Chapter 3

I woke up at 3 in the morning to find Justin gone. I sat straight up, looking around frantically. Where was he?

I checked the bathroom and everywhere else in my house. He was gone. I looked outside and saw the storm hadn't lightened up one bit. I pictured him alone in the streets, bloody and soaked from the rain. Suddenly, a thought dawned on me.

I have his number from the day I hit my head.

I whipped out my phone, dialing his number quickly.

No answer.

I called him three more times until he finally picked up.

"Who the hell are you?"

"Um, I'm sorry. It's Jess."

"Oh Jess," he said. "Sorry. What are you doing up?"

"Where are you?" I said frantically.

"I left," he said.

"Obviously," I said, "But where are you?"

"I'm home." He said quietly.

"There's no way you could've made it home by yourself in this weather."

"I didn't say I was alone."

"What? You got a ride?"

"Um, yeah. Morgan gave me a ride."

Jealousy instantly ran through me. Who does he think he is?

"Jess, you don't understand. I felt really bad for falling asleep there last night and just wanted to get home after everything you'd done for me. I'm sorry," he said.

"I'm glad you're home," I said after awhile.

"Get some sleep, Jess. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yeah. Goodnight." I hung up.

I walked upstairs and into my bed. How could I sleep after all of this? I looked at the clock. It was 3:46. I sighed. I had to work at 11 tomorrow. Why is my life suddenly taking a huge turn? I tried not to think about it. I didn't want to think about it.

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I woke up at 10:32. Sitting straight up, I sprinted to the bathroom, realizing I had slept in. I washed my face and ran towards my closet. I decided on a light blue, short sleeved crop top. I put on some ripped high waisted shorts that exposed about an inch of my upper stomach since the crop top wasn't very long.

I went back into the bathroom and took out my hair. I looked at my long brown hair that had a natural beach wave to it, which I loved. I left it how it was and focused on my make up. I put on a little wing of eyeliner and some mascara. Taking a step back, I loved the way my shirt brought out my bright blue eyes. I brushed my teeth then made my lips a peachy pink color. I tried to think of something else to add. I tried on a light brown bowler hat. I never really thought it would work with this outfit but it did perfectly. I slipped on my white flats, grabbed my purse and headed out the door.

It was beautiful out. I started walking on the beach when I saw two guys working on the street trying to pick up a palm tree that had fallen. Another guy just swept the street trying to get rid of some of the garbage that blew in the storm last night.

I went in the back door of the shop and grabbed my name tag. All of the name tags for all six of the girls who worked here were so cute. It was a bunch of seashells with their names printed on them with their choice of nail polish. It was one of my moms many ideas for the store that she came up with when she was 16.

I went to the front and started cutting open a box.

"Jess! I love your hat!" Morgan said.

"Thanks," I smiled.

She made her way over to me. "You'll never guess what happened last night."

I was going to say the same, but stopped myself. Then I would have to explain why Justin was at my house and I promised him I wouldn't.

"Tell me," I said.

"Well at like 2:30 last night I was in desperate need for tampons and-"

"Woah," I put my hands up. "Way too much information."

"Anyway," she said. "I went into that drug store, ya know, the one right behind your house?"

I nodded.

"And Justin was there," she continued. "He was lying under that canopy section, which is probably the only place that was dry. He probably would've slept there if I wouldn't have shown up."

Wow. He's smarter than I thought he was.

"So, I gave him a ride home. He's really nice, Jess."

"I'm sure he is."

Suddenly, the bell on the front door rang. I heard someone approaching, but I didn't bother looking up. Morgan could handle it.

"Oh, hello Mrs. Banks," Morgan said, eyeing me nervously.

My eyes shot up.

"Hello Morgan, how are you?" She flashed that fake smile I always hated.

Before Morgan could even answer, she looked at me.

"Jessica," she sighed. "I've been trying to get a hold of you."

"I'm sorry," I tried to think of an excuse. "Just been busy."

"Well I was hoping we could catch up. You look so grown," she said, again with the fake smile.

"Of course, we can step outside if you want-"

"Oh no. I mean I really want to catch up, Jessica," she smirked. "How does dinner tonight sound?"

I stopped breathing completely. No no no no no. This can't be happening.

"Well, I-"

"How about we go to the Carolina Cafe. On me. I'll pay for everything."

"We don't have to-"

"7 tonight. I'll see you there," she smiled once again, then she was gone.

