Don't Make This Easy

“Jacie, can you come downstairs?”

I sighed and got off of my bed and headed downstairs. I walked in the living room and saw my mom sitting in the couch picking at her nail polish, something she only did when she was nervous.

“Mom? What's going on?” I asked as I leaned against the door frame. She didn't speak or look up from her hands. “Mom.” I tried again. She looked up at me and sighed.

“It's uh… honey I really don't know how to say this…” she said carefully. I was starting to get worried now.

“Did something happen? Are Dad and Kate okay?” I asked. She nodded.

“Yeah they're fine Honey.” She said. I sighed in relief.
“Alright, so what's going on?”

“It's your grandmother.” She started. “She's getting worse, and Kate started her classes again, your dad is working more and more and they can't take care of her on their own anymore but no one wants to put her in a home.”

“Okay? What does that have to do with us?” I asked. “We’re on the complete opposite side of the country, we can't really do much.” My mom sighed and started picking at her nail polish again.

“That's the thing Hun, we uh…” I held my hand up and cut her off.

“No.” I said. “No, do not tell me that we're moving out there. Do not tell me we're moving out there so that you and dad can just argue all the time again!”

“We’re not going to do that.” She told me. “Your father and I are going to try marriage counseling again, we agreed that if we fight it won't be around you or Katie. But your grandmother needs us.”

“No!” I snapped. “I'll stay here with Uncle Mark and Aunt Carla.”

“Jacie, honey, you can't.” My mom said softly.

“No, you can't just surprise me out of nowhere and tell me that I'm moving across the country.” I yelled. “Mom I'm going to be graduating this year! I'm so far ahead that I can graduate early, if I leave that’ll screw everything up! My friends are here! I have to be here to do pictures for Zack and the guys while they're on tour like I always do! have Alex here! How is that supposed to work from fucking California!”

“Jacelynn Rae Merrick! Watch your mouth” My mother snapped.

“I'm sorry, but what do you expect?” I asked.

“Look, I'll talk with the school and make sure you're on the same track at your new school as you are now.” She said. “Zack and the guys are going to have to figure something out. And if you and Alex are serious then you're gonna have to make it work, you'll figure it out. As for friends, you'll make new ones out there.”

“Mom, don't make me do this, please.” I begged. She looked at me sympathetically and sighed.

“The house is already up for sale.” She told me. “And we’ll be moving at the end of next week.”

I glared at her and left the room. I grabbed my sweatshirt off the coat rack, slipped my shoes on, pulled on my beanie and left, slamming the front door behind me. I heard my mom yelling after me but I ignored her and kept walking. After about fifteen minutes I was thoroughly regretting that I had only grabbed my sweatshirt, but thankfully I was just down the road from Alex’s house. I made my way down the street quickly and walked up the steps to his house. I knocked on the door and his mother answered.

“Jacelynn, what are you doing here?” She asked, pleasantly surprised to see me.

“Is Alex home?” I asked, crossing my arms over my chest in an attempt to warm myself up.

“He's not right now but he should be soon, he just ran to the store for me.” She said. “Come on in sweetheart, it's freezing out there.” I thanked her and followed her inside. “Would you like some tea?” She asked, closing the door behind me. I nodded and slipped my shoes off, then followed her into the kitchen.

I sat down at one of the bar stools that was in front of the island, while Mrs. Gaskarth boiled some water for our tea. She handed me a basket full of different tea flavors, and I immediately grabbed the vanilla caramel one. Mrs. Gaskarth smiled at me and laughed.

“Always the same one.” She said as she handed me a mug and the sugar container. I laughed and nodded.

“I'm a simple girl.” I told her.

I put the sugar in my cup and my tea bag, and Mrs. Gaskarth poured the water in for me, then made her own cup. She grabbed the milk out of the fridge and then sat next to me.

“What's bothering you, dear?” She asked. I just laughed and shook my head as I poured some milk into my cup to cool the tea down.

