Tested Friendship_PART THREE

Jayme finished his first, like always. And when i got full he ate mine. I laughed watching him.
"What?" Jayme shrugged. "It's soooo good."
"Jayme how can you possibly not be full," i asked chuckling.
"I am...A growing boy." Jayme said hestiantly then taking his last bite.
"Yes, and you apparently have been for the last, what five years?" i said and rolled my eyes relazing chocolate syrup covered his face.
He laughed, "what?"
I picked up my napkin and whipped his chin and cheek. "i can't take you anywhere, can i?"
"Oh, thanks." He said stacking the plates up.
"Yup," i said and Debra came back out.
"You know usually i would ask any costumer if they like dessert. but when i look at you too, obviously your fine." Debra laughed taking our plates into the kitchen. She came back putting the bill on the counter. I reached for it but Jayme grabbed it first.
"No,no no ZeeZee." Jayme said reading it over.
I took some cash out of the side of my ugg, "Jayme i got it."
"No Zee really, it's fine." Jayme aruged taking his old leather walet out from pj bottoms pocket.
I grabbed the wallet from him, "oh no Jayme where's your wallet, opps i guess i have to pay."
Jayme laughed reaching for it, "Zee i see it in your hand."
i moved before he could take it. And i put it behind my back, "what wallet? Debra, do you see a wallet?" I asked calling over towards a booth she was cleaning up.
She looked up from the old couple, "ZeeZee." She laughed then looked at the old couple. "Young love, the best kind, when you don't know your in it."
The old lady laughed,"my those kids have been coming here alot. Ever since they were young ones."
"By golly Sarah your right." The old man smiled and whispered something to his wife.
I rolled my eyes, but just then i felt the cool leather slip from my fingers.
i looked up Jayme was smiling. "Thank you my dear."
"Bye Sarah Bye Ed you have a great day now." Debra said as the oldcouple left the diner.
Jayme's eyebrows went together as he frowned, "i knew they looked familiar. They live in the blue house few blocks away on meadow lane."
I laughed and took the wallet back, "yeah i know. there cute."
"Deb how much do we owe you?" i asked keeping the wallet out of Jayme's reach which was pretty hard cause he was tall.
"None," debra said laughing.
Jayme and i stopped, Jayme raised his eyebrows. "What'd ya mean none. The bill said that-"
Debra smiled, "while you too were fiddling around Sarah and Ed paid your bill. Therefore you owe nothing."
I laughed, "aww that was nice."
"Yeah except now i feel bad." Jayme said snatching the wallet back.
"What the heck is in that thing that makes it weigh a thousand pounds." I asked trying to grab it back.
His face turned red and he shoved it in his pocket, "nuthing. just..a bunch of change coins and stuff."
I nodded, "yeah okay sure."
"Thanks Debra the food was fantastic as always." Jayme said smiling.
"Yeah thank you, take care." I said and we left the diner.
"Bye, take care of yourselves." Debra called back.
We went to the shed and got our bike, "so now what?"
Jayme walked the bike around the diner but he froze. There by the tree line across the street was Kris Kross Kevin and Little Tony and someone else i didn't reconize. The tough look of those guys honest to god scared me. Jaym slowly wlked back wards back to the shed and so did i.
"Shit, shit, shit." Jayme mumble angrily to himself.
"What, what are we going to do." I asked.
He looked at me, "you aren't going to do anything,"He whispered fiercly.
I gave him a angry stare, "Jayme your not getting beat up for me again."
He grabbed my shoulders fiercly, "your going to do, exactly as i ask. Do you understand me?"
I was too scared to answer, Jayme never laid a hand on me. I just nodded.
Then he's voice was soft but urgent, "i need you safe." Then he took his hands off my shoulder, "sorry."
I cleared my throat, "what's the plan."
"Okay well, they may not be here looking for me. Maybe there looking for Black Ash, or someone from Ruby Jane side. But what ever it is it looks like a fight,"he shook his head. "what am i saying? I need to hide you. Okay um, not the shed, they might look there."