Morgan looked at me. "It'll be okay, Jess. Don't get so worked up."

I felt like the wind had just been knocked out of me. "I can't do this."

Morgan looked confused. "Why are you so worried?"

I held my head in my hands, shaking my head. I took a deep breath. "The sale is in two days. Let's get to work."

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My shift didn't end until 5. I checked my phone for what felt like the billionth time today. I groaned once I realized it was 4:12. I felt like I had been here for three years and it had really been a little over five hours.

I went to the back and started hauling in boxes from outside to the back room.

I thought about dinner tonight. Once I got home, I would have exactly two hours to get ready and be there on time. I didn't realize why this is so important she had to do it over dinner.

I thought about Jake. I smiled a little. He was nothing like his mom, but in some ways, he was exactly like her. I don't think he liked his mom much more than I did, but I could be wrong. I remember him coming to my house in the middle of the night because of a stupid fight he'd get in with her; it was usually about me. I always wondered if Jake and I would break up for that reason. Me.

His mom hated me. Most of the fights they got in were about our relationship. Sometimes I thought it wasn't worth it. I would plan on us breaking up, but he would do something to convince me otherwise. I loved that about him. Whenever things got tough, he was strong. But sometimes, too strong.

He had a big ego. Like if something ever had to do with me, he'd have to come in and save the day. It got to the point where I couldn't do anything without him; he controlled me. He would be worried when I didn't answer my phone, he was overprotective, and sometimes, it got him in trouble.

Again, him and his mom were nothing alike, but yet exactly the same. They were different in the way that she would always scream at him, way more than she should of. He hated that, but they were the same because they were both bitchy. Extremely bitchy. They both had such a mouth on them. When they got in a fight, it was war. If he said something rude, she would give it right back to him. It was never ending.

When they got in fights, he would usually sneak out and come to my house. We would end up talking about something else, and start laughing. He always knew how to make me laugh. After having funny conversations, then some deep conversations, we would fall asleep in each other's arms until the next morning. Then his mom would usually find out where he was and get mad at both of us. That's probably the reason she didn't like me. He snuck out, he did stuff he shouldn't have, and I let him, but it wasn't my job to look after him, it was hers.

I put another pile of new boxes in the back and headed back outside to get more.

I wondered if Jake and I would've lasted. He changed a lot over the timespan of our relationship. When him and his mom would get in fights, he usually came to me, but then it wasn't only her he was getting in fights with. He started to take his anger out on me.

I understood how his mom felt at some times. He was ruthless. He wouldn't stop until he got his way, and fighting with him was pointless. He was scary when he was mad. It got to the point where I was scared to break up with him because I was scared of his reaction. He was strong and powerful.

I put the last box in place and took a step back.

I had so much work to do.

I started cutting open some boxes when something pink caught my eye. I slowly took it out from behind the bookshelf where it was obviously jammed in between the wall and shelf.

It was a scrapbook.

My mom's scrapbook.

I put it back where it was before. I didn't want to look at that. There's so many things about this store that still scream my mom's name. There's probably pictures of me and her in that scrapbook, and I wasn't in the mood for a trip down memory lane.

"Jess?" Morgan called.

"Yeah?" I yelled back.

"What's this?"

I quickly stood up and walked through the curtain and into the front. She was standing in the front corner, examining the wall.

I stood behind her and looked at the wall. There were four quarter sized holes directly behind one of he clothing racks. She held back some shirts that were dangling above it.

"What is this?" She said again.

"I don't know," I said quietly. "How'd you find this?"

"The rack that was hanging right here came loose and I had to screw it back in, but I found this. It looks bigger than screw holes though, don't you think?"

The holes in the wall were somewhat close together, and they definitely weren't an accident. I tried to think of something to say to Morgan so she would let this go.

"I don't know," I said again. "The people who put the rack in probably messed up a couple times. That's all."

"But these holes are huge, Jess. There's no way these could be from screws."

"Who knows," I looked at the clock. "I know my shift ends in fifteen minutes but could I please leave early? I have a big night."

She sighed. "Yeah."

"You'll lock up okay?"

"Yeah. Just don't stress yourself out. Okay?"

I forced a smile. "Right."

I walked home as fast as possible. How did Morgan find that all the sudden? I was so tired. I needed sleep. I walked through the front door of my house and headed straight upstairs to find something more decent to wear.

