How To Save A Life // One-On-One // CLOSED

Jem threw a look at 'Jack', then proceeded to begin picking up his bag. He stood up. "So. Which way?"

"I don't know," Astrid started. "May-"
"It depends where you're going," 'Jack' interrupted.

Jem humphed, not appreciating that 'Jack' had interrupted his sister to answer a question that was not for him. "Astrid, which way?" he asked again.

"Maybe we sh-"
"Tell me where you're going so that I can show you the way."

Jem exploded. "WE CAN DO THIS ON OUR OWn!" He exclaimed. "Let my sister say what she has to fucking say, I wasn't asking you, b*****d!"

"JEM!" Astrid screamed. "CALM THE FUCK DOWN!"

(oh i love swearing wipes away happy tear)

(same tho)
Jem turned to Astrid. "I AM FUCKING CALM. YOU'RE THE ONE WHO'S SCREAMING, GODDAMN!"

"HE'S TRYING TO HELP US FIND VARIANA AND YOU WON'T EVEN GIVE HIM A SHOT!" Astrid screamed, tears starting to fall down her cheeks. She slapped Jem as hard as she could and ran off into the forest.

Jem stood there, blank gaze transfixed on the ground. He slowly walked off into the forest and began to climb a tree. Once he reached as high as he could go, he yelled. "I'M SORRY VARI!" He buried his head in his hands and broke down, completely forgetting about Jack for a moment.

Astrid climbed a tree and sat on one of the branches. She was startled when Jack laded gently on it beside her but didn't scream.

Jem opened his bag, holding his pocket knife in his hands. He put it in his pocket, and pulled out a map, examining the forest.

Astrid moved away from Jack slightly. "What do you want?" She asked softly.

Jem got tired of staring at the lines that meant nothing to him, and pulled his cap over his eyes, leaning against the trunk and soon drifting off.

"I want to let you know that I'm who you think I am."
"You can't be."
"Look at me. Trust your heart."

Jem stirred slightly, dreaming of tall buildings and Variana weaving her way through them, always just out of his reach.

"I don't trust my heart anymore. Not after what happened to Variana. Now can you please just leave?"

Jem awoke from his dream, when he jumped off a ledge trying to reach Variana. He jumped down from the tree, heading back to their camp. Astrid should have cooled down by now.

Jack said nothing. Astrid looked at him to see what was wrong and found that he was staring right at her, close.

Jem sat down by the fire. He figured he'd wait till Astrid came back. She'd come back… right?

"Why are you staring at me?"
"Am I not allowed to stare at the most beautiful woman I've ever seen?" Astrid blushed and jumped down.
"I should get back and apologise to Jem."

Jem looked around, hoping Astrid would cone back soon. He needed to apologise. He also hoped 'Jack' wouldn't come back. Even if it really was Jack, he still didn't trust him.

"Wait," Jack said, grabbing Astrid's hand. She tried to wrench it away but hid grip was stronger than hers.

(Lordy if Jem ways there
Jack is crossing the line)
Jem decided to go look for Astrid, getting anxious being by himself. He heard Jack's voice, and followed it, drawing nearer.

"Please let me go Jack."
"But, if I let you go, you'd disappear again."
"Me disappear? You're the one who disappeared!"

Jem heard Astrid's voice this time, leading him to a scene he didn't like. "Get your filthy hands off my sister." Jem said fiercely, squaring Jack up. "If I see you touch her again you'll be eating your stomach for dinner." He growled.

Astrid watched the two men. She knew that her brother was trying to help, but if he'd never come she might have gotten something out of Jack.

Jem glanced at Astrid. "I'm sorry sis." He said, looking down. "For yelling." He reached to grab her hand, then grimaced, instead holding it out to her, glaring at Jack.

Astrid didn't take his hand. "You might be my big brother Jem, but you need to trust me more."

Jem shifted uncomfortably, trying to control his temper. He turned around, staring at the ground. "Alright, have fun with your long lost boyfriend then." He said ruffly, walking back towards camp.

"We never dated!" Astrid called after Jem.
"But we could," Jack said from behind Astrid. She turned and stared at him.
"I'm sorry what?"