. I may have bought your whole story except for that tiny catch.” I shake my head in disgust before waving Harrison over, it is time to go find Tru and tell her what we know.

My door shuts when I attempt to open it, my eyes fall to the hand keeping it that way. “There’s more to it, I can’t explain everything without betraying someone I know.” I smile evilly at that, it was my turn to be the hurtful one.

“Like you did me?” I snap my tone carrying the anger I still have toward him. “If I were in your place I would find a way to set my priorities before you become a very lonely individual.” I slap his hand from my car and climb in before giving him the finger for good measure and drive off.

Harrison doesn’t say a word during the drive to the college, clearly I had either scared him into silence or he was focusing on the encounter with Jack. I set my lips into a fine line disgusted with the fact Jack has the nerve to pull that shit, I want to tear into him but find myself lacking the energy. I hate to admit it but I still care for him no matter the evil he is capable of, furious with myself I clench my jaw in hopes of maintaining what is left of my dignity. Tears threaten to fall again but I push them aside with the college coming into view, I just hope we can find Tru among the flow of people, at the very least it would be pleasant to find Penny Garret.

Exiting the car I feel Harrison grip my shoulder, I turn to see his intent look and wonder what he wants. “You’re trying to hard…I can’t believe I’m saying this but hating him this fast could be bad for you.” His concern is well placed, a part of me agrees but I refuse to focus on that right now.

“I know.” I start to the admissions office on campus; it is the only place I can think of to even start. I remember college and smile slightly; I plan to go back soon but need to get myself organized at the moment. “Tru doesn’t know what she asks getting me back into the whole school grind again.” I didn’t expect him to pay attention, but Harrison laughs giving me a familiar ‘Heaven help us’ look that I stick my tongue out at. “You are so smug.”

Harrison jumps around like a madman apparently getting someone’s attention; unfortunately for Avery she really didn’t need it. I grin at the evil look she offers before she smacks him beside the head.

“Tru is with some girl…” Avery pauses with a smirk watching Harrison closely. “…I’ll show you where…Harry, she will kill you.” I now have an idea that he’s making a fool of me and turn watching him act far too innocent.

“I will wait until Tru can hear him scream.” I give him a menacing look that seems to work for the minute. “Lead the way.” I walk after Avery trying not to focus on Tru’s brother for a moment.

It doesn’t take a genius to notice he’s trying to get my attention for a romantic perspective, I am not ready though and it is especially difficult when I’m fighting a great like for Harrison. I shake my head at his antics before glancing around at my future campus. Everything is so lively and people seem so happy, clearly finals haven’t started yet. I am sure we’re being watched but I can’t find the familiar face in the crowd, from what I understand Jack won’t be far off during this mess. I probably made things considerably worse for both parties because of telling him off, but then again it was him that started this whole mess to begin with.

I nearly trip up the stairs to one of the lounges, in the process I see Tru talking with Jenson, Taylor and another girl that isn’t familiar. I know it has to be Penny; Tru looks ridiculously tense and worst of all she seems like she’s looking over her shoulder more so than usual. I’m reminded again of my confrontation with Jack; I should have just ignored him instead of blowing up. Harrison is over there in seconds making himself out to be the ever present lovable clownish brother he is, I take my time noting Penny seems pretty serious and is obviously friendly. She’s laughing trying to bat away stray black strands that claim the view of her dark green eyes; I like her even though I don’t know her.

“Penny, this is Akira.” I smile shaking her hand, I notice her appearance more closely now.

She has several rings, necklaces and earrings, not to many to over do it though. She wears particularly baggy jeans and an oversized dark blue hooded sweatshirt. She’s the definition of nerd but in a way similar to myself, I see that she too moves to her own groove in life. Tru appears interested in how easily I take a liking to Penny and waits patiently for some sort of interaction.

“I love that skull.” I glance down at my silver skull and crossbones necklace before laughing.

“Thanks, nice to meet a fellow skull lover that doesn’t think I’m a freak.” I receive a chuckle giving Harrison a warning look. “I’m just a freak in my own mind and love it that way.” Everyone finds this oddly entertaining whether I do for sure or not is debatable.

I still feel angry and sarcastic, not always a good thing when I’m around other people. I have a habit of shifting through moods as often as the sun rises and sets. I’m not always pleasant and at this point am sure I could rub someone the wrong way easily. Penny to my pleasure doesn’t seem to notice or care and is already chattering to me about my likes and dislikes. I get the feeling Tru and I will have a new friend after this whole saving her life thing is over.

The others are lost in a discussion over finals leaving Harrison and I to entertain Penny. I find her easy to like no matter how weird she may see herself, she’s got good taste in many things and we have a few ideas in common. She appears to be in deep thought; her eyes go from Harrison to me and back again.

Penny runs her fingers through her hair clearing her eyes briefly. “How long have you two been together?” I feel my mouth part in surprise, Harrison’s eyes widen and he quickly lifts his hands in a defensive gesture.