I looked at the tree line behind us then at the road. "I could just walk away."
he looked at me, "what the hell are you talking about."
"Well if i just get on the bike and leave the diner, they'll pay no mind to me. Unless your with me, then they'll obviously find a reason to pick on me. Am i right?"
Jayme looked back and forth between the diner and me. "Maybe, but i really don't wanna take that chance."
I was shaking but i really thought that it was that simple to just walk out. I looked at Jayme and sighed, "my plan it is."
jayme glared at me, "Zee no we're not..."
I ignored him and grabbed the bike and jumped on and started peddaling before he could grab me. By this point the guys were crossed the street sitting in the edge of the diner parking lot. As i approached them Tony stood up pointing at meand then talking to Kris.
"Hey," Kris said.
I slowed my bike and took a breath, "yeah?"
The one guy i didn't know approached me. He wore a dark jeans and a black tanktop. He was skinny and his brown hair had a single blue strip through it. He looked to be in his mid 20's. he smelt like bud wiezer.
"The name's striper."
I nodded, "Linsey. Can i help you guys?"
Tony approached me, "were lookin for someone."
"One of our friends," Kris added and he smiled.
I got the chills, "kay. What's his name," i asked.
"Ashton Chance, you might know him." The guy called Striper said.
"And what makes you think i'd know this Ashton Chance," i asked testingly.
Striper shurgged, "we don't. You looks to be about his age."
"And how old, do you think i am," i said looking up and down Striper.
Striper raised his eye brows and took a step back looking at kris and Tony. Then looked back at me and shrugged.
"Smart answer,"i mumbled. "Sure i know who your talking about. Ash is quiet kid, doesn't talk to anyone less he's spoken too."
Kris nodded, "yeah that's our guy."
I shrugged, "sorry. I just see him at school. Or someone you bump into when your in a lunchline. other then that," i shrugged again.
Kris shook his head and Tony looked behind him. Striper sighed taking out a cigratte. "Well he's gotta come out from hiding eventually."
I put my foot on my pedal getting ready to leave. But Striper grabbed the handle bars, "one more thing."
Kris came up to me and held out a picture. "Have you seen this guy?"
My heart skipped a beat it was a picture that was ripped out of a year book. more importantly it was a picture of Jayme. I took the picture from him, "um i think he's in my english class." I told them, which was a complete lie because that was the only class i didn't have with jayme.
Kriss took the picture back. "Have you seen him? He was around that street down there yesterday." He told me pointing to my street.
I nodded, "um, well...people at school try to stay away from Jayme." I said pretending to nervously looking around.
Tony walked towards me finally interested. "He dangerous?"
"I don't know... I don't think he's ever really hurt anyone. But...better safe then sorry yeah know." I told him.
Tony just nodded and went back to where he was standing before. Kris came forward, "alright."
Striper took a drag on his cigratte, "you see him, let us know. We'll be around."
I nodded, and started peddaling away. I could feel their eyes drilling into the back of my head as i left. once i turned the corner and their view of me was blocked by the tree line i stopped. my scream was lost in my throat when something came through the trees and hit me. I fell to the ground with my bike, it was some kid in a hooded sweat shirt. but i didn't get a good look cause then he was yanked off the ground, and Jayme was there.
"Crap, ZeeZee are you okay?" He pulled the bike off of me and helped me up.
I nodded, "yeah im im uh fine."
Jayme turned away from me and yanked the kid off the ground. And held a fist of his sweat shirt. "Who are you?" When the kid didn't answer jayme shook him harder, "what the hell do you want."
Bam the kid punched Jayme in the jaw and then they both went at it.
"Jayme," i yelled as the kid shoved him into a tree.
jayme grabbed the kid and pushed him to the ground and kicked him in the stomach. it was painful to watch and grabbed jayme's arm. "Jayme stop! Stop! Your gunna kill him!"
jayme looked at me as he backed away, he whiped the blood from his mouth.
I stared at the kid on the ground, who slowly rolled over. He struggled bur finally got up. i took a step forward but jayme blocked me with his arm. I looked at him, "Jayme he could be in pain."