“Well, my parents are getting back together apparently.” I said, passing the milk to her.

“Is your father moving back here? I know your sister is in college now so she'll probably be staying.” I shook my head again and sipped my tea.

“No. My mom put the house up for sale and we're moving out there with them.” I said, biting my lip to keep my voice from cracking.

“Oh sweetheart.” She said softly, pulling me into a hug. “Have you thought about seeing if you can stay with your aunt and uncle?” I nodded as I pulled away from her.

“Yeah, my mom won't let me.” I said, staring down at the mug in my hands. A single tear managed to escaped and i wiped it away quickly.

“Well when are you moving?” She asked.

“Moving where?” I heard Alex ask. We both turned around, neither of us had heard him come in.

“I'll let you two talk.” She said as she got up and headed into the living room.

Alex put the grocery bags down on the counter and I got up to help him put stuff away. I grabbed the milk and orange juice off counter and put them away in the fridge. I went to grab some other stuff but Alex grabbed my hands and turned me to look at him.

“Hey, have you been crying?” He asked. I smiled weakly at him and shook my head. “Jacie, don't lie. What's wrong?”
“We’ll talk after we put this stuff away.” I said and stood on my toes to kiss him.

We finished putting the groceries away and then went upstairs to his room. He sat down on his bed and pulled me onto his lap, and then pulled my sweatshirt over my head, taking my hat along with it.

“So, what's wrong with you?” He asked, stroking my hair lightly.

“My parents are getting back together.” I told him. I looked down at my hands, picking at my nail polish. Damn my mother for passing this nervous tick onto me.

“What else?” He asked, kissing my lips, then my cheeks, and last my forehead. I sighed and moved off his lap and sat next to him.

“My mom put the house up for sale.” I said. “And she's making me move to San Diego with her because she needs to help my dad take care of my grandmother.” Alex stared at me blankly. “Please don't look at me like that.” I sighed.

“You can't stay with Zack?” He asked. I shook my head.

“My mom won't let me.” Alex sighed and fell back on his bed.

“When are you moving?” I laid down next to him and stared up at the ceiling.

“End of next week.” I said, my voice breaking. Alex wrapped his arms around me and hugged me tightly.

“Well then we’re gonna make the best of this next week and a half, and then we'll figure it out from there.” He said. He kissed the top of my head and then pulled away and kissed me hard.

“Jacelynn, your mother is here!” Mrs. Gaskarth called up to me. I went to sit up, but Alex kissed me and pushed me back down on the bed. I laughed and pushed him away.

“I just have to go see what she wants.” I said as I sat up.

Alex nodded and let me get up. I ran downstairs and saw my mom waiting at the door, looking rather concerned while she talked with Alex’s mom. When I reached the bottom of the stairs she pulled me into a tight hug.

“I thought maybe you had gone to see Zack and talk to Matt and Carla but they said you weren't there.” She said, still hugging me tightly.

“Can't breathe mom.” I choked out. She let go and apologized.

“Please don't run off like that without telling me where you're going.” She said, cupping my face in her hands. I just grabbed her hands and moved them from my face.

“I'm only ever in one of four places mom.” I sighed.

“Do you want to go get dinner? We can talk a little bit more? It wasn't fair of me to just spring that on you.” I just shook my head.

“I'm just gonna stay here tonight, if that's okay with you guys.” I said, looking between my mom and Mrs. Gaskarth.

“That's fine dear.” Mrs. Gaskarth said.

My mom hesitated but agreed too. I knew she wasn't a big fan of me spending the night here. It had nothing to do with Alex’s family, it was more of she didn't trust what me and Alex did all night, which despite what she thought was usually just sleeping.

“Just come by later?” She asked. I promised her that I would, I had to get my clothes anyways, and then I headed back upstairs.

Notes

So I'm doing this a little different. The intro has a few different parts just so that everything up until when the story actually starts is explained, so just bear with me. I hope you guys enjoy :)