“Wrong idea…” Harrison watches me with a brief smile struggle for words. “…we’re good friends, she just had a bad break up and I was there to help.” Penny’s brow quirks at this, her eyes growing more intense.

“I don’t believe you Harry.” She pulls on my shirt getting my attention to focus back on the conversation; I can swear the world just picked up speed. “You two get along to well not to be close, maybe not involved in the relationship sense but I know you both care. I can tell by the way you both harass one another.” I want to crawl under a rock and hide, unfortunately her explanation makes far too much sense for me to handle.

I have been contemplating the possibility of beginning to like Harrison a lot; I just wasn’t ready to admit that to myself because I still hurt. I want the feelings to be real and not some stupid rebound thing where I will hurt someone. I have hurt a few people in that fashion and still regret it to this day, I don’t want to add my friend to that list or ruin the fact that he is there when I need him most. I would not only hurt Harrison but could injure my friendship with Tru and that was something I would not willingly risk unless I was sure, sure that I truly did care for the endearing, quirky menace.

“He is nice to me and I have been feeling something toward him.” Harrison can’t seem to focus at the moment he is watching me closely, not the most comforting notion with the whirlwind inside my mind.

“He’s right, we’re really good friends and he helped me through a bad break-up. I wouldn’t risk that for the world, his friendship is important to me.” That truth is probably my only saving grace, I’m sure that he sees right through me but can’t focus on that. “Don’t speak to this guy.” I warn softly watching Penny’s expression darken when Jack approaches us.

Tru notices but avoid confrontation due to her friends around us. I can see the venom in her gaze and hope mine matches the fury there. Penny notes the tension and immediately takes a dislike to Jack. Instead of approaching the ‘victim’ he walks over and sits beside me, not only does this seem to make things considerably worse I can see he clearly doesn’t acknowledge those around us. “I think he’s suicidal.” Harrison looks ready to pounce but Penny catches his arm shaking her head.

It is considerably stupid for him to be so close to the enemy and I can see Penny won’t be fooled by his charms which leads me to one conclusion, Jack is again trying to fix our situation. He’s risking a hell of a lot trying to do so in front of Tru and Harrison, I can already see Tru watching him with daggers in her eyes, she wants desperately to say or do something.

“Are you suicidal?” I hiss watching one of those half ‘I don’t care’ smiles slip across his face.

Jack shrugs trying to ignore the threat he had placed himself into the middle of, he would deal with the possible consequences later. “I got your attention.” He points out casually watching me cross my arms almost pouting at his smug point. “I have to try…” he pauses watching with interest at the silence that seems to linger around them, all eyes are on them. “…can I talk…elsewhere?” he is sure that two of the six will pounce at any given second.

I sigh knowing I will regret any further conversations with Jack Harper; I’m already hurt and quite fed up with this whole mess. “No. The time for talking is over with, you won’t give me a straight answer and to be honest you never denied Tru’s accusation…I know you heard our conversation.” I was tossing him some bait to see if I was correct in that assumption and by the look he offered I had been. “Jack…please leave before there are problems. I can’t protect you forever…nor do I really want to anymore.” I add almost sadly watching his expression fall at the bluntness of my comment.

I can see the contemplation in his expression, he seems to be thinking over something and I can’t help but wonder if he wants to tell me the truth. “Ten minutes…please.” Glance down at my watch raising a brow in surprise, that would give him a grand total of two minutes to find a way to allow Penny to die. “That’s all I ask?”

Tru and Harrison both looked stunned but even so I decide it is worth the chance. “Fine.” I stand watching the others give me a look of warning. “I’ll be back.” I reluctantly follow Jack away from the others, I have no reason to suspect he’s up to anything and he seems to be willing to risk Penny living just to sort this mess out between us.

I halt in my tracks near to the side of the building and out of the sight of the others. I feel perfectly normal except I can’t shake the feeling I was missing something; if Jack was with me talking then the plan would go without a hitch. If that was the case why did I get this incredible sinking feeling I was outsmarted?

I turn to go back; I can settle this another time and really don’t wish to risk Penny’s life because I have grown kind of fond of her. Jack is in front of me blocking my way and within his stare I can see I’m not far off, I was the distraction he needed to have Penny hurt. If I wasn’t back in ten minutes both Harrison and Tru would come looking regardless and somehow Penny would be on her own. I give him a scathing look watching him barely flinch. We are now officially enemies and I need to get out of this mess.

He again blocks my attempt body relaxed in case he needs to hold me back. “I know your smart Akira; I’ve dated you for three months and have gotten inside that mind of yours. This is necessary to keep the world in balance…I didn’t want this to happen. I want to tell you everything but I can’t. It isn’t by choice but by necessity.” I wish I could poke him in the nose; I hated being patronized while a life was at stake and worst of all I had been dumb enough to walk right into it.

“Good, if you know how smart I am…” I pause smirking knowing of a chance, even if it was a slim one. “…why do you fall for the oldest tricks in the book?” this gains his interest his head tilting to the side.

