Jellybeans and Jelly-knees

I will update! But tomorrow. I just have to proofread! Then I'll post it as soon as I can tomorrow! Sorry to make you wait!

 

Gosh, I kinda hate this chapter. You'll understand when you read it. And there's KEITH!
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Chapter 11

“What is this about?” Keith demands as he walks in. I stop my pacing and stare at him. Keith looks…amazing. He’s dressed in a button-up shirt, slacks, and dress shoes. The hell is he wearing those for? He never dresses up, not even for Christmas or Thanksgiving or anything formal. Something’s up.

“What are you wearing?” I reply, blinking at his outfit. He sighs and runs a hand through his blonde hair, which I now noticed has been styled with gel. This is not normal Keith. This is a new Keith. What is wrong with my Keith? This is not my Keith.

“I was on a date, okay?” Keith answers angrily. I gasp and send Jasper a look. He sends me the exact surprised look and then we turn to Keith. Keith, on a date? Keith is a one-night-stand kind of guy. He doesn’t date. He never has and never will date. Well, looks like I’ve been proven wrong. Now, I have to know who this girl is that is actually making Keith dress up and look so good.

“You were on a date?” we ask, our eyes probably bugging out to stare at him. He sighs again and nods, watching our reaction. “With who?” He closes his eyes and rubs the bridge of his nose. Okay, this had to be serious. And Keith is hardly serious. So this is something I need to know, now.

“A girl named Shannon.” Cue my loud gasp. “She and I have known each other for a while, so we decided to date.” And he didn’t think to tell me, the girl who’s like his sister? “It is my first serious relationship and yes, I won’t kiss Marcy anymore. Does that answer all your questions?” Thank God for that.

“No, but that’s not the point of this. Remember that I want to meet her soon,” I say and I gesture to the couch. Keith sighs, for the fourth time, probably, and sits down next to Jasper. “Now, I have a problem. It started the night I had my breakdown.” Keith is now super serious, leaning towards me. “I found out about the contract, Keith, and Jasper knows.” I sit down across from them.

“God dammit, how the hell did you find out?” Keith runs a hand through his hair and sighs. “You were never to find out about that contract. We all had to bust our way to find out about this from your parents. It took me until last year to find out about the contract.”

“Macy found the contract in a closet at her house. Jenny left it in a box. And, also, did you know she had a creepy obsession about her and Justin getting married?” Keith sends me a confused face and shakes his head.

“Don’t you?” He’s implying that I fantasize about James and I getting married. Why would I do that? I’m Carrie Mitchell’s daughter! Well, she’s now Reynolds, but she’s still the same girl she was when she was my age. We don’t think about our futures with guys. We go date by date. But now Mom is with Dad, so it’s not it matters to her anymore.

“No. But that’s sorta what this is about. You see, once I met with Ash to deal with my breakdown and, well, we sorta almost kissed.” And I watch their expressions and I feel myself close my eyes. When I open them again, this is what I get:

“What?” they yell. I kept this part a secret from Jasper because I had no idea how he would react. Now I know. Their eyes are wide and bugging out of their skulls. Their jaws have hit the floor and they can’t stop blinking at me.

“What?” I repeat softly, a blush rising on my cheeks at the thoughts of us almost kissing twice.

“Start over, honey, from the beginning of this, starting at the breakdown,” Keith demands when he finally composes himself. And I tell him everything, every detail, including how I’ve been thinking of Ash no matter how super embarrassing it is. And trust me, at these parts, and the almost kissing scenes, I am as red as a cherry. But, they don’t laugh or talk, they just listen to every word I say. When I finally finish at Helen’s words to me, I wait. They take their time and ponder over it, and then they whisper to themselves. It’s torture to wait, but I have to know what the hell is going on with me.

“Alright, it’s official,” Keith grins at Jasper, and then turns to me. He has a wide smile on his face along with Jasper. Now I’m officially scared. What is with the smiles? Maybe I don’t want to know what the hell is wrong with me.

