Vanessa's POV:

Saturday morning

I didn't talk to Jake all day yesterday although he tried to talk to me. Stacy left yesterday evening after her exams and Caleb drove Riley home before he flew off yesterday. 

Alex will be staying at his grandmother's till Monday, then go home before coming to his friend's home town Thursday morning to see me then go to Jackson's house.

Archer also left yesterday, he is currently going to his photo shoot.

My brother and they are driving home, they already left campus.

"Vanessa are you ready?" Jackson knocks.

"Yeah", I say zipping my bag.

The room is how I met it during orientation, empty.

Stacy packed up her side of the room.

Jackson and Aden helped me packed up yesterday and put all my boxes in the closet what I don't need.

Jackson takes my bag and I got my room key and phone.

"I heard snow would start to fall here from Monday", he says.

"At least we'll be home", I smile.

"Jake already left to meet his mother so we'll be taking a taxi", he informs me.

I nod.

Most people are leaving today or tomorrow, some are staying back to do extra work and go home exactly on Christmas eve.

"Bye enjoy your winter break and happy holidays", one of Jackson's hook up says and kiss his cheek.

"You too see you in January", Jackson hugs her.

"It will be a new year so change and get a girlfriend, no hook ups okay because I'm changing. My crush from back home will be coming here next semester and I hope we start a relationship, if I can at least try you can too", she encourages and leaves.

"Well I always had a crush on Michelle", he grins at me.

"Bad idea, she's interested in T. J and  you deserve better", I shake my head.

"You're right maybe I'll stop hook up and just go on blind dates till I feel a little chemistry between my dates", he smiles.

"Well better than hooking up,"

________

"You're finally here now we can go", Ana says and hugs me.

She's a nice woman.

I see Jake on his phone playing game, he didn't even look at me.

He got into the black van.

"Am I missing something?" His mother frowns.

"Nope", I reply and the driver takes my suitcases.

"Are you sure? Because Jake is giving you the cold shoulder", she points out.

"Well duh, captain obvious", I mumble and Aden laughs.

I sit between Jackson and Aden, Jake and his mother are facing us.

"Jake aren't you going to greet Vanessa?" Ana looks at him.

He glance up,"hey", then turn back to his phone.

I roll my eyes, his mother narrows her eyes at him.

I make eye contact with her and she nods, she lets it go.

When we arrive at the airport and board the private plane, I stay with Jackson most of the time while Jake and his mother are in the next room having a private conversation.

"What's your weekend plan?" I ask.

"Chill home and maybe go see Michelle and her older brothers, I'm sure you met them last year", he looks at me.

"I did, I didn't see them in almost a year", I reply.

"Well I'm going there tomorrow I'll come pick you up and we can both go, they keep asking Michelle when you are coming to visit even though their brother isn't dating you they still want friendship", he explains.

"Okay I'll be home."

"Great", he smiles.

"Vanessa can I talk to you?" Jake approaches us.

Now he wants to.

"Sure", I follow him to the other room, his mother is by a window with her laptop talking to someone on Skype.

"Yes I'm already on the plane", she says to the person.

I sit down where Jake is, "yes?"

"About what I said on Thursday, I'm sorry", he looks at me with guilt.

"I know."

"The thing is since I trust you and tell you everything I'll be honest here, the function I have to attend on Friday I have to carry a date", he explains and I am about to talk, but he stops me,"but my mom told me I will be accompanying Linda Clark for the benefit of my both families' business", he adds.

"Linda Clark! That bitch who kissed you during that party?" I demand.

"Yes, but we're just walking in together and that's it nothing will happen I promise", he explains.

"How would you know? She kissed you already who know she wouldn't again", I snap.

"Vanessa try to unde-"

"Understand? I understand very well you didn't want me to come because you have to accompany Linda and didn't the balls to tell me Thursday", I snap.

"Let me just ex-"

"Explain? I don't think so I already got the explanation I need", I say and get up.

"Vanessa.."

"I think we're done here, when we land just don't talk to me until I contact you", my voice break and tears fill my eyes, hurt flashes through Jake's eyes.

"Whatever you want", he grumbles and gets up, then pushes pass me.

I cry and sit down putting my head on the table.

"Are you okay?" Aden asks with concern.

"No I just want to be alone for a while", I cry and he put something in front of me.

It is ice cream, chocolate ice cream.

"Ms. James sent it for you, she feels bad for causing trouble between you and Jake", he explains.

"She didn't, we already had problems since after Halloween", I sigh and begin to eat.

"Well she still feel its her fault since she convince Jake to take that girl."

"All those rich people only care about their stupid reputation and only deal with people who are rich without realizing that they are hurting average people because of their selfishness", I say and wipe the tears from my eyes.

"I'm glad Jackson isn't like that or Riley, but if we don't save Jake by this time next year he would be dating girls who are rich and parents who owe small businesses", he states.

"Don't remind me."

"Sorry I can't help it."

_____

When we exit the airport I see Paul waiting for me.

I hug Aden and Jackson goodbye, thank Ana and leave without sparing Jake a second glance.

"Hey kiddo let me help you with that", he says and I hand him my luggage.

"Is everything okay between you and Jake?" He asks sensing that Jake is still standing outside his private van.

"No and I don't want to talk about it either", I say and got into the car.