Jayme spit at the ground, "good."
I stared at him, "what the hell Jayme this doesn't sound like you at all."
he moved hair out of his face, "I'm sorry. Inner self kicked in."
the kid leaned against a tree, "what you say?"
Jayme clenched his fist, "im glad your-"
"no," the guy said. "the girl, what did she say."
i cleared my throat, "i said that it didn't sound like jayme at all. Listen im really sorry he just gets angry and," i stopped cause the kid chuckled.
"Dynamite." the kid mumbled. "Jayme is that you."
I took a step back and glanced at Jayme. his eyebrows frowned together and he stpped forward. "Yeahhhh...."
The kid laughed, "it's me Ashton you idiot."
Jayme went over to the tree where Ashton was and shook his head. "No, nuh-uh."
Ashton laughed, "yeah i can't see really see." Aston pulled down his hood revealing jet black hair that was straight. it had no single curl. But what shocked me was his left eye was hazy with fog but beneath it was bright blue. His right eye was swollen and bruised pretty bad.
"Jesus, Ash."Jayme said, i came over standing next to them.
"Been through worse,"he answered revealing a dimpled smile.
We were back at my place sitting in my closet. Ash was icing his bruised eye and Jayme was watching him. Ash finally sighed, "just cause my eyes hazy doesnt mean i can't feel you staring at me."
"Um, Ashton if you don't mind me asking, how'd you get-"
"It's fine,"he interrupted. "My dad caught me watching tv when i wasn't suppose to so he held me down and put some aklia chemical he had in a eye dropper. It burned my cornea causing itto swell. I've had it since i was eight, so i've gotten use to it being hazy. but now i can't see cause of those ass wholes so im kinda wingin the whole vision thing."
I smiled, Jayme looked fustrated. I ignored him, " I'm Makenzie but call me-"
"ZeeZee," Ash interrupted me. "Trust me, i've heard alot about you."
I glanced at Jayme who blushed, "I may have...mentioned you, once or twice."
I nodded and turned my atention back to Ash, he nodded in agreement with my thoughts. "It was more then once or twice."
Jayme rolled his eyes, "okay it was-"
"When ever i saw you, dude." Ashton said laughing. "When ever we had free time by ourselves. That's all he ever talked about, 'man i miss Zee. I wish i wasn't in danger then i could see her. Or maybe i could-"
"Okay!" Jame said standing up he laughed an uneven laugh.
I laughed, and so did Ashton. I scooted towards Ash, "okey dokey let me check your eye."
Ash waved me off, "it's fine."
But i pulled the ice pack off, "give me your hand."
He looked at me, "why?"
"With ZeeZee who knows." I heard Jayme mumbled from behind me.
Ash sighed and gave me his hand, "okay. Squeeze when it hurts."
"Why can't i just say ow." he asked staring at me. He smiled, "ohh i get."
Jayme smacked him upside the head, "don't test me Ash."
"No," i said to Ash before Ash could argue with Jayme. "because you reflex in speaking is slower then anything else."
"Oh," he mumbled.
Jayme sat next to me and watched carefully. I sighed and held Ashton's hand and touched the back of is head.
Ash cleared his throat after a minute, "excuse me nurse but it's my eye that hurts."
I shook my head, "im just checking."
I touched his forehead then each side of his noes. After a few minutes of me poking and him squeezing my hand. I stopped and shrugged, "well your nose isn't broken.'
"Am i gunna live?" Ashton said laughing.
"Yup," i said but overtop me Jayme was serious. "That's not funny."
Ash frowned, "come on jayme. Cheer up I'm fine."
Jayme just shook his head angrily and walked out of the closet slaming the slider door shut behind him.
I sighed, "i got him."
Ash sighed, "yeahhh. I think JayD got his name because of me."
"What'd ya mean,'i asked.
"People make Jayme grow a fuse. But im the one who lights him." Ash mumbled.
I sighed, "Jayme's been like this for awhile. I hate to say it but he gets it from his father."