I decided on a long sleeve, black sheer top with a blue bandeau under it. I put on some matching blue high waisted skinny jeans so you could see some of my stomach through the shirt.

I left my hair down and reapplied my make up. I made my lips nude and looked in the mirror. Something was missing. I added some blush and smiled. Perfect.

I put on my black sandals and grabbed my purse. I headed out the door even though I still had 15 minutes. I started walking towards the cafe and took a deep breath. The salty smell of the ocean brought me peace. I walked in silence, listening to the waves gently crash against the shore.

If only my life was as perfect as this place was.

I walked into the cafe to see Mrs. Banks nowhere. This almost gave me relief, considering I got here first so I didn't look late. Someone tapped on my shoulder, and all relief vanished.

"Jessica," she smiled. "Let's sit."

I numbly nodded and tried not to act nervous, but I knew she could tell.

I followed her to the table and sat across from her.

"Jessica, how are you?" She asked.

"Good," I squeaked. "How are y-"

"I didn't come here to make you uncomfortable, Jessica."

I didn't say anything.

"I just had some questions. About Jake."

I stared at her.

"Well?" I said.

She shifted uncomfortably. "When you and Jake dated, things changed. You realize that right?"

I slowly nodded.

"Do you know of anyone who would," she paused.

But I knew exactly what she meant.

I put my hands up in defense. "Mrs. Banks, if I knew who killed Jake I would've told that to the police a long time ago."

"I know but," she recollected her thoughts. "You knew him best. Was there anyone you hung out with that maybe you couldn't trust? You have to admit you and Jake weren't necessarily in with the right crowd."

"Please stop," I whispered.

"You know that, Jessica. If it weren't for you, maybe he wouldn't have done the things he did."

"Excuse me?" I raised my voice. "I had nothing to do with any of his decisions."

"And look where we're standing," She shook her head. "He wasn't involved in that kind of stuff before you came along."

That hurt.

I laughed. "Maybe if you weren't such an alcoholic who didn't pay any attention to her son, things would've been different."

"Jessica," she hissed.

"But everything's my fault, right? That's why Jake would come to my house at 3 in the morning, just to get away from you?"

"Jessica!" She yelled, causing a few heads to turn.

Noticing this, she dropped her voice to a low whisper.

"We've both made mistakes, okay?" She said, leaned over the table.

"Yeah. Too bad your mistake got your son killed," I stood.

"Jessica!" She screamed again.

"Have a nice nice, Mrs. Banks," I put on my purse. "I'm glad we got to have this talk."

I could feel her eyes on me until I was completely out of the restaurant, but I didn't care. I did, however, leave with a weird feeling in my stomach; one I wasn't too fond of.

I hurried outside to see rain. Again.

I sighed, wishing I could just disappear. It was going to be a long walk home.

The rain never let up as I kept walking on the sidewalk. I thought about Jake, and how I missed him. What would he have thought if he would've been there tonight? Actually, he probably wouldn't have done anything. I never knew what to expect from him.

I walked past the shops that were along side the sidewalk as tears welled up in my eyes. I let everything Mrs. Banks said sink in.

How dare she?

I was completely soaked from the rain. People probably thought I was crazy. The stores were closing early due to the storm that was brewing.

I started to think about how many things I screwed up with Jake.

Why was I so stupid?

I was crying really hard now. I kept walking as I sobbed tremendously.

I walked past a newspaper stand that had Jake's face plastered on the front. I walked over and held it in my hands.

Jake Banks mystery still under investigation - When will it ever end?

I held it as I stared at it. I felt the anger rise inside of me as I threw it on the ground. I screamed as I started stomping on it and throwing it all over the place. I was crying and screaming so hard I could barely breathe. The rain kept pouring as I was still tearing the paper to shreds. I was kicking it as hard as I could when I felt two strong arms wrap around my waist.

"Stop!" I screamed, feeling helpless.

"Jess!" The person yelled. "Calm down!"

I slowly turned in the person's arms to find Justin.

Justin.

I wiped my face, trying to hide what just happened even though I'm sure he saw the entire episode.

"Stop," he whispered, seeing what I was doing.

He wiped my cheeks with his thumbs as I looked at him.

"What happened?" He whispered, looking into my eyes.

I slowly started to cry again as I shook my head. He wrapped his arms tightly around me, and put my head under his chin.

