Chapter 28

*

I woke up the next morning to the sound of chrpping birds and sunlight peeking through a little opening through my curtains.

I felt so peaceful, as if this was the best I've slept in a while, I attempted to turn away from the mocking sunlight but I couldn't, I didn't understand at first so I tried to stretch a bit but my movements were restricted.

Still refusing to open my eyes, I decided to feel what wasn't allowing me to move. It felt so hard yet soft when I squeezed, it felt so comfortable at the moment.

"Ouch, are you always this touchy when you sleep?"  I heard a voice say.

My eyes sprung open as I looked up and was caught in the gaze of Ethan's beautiful blue eyes, with different questions running through my mind all at once, I forget I was staring at the boy on my bed.

"I guess you like what you see since you've been staring this whole time." I blinked twice as I registered what he had just said.

I broke free from his arms and pushed him off the bed as I looked down to make sure I was wearing clothes.

"Ouch, you didn't have to kick me off the bed" Ethan said standing up rubbing right arm.

"I-i'm sorry, it's just weird seeing you in my bed so early in the morning." I said.

"Don't you remember what happened last night?" He asked.

As I thought about it, I began to remember everything that happened since I left the hospital till I got home, our moment together be the pool, the kiss we shared before we went to bed.

As I remembered the kiss, my hand slowly reached for my lip.

"I guess you remember now. Well, you better get use to it, because I'll definitely be coming back." Ethan said picking up a towel. I felt the heat rise up to my cheek as I looked away from him.

"N-no, you can't, you have a girlfriend remember?" I said reminding myself.

"Well, I don't know what it was, maybe to get your attention or something like that, but Morgan was a mistake, I want you" Ethan said holding into my shoulders making me look at him.

"But, I'm not going to rush you and I hope you'll still see me as your friend." He said looking into my eyes.

I was so struck by his beauty so all I did was just nod. He smiled and tousled my hair and got off the bed.

"But I will definitely get you back in my and not just as a friend. I promise you." He said giving a kiss on my cheek before he disappeared behind the bathroom door.

I pounder on what he had just said and touched my cheek, my face felt hot, I rushed to my vanity and I was as red as a tomato.

"No Jess, you have to focus, even if what you've always wanted just happened." I said smiling like a crazy person.

As I was smiling my phone went off and I had a message. I picked up phone and the sender id wasn't on the screen.

Remember, we have a date this even and you're paying as promised. See you soon.

Your Spirit Guide,

Robert.

I had totally forgotten about Robert and if I remembered correctly the told Mom they were coming back today and Ethan's parents are supposed to be here to see me. How was I supposed to handle all this today.

About an hour later both me and Ethan were ready. It was 9am on a Sunday morning, so long story short, we had breakfast, went to church, Ethan went home to get ready with his parents and I still had a little extra time before it was time to meet up with Robert.

We got back home and everyone went about their business as Mom got started with dinner for the Floyds.

I went up to my room picked up my phone and opened our group chat, i was kinda bored so I picked up my phone and started a conversation:

Me: Hey guys.

AJ💜: What's up J?

Weirdo: Hey Jess, is your Mom done cooking?

Oppa: Jack, don't make me come over there.

Me: Yeah about that.

Val: What is it Jess?

Me: Well, I don't know what my Mom has planned, bottom left me is, I'm bored.

Weirdo: Don't you ever do that again, you really had me going there, I thought dinner was off.

Val: Really bro, you should really start acting like someone I look up to.... Like Ace ☺️.

Oppa: 😏.

Weirdo: Val your room is literally five feet away from mine, don't make me come over. And you Ace, I thought you were my best friend, but you're going after my sister too 😭.

Oppa: Stop it man, it's not my fault she looks up to someone as cool as me.

AJ 💜: Quit it guys, Jess, how about we come over and help get set for tonight's party.

Val: That sounds fun. I'm in.

Weirdo: But I just wanna eat.