“You and Ash are crushing on each other!” Jasper exclaims. I blink, staring at the pair of guys before I burst out laughing. Ash and I are not crushing on each other. We’re just friends.

“You guys are hilarious,” I manage to reply between giggles. They aren’t laughing when I stop, telling me that I’m right and I saw through their lie. Wait, are they serious? I voice my question and they cross their arms in sync with a frown and a look that says “Duh!”. Well, shit.

“Can you not see it? The way you were talking about him made your eyes light up and a sudden smile crawl across your lips. Even through the embarrassment, you were smiling and, knowing you, you are still dying to have that kiss. Am I wrong?” Keith asks and I sigh with anger.

“We’re just friends, guys,” I huff.

“Yeah, but you do have a major crush on him. Hell, I wouldn’t be surprised if you are falling in love with the boy,” Jasper adds, a confident smirk on his lips.

“Nope, this was way wrong to talk to you two about this. Just keep your mouths shut about this, okay? I don’t want the wrong people to get this information,” I demand.

“So it’s right?” Keith suggests.

“No! It’s wrong. Ash and I? Really? I cannot see that happening.” I scoff and stand from my seat opposite of them. “I’m going to take a walk.” I don’t wait for a bloody response. I just walk out of the house, walking down the sidewalk in anger. I mean, they are so wrong! They are, right?

I mean, as much as I hate to admit it, it’s a cliché and I just adore them. But, you know, who doesn’t? Clichés make up our lives. But, isn’t it a little too cliché that they think I’m crushing on Ash?

Yeah, Ash has great hair that I could ruffle all day. And he has beautiful eyes that are easy to get lost in. So what if I find his height attractive? Maybe I find his voice kinda sexy when he’s sleepy when I call him in the mornings. So, I find his normal, everyday voice sexy and deep and smooth and just plain adorable. It doesn’t mean I have a crush on him. It just means I find him attractive and sexy.

So what if I wish we could kiss? So what if I want to run my hands through his hair? So what if I get gooseflesh when he touches me? So what if my breath hitches every time I see him? So what if I think he is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen? It does not mean one little thing.

I can think like that about my best friend. I do it now, so what does it matter? I mean, it shouldn’t mean anything. But, what if it does? Like, what if the guys are right? Like, seriously, I don’t want to just, you know, end up falling in love, with anyone. I don’t see myself falling in love. I see myself marrying James because I have to, having his children, growing old with him, and never really feeling that “love” thing. It what everyone wants, so why shouldn’t I give it to them?

But I don’t want that! I want to live my life the way it is supposed to be lived. I can’t just do what makes me unhappy. And, Ash was right, he is sometimes and egotistical jerk. But that’s rare anymore or at least around me.

Let’s compare the boys. James has black hair and blue Wyatt eyes. Ash has chocolate brown hair and deep, beautiful blue eyes I could stare into all day. James is around six foot five. Ash is around six foot ten, give or take an inch or two. James is deeply in love with me, so much it’s been etched into his face. Ash is my best friend and I have no idea if he feels the same way as James does towards me. Of course he does, I broke his bloody heart, tearing it to shreds when I told him my drunken words meant nothing. So, what does that mean?

I gasp as realization hits me and I stop. I find myself at our tree house, seeing it empty as it should. I climb the ladder and grab a novel, flipping through it. It’s actually Rick Riordan’s The Last Olympian. I want to make sure I’m correct because if I am, I have done what I never thought I would. I read over the last couple pages, my eyes going wide as I realize it’s true.

Percy and Annabeth kissed and weren’t they best friends? I drop the book and sit down as I let these words pool my brain. They kissed. After five books, they kissed. So, why is my life like a book? I have probably had enough drama in my life to fill a good four books. And I believe the fifth is what I’m in now.

So what does this rambling have to do with anything?