"Okay dokey, your mother is out so I'll be dropping you off at your dad's house so you can spend the day there I have to go the office", Paul says when he gets into the driver's seat.

He shuts the door and turn on the engine and drive, he pop the horn at Jake who is still outside watching me.

I look away as we drive further and further away.

Jake: I'll give you all the time you need just know I'm in love with you and no one else

I sigh and Paul watch me in the review mirror.

"Okay kiddo? Need any chocolate or ice cream?"

"Just ate ice cream earlier, I'm good but what I need is a burger", I grin.

"We'll stop at this new burger place, its good."

"Sure", I smile.

"Vanessa!" Natalie shrieks as I got out the car.

She runs towards me and I pick her up.

"Hey, missed me?"

"Of course,  Kevin isn't even home yet", she pouts as I put her down.

"Vanessa, why don't you come in? Its making cold outside", Kevin's mom says.

"Thanks", I say and Natalie runs to the door.

"Your father is at the station he'll be off shrift by next hour, do you want a snack? I made cupcakes", she smiles.

"Sure", I say and goes into the kitchen wither,"why you baked so much?"

"Because my cousin is coming over with her kids and those twin boys love to eat", she chuckles.

"Ms. Gabriella?" I ask.

"Yep so you'll get to see Giselle, Ray and Raymond again", she smiles.

I like Giselle, I have to ask her what's her relationship with Jeremy.

I take a cupcake and sit on the stool.

"Hey Vanessa", Nathan says as he skips into the kitchen and grab a cupcake.

"Hey buddy, enjoyed school?" I ruffle his black hair.

"A little, but I'm happy its close for three weeks", he smiles like he won a million dollars.

"Me too bud", I nod.

"Mom when will Kevin be here?", Natalie ask.

"Soon Natty, he-"

The door bell rings and Natalie went to open it, "big brother!" She exclaims.

"Hey Natty, hi mom", he says and kiss his mom's cheek.

"Kevin!"  Nathan shrieks and runs to hug him.

"You're getting heavy buddy", Kevin picks him up.

"When will I get my hug?" I ask and his attention turns to me.

"When did you get here?"

"A little while ago, got to say those exams stressed you out", I laugh and I see his small bags under his eyes.

"Yeah stressful week."

"Don't worry three more years of this and the real work begins", I laugh.

"No it would easier with good eight hours of work and no studying", he winks.

"Yeah no studying."

"Anyway what you're doing here and why Jake texted me asking to make sure you're okay once I see you?"

"Um..", I look away.

"Let's talk in my room its more comfortable", he suggests and got his large suitcase to drag it up the stairs.

I help him with it.

"Now spill", he demands once I shut the door.

"Well it all started on Thursday whe......."

I tell him everything, even what happened on the plan.

"That bast-"

"Calm down I'm fine really", I assure him.

"You're clearly not I can't believe he's choosing her over you", he growls.

"He doesn't have a choice", I argue.

"He'll get cut loose from his family's business? So what? There's a lot of different career he can get into and still make plenty money", Kevin snaps wiping his face.

He's frustrated.

"I trust him okay."

"Maybe a little too much and I can't believe his mother actually convince him to do such a thing, I hear Michelle would be attending", he informs me.

"Who's her date?"

"Some guy her parents set her up with, but if you fix things between her she can keep an eye on Jake for you", he suggest.

"I'm going to her house tomorrow so I'll see"

"Great, Logan is coming over soon so I have to set up the video games so shoo", he runs me out his room.

"If you like I can talk to my boss so she can change her mind about Jake's date", Arlene says scaring the crap out of me.

"No its okay, I don't want to cause any problems", I say.

"If you change your mind I have her on fast dial", she states and goes to her room.

I sigh.

What can I do?

When dad reach he sees me sad and I explain why I am.

Arlene literally had to stop him from going into the James resident and confronting Jake with his bat in his hand.

Protective dad.

"Are you sure you don't want me to just scare him a little bit?" He asks for the third time the bat still in his hand.

"Positive, I should have known since the day I started to date him this would of happened, but I didn't expect it to be so late."

"Me too, I thought it would of been earlier like that party they hosted in summer or just last two months", dad says.

"Yeah this is so odd and unexpected."

"Enough of this chatting about relationship, Gabriella will be here soon so Nathan and Natalie make sure your toys are packed away I don't want what happened last time to repeat", Arlene says.

"Yes mom", the twin says in unison and runs up the stairs.

"I'm going to take a shower and would be watching a football game, I made a bet with Carlos and Luke so I hope by tonight I'm one thousand dollars richer", dad grins and his wife rolls her eyes.

"No wonder Luke wants to come here just to win a stupid bet", she says.

"Actually I already know I'm going to win, didn't know you have less courage in me", he pouts and she kisses him.

"Of course I do, but your ego is making you over confident."

"I'm not, I know I'm going to win its a good team."

"Whatever, I'll go set up the popcorn, drinks and chips."

"Thanks hon you're the best", dad kissdes her.

"Ewww", Nathan says when he walks into the living room.

"Don't worry in about fifteen years you'll be doing this to your girlfriend", dad grins.

"No girls are gross", Nathan states.

"You'll be saying that now", dad winks.

Nathan scoffs and leaves.

"I really want to see his future girlfriend", I say and dad nods in agreement.

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