“Cute…” he stops watching my stare and expression, I am forcing myself to be self-confident and amused. I hope this creates the impression I need, I wonder if Tru would laugh when I pull this off. “…what is so funny?”

I giggle shrugging his question off and watch intently behind him. “You.” I quip watching him make the mistake of turning to look.

I am off like a shot, I don’t need to be caught and I know sadly he can catch up without much trouble. I was never athletic or very good at sports much to my annoyance; I was good at running though just not very fast when I wasn’t wearing my trusty sneakers, tall boots had been a bad idea that morning.

I skid across the sidewalk leaving a cracking sound in my wake and silently pray it hadn’t been part of my boots. It hadn’t been but the noise had gotten his attention, I was off again rushing past students and decided to cut through an office building. I got the strangest of looks but they were nothing new and I was out the other end.

(Smack) I hit something rather solid and fall down hard. “Ow.” I add rubbing my head before observing a very surprised looking Tru and a body at my feet. “Is he dead?” I wonder worried that we had another victim on our hands to deal with; I didn’t want a second repeat in one day.

Penny breaths in relief before leaning down to pick up a container of some kind and a box of matches. “No…I might have been though if you two didn’t intervene.” She adds glancing up wondering what the hell I had been running from. “I hate ex-crazy boyfriends.” She gently places the items aside not entirely sure if they are stable or not.

Harrison is on the phone with the police eyes focused on my rather harsh landing. “I agree…I just wish mine was actually crazy and not stupid.” Tru catches my drift and sighs giving me one of her famous scolding looks, I know that’s bad because they are only reserved for Harrison usually. “What on earth did you do to piss of the idiot I smacked into anyway? Other then dump him?” I add with a light half smile.

“He cheated, I dumped…I forgot that he was unstable and a chemistry major though.” Penny sits down beside me observing my scuffed up clothing and smiles. “Running in those boots can get you one hell of a sore body if you fall.” I laugh at that.

“Yeah…my feet hurt now too.” I flinch gently prying off my boots to investigate the cracking sound. “Damn it.” I growl seeing a fine crack in the middle of one of my heels. “It would appear that I need to go shopping for new boots Tru.” I note Harrison look frightened watching us wearily. “No worries Harry…I promise not to turn you into a human shopping cart. I would rather Tru have that honor, will teach you a lesson for doing things behind my back and Avery won’t have to hear you scream.” I smirk seeing his disgusted look before Tru bursts out into laughter.

--Back at my apartment--

Another long day and thankfully quiet evening, dinner with Tru and the gang had been fun but I still wasn’t feeling overly social. Penny had become a part of our little gathering which added to the colorful quality of our range of personalities, it just didn’t help that Harrison was now severely outnumbered.

I smile tossing aside my now worthless boots and stretch before walking to the kitchen. I grab a bottle of tea and flop among my couch in surrender. “Not a bad day, just need to watch that sneaky bastard.” I scowl at the recollection of Jacks trickery; all I want to do at that point is mangle him.

I glance up at the light knocks at my door and groan. “Probably Harrison.” He seemed intent on protecting me from Jack Harper now and I may have thought this adorable, but right now didn’t want company. I open the door to give Harrison a piece of my mind and find the last person on earth I need to see.

“Get the hell out.” I attempt to shut the door in Jacks face but he catches it and pushes his way into the apartment. “I will call the cops Jack…

“Listen.” I glower at his ordering tone but sadly oblige the request; it would seem I have yet to learn my lesson in the matters of Jack Harper. “I’ve taken the place of the one that used to do this exact same thing.” This is news and a shock at the same time, I find myself sitting sharply on the couch with my jaw half on the floor. “Tru’s mother had the same talents she does, yes I know of her secret…I just don’t know how you fit into it all. I’m not the only one with secrets.” His intent study of me makes me lower my eyes, I can’t deny that fact and he clearly expected me not to. “It’s a cosmic balance…I have no idea how it works but I am doing the right thing.” To my discouragement his fingers gently lift my chin so I have to meet his eyes.

“Then why did you kill Luke?” his hand drops eyes closing at this, I can’t hide the contempt in my voice. “Exactly…you toyed around with your own balance, what makes your way better than Tru’s way? Whoever you are listening to Jack…they are the enemy and we aren’t. By taking that side and doing what you have…it destroyed us.” I stand walking past him and open the door. “It hurts, but I can’t help it and neither can you. Leave and do not attempt to mend this bridge, I won’t be able to trust you or be around you again. It’s too painful and now that I know the truth, it makes things far worse for both of us. I can’t care anymore; you took a life without reason.” I watch him sigh giving me a defeated look before he nods leaving the apartment.

I slam and lock the door allowing the final bit of tears I have to fall for Jack Harper. I no longer need to cry, closure has been found in those few short minutes. Thankfully I don’t have to discuss it with any of the others and I can focus on my future. I don’t see Harrison in that picture but get the feeling with Penny, Tru, Avery and Harrison working at it he might be in that picture. “Endearing pain in my ass.” I giggle before seating myself back on the couch; I can deal with the problems as they come.

The End