This rambling tells me I am in for the deepest cliché of all clichés. I am crushing on ー no, in love with my best friend. Is this a good thing? I have no idea, but in my heart I hear one simple word.

“Yes.”
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FINALLY! That's what you are are thinking, right? But it wasn't the kiss you guys were looking for.

And, if you aren't such a Percabeth fan like I am, it means Percy and Annabeth as a couple. But you all probably knew that.

And, Keith has a girlfriend! And her name is Shannon. Sound familiar? The name is the name of a fan who is just so in love with Keith. I felt like I had to give him a love interest and she told me I should make her Keith's love interest! And, what do you know, it happened!

So, that's all for now. Let the inner fangirl burst out because Heather finally realizes she's in love with Ash. Took her way to long, huh?

So, you know, I love you all, Treaters! And lurkers.

~Shana Alana

P.S. This wasn't proofread. Sorry, but I'm really sore and I got my first sunburn and I'm lazy an that sunburn bit has nothing to do with my laziness and same with the soreness. But, yeah, not proofread so sorry for any mistakes.

 

Sorry for not updating in a while. It feels like forever, right? Well, I'm so close to finishing and I know you all will fangirl to death and freak the hell out! Why? Well, you'll have to see for yourselves!

And, yes, there will be more Keith and soon we will introduce the mysterious Shannon! Which is kinda like our Shannon. But she won't fangirl all over the place when she sees Keith. Like our Shannon.

I can tell none of you are Jeather. Either that, or my lurkers love James more. Now, I can't say who ends up with who until the end. And neither can Jen. And yes, I have most of the ending already planned out. And some written down. I've had part of the end written down for a very long time, like near the end of Ice Cream Delights. So, yeah, I know how it's going to end.

So, that's my little note for the day. I will finish tonight, edit and such tomorrow and post the update!

So sorry it's took so long, lovies! I'll start posting when I'm almost finished to keep this up.

Love ya!

~Shana Alana

 

 I can see you fangirling over Keith like crazy like I do over Four.

And, yes, I'm reading Divergent. NO SPOILERS! I'm only halfway...

 

Woo! Update! Yay! You all with love this update but then you'll hate this update and then you'll freak out over the next update when I finish because I have a great idea for the next chapter and the ending will make you all freak out and I'm rambling. Sorry.

Oh, also, if I already gave Ash a last name, disregard the name on here. If I haven't, this is his last name in this chapter. But if I have, tell me so I can put it in future chapters.

Now, for the update!
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Chapter 12

I’m in love with Ash. I’m in love with Ash. I, Heather Reynolds, am in love with him, Asher Dayes. I’m in love withー

“Heather!” I jump at the noise and I blink a few times as I finally speak.

“Ash!” I squeak and my face grows hot. “Sorry, um, yes, Mom?” I command my face to grow cold again and it does so, but so slowly! Gosh, I am way too sensitive over this love thing. But really, is this really what it feels like? One thought About Ash makes me grin or smile. Talking to him is sort of awkward now that I know my true feelings, but just hearing him say my name makes me want to grin ear to ear. I constantly think about him. I want to break up with James as soon as I see him again, which will be in a couple days as his parent are on a vacation with him and Macy. I just want to be Ash’s because I know it’s right. I know that this was destined. It is a cliché that I know I am so happy for.

“What’s wrong with you today? You seem so distracted,” my mother comments, setting down her fork. Jasper sends me a smirk and my father looks at me with concern. Jasper better keep his trap shut or else I am going to murder him. He just thinks that I’ve had that thought that I might be in love with Ash rather than what I really think. And, ugh, these stares from my parents makes everything so awkward. It’s so pressuring.

“Sorry, it’s nothing,” I murmur towards my food, forcing myself to not blurt out the words.

“Let’s hear it, Heather,” Jasper encourages, the victorious smirk plastered on his face. “After all, it must be bothering you a lot.” And here he goes. I am going to have Ash help me pull a prank on this little twerp as soon as I can.

