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⧫Jackson Young

King's Caravan, Cluoshire

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Hayden realized all at once his grave mistake and look nervously to me for help. I however just gave him a small pray and a thumbs-up for good measure. I could practically feel him cursing me with his eyes.

"Uh... I mean She is great! I'm sure she will love college..?" Hayden said in an unsure tone.

Again, another absolutely wrong thing to say to Jacob. I could almost visibly see the hamster cage rolling in his head as it started to cook up all kinds of nightmare scenarios that would always end in murder. The seeming dark cloud that hung over his head grew and started to storm heavily as his eyes took on a murderous gleam. I could hear him grumbling something while poor Hayden looked like he was ready to piss himself.

I graciously thought that maybe it was time to remind them of our plans for today.

"As...entertaining as it would be to see you murder Hayden in our club, I believe we still have dinner to go to and to call your sister to let her know we are coming?" I said drinking the last of my drink before placing it in the sink behind the bar.

Almost in an instant, dark cloud Jacob disappeared and back was the disgusting bubble of happiness.

"Oh right! Let me call her now!" He said with call her without even looking at the phone like a freak.

It didn't take long for her to answer. Her voice was soft and pleasant on the ears.

"Hello?"

"RIKA~~~~~!! It's big brother how are you? Did you miss me~~?" Jacob said into the phone in a disgustingly sweet voice.

'Gross' I sneer in my head.

Call me a bitter old grump if you want....you would be absolutely correct.

"...hi, Big brother...I'm that same way that I was when you asked me about an hour ago, fine. Are you guys ready?" Erika said cutting to the chase.

"Yes! Big brother will come and get you and then we can go okay~!?"

"Hey, Erika!" I called to her as I lean over Jacob's shoulder to talk into the phone.

"Oh! Hi Jackson, and I'm guessing Hayden there too!"

I quickly snatch the phone from Jacob who looks about ready to murder me in my sleep if given the chance.

Again I really need new friends.

"Yup, we're both here! Congrats kiddo, you excited for college?"

"Hmm! I can wait! You know how it is with big brother..." She said with a slight whisper.

Unfortunately, Jacob had the phone on speaker so we all three could hear her. Jacob looked almost like he was shot with how sad his face got. Honestly hilarious to me.

"Hmm yeah, your brother is a bit of a freak, but at least you have me. The cool one." I cheekily respond.

Both Jacob and Hayden give me unimpressed looks to which I consider a triumph.

"But we're on our way so be ready okay?"

"Yes, I will!"

Jacob then suddenly snatched his phone back, cradling it like a precious baby and glaring at me like I was some beast trying to be forward with his daughter.

Like I said, new friends or maybe a puppy? Eh, whichever one comes first I suppose...

"Okay Rika, big brother will be there so.  Love you okay?"

"Hmm, okay big brother see you soon!"

The click of the phone end was loud as Jacob seemed to look down at his phone in gloom.

"...She- she didn't say... she loves me back...?" Jacob said in a heartbreaking tone.

I pinch the bridge of my nose as I could just feel a wave of a headache coming on. One thing words that sister-drunk Jacob is depressed Jacob.

"Okay, and we are going." I said as I practically had to push Jacob along.

Hayden soon followed. We all carpooled into Jacob's car which honestly wasn't my decision. He still has an SUV of all things. Which trust me it's weird I know, but again think of Jacob as just a soccer mom and everything makes pitiably sense. We quickly picked up his sister, chatting with Erika was also fun. She is a good kid and really just wants to have a bit more freedom without having her brother looming over every interaction she has. Which I've told her more than once 'good luck with that'. Cause I ain't being the one to poke the bear.

We soon arrived at Harmonie's, a very popular restaurant. It has a younger crowd that it attracted given that everyone who is an upcoming rising star also ways tried to dine here. I never really understood the appeal though given that it opened up only a few years ago. It does have good food here though which is one of the many perks of this place.

Our food came quick, being the growing boy that I am ordered this restaurant special, Bison Burger. A beautiful sandwich brimming with meaty goodness to which Harmonie's prides itself on. Hayden with his rabbit food (I think it was a salad or something?) looked at me with clear disgust on his face as I eat what he would call a 'heart attack in a bun'.

"Is that shame I see in your eyes Hayden?" I smirked at him.

"..Ugh." He just scoffs and resumes eating.

You see he may shame me silently but even Hayden knows to never come between a man and his burger. People have started wars for less, I'm sure.

"..Don't be alarmed man but I think you got some friends incoming." Jacob said with a nod.

I turned my head and frown a bit.

There was also a downside to eating here which you will see such an example now. It appears that I've been identified by the other customers.

It only took one brave soul to walk over to get things started. A young woman at that, cute but too young side for me. She was nervously pacing as she walk over before stumbling over her words.

"A-are you- Ja-Jackson Young?!" She yelps out nervously.

I give her a polite smile, even though honestly I just wanted to have 1 night where I could just chill out. No such luck on that I'm afraid.

"Yes, I am! How can I help you?" I ask with a neutral tone.

"Ahh, can- can I get an autograph, please!! I'm such a big fan! Is it really true you are opening up a restaurant?!" The girl squeaks with glee.

From there it didn't take long for a crowd to form everyone veining for my attention for either a question or autograph or some shit. I was trying to be nice but a quick glance over to the rest of my table made it apparent that the crowd was getting disruptive.

"...Hey guys so I'm happy that you all are excited but I'm out with some friends so I just want to have a bit of peace alright?" I said putting on my 1 million dollar smile.

Everyone was disappointed but slowly but surely disperse from there. I left out a sigh as the last of them left.

"Oh to be tragically famous." Hayden said in a dry tone.

I glare at him across the table. He knows I may like the perks of money, fame wasn't one I really care for, to be honest. Too many people watching me made my skin crawl.

'...But you used to love it...before you met her...' My brain unhelpfully supplied.

I shake my head as I stand up.

"Sorry gotta piss, be right back guys."

I then turn to walk towards the bathroom. To be honest, I didn't need to use the bathroom that bad, I just needed a moment to clear my thoughts. I could help but feel the cold whisps of my past clawing at my mind. I was so distracted that I didn't even notice a person walking down the hall which I was also in. We almost bumped into each other if I didn't catch myself. But then look back at the person, something was gnawing at my mind.

It was a guy, though he was rather on the short side with long dark-colored hair. He seemed to be looking at me with an intense amount of dread which was unlike anything I'd ever encountered before. He quickly averts his eyes, mumbles an apology before walking around me. However I could help was follow him, it wasn't until a few feet away that something did come back to me.

First, it was recognition then slowly changed to embarrassment.

I remember this guy...

"Hey wait!"

The guy stops for a second and turns almost reluctantly, which means he also remembers me as well. Great...

"We..met before haven't we?" I said lamely, wincing at my own words.

Jesus just pull that bandage off already man! The guy doesn't even try to hide his clear disdain for talking with me. If I was unsure if he remember me before I surely wasn't now. He looked like a cat that was just dumped in water which I should find amusing but I could barely contain it.

"Sorry, I don't know you." He said in a dry tone without even missing a beat.

Ouch, so cold.

He then turns to leave once again but my dumb mouth opens again without my probing.

"Ah, but you're from Jubilees, right? That-uh evening of my birthday" I said a bit embarrassed even thinking about it.

Man, if I thought he looked upset before? Now he looks outright murderous.

Well, this is a fine mess I've gotten myself into again.