12 Chapter 12: Jealousy
JETT'S POV:
I'm struggling to keep a smile on my face as we sit here in Subway. Clover is next to Rigby and for some inexplicable reason it irritates me.
It's not like he knows she's a girl so why would it possibly bother me? As far as Rigby knows, Clover is Creed.
Earlier when we walked into the studio where Clover and Rigby had been, it had felt like we were intruding upon their private moment. There had been a definite atmosphere.
Nona is watching Clover closely, looking for an opportunity to engage her in conversation. She looks slightly put out. She's used to Creed showing her attention, perhaps not in the same way Ziggy does, but attention all the same. But now, Creed is as good as ignoring her.
I think the girl makes Clover nervous. She doesn't know how to act like her brother without causing a misunderstanding. She is scared to say too much, in case she says the wrong thing.
Watching them all, I wonder if any of them realise that Creed is not himself. As great as Clover is doing, she is not Creed. Surely the boys can tell...
Taking advantage of Creed's silence, Ziggy is trying to win Nona over. Nash is focused on his food and pretty much ignoring the rest of us. Rigby and Creed both seem distracted, glancing at each other every once and a while.
I feel a little bit responsible for Clover.
I should probably feel grateful that her and Rigby are no longer arguing but I'm less relieved than I am frustrated. My chest tightens at the idea of them getting on. Clover is smiling as if all the chaos of the last twenty-four hours hasn't happened. Rigby asks her a question about the song they were working on before we interrupted them, but she doesn't answer him because Creed's phone goes off in her pocket and after glancing at the screen, her face drops.
"Hi," she answers.
Everyone is watching her closely. It's probably because they've never seen Creed look so nervous, answering the phone. She literally looks like her world is about to fall apart.
"Can I go this afternoon?"
I lean forward, eager to hear about Creed. She glances my way and I see concern in her eyes. She's scared. That look is enough to tell me that Creed still hasn't woken up. I'm not the only one watching her, Rigby is eyeing her closely and I find myself wondering if he can hear her conversation. From across the table, I'm basing everything on the look on her face. But Rigs is sitting right next to her.
"Thanks," she says softly. Hanging up the phone, she turns towards us all, opening her mouth to say something.
Before Clover can say whatever she has to say, Nash has cut across her.
"What happened to your new phone?"
"Huh?" Clover looks down at the phone in confusion.
"You changed your phone back to the blue one. What happened to the rose gold one?"
Everyone is looking at Clover, waiting for her explanation. She is staring at her phone as if hoping that it will give her an answer.
I prepare myself to answer for her but just as I go to reply, she answers calmly. She's strangely confident as she lies to us.
"I broke my cover in the crash, so I just used a spare one." The only sign that she might be less sure is the hand that goes through her hair. "I ordered a replacement online. It arrived today."
The guys seem to accept her explanation and I notice Crimson's shoulders sagging with relief.
"I need to go," Clover says. "I need to visit a friend."
"A friend?" Rigby asks. "How long will you be? We need to get back to the studio."
"Probably an hour," Clover says as she stands to her feet, preparing to leave.
Rigby's expression clouds over briefly but after a moment he forces a smile onto his face. Watching him, I try to determine what emotions I've just seen cross his expression. Disappointment? Anger? I'm not at all sure.
"Should I come with you?" I ask because I really want to see Creed. I won't believe he's okay until I see him for myself.
With a nod she gives her consent before she returns her attention to the others.
"We'll see you all in a bit."
I try to ignore the way Rigby smiles at her. It's not a smile that Rigby has ever given Creed before. It's too sweet, too soft.
Grabbing Clover's arm, I drag her out of there. I might be imagining it, but I don't want her getting too close to the others. I tell myself that it's because they will work out that she's lying to them, but I can't convince myself that that's the truth.
Truth is... I think I'm jealous.
"Should we go see your brother?" I ask once we're away from the others, dropping my hand from her wrist so I can take her hand.
If she's surprised, she doesn't let on.
I can't tell if I'm trying to comfort her or if I'm trying to claim her. Waiting for the car, I try to rein in my thoughts. Right now, Clover isn't Clover. I drop her hand as if it burnt me.
In reality, I'd hold onto her if I could. But right now, I can't. I need to treat her the way I treat Creed if I don't want the others to work out what's going on.
Blink Twice Lyrics
I just want to know
Where you went when you left
Blinked twice and you were gone
Blinked twice and was left alone
I just want to know
What he gives you that I don't
Blinked twice and you were gone
Blinked twice and was left alone
You promised more than this
But words are easy to break
All I did was blink twice
Blinked twice
Blink once, you turn
Blink twice, you're gone
I just want to know
What I did wrong
Blinked twice and you were gone
Blinked twice and was left alone
I just want to know
If there's a way to go back
Blinked twice and you were gone
Blinked twice and was left alone
Blinked twice
Blinked twice