“It’s nothing,” I hiss to Jasper, sending him a deadly glare.

“Honey, what is it?” my father asks, setting down his fork as well and turning to me. “You can tell us anything.” I sigh and set my fork down as well, pushing my plate forward slightly.

“Well, you can’t tell anyone, okay?” They nod and I take a deep breath. “I’ve realized something really, really important. It’s kind of like an epiphany.” They watch me intensely and my brother smiles. “I kinda am in love with someone.” I watch my parents’ reactions, waiting for their complete and utter shock. But that doesn’t happen to my parents; that reaction comes from my brother. My mother starts to grin and turns to look at my father. His face is neutral.

“Honey, does he know?” she asks me and I shake my head.

“I don’t know. It’s a possibility.” I look down at my plate and mumble silently. Gosh, I can hardly stand it. So, I do the only thing I know what to do. I grab Jasper and head to my room, dragging him as he whines to let him go. Once I get in my room, I shove him in, slam the door and I turn to him in anger.

“The hell were you thinking?” I almost scream. “Why the hell did you bring that up? Do you have any idea how stupid that was?”

“I’m sorry, I had no idea!” he yells back and I glare at him. “I thought you were going to say you were confused about something! I didn’t think you were going to tell them you were in love with someone. And with Ash too. Did we not tell you that you were in love with him?”

“That’s not the point, Jasper,” I growl. “They are going to think I’m in love with someone else. And that someone will find out and propose as soon as they get back from their family vacation. And once they do, I’ll have to freak out because that is not what I want to happen! Do you understand? Because Macy won’t answer your question, I’ll have to marry James. Even though it says that, I quote, ‘This contract is null and void if neither pair of children fall in love.’ But they think I’m in love with James. If you had kept your little trap shut, I wouldn’t be this situation. But now I have to deal with it and when he proposes, I won’t have any choice but to accept! I will be forced into this marriage!” I take a deep breath and stop myself from pacing, which I had started doing around my third sentence. Jasper is sitting on my bed, which he had done as I ranted on.

“Okay, so go tell them that you aren’t in love with him?” he tells me, but it sounds more like a question.

“No, because you know how much of a gossip Mom is. She’ll tell either Marcy, who’ll tell Jenny, or Jenny herself. And once she tells Jenny, Jenny will tell James, and he’ll realize that we’ve been dating for five years and this is the perfect time to tell me he wants to spend the rest of his life with me. It will cause him to propose, Ash to become the best man rather than the groom, I to be James’ bride, and I’ll have to not break down because I love Ash with all my heart and I won’t be able to marry him or even get to have one date with him because he doesn’t know how I feel and that I don’t know if he even feels the same way!” I take another deep breath after this very long sentence. Good grief, that was long! And I just poured my heart out about Ash to my little brother. I am such a mess right now.

“Heather, calm down. I get that you’re in love with Ash. It was obvious, especially when you squeaked out his name just a moment ago. But, Heather, you have to tell her now or you’ll never be able to tell her at all.” I nod and pull him into a hug, trying to not even freak out. “It’ll be okay. Just go.”

“Thanks,” I breathe, letting him go. I wave and open my door, making my way towards the kitchen. When I reach the kitchen, I spot my mother speaking on the phone. I stand in wait, but I can’t help but walk into the other room and grab the landline to hear who she is talking to and what about.

“That is so great!” I hear Jenny’s voice exclaim with a little girl squeal.

“And you’ll tell him, right? You have to tell him so you guys can come over and bring some of the family.” What are they talking about? Has Mom already told Jenny about me being in love, but with James?

“I got it, I got it. Carrie, I know what I’m doing.” I can practically hear Jenny roll her eyes – I’m not even counting anymore. “I promise I will get everyone over there the day we get back. We’ll be back in two days and when we do, I’ll help him go buy one. Alright?”

