Chapter 14

“You ready?” Nick mouthed.

I nodded and half-smiled. I put my hand on my head and felt my forehead getting sweaty. I quickly dropped it.

“For the project, me and Jenna have decided to talk about the book, Angels and Demons.” Nick started. He nudged me.

I cleared my throat. “…” Nothing came out. I tried again. “Uh…”

He looked at me. “By Dan Brown.” Nick continued.

I smiled at him then tried again. “The story is about a… guy…” I paused. My mind went blank.

“A symbologist who travels to Rome to solve a murder and capture a serial killer.”

I turned my head to the teacher who wrote something down. I looked back to the students who were staring at me, waiting. I turned my eyes to the ceiling.

“The main idea is the issue between science and religion.” I said trying not to look at the audience.

“The catholic church and the Underground Society called the ‘Illuminati’.”

I smiled at Nick. So far things were going well. I gathered my thoughts together as we continued talking about the book. We took turns saying something about the characters and settings. It seemed as though we had practiced this and rehearsed, but we hadn’t.

“We don’t want to spoil the ending, so go to the library and check it out right now!” Nick shouted. I giggled.

After a short pause, the kids finally saw that we had finished and started to clap. Some lifted their heads from the desks leaving a smile pile of saliva.

“Great job guys. You can sit down.” The teacher motioned us to get to our seats as Nick took the project back to our desks. I watched the old man write something else onto the paper before he asked for someone else to go.

“High five!” Nick whispered as he held his hand up.

I slapped it then sighed. “I can’t believe I’m saying this but I’m glad we went first.”

He laughed. “Yeah, I can’t believe we just did that either.”

Two girls then came up to the front of the room and placed their pink poster onto the desk and started.

Nick ruffled his hair and sat back into his chair. I watched him the whole time, admiring him. It didn’t seem to bother him since he was looking at me the whole time too.

After the bell rang, we got out of the class and Nick walked me to my car.

“I think Liz might be mad at you.” He said with his soft voice.

“I don’t know. Maybe, because I haven’t seen her in a long time.” We got to my old car and talked for a while.

“I think I’m keeping you away from her.” He frowned.

“Don’t say that. I was just busy.” I shrugged.

“But you were with me.”

“Still. I like spending time with you. And it’s none of her business.”

“Aren’t you being a little mean?” He grinned.

“I’m going to talk to her. Don’t worry.” I said. Maybe I was too caught up in Nick, and avoiding Liz. I wasn’t doing it on purpose though, I thought.

“I’m not worrying.” He smiled.

I looked to the side and a few parking spots away I saw Gina standing there with Lola and her 2 other friends by a shiny red car, staring at us.

I quickly turned my head. Nick then looked at me and noticed that I was avoiding something. He followed my view and saw Gina too.

“Don’t worry about Gina.” He smiled then hugged me. “I already dealt with her.”

I looked up to him, “You did?”

“Yep. Don’t worry about anything. I fixed it.”

“You always say that. ‘Don’t worry’.”

“I know.” He let go then looked into my eyes melting me like he always did. “Ok, I’m gonna let you go now. I will see you soon, Jenna.” He pecked me on the lips, stopping my heart, then walked away.

“And don’t worry about anything.” He called out.

I laughed. “Just go.”

He smiled and I watched as he got into his car.

I stood by my car and stood there for a few seconds. I tried not to look to the side again, but I did. I slowly turned my head and she was gone. They were all gone. I sighed then got into my car. Today I had to go to work. I had missed out on a lot of days and Renee would fire me if I missed another. And plus, Nick said ‘don’t worry’ a million times so I wouldn’t have to worry about seeing Gina at my work again.

I got home and realized that I had to face my mom again. I hope she wouldn’t be mad anymore and just forget about it.

I quietly unlocked the front door and walked in. The house was unusually quiet. I took off my shoes and saw my mom lying down on the couch sleeping. Phew.

I tip toed upstairs and got into my uniform and quickly came back downstairs.

“Jenna.” My mom startled me.

I jumped up and turned around. “Hey mom.” I tried to sound happy.

“Where are you going?” She asked. She didn’t seem mad.

“Work, like always.” I answered hoping she wouldn’t bring up the morning situation.

“Jenna, about this morning…” She started looking directly at me.

“Yeah, that. I’m really sorry I came home very late the night before. And I PROMISE it won’t happen again. Promise.”

She looked at me and came a few steps closer. “I know, honey. It’s not usually like you.”

I smiled.

“But Jenna. It won’t happen again.”

“It won’t happen again.”

“And if I find out you were with Nick and you come late, you’ll get in lots of trouble with me.” She nodded waiting for my answer. I nodded.

“Okay.” She came up to me and hugged me tightly.

“Thanks mom.” I hugged her back then lightly kissed her on the cheek. She then let me go and locked the door as I left for work.

I drove into the Tim Horton’s parking lot and saw Renee through the window.

I came in then put my apron on.

“Jenna!” She yelled.

Oh no.

I started to apologize in the fastest and nicest way I could think of.

“WE MISSED YOU!” She shouted.

“Huh?” I was confused. Why wasn’t she mad?

“It’s okay. Your mom said you were sick. I hope you’re feeling better.” She rubbed my shoulder then led me to the cash register. I wasn’t sick. Why did my mom cover for me? She knew I went to Nick’s house. But whatever the reason I needed to thank her later.

I smiled as she left and began to take some orders. I realized that I still didn’t tell Nick about my job here. I decided I would tomorrow morning.

As I filled the coffee machine I noticed a tall dark man sitting in the corner booth sipping a small drink looking in my direction. I quickly turned and continued making the drinks. It seemed like I saw him before, but he wasn’t too familiar. I couldn’t see his eyes, which were covered by some huge sunglasses.

I gave the drink to the customer and watched as the man left the little shop.

Where did I see him before?

I ignored him, and continued working. I forgot how much I liked this job. I thought it was fun making the drinks and serving food the customers. And the pay was even better.

At 6:00 I checked out of my shift and drove home. I got inside and heard my parents watching TV in their room upstairs. I walked into the kitchen to find some leftovers in the refrigerator. I took out the small container filled with some chicken my mom cooked and warmed up some rice. I spread it out on the plate and put it into the microwave. I stood there waiting until I heard the beeping sound. I took out a spoon and walked into the dining room.

I ate slowly as I thought about Nick.

Suddenly the phone rang and I stumbled out of my chair to answer it.

“I GOT IT!” I yelled so my parents wouldn’t pick it up. I expected to hear Liz and her voice talking about how I was avoiding her.

“Hello?” I asked quietly, chewing the remains of the food in my mouth.

“Hello, Jenna.” A low voice speaks into the speaker.

“How may I help you?” I asked, licking my teeth.

“Well, all I want you to do right now is to keep quiet and listen.” He continued. It wasn’t Liz.

“If this is Liz, please just speak in your normal voice.” I begged laughing.

“This isn’t Liz. Now all I need you to do is listen to me, unless you don’t care about Nick.” He claimed.

I blinked. “What are you talking about? Who is this?”

“Will you shut up and listen to me?” He shouted in his icy voice.

I kept quiet. Why was he talking about Nick?

“Ok. Good Jenna. Now follow my directions.”

I listened still confused.

“Go check if you’re parents are in their room.” He commanded.

I went into the hallway and heard the loud voices of my parents.

“Yeah, they’re there.” I cleared my throat.

“Good, now I want you to go to a room where no one will see or hear you.”

I walked into the living room and closed the windows. “Okay.” I said quietly.

“Great Jenna. You’re doing great.”

I stayed quiet.

“Now listen carefully. Tomorrow morning I want you to meet me at the St.Marcus Park near your house? Got that?”

“Mmhmm.” I felt my heart beating fast. Who was this guy?

“Tomorrow morning.” He paused. “I hope you remember me.” He replied. I realized that he was the guy behind me in the carnival and the strange guy at the coffee shop.

“W-what does that have to do with Nick?” I asked shaking the phone.

“Good question.” He slightly chuckled. “Well right now, I’m sitting in my car in front of your little boyfriends house watching him. He’s eating dinner with 2 other boys. One smaller and another older boy watching cartoons in their living room.”

I covered my mouth and I started shaking my head. This isn’t happening.

He continued. “You better meet me tomorrow if you want him alive.”

I felt my eyes getting watery as I sat down on the floor.

“Jenna? You still there?” He said calmly.

I sniffed and took a breath. “Yeah…”

“Ok. One last thing. You better not tell anyone of this conversation ever. And if I find out that you do, I’m going to kill Nick Jonas.”

I gulped and swallowed hard. It felt like I was swallowing my stomach.

“Any more questions?” He asked.

I waited. “Nope.”

“Good. Now I hope you understand everything. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He then hung up. I sat there, still holding the phone against my ear listening to the beeping sound.

I threw the phone onto the couch as I cried into my hands.