Chapter 3: Broken Bones And Broken  Hearts

Kick sat on the kitchen table in Jessica's home, wearing his usual steely gaze. Jess's mother sighed and pursed her lips "Collarbone, you won't be doing much for a while." The blonde haired woman patted him lightly  on the shoulder. " 'till ya get better, I'll have Jess be your caretaker." for a second, she could have sworn his eyes lit up, just a little.  " What can I say? You were right." He admitted after her mother left to call his parents. Kick cleared his throat, "Sorry." Jess perked up at this sudden softness and vulnerability. "No biggie, you don't need to apologize. It's not your fault." she languished a little. The next move made her kind of uncomfortable. He cupped her chin and pulled her face to meet his. "Look," He spoke softly, "it's not your fault, so don't be bummed out  that it was my stupidity and recklessness that got me hurt." they both smiled at each other. When they realized the position they were In, Kick dropped his hand and Jess shifted uncomfortably, folding her hands in her lap. "Better get ya home." she wouldn't dare make eye contact with him after that sudden outburst.

Kick laid in his twin bed, reflecting on the eventful day. "Uhhhhhhhgggg!" he groaned as he tried to roll over "Poor Jess, she must feel terrible, I just met her and I already broke a collarbone for her." "For her?" he thought, bewildered at what just escaped his lips. "I can't believe our faces were just inches apart, just to make her feel better. Thats why I did it."   "Mere inches" He gripped the air in front of him. He sighed and let his arms fall to his sides before falling asleep.

Jessica felt her chin and her heart raced, just thinking that Kick had let his hand linger there. "Why did he touch me?" she pondered for a while. She thought about his embrace and his calloused, yet gentle, hands. She wanted to feel his touch again. It was like a sudden urge for his presence. A crush? Possibly. Love? Maybe. Something more? Doubt it. He wouldn't feel the same. She laid on her back and drifted off to sleep. 

Sunlight poured through the window, awakening the broken boy. Kick opened one eye and reluctantly glanced at his clock. 9:30. He closed his eye once more and enjoyed the silence. "The house is empty....so I can maybe do some novice stunts around the house....." he smirked at his brilliant idea and tried to sit up. "Nope, not doin' that..." he grunted and laid back down, kicking off his sheets. "Where's my caretaker?" "Right here." Kick jumped, startled by Jessica. She leaned on the doorframe and popped her gum loudly. " Hey Jess." Kick beamed.  She strutted into the room and sat on the edge of the bed "How did the parents take it?"  "Nothing serious, they expected it from me. I tend to miscalculate my landings sometimes."  she crossed her legs and leaned farther into the bed. He just smiled at her. The awkward silence took over, consumed the room and both minors could feel the tense air  between them.  They just enjoyed each other's presence.  A knock at the door  startled them, they already knew who it was. None the less, Jess slowly walked down the stairs, passing Brad's room and noticing the open door and empty room. Jessica shuffled across the carpet to the door  and unlocked the deadbolt  to let in Jackie. They leered at each other. Jess spoke up first, "I know we don't like each other, but let's pretend to get along for Kick's sake." "Fine with me." Jackie pushed her way past her with the wicker gift basket and bounded up the staircase. They both met up in Kick's room and Jackie was already graveling at his feet and crying. Kick rubbed his head with his hand that wasn't in pain and clenched his eyes shut. "Jackie!"  She was awestruck, he just yelled at his biggest fan, and she didn't understand why. "it's a broken bone, it's not like I'm on my death bed!!" He didn't mean to raise his voice, but he was irritated, this constant worshipping had to stop. " o-okkkayy Kick, I'm jjjusst gonna leave ttthis basket hheere, if tthats ookay.." she sniffled and wiped her eyes after leaving the room. They both heard the door shut abruptly. "I'm gonna go, it looks like you need some..." Kick grabbed her hand "Don't leave." his gritty voice was shallow and he wouldn't look at her. "Please?" He enclosed her hand around his and held it tight.   He was a lonely boy deep down, under that gruff voice and steel gaze was a desperate for attention,  innocent child. It made her feel unstable and weary. "Sure." He reluctantly released her delicate hand.   "Want something to eat?" she clasped her hands together so that they met at the top of her thigh. "Not feelin' up to it yet."  Jessica swiveled her hips uncomfortably "Where is the rest of the family?"  "i dunno, maybe shopping, seeing a movie, visiting with the neighbors...." His voice trailed off.  "Well, maybe we could go to my house.. .'n play video games or something."  "Ya got Silent Hill or Grand Theft Auto?" "Every edition."  she spoke proudly, like it was an achievement. "What are we waiting for?"  Jess giggled.