“Great, girlie. Now, remember, you can’t tell Heather, Macy, or anyone else. If they find out, so will Heather, and Heather cannot find out! She has to be oblivious. Because that’s the only way it will be right, you know? And, only you and James are allowed to know. Got it?”

“Yes, Carrie. Don’t be so paranoid about this. We will get it, and the day after he’ll do it.” Oh, gosh, they have to be talking about James proposing! I can’t handle it. I just can’t. I can’t even. Oh, gosh, my inner nerd is popping up. I’m unable to even right now. Oh, gosh, no!

“Well, honey, I can’t stop freaking out about this.” My mother is crazy. I hang up and I walk into the kitchen, humming quietly.

“Hey, Mom,” I greet. She holds up and finger and continues to chat as if I’m not even there. I hear her giggle and squeal and speak sternly to Jenny when I know she’s growing paranoid. After a little while longer, my mom finally says her goodbye and hands up. I’ve resorted to picking paint chips off my fingernails while Mom was speaking. Finally, I look up with a look of finality.

“So, hun, what’s up?” Mom asks me, hopping up onto a kitchen counter. “Is this about who you love? Can I hear his name? I’ll keep it a secret, I promise.”

“Well, Mom, first, who were you talking to?” I dodge the question because I don’t want her to know. If she knows, all hell just might break loose. Plus, I want to know if she’ll tell the truth or lie. Probably lie, if I know my mother, and I do.

“Jenny. Oh, and she said hi,” my mother adds with a smile. I send her a grin and think about their conversation before going back to my questions.

“What about?”

“Oh, stuff. When they get back, James is going to take you out on a date. So, I’ll help you go shopping for dresses!”

“Mom, I own enough dresses. My closet is full of them,” I whine, throwing my arm towards the stairs. I own probably a good one hundred to one hundred fifty dresses. And that’s just the beginning of my closet. There are so many shoes, shirts, skirts, skinny jeans, belts, so many clothes; I should donate them when the year ends, you know, so it helps people who need them.

“But this is a date, and you’ve worn those clothes enough. And isn’t it your five year anniversary in three days?” Oh, shit, she’s right! I completely forgot. I’ve been so caught up in this Ash thing I haven’t given myself a moment to think about James! I am such a horrible girlfriend. I should break up with him after the date so I can take time to think about Ash, and then finally ask him out. Or tell Jasper to tell Ash to ask me out. Asking guys out isn’t my thing; I have never asked a guy out since James was my first and is my only boyfriend I’ve ever had. It’d be really hard for me, you know?

“Right,” I sigh. My mother must take it as a sigh of thought than a sigh of unhappiness because she claps her hands once and leave the room, calling back to me that we’ll go shopping tomorrow. Well, as if my day had to get any worse.

But it just did.
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So, there it is. Do you love it? Do you hate it? Are you ready for the Jeather anniversary? I'm excited to see the next chapter! I get to write it and only Jen knows what will happen. Not for sure, but she has an idea.

So, yeah, I just started reading Divergent a couple days ago. And, oh my gosh, I can't wait to read the second one because I'm only halfway through. Now, if you have read it, NO SPOILERS! I don't want to know anything about anything until I finish. But, my favorite character is either Four or Tris. They are both awesome characters and I'm excited for what happens in the story!

Now, the question of the chapter: Which faction, if you've read the book, do you think you'd be in?

Personally, I'd be in Dauntless. Yes, Dauntless, but not because Tris and Four are in Dauntless. I'm more of a wild girl than I seem. And I love knowledge, so maybe I'd be Divergent or in Erudite before I turn sixteen. I'd defiantly transfer to Dauntless though. Dauntless fits me perfectly.

So, lemme know! Maybe we could be faction buddies!

Okay, that sounded strange, but whatever.

And if you haven't read the book, read it! It's fantastic! You're missing out if you haven't!

Love ya, lovies!

~Shana Alana