“Stacey, you're not gonna be able to catch him. He’ll come back on his own eventually.” Jaxon sighed as she ran off after him anyway. Jaxon made a mental note to himself to get better friends. 

“He’s gonna get that girl killed one day.” Dale sighed as he put his arm around Leia. 

“and you're gonna get Leia pregnant one of these days. Probably soon.” Shane laughed as he stumbled into Jaxon. 

“And you're going to prison one day,” Claudia said, rolling her eyes as they walked down the street. 

“We all know you and Jaxon are going to get married one day. I bet your kids will be adorable, especially with Jaxon’s looks.” Leia laughed as Jaxon tried his best not to cringe at her words. He had been dating Claudia on and off for about two years now, and if he was honest whatever love he once had for her was gone. Marriage was definitely not an option for them let alone kids. Sure he wanted kids one day, and a family of his own but definitely not with Claudia. 

“Marriage doesn't sound bad.” Claudia purred as she grabbed onto his arm. This time he did cringe, luckily if anyone noticed nobody said anything. 

“Come on let’s go find Bryan and Stacey before they realize they're alone.” Jaxon huffed as he jogged off in the direction that Bryan and Stacey had gone. Jaxon fell back onto the cement as he slammed into a young woman. 

“I'm sorry are you alright?” Jaxon asked the girl as he stood up and brushed himself off, he was used to getting knocked down and falling. The girl had tan skin and grey hair that you could tell had been dyed but it suited her. 

“Are you alright?” Jaxon asked again as he held his hand out to her. 

“Oh… uh yeah I am thanks.” The girl said with an awkward smile as she accepted his hand and he helped her up. 

“I'm sorry for running into you. I was in a rush and wasn't paying attention.” the girl chuckled as she rubbed the back of her neck in embarrassment. 

“It’s alright no harm done. I’m Jaxon by the way.” Jaxon said, giving her a reassuring smile. She seemed nervous and late for something at the same time. 

“I’m Opal.” the girl smiled. Jaxon almost laughed, her name fit her way too perfectly, her eyes were just like opal gemstones. It was kind of strange to see. 

“Well I have to go, I’m late. Sorry again for running into you!” Opal shouted as she ran off. Before Jaxon could shout anything back too her Claudia latched onto him. 

“You weren't going to leave me behind, now were you my Sparky Heartbreaker?” Claudia giggled as she kissed his cheek. 

“I am gonna leave you behind if you call me that again.” Jaxon groaned, rolling his eyes as she laughed. “What don't you like, Sparky Heartbreaker?” Claudia shouted as the others joined them. 

“Sparky Heartbreaker? Sounds like the name of a male stripper. You gonna put on a little show for us?” Dale laughed. 

“Next up on our stage tonight we have the Sparky Heartbreaker!” Shane shouted as he threw his arm over Jaxon’s shoulders. 

“Come on Sparky Heartbreaker! Let’s give the guy’s and gal's their money’s worth!” Shane laughed as he started to lift the edge of Jaxon’s shirt. “

Knock it off Shane.” Jaxon chuckled as he pulled his shirt back down and pushed Shane off of him. 

“Why don’t you give me a little show?” Claudia giggled as she stared at him like he was an object. Jaxon felt like he was going to throw up, the thought of doing anything like that with Claudia made him sick. It wasn't that she was bad looking or anything, Claudia had black hair that was forever set poker straight and her brown eyes shined against her dark skin. The thought repulsed him because when they were alone she was a different person completely, she was rude and only cared about herself. They would always argue when they were alone and she was constantly accusing him of anything her mind could make up. 

“Maybe another time Claudia,” Jaxon said, trying to think of a way to change the subject. 

“Alright, I might not be getting a show but Stacey sure is,” Claudia said pointing at Bryan who was beginning to take off his clothes. 

“Bryan you nut! What are you doing?” Leia yelled as they ran over to where Bryan and Stacey were. 

“I'm going for a swim! You guys coming with?” Bryan chuckled as he gestured to the dock behind him and stripped down to his boxers. 

“Yeah! I’m down!” Shane shouted as he followed Bryan’s lead. 

“Come on baby let’s not let them have all the fun now!” Dale laughed as he joined in. 