I don't know what it was. Maybe it was the security I felt with his arms around me, maybe it was the fact that he found me in the rain and had to make sure I was okay; whatever it was, I hugged him back just as tightly, if not more.

He ran his fingers through my hair as I sobbed repeatedly into his shoulder, holding onto him for dear life.

"Come on, okay?" He said quietly.

Normally I would refuse, say I was fine, and go home by myself as usual, but I couldn't do it. I needed to be with someone.

I nodded as he took my hand. He wrapped his jacket tightly around me and then reconnected our hands. I don't know where we were going, but I was too shy to ask.

I looked at him, and how determined he was to get me to where we were going. I don't know why I'm just realizing this now, but I really thought about how much we're alike.

I thought back to what he told me that night at my house. There was still more to his story, but he was hiding it, just like I do. He gives but doesn't take, just like I do. He puts others before him, just like I do. Out of all the shit he's been put through, he still was determined to help me. He doesn't need sympathy or attention. He moves on from pain, and acts like it was nothing. He was so much stronger than he thought.

We reached this old looking house as he opened the door and led me inside. I looked around, feeling slightly uncomfortable now that my tantrum was all over.

I looked down and noticed our hands that were still laced together. I smiled a little. It's been so long since I had that feeling.

He switched his attention on me. "Are you cold? Are you hurt? Did someone hurt you? Please say no one hurt you," he held me at my shoulders while examining me from head to toe.

I smiled slightly. "I'm fine."

He sighed and looked me dead in the eye. "No you're not."

I opened my mouth to speak, but I didn't know what to say.

"Sit down, I'll be right back. Okay?" He grabbed my chin slightly to see if I understood.

I nodded.

He took one last look at me and left the room.

I slowly sat down on the couch. I sat there and recapped everything that just happened.

I shouldn't be here.

I needed to be home. By myself. Having someone 'take care of me' was something I wasn't used to, and something I wanted no part in.

I took off his jacket, folding it neatly on the couch, trying to be as quiet as possible. "Justin?" I called out.

"Yeah?"

"Um, I'm going to head home, thanks for everything though-"

Justin came out from the hallway and looked at me with worried eyes. "No, no, no, Jess," he grabbed my wrist before I exited through the door, which was the last thing I needed. I hated being treated like I needed help. I needed to be home.

"You can't leave with the weather like this," he tried to pull me back inside, but I pulled back.

There was a pause. "Why can't you let people in?" Justin said quietly, referring to how I was pushing him away when he was trying to help.

I stopped; my eyes filled with tears. Despite that I had just had the worst night of my life, I smiled. "They always find their way back out."__________________________________

I walked home in the pouring rain, but I didn't regret it. I knew I shouldn't have gone to Justin's in the first place, and I should've just gone home.

Although I was slightly desperate to get back to my house after walking in the pouring rain, there was still one thing I had to do.

I walked past my house and straight towards the shop. This was eating me alive.

I unlocked the back door to the shop. It was completely quiet and dark. I turned on the light, grabbing the pink scrapbook of my moms that I had found earlier.

I sat crisscross on the ground and slowly opened the first page. There were pictures of my mom and dad, and pictures of me as a kid. There was one picture of my mom teaching me how to surf when I was four. There was a picture of my dads funeral set up, and my mom crying next to the casket with her extremely pregnant self. There was a picture of me and my neighbors from when I was ten.

My heart stopped beating all together.

I frantically flipped to the next page, then the next.

My mom left when I was six. How are there updated pictures from when I was older? The only person who touched this book was her.

I was scared out of my mind as I finally flipped to the last page, and saw a picture of me and Jake.

Oh my god.

This picture was taken nine months ago. Who's been updating this scrapbook?

I heard the front bell ring.

But the store closed two hours ago?

I threw the scrapbook back where I found it and ran out of the shop for dear life, not turning around while I did so.

I sprinted to my house. Who's at the shop?

I reached my house and locked every door possible. I put my hands on my knees and tried to regulate my breathing.

My doorbell rang and I felt myself getting dizzy. This can't be happening.

I placed my hand on the knob as lightening flashed outside. I unlocked the door and slowly started to open it.

There stood a women I didn't recognize.

"Jessica," she breathed. "It's Sharon, your mothers detective."

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NOTE:

thanks for reading this chapter! i have a lot planned for the future. hope you guys enjoy!

~ avonsshawtyy