shattered•8•hearts

SLEEPOVERS & LATE VISITS

Jackie was quiet in the car for a while as we drove to my neighborhood, a ridiculously amused smile sat smugly on her face.

"I never thought I'd see the day," she suddenly sniggers, catching my attention. I already knew what she was talking about and honestly I was too mentally tired to approach the topic.

I sigh, knowing she needed an answer for her to shut up and not bring this up again.

"Can we not talk about that, Jackie? I just need some cool down time before returning to practice tomorrow," I mumble.

She chuckles waving me off, "Hell naw, sister! Not a chance! That's the first time I've ever seen you stand up to anyone!"

The high pitch of her voice made me reel back, my face squinging repulsively. "Oh Jackie, come off it!" I snap, "You can bug me all you want all night long about it but now is just not the time."

My sour attitude did nothing to dampen my best friend's mood for the rest of the drive. Once we got to my house, I couldn't help but notice the empty driveway. Danny isn't home yet. She's been spending late nights at the office recently and I have no idea why.

I grabbed my stuff from the backseat as soon as we got out and Jackie just grabbed her powder pink duffle bag that I am sure is packed to brim with body care products.

We have sleepovers every two weeks and this week we're at my house. I have no doubt I will be poked and proded by my best friend as per usual. She's the only reason I have clear skin.

When we first met I was a mess. Puberty hit me early and at ten I was a pimple face. Jackie immediately reversed it all when we started our fortnightly sleepovers.

"So," Jackie starts chirpily, latching onto my arm, "What first? Hair wash or facials?"

I groan earning a chuckle from her. Momentarily, today's incident got pushed to the back of my mind and I know it was thanks to Jackie. The girl's just so cheerful and it's really contagious.

The empty house welcomed me but the smell of lasagna was warm and fresh in the air. Danny came home to make dinner. I'm not so sure she's at the office anymore.

"You know the drill, Jaqueline," I shot to my best friend when I catch her trying to drop her duffle on the coffee table. She looked like a deer caught in the headlights with a bright red blush across her cheeks. She never seems to mind when I call her by her full name, I guess it's because I only ever use it when she's doing some shit.

"Danny isn't home," he whined.

"Danny installed cameras," I mimicked rolling my eyes, "Get your shit to my room now. I don't want her on my ass when she reviews the footage later."

Grunting, she stomped all the way to my bedroom, no doubt using less than pleasant words. Chuckling quietly, I went over to the house phone and dialed my sister's number.

"You're home early from practice," is her first response when she picks up, her voice sounding breathless. She's definitely not at the office.

"Yeah well Mr. Morse was too much of an asshole for your sweet little sister to handle today so I stopped practice for the day," I grumble out.

She laughs heartily and a smile curls on my lips. I haven't heard her laugh like that in quite some time.

"My boss thinks the poor boy has a crush on you," she elaborated to me and I choked on my spit. My face contorted into one of horror.

"I sure as hell hope not!" I squeak earning a duo of laughter.

Wait, why is she with her boss?

"Wait your boss?" I ask curiously, "you at the office?"

Her laughter stops and in a shy voice she replies, "No we're on a date actually."

My jaw drops and I my mouth gaffaughs for words. Date? My uptight sister on a freaking date?!

Before I can answer a suspiciously family voice politely tells me they need to get back to their date an I say goodbye to them before the line went dead.

"Danny's dating now?!" Jackie's excited voice calls from behind me. I almost jump three feet into the air and turn to glare at her, "What did I tell you about listening in on my calls with Danny, Jackie."

She just giggles and runs back up the stairs much to my dismay. Before she she headed back into my room however she gave me a sheepish smile.

"Oh yeah, Taylor just called and she's joining our sleepover." With a wink she strolled through my bedroom door and I face palmed myself. She answered my phone, she had to because Jackie doesn't have Taylor Lestine's number.

~

Half an hour later, true to Jackie's word, Taylor was at my house all dressed in her pajamas and a pillow in hand.

"Hey, Mel!" she squealed before hugging me. I'd barely stepped aside before she she was barreling through the door.

"Ooh, nice place you got here!" she complemented leaving me flustered. Wow, Taylor's quite energetic.

