Chapter 15

It was 6:30 when Mrs. McCartney finally went into Jesse’s room to find out what was taking him so long to get ready. When she walked in, Jesse was sitting on his window sill looking out the window blankly.

Mrs. McCartney: Sweetie are you ok?

Jesse moaned.

Mrs. McCartney: Jess if you’re going to school you have to get going now.

Jesse stood up slowly and walked into his bathroom

Mrs. McCartney: That boy is so confusing sometimes…

Mrs. McCartney had met Kate that one time, but she didn’t know it was a big thing, those two.

Jesse hadn’t eaten dinner, nor slept all night. He couldn’t take his mind off her, everything he tried, didn’t work. He watched a movie, played Xbox, toy cars with Timmy, even attempted to help Lea organize her make up, but that got too much. He was like a walking zombie, and he wasn’t sure how he would make it through the day.

The shower helped a bit, then he brushed his teeth. Breakfast wasn’t a thought in his mind. He got dressed, slightly brushed his hair, then grabbed his backpack, which contained unfinished homework.

Jesse headed towards the door, but his sister stopped him half way there.

Lea: Jesse! Are you forgetting something?

Jesse: Uhh….

Lea: You’re taking me and Kayla to school today, but we have to pick her up.

Jesse: Great. well get in I’m leaving now or I’ll be late.

Lea: Well that isn’t my fault. You’re the one that got up late.

Jesse: Lea don’t mess with me today.

Lea: Well aren’t you Mr. Happy this morning.

She mumbled under her breath. Jesse snapped back at her

Jesse: LEA SHUT YOUR TRAP!

Mrs. McCartney: Jesse McCartney! Don’t you ever yell at your sister like that!

He wasn’t really listening, but when his mom finished her speech, he just walked out the front door and got into his car. Lea wasn’t too far behind.

Jesse: Where does she live?

Lea: Off of Mark.

Mark…damnit.

Jesse: What house number?

Lea: Well I don’t know, but I know which one it is.

Jesse pulled into the street. There was a hill that went down with large houses along side. While driving, he noticed a stone, 2 story, house with a familiar black escalade in the driveway.

Lea: That one!

She pointed at a brick house. Great, right next door. Lea went up to Kayla’s door, while Jesse saw her walking out of the house. She looked great, even after everything she’s been through. Her hair was straight and flying around her face. She had on faded jeans and a UVA sweatshirt, the school one of her brothers went to. She had her messenger bag casually slung over her shoulder, and coffee and an apple in her hands with the keys dangling around one finger. She struggled over to her car and opened the door. Once she was settled in, she put the keys in the ignition. Then she looked up, as if she had noticed something, but not realizing it till now. She looked strait over to Jesse’s car and stared softly for a few seconds. Then she put the car in reverse and sped out of the driveway and down the street. He didn’t understand what Kate thought of him.

Then girls got into the car giggling and laughing. This is going to be one long car ride.

Kayla: SO Jesse, got a girlfriend?

Kayla was the type of girl that wasn’t afraid to ask anyone anything, especially to her best friends brother.

Jesse: What’s it to you smarty?

Kayla: Well Jesse McCartney always has a girlfriend, or at least his eye on someone. So which is it?

Jesse flipped on the radio and turned up the volume, hopefully drowning out the girls. Unfortunately, it was a song they knew, so he had to deal with the signing. But he could take that.

After dropping them off, he drove to his school, where the day was going to be long.

Kate sat parked at the high school wondering what Jesse was doing by her house. What a weird encounter.

Then she noticed him slowly walking into the main building. This is going to be an interesting day.

She saw Kerry standing at her locker and walked over. They talked about Jen and Chris.

Kate: Maybe she’s just overreacting like she does sometimes. I don’t think anything is wrong, but hey, I’m not her.

Kerry: Yeah I don’t know, we’ll ask her at lunch.

Kate: Oh I cant at lunch, I’m going to rehab.

Kerry: Oh alright, maybe 3 way tonight then so we’ll all talk.

They both went their separate ways, Kate to Spanish, Kerry to Chem.

Sparkle and Spencer were sitting in their classes wondering how they would break the news to their best friends, and their boyfriends.