16 16: The Day I Splashed Her
JACKSON
They cleaned windows. maybe some splashing water and getting 2 know ganon
Wringing the towel and wiping the first window, Jackson shot Jade a glance. She had rolled up her short sleeves until her shoulders, showcasing her biceps. She went to work cleaning the window in front of her. Jackson pursed his lips. He knew he was somewhat responsible for making her miss the afternoon classes. He wanted to ask how she was and whether or not she got punished at home. He knew it wasn't his business but he had to... try asking her.
"Hey Jade?"
"Yeah?"
Jackson faced her, arm returning to his side. Jade glanced at him but didn't stop cleaning; only rotated her rag in circular motions and patiently waiting for what he had to say.
"I know it's none of my business but I'm partially responsible for you skipping class that day and I wanted to ask... if you received any severe punishment? I'll talk to your parents and tell them you did nothing wrong."
Jade gave a small smile as she turned to his direction.
"Thanks for the concern, Jackson. Um..." she rubbed her temple, eyes straying upward in thought, "well, my dad did ask what was up but I clarified to him we aren't fuckbuddies or anything."
Jackson choked on air.
"E—excuse me, what?" He could help but start laughing, almost unable to believe she had actually cursed. "What did you say to your dad?"
Jade, candid and nonchalant, repeated, "Fuckbuddies."
Jackson dissolved into laughter again.
"Oh my god you outwardly cursed in front of your father?"
The corner of Jade's lips quirked up. He pointed at her.
"Now you see what I'm surprised about. Seriously?" He chuckled, throwing the rag over his shoulder. He flinched at the coldness (forgetting he had wet it) and immediately removed it from his clothes. Jade erupted into giggles as she pointed at him with one hand and mocked him.
Jackson grimaced at her.
"Oh you're so clumsy," she gasped out, slapping her thigh.
He rolled his eyes but he wasn't actually fully annoyed with her.
"Never mind about that." He clicked his tongue at his own stupidity, pinching a part of the cloth and shaking it to hopefully dry it up. "Now... let's get this over with." He dunked the rag in the bucket and began wiping the windows, Jade nodding and following suit with her own set of windows.
"My dad was tons worried," began Jade. Jackson paused before continuing on, making sure to listen to her. Jade hummed. "I know we're not friends and I'm definitely aware how we started off with bad impressions of each other." He winced, knowing she spoke the truth. She chuckled. "I said I myself didn't understand why I suddenly decided to drop class and tag along with you but I said how I was actually worried—yes worried—" he had to huff out a laugh at that, "even though we didn't have much connection to each other, you know?"
He could only nod and move on to the next window. He scratched his chin, trying to organize his thoughts.
"Um well... I can't say I fully understand but you know... it's something." Jade nodded emphatically. He shot her a brief look. "So... your dad's not mad? At you? At me?"
Jade faltered in cleaning before sucking in a breath. "Uh... he said he doesn't understand but he believes me." Her eyebrows jumped and she turned to him. "Actually, he's interested in meeting you."
"What?" Jackson whipped his head toward her, eyes wide. Jade only nodded. Jackson pursed his lips, wary. "Why? Is he going to scold me or something?"
Jade let out another laugh, her head tilting back as her mouth opened wide. She didn't laugh gently and womanly like Trista but somehow Jade's laugh suited her. It was uninhibited and... he didn't know if he could describe it as 'wild' but it sounded genuine. He rather liked it.
"No no let me tell you right now: my dad is a gentle man. He won't hit unless he has a good reason to so you don't have to be worried about anything." She wrinkled her nose. "Actually, I was fully against the idea of having you over but he said, and I quote, 'I have to meet him so I can somewhat understand what compelled you to walk out school on your own free will' so yeah that happened." Jackson swallowed. What was he supposed to expect from her dad? Jade cast him a hesitant look. "If you're uncomfortable, I can persuade him not to bother you."
He gave a nervous smile. He swallowed again.
"Well... as much as I appreciate you trying to give me an out, I think I need to do this. Otherwise, if I don't show myself, your dad will think we're dating or something."
They both shivered.
"You're not my type," they both said to each other at the same time.
Jade's eyes widened. Jackson raised a judgmental brow.
"Why are you copying me?" she asked.
"No, you're the one who copied me."
Jade bared her teeth in a growl.
"Um... no?" She splashed water at him, Jackson gasping audibly and Jade grinning mischievously. To get back at her, Jackson wet his rag and attempted to wring it over her head but Jade had anticipated what he was going to do and so ran far away from him, taunting him.
"Get back here, Alderson!"
"No way, Arden!" She stuck her tongue out and made faces at him.
Annoyed, Jackson opted to carry the whole bucket and run after her with promises of a shower, Jade squeaking in surprise and hurtling out of there. Whoa... she ran fast. Was she part of the track team or something?
The other four students who were also in detention either ignored them, gave them dirty looks, or laughed at them.
The teacher in charge ran to their area and pointed at Jade who was dancing by a tree.
"Miss Alderson! Mister Arden! What are you two doing fooling around?"
Jade snapped her gaze to the teacher and grinned sheepishly.
"Oops. Sorry about that, sir."
He huffed and walked away.
She approached her previous post and Jackson took it as chance to douse her with water, Jade shrieking and stumbling back on her butt, now looking like a drowned rat. Jackson cackled at her appearance, Jade kicking at his shin and picking herself up off the floor.
The teacher hurried back and barked, "Mister Arden!"
Jackson whipped his head toward the red-faced teacher and only smirked in response.