“Come on Stacey if I’m going you are too!” Leia smiled as she took off her shirt. 

“Fine, might as well.” Stacy sighed trying to hide the laughter in her voice as she took off her socks. 

“Jax! Come on man! Don't get all shy on us now!” Bryan laughed as he jumped into the water. Jaxon rolled his eyes as he took off his shirt. 

“Ladies and Gentlemen I present to you, Sparky Heartbreaker! Just give him a little cash and ignite the spark in his pants!” Shane shouted out in a deep announcer voice. 

“You're gonna get it.” Jaxon laughed as he stripped to his boxers and charged at Shane. 

“Look at him go everyone!” Shane laughed as Jaxon tackled him into the water. 

“That's the spirit!” Dale laughed as he jumped into the water. 

“Bryan no!” Stacey giggled as Bryan pulled her into the water. 

“You're all insane.” Leia laughed as she joined them in the water. 

“Come on Claudia! Join us!” Stacey shouted as Claudia just crossed her arms. 

“Jaxon I wanna go home.” She huffed as she stuck her nose up at them. 

“Why? We just started hanging out. Don’t you wanna stay a bit longer?” Jaxon asked as Shane dunked him under the water. 

“Jaxon I said I wanted to go home, you heartless bastard! Maybe you just can’t wrap your small brain over what home is, it’s not like you would know anyway. Your birth parents didn’t even want you!” Claudia yelled as she threw his clothes into the water. 

“Whoa! Not cool Claudia, he didn't even do anything!” Dale said as he pulled Jaxon’s clothes out of the water, but it was too late they were soaked. 

“Fine, I’ll take you home.” Jaxon sighed as he climbed out of the water and Dale handed him his soaked clothes. Jaxon felt his heart sink, she had been the only person who knew he was adopted. How could she just blurt it out like it meant nothing? Claudia glared at him and whispered insults at him as he put on his soaked clothes. 

“I’ll see you guys later.” Jaxon sighed as he walked Claudia back to his car. 

“I can’t believe you're making me out to look like the bad guy! Why can’t you be nice to me?” Claudia yelled at him as he opened the car door for her. Jaxon let her rant as he drove her home. 

“You're not even going to deny any of it! See this is what I’m talking about! You don’t even care about me! You really are a heartless bastard!” Claudia shouted as she started to sob. 

“Claudia enough!” Jaxon huffed as he parked his car in front of her house. 

“Save it Jaxon! I don’t wanna hear a word you have to say!” Claudia sobbed as she got out of his car, slammed the door, and ran up sobbing to her house. It was like she was living in a different reality and was hearing different things than what everyone was saying. Jaxon just sighed as he drove home, he was still soaking wet. Jaxon felt a shiver run down his spine as he pulled into the driveway. The light was on in the living room, his mom must have come back while he was gone. He thought she would have been asleep by now, she usually was because her job wore her out. 

“Hey, Jaxon! How was it?” His mother shouted from the living room as he walked into the house and left his wet shoes at the door. 

“It was alright Claudia threw another tantrum, however.” Jaxon sighed as he walked into the living room and leaned up against the door frame. 

“Ah I see, what was it this time? Are you using her for money? You hit her again? Or my favorite, you’re sleeping with another girl.” His mother laughed as she tried to guess. 

“This time it was ‘you don’t care about anyone but yourself you heartless bastard!’ so a new one.” Jaxon chuckled. 

“First language, and second I thought she was gonna use the sleeping with another girl excuse. except Your virginity tells us otherwise.” His mother laughed. 

“Ouch, low blow mom.” Jaxon smiled, shaking his head. 

“That is unless you're not a virgin anymore?” His mother asked as she gave him a teasing smirk. 

“Yeah, this is awkward mom. I’m gonna go take a shower.” Jaxon sighed as he turned to leave. 

“Jaxon Timothy Santroro you answer my question right now. Do you still have your virginity or not?” His mother laughed as he walked up the stairs. 

“Still got it, mom,” Jaxon shouted down to her as he heard her laughing in the living room. Jaxon sighed as he walked into the bathroom. Tonight had been rough, maybe things were looking up for him. Then again as long as he was dating Claudia things could only go down from there.