Oppa: Jack, you better get your ass over to Jess's place before I drag it there.

Weirdo: Fine, fine, Jeez, no need to get your pants in a knot grandpa.

Oppa: Jack Vincent Tucker. What did you just call me?.

Weirdo: Uh Oh, see you soon Jess, I'm out.

Weirdo logged out

Val: Jack's yelling, we'll see you guys soon.

Val logged out

Me: See you all soon then.

I said as I logged out too, and just in time, my door flew open and Zoe walked in.

"Mom said if you aren't too tired, she needs a little help in the kitchen." Zoe said.

"Sure, the guys are also coming in early to help out too." I said.

"Cool, let's go." Zoe said as she skipped out of my room.

Not long after, the place was set. Out backyard was turned into a beautiful setting for the perfect dinner. We set tables from the garage together to form a long table, added the chairs and then added some flowers to decorate the table. We also threw in some white Christmas lights to give is a magical feel.

"This is beautiful." I heard a voice say but faintly. I looked around since I was tho only one left admiring our work.

When u didn't see anything I shook my head and headed into the house to get ready.

I and the girls got ready in my room, doing our hair and makeup, while the boys all got ready in Tyler's room since Zack's was a little cramped.

By 7, the parents started to show up. And as usual, AJ's family came in first, I went to greet them at the front when AJ's littlest sister, Tiffany ran up to give me a big hug. I picked her off the ground and spinned around with her as she giggled.

Tiffany was just 4 years old and the youngest in the house, she also had a brother Nick, who was about the same age as Zack and Zoe. Nick walked over to the twins and I could almost swear I saw Zoe blush.

OMG, does my little sister have a crush on my best friend's little brother, that's so adorable.

The Tucker's came in next, followed by the Floyds.

"Look at you, you're all grown up, it hurts that I wasn't part of this growth. How are you Jessica?" Ethan's mom asked.

"I'm alright, Mrs Floyd, it's nice to see you again." I answered politely.

"Please, call me Lucy or Mom, since you're also like a daughter to me." She said, I could hear the partial hurt in her voice so I did the one thing I knew would bring a smile to her face.

"Sure... Mom." I said giving her my best smile. Mrs Floyd eyes grew huge as tears began to gather in them, she pulled me into a hug and began to sib quietly.

I hugged he back and looked towards my mom who nodded and gave me a smile.

Everyone was already getting settled in, all except Ace. Ace's family weren't in town, so he had the house all to himself, but I had other things planned.

I moved over to the side and tried to call Morgan again but no response, she was the only one missing in this happy moment. I also asked the others about Morgan, but all they said that she had ghosted them all.

The service we hired rang the bell signaling that dinner was ready. As we were all making our way to the back lawn the door bell rang. I hoped it was my surprise or Morgan.

I rushed towards the door and yanked it open and sure enough, it was Ace's parents. I was a bit sad that Morgan didn't show up but Ace's parents coming in person was enough surprise for me.

I picked up a glass before leading both of them to the back, I asked them to wait as I introduced them. I clicked my glass gently with a small spoon and got everyone's attention.

"Ladies and gentlemen, our guest of honor, Mr and Mrs Kim." I saw Ace's head snap towards me as I announced his parents.

Mr and Mrs Kim came out behind me and my parents stood up to receive them. For the first time in a long while I saw a reaction on Ace's face. He bowed as his parents came over.

"What are you doing here, I'm sure your business trip was supposed to last till next week, why the early arrival Father." Ace asked.

"We got a message from your friend here, and she said it would mean a lot to her and you if we came." Mrs Kim said.

"And we also got an offer for a business deal we couldn't resist" I didn't expect Ace's dad to say that out loud, thankfully I discussed this with my parents before hand or this would have been a disaster.

I waited for Ace to react, but he just nodded his head and took his seat, but without anything said there was already tension in the air. I hope this all goes well.