Ash nodded, "Jay may be dynamite but his dads the atomic bomb."
I rubbed Ashton's arm then left the closet. Jayme was sitting on my bed. he didn't look up when i sat next to him. I sighed, Jayme still didn't move. Here's the thing with jayme. When he's angry you just had to let him talk. But don't ask him to talk to you, because then he won't. You had to just sit there quietly and finally he'll start talking. I learned this quickly especially with Jayme.
"Am i doing this right," i finally heard him ask.
"Doing what right?" I ask confused.
"Everything. Being a good friend, being..." Jayme faded off.
"Okay, think of it this way." I started.
Jayme nodded and waited.
"Say you were driving down the rode and you see this girl. it just happens to be your high school sweet heart who left you for someone else. Like she broke up with you over email in a violent way. And both of us agree we never talk to each other again."
Jayme frowned, " that's horrible."
"But you relazie she sitting on the hood of her car. And she's crying, so you pull over and ask if she needs help. She reconizes you and smiles and nodds. You offer to give her a ride and she accepts. As you drive you talk to her and find out that bozzo brain was cheating on her for over a year and he threaten to kill her if she told his new girlfriend. then slashed herr tires and left her out there." i looked up at Jayme. "that's you and me."
he stared at me, and opened his mouth to talk but i talked over him.
"Im serious Jayme think about it. After all this time, im just so happy you came to my rescue like you always did. I forgive you Jayme, for not always being next to me. We went through some pot wholes and rain while driving down that road in a convertible that the top won't go up." Jayme laughed and i continued, "but we eventually made it to the gas station. Sure i got wet and little cold, but it was worth it just to be with you again."
jayme glaced at me, "I get it ZeeZee. I know you accept my apology but, don't accept it yet. because i'm sure i'll be saying it alot more."
i nodded, "oh then there's Aston."
Jayme nodded again, "okay what about him."
"Okay as were driving there's this kid on the side of the road. this is after the rain has stopped and after we went to the gas station. but anyway, we drove by these 3 older kids about twelve to thirteen. and this little boy about eight.the older kids are yelling as the little kid rides by on a bike. the they catch up to him and push him off the bike into a mud puddle. they laugh but the little kid gets up and starts to walk away then they start yelling at him the kid turns around and punchs the older boy. then all the older kids start beatin up the kid. We pull over, but only you get out. You pull the kids apart. And tell the olderboys to back the hell off then you put the youngerkid in the car. the kids quiet the whole way back to the main road. The kid tells us where he lives and we take him home. but when we get there the drunk father just yanks the kid inside and tells us to get the hell off his property. So i go to turn around but you stop the door before the dad shuts it."
jayme laughs, "um does this-"
"Shh," i said. "And then you say if you lay a hand on that kid you'll call the cops. All sudden the dad pushes you and slams the door. and you hear crashing from inside and the kis crying. buttom line you called the cops and while i was sitting with the kid in the ambulance while doctors checked him out you punched the dad before the cops took him away."
"heck of a story." Ash mumbled.
I jumped and turned around. Ash was sitting by the closet entrance cross legged on the floor.
"Jesus," i mumbled. "How long have you been sitting there."
He shrugged. "Long enough," he sighed.
I felt me face flush, i looked down. Jayme saw it. he cleared his throat.
"Well, what ya want." Jayme asked angry at Ash for making me blush.
Ash raised his hands in surrender. "my bad, don't get ignitin' on me JayD."
I saw Jayme clench his teeth with fustration. I touched Jayme's arm, "it's alright."
He let out a long sigh, and then looked up at Ash. "Sorry, alright."
Ash just nodded. "Its Kay. I guess I owe you an apology as well."
Jayme frowned, "why you say that."
Ashton sighed, "let's face it JayD. I can be an ass to you and I know ive put you through a lot."
Jayme shook his head. "Your not an ass Ashton. I mean hell you can be a pain. But your a good kid."
Ash nodded thoughtfully and I had a feeling he heard Jayme say it