"Uh, thanks," I mumble, shutting the front door.

I had already showered and was also in my pajamas which was a pair of bunny shorts and a thin strapped vest. Jackie was as well was dressed similarly except she had on yoga pants. As for Taylor she went for the whole silk pajamas with sleeping masks thing.

"Jackie's already preparing for a hair was routine," I informed her. She took her amazed eyes away from the walls of my house and beamed at me, "Great!"

"Not great," my best friend groans. We turn our eyes to hers and she immediately gave Taylor a disapproving glare.

"Taylor those pajamas will get stained," she reprimanded, "You better change out."

Her eyes widen and she look between Jackie and I, realization crossing her face. She flushed red, "I'm too dressed up, of course!"

She smacked her forehead dramatically with a look of absolute embarrassment marring her features. My lips twitched at her reaction. Who knew she'd be such a busy body. She's so tame at school.

"You can borrow something from my closet if you want and put your things in my room," I offered pointing upstairs to the opened bedroom door.

"You're a life saver, Mel!" Taylor squealed pulling me in for another tight hug, "I was just about sprint all the way back home!"

After releasing me she skipped upstairs and went through the open door. I let out a sigh of relief and Jackie rolls her eyes.

"That girl was always dramatic," she breathes exasperated before disappearing into the kitchen again. An overwhelmed feeling suddenly came over me and my body trembled a bit.

Well, tonight will surely be interesting.

~

Taylor requested for Jackie to dye her hair blond and to cut it to shoulder length which was a big mistake on her part. She has no idea how much of a perfectionist my best friend could be, especially when it comes to this.

I watch on with amusement for an hour, sipping on a cup of hot cocoa with my hair up in a mess of curls, as Jackie screamed and yanked at Taylor's hair. I knew I was next but it was satisfying to watch someone else endure the torture for once.

"Why aren't you thoroughly enjoying this!" Taylor huffed as Jackie finally started cutting her hair. So she does have other temperments except energetic.

I smirked her way and raise my cup to her in a small toast, "I am actually. You're the only other person to suffer at the hands of Jackie's hair care routine."

She huffed again and pouted, "You could have warned me, Mel."

I let out laugh and sipped on my hot drink, "And miss this? Not a chance!"

A knock on my front door interrupted whatever Taylor was about to say. I chuckled at her before going to see who was at the door, cup in hand.

No one really visits me, much less at this hour. "Who is it?" I call, the smile still present in my voice. I take another sip from my drink but almost spit out the mouthful as a familiar voice calls back.

"It's me, Mel, Brendan."

I gulp down the liquid in my mouth quickly and unlatched the door and sure enough, Crash Course Rebellion's star drummer was standing on my front porch.

"It's okay if I call you Mel, right?" he asks with a bright smile.

I stared up at him, dumbfounded but managed a small nod which made his smile brighten further.

"How did you get my address?" I choke out.

"Who is it, Mel?" My best friend calls from the kitchen.

"Just Brendan!" I call back sipping on my cocoa distractedly.

The boy in question chuckles. "London told me," he laughs out answering my previous question before Jackie, oh so rudely, interrupted my conversation.

I was stunned London even remembered we're neighbors, he always seems to ignore me when he's out collecting his mail.

"I'm here to apologize for London's behavior today," he explains. He didn't even let me ask why he was here.

I snorted at the blond in front of me and took two more gulps of my now cooling drink, "Oh please, Brendan. You shouldn't be apologizing for that jerk-off even if he is your best friend."

A sad smile slowly forms of on his thin lips, "Please just accept the apology." There was something in his eyes that told me there was something going on but I didn't want to pry. There must be a reason he's doing this.

Groaning I begrudgingly agreed, narrowing my eyes at him, "But next time let the jerk-ward do his own dirty work."

A genuine smile was back on his face and he did something the surprised me, he ruffled my hair. "You have no idea how much this means. The bas-"

"Bren! You fucking done yet?" an agitated voice calls from across the street. I roll my eyes at the same time Brendan scowl, "Give me a minute you whiny bitch."

I snort at the exchange and Brendan gives me wink before turning around and leaving. I shut the door behind him and huff a laugh.

Who would've thought, that London Morse felt any kind remorse?