Chapter 18 (Jasmine)

Sun rays in the morning, God they can be annoying, who said I wanted to wake up early. But wait, if there are rays of light entering my room, which means my curtains are open and I'm sure I closed them before sleeping. Why are my curtains open?

I just lay on my bed panicking afraid to open my eyes what if he's lying beside me waiting for me to wake up. What should I do should I scream or should I just pretend to be asleep? Maybe he'll get bored and leave. I was seriously becoming restless slowly drifting into a panic attack. I held onto my pillow tightly and squeezed my eyes shut trying to keep my panicking self under control but it was no use. I could already imagine his hand touching me.

The door to my room opening around that time did not help matters at all. I screamed really loud and turned to face the door, eyes still closed. If he was really here, I didn't want to see him hurt me. "Please stay away from me, please", I cried as I held on tightly to my pillow. I could just imagine him with a smirk on his face approaching my bed. I could hear footsteps approaching my bed and I knew this was it. He said he'll come back for me and he was finally here.

"Jasmine it's just me don't be afraid", I heard a voice very similar to Jared's but my brain had already shut down all I could do was plead to be left alone. I felt my bed sink under his weight when he sat down, "It's okay Princess it's just me, no one will hurt you. I'm here", I calmed down upon hearing the familiar name he normally calls me. I was so relieved I started crying. He lifted me off him and sat beside me on the bed, "Why is my princess crying?", he asked with a goofy smile on his face.

"I'm so stupid, I felt the rays from my window and I thought Emmett had come back to hurt me and then when you entered I thought you were him" I said between sobs. "Oh princess he's not coming back to hurt you, I'll make sure of that don't worry and you're not stupid". he said and hugged me again.

"I opened the window because I wanted you to wake up and I left to bring you breakfast, I'm sorry that I scared you", he released me and went for the tray with food for us. I washed my face brushed my teeth and we settled to eat. "Jared, why are you here this morning?", I asked after a while, "Why, do you want me to leave?", he asked back and I shook my head.

I really missed him when he wasn't around yesterday I was very bored until Priscilla came to disturb me and left and my mom too was out of it the whole day so I had no one to talk to.

"It's just you never came here the whole day yesterday so I thought you maybe...", "Princess don't even continue, you missed me and you're trying to hide it. I get it". Oh God, this cocky child. "Who said I missed you?" I retorted, "Well then, I guess you won't mind me leaving", he said and made to get down from the bed but I held him back. "See you missed me", he said and sat back down and we continued eating.

"Okay", he started after putting the tray away, "The actual reason why I came here is because", he paused and walked to my study table, picked something and hid it behind his back. "A certain someone told me that my princess was refusing to attend the prom today because she didn't have a date", he said and stood beside my bed, "Oh come on Jared you know I can't go I'm hurt and its probably going to be boring".

"Even if I decide to go with you?", he asked out of nowhere, seriously. "You know I'm still going to say no right?" I don't get why Priscilla thought that I would go just because Jared asked me. I mean is it reason enough? Yes, but am I going? No.

"Oh but Jasmine it's your last prom don't you want to at least go and see what's going to happen. Don't give me the I can't walk excuse because I know you can, not perfectly but that's why you'll have me around".

I thought about it he did have a point I've never been to prom and it'll be nice to see what actually goes on there and he'll be there so I'll be safe. "Okay fine, but you have to promise to never leave me", I said and he immediately agreed. "Okay I have to give you this now he said and handed me a flower. "I wanted to get you a bouquet but I won't be able to hide it so I took just one", he seemed shy for some reason it was kinda cute.

Just then my mom shouted my name, "Jasmine, Priscilla is coming up", and just like that she opened the door with a big smile on her face. "Save me", I said leaning toward Jared he just looked at me and laughed. "Did she agree yet?", she directed her gaze at Jared and he nodded.

"Okay, makeover time she said to me", "Why?", I whined, "Um...because you have to look great this evening. We need to go to the salon at least to fix your hair", "But my hair is fine", I looked at Jared for support, "Just go with her princess", he said to me with a laugh even when I was glaring at him.

"Yeah princess listen to your prince", this time the both of us glared at her and I reluctantly got off the bed but before Jared left I stopped him. "I need to talk to you about something" I said and looked at Priscilla hoping she'll get the message. "Fine I'll leave you guys alone, no funny business I'm watching you" she threatened before leaving the room.

"Okay um...how do I say this...um...um", "What is it princess", he held my face to look up at him when he realized how worried I was, "It's my mom she...she has been a little off recently and...and I'm getting worried about her but every time I try to talk to her she doesn't really pay attention to me and since you're already kinda her son and all...well I was hoping that you could...um...ask her about it to see maybe she'd open up to you. That is if you're okay with it".

I'm very nervous what if he says no. "Don't worry I'll ask her he assured, "Thank you", "Anytime princess" he messed my hair and left me to dress up.

When I went to the living room Jared was nowhere to be seen just Priscilla eating cookies and watching a movie. "Where's Jared?", "Talking to his mother-in-law", she answered without looking at me, "Who is that?" I asked totally confused, "Your mother, they're in the kitchen". "Ohk let me just say bye and well go", she held me back,"Don't worry about it she already knows were going out she even gave us money for a manicure", she said and we walked out she holding me so I don't limp as much.

We returned a little earlier than I expected considering how hyper Priscilla was about preparation. We did our hair, nails and then we went to get hamburgers because we were dying of hunger. Priscilla suggested we go to the park so we did and stayed there for about an hour just enjoying the breeze and walking around till my leg began to hurt and we returned to my house at 3pm.

You can rest a little, when its 5 we can start getting dressed she suggested and I agreed. No matter how excited she was she would never make me uncomfortable or too tired, she persuaded me to go after all. I dropped into the couch the moment we got home while Priscilla sat beside me watching television.

Time went by so fast and in no time I was being awoken to get ready. My mom woke me up and asked me to wake Priscilla who had also fallen asleep watching television. "Honey you guys should come and eat so you can get ready for prom", my mom told me and surprisingly she didn't look like she did yesterday, I guess Jared really did a good job with talking to her.

I stood up and managed to finally wake Priscilla up so we could eat I tell you that girl is a deep sleeper. She was barely awake even while we ate but by the time we were done she was all hyper again. How is one person such a ball of energy, I wonder? We went to my room and started getting dressed up Priscilla brought the dress I chose as well as hers.

We already had our nails and hair done but some strands got loose when we slept so we just fixed them and we had an hour to go before the boys came over. "Girl, you look so different with make up on", she said while finishing up my makeup.

"Are you girls done?" my mom poked her head through the door, " Almost mom", I said trying to look at her without moving my face. She walked and stood behind me as Priscilla finished up and moved away to have a better look at my face, "You look beautiful baby", my mom said to me with a proud smile, "Priscilla you too" she said and cupped her face.

"Thank you for sticking by my baby's side and taking care of her. For being her friend and showing her that there are some good people out there", she seemed genuinely grateful and I felt happy that my mom and my friend were getting along so well. She then lifted the bag I didn't realize she had brought in.

"I bought something for you girls" she reached into the bag and took out a necklace and put it on Priscilla it was so beautiful and it matched her dress too then my mom walked up to me and put another one on me too it looked just like Priscilla's but a different colour then she held both our hands, honestly I'm getting confused.

"I gave you girls these necklaces so you'd never forget that you have each other and that no matter what you have someone to go too. I want you girls to protect each other and never be scared to ask something of the other alright. This is your last prom, tomorrow you graduate and then there's college. The outside world is not going to be as forgiving and easy as it is now every decision you make from now on is going to affect something sooner or later and you're going to need someone to understand and help you get through those times".

"I might not understand and you too Priscilla, your parents might not understand but the fact that you have each other can help you get through so never let go of each other okay?" she said looking at both of us. We nodded and she pulled us into a tight hug just then we heard a knock on the door. "I guess your dates are here", she said and released us.

We hurriedly put on our shoes and picked our purses before walking out to meet the boys, well only Parker was in the living room and he looked so handsome gosh. "Where's Jared?", I asked Parker and he pointed at the door.