Giving a "we need to talk" text feels almost as bad as receiving one. It's why I'm a bit of an anxious mess when our shared day off rolls around. Since there was a two day portion in the middle; our text messages were slim to say the least. We said good morning and good night, asked each other how our day was going and it sort of faded after that.

It's clear something is up and I wish to talk about it so, obviously, Jace will feel on his toes as well. Maybe that relieves me a bit and maybe I feel like an ass for it but it is what it is.

So, today we have plans to head to the mall. I do want to grab some new clothes since I will be starting college in two months. It's time to go through my closet, get rid of the clothes I either don't wear anymore or have seen too many days. I've already packed a few into a bag to drop off at Goodwill and now I shall replace them with newer items!

Wow, when I say it like that it feels like I am abandoning them. Ouch.

Once again, Jace offers to pick me up and drive us around. I'm not sure what his deal is with always being the one to drive but I'm ok with it. Yo, gas money is expensive and if I can save I am going to.

Receiving Jace's text makes me realize that I can't avoid the conversation I chose to bring up. Groaning, I slither off the couch, which earns a very confused expression from my dad in the kitchen. I feel his eyes on me all the way to do the door where he finally says, (almost questions), "Have...fun."

I groan again, flinging the door open before shutting it behind me.

What the hell was I thinking sending a "we need to talk" text? Am I insane? I should have just waited until we got some place quiet, or in the car, and brought it up. Knowing that Jace is in the parking lot waiting to have a serious conversation with me makes my skin crawl.

How do I even start anyways? The last few days I should have been thinking about that but, alas, I have done no such thing. Instead, I've only been freaking out, which doesn't help at all!

I'm doomed. We're both doomed.

Finding Jace is easy but getting into the car is not. I actually hesitate to do so after throwing my bag of clothes into the trunk. Since it's weird to just stand outside the car, I eventually open the door and slide in. Jace is waiting for me with a smile and while that smile of his can fool most I actually feel confident enough to say he's nervous. Those hazel eyes of his are giving off a feeling of concern that, again, almost makes me feel relieved.

"Do you want to stop at Goodwill first?" He asks, seeming to be ok with avoiding the subject. That's fine, so am I.

"Yeah, we can do that."

Quickly, I turn on the radio because the last thing we need is a dead silent car. Even with the radio on the tension is heavy enough to crush. It makes me dig my nails into my arms, which Jace notices. I can tell he does because he reaches over to knock his fingers against mine. The action makes said fingers tingle.

"Don't. You'll bruise yourself."

"Always the caring boyfriend." My voice comes out a bit more sarcastic than I wanted it to. Actually, I didn't want to give sass. It happens naturally.

"What do you mean?" Jace asks, his voice so soft that I feel bad for getting a little snippy.

"Nothing, forget it."

"Kind of hard to forget when you already said we needed to talk."

I was hoping he'd give me more time to consider what I want to say. No, that's not right. I was hoping we could avoid this even if I'm the one who brought it up. Gah, my stomach is churning. I should have ate breakfast actually because I think the lack of food is making me feel even worse.

"Can we grab something to eat before we hit the mall?" I groan, rubbing my temple when it starts to pound.

Jace nods. "Yeah, you feeling ok?"

"I need to eat something."

Normally I would make some perverted remark and it seems Jace is expecting it because he keeps glancing at me like he's waiting for it. When no such thing happens, because I am mentally exhausted and nothing has even happened, Jace frowns. Neither of us speak up and, as if the universe is out to get me, Jace's phone decides to light up.

He glances for a mere second before looking away while I stare curiously at the screen. This time his phone is resting in the console beneath the stereo and I can now make out who "M" actually is.

Mackenzie.

So I was right, it's a girl that keeps calling and apparently texting too. That's not surprising but it still makes my blood boil. The air only grows hotter with the tension bubbling between us yet we remain silent until we finally reach Goodwill.

"I can get it," Jace says but I'm already stepping out of the car. He pops the trunk while I grab the bag to hand the girl that's coming out of the back doors.

And the world really seems to hate me because it's a familiar face. I can't quite put my finger on her name but my assumption of who she is is proven correct when she smiles and says, "Jace!"

She's an ex girlfriend. Oh joy.

"Hey, Nanette." Jace waves, that wave immediately disappearing when I send a glare over my shoulder.

The boy lingers by the trunk like he's worried if he gets too close something might happen. Something might, like me gnawing his arm off. Why does he have so many ex girlfriends? We can't go anywhere without running into one! Ok, so technically we've only "run into" one but there was the time with Cierra at the bowling alley! So we're going with twice!

"You're not working at your grandpa's shop today?" Nanette inquires, taking the bag from my hand but not returning to the store. She is looking back and forth between Jace and me with a kind smile.

"No, I'm off today. Mylo and I are going to the mall."

Oh, so he remembers I'm here? That's good. I figured with all the girls hanging on him in his life he'd forget about his boyfriend.

I need to get some food in me. I swear the sass is getting worse thanks to lack of food.

"Really? I was thinking of heading up after my shift ends!" Nanette announces, it's pretty obvious what she's suggesting and Jace, being the ever so loving boyfriend, is ready to decline. He's actually shaking his hand when I break into the conversation.

"If we're still there we can meet up."

Both Nanette and Jace look at me, one with a smile and the other with a shocked expression. Pretty obvious who is who but I refuse to give Jace the time of day while I focus all my attention on Nanette.

"What time do you get off?"

"I've only got an hour left actually."

"Cool, we're going to grab some food first so we can meet up after you get off."

Nanette eagerly nods, her eyes sparkling with joy while I give her a wave goodbye. I don't bother Jace with a single look before I spin around and jump right back into car. Who knows what the two talk about afterwards but it doesn't last long. Soon the driver's side is opened and Jace gets into the car with a furrowed brow. I'm surprised he's so openly bothered actually.

There's clear confusion and frustration evident on his face. I half expect him to yell at me but this is Jace and Jace doesn't yell. Actually, he doesn't say anything when he finally turns away from me and puts his hands on the wheel. The car is started and we're off with Jace refusing to utter a word and, honestly, that's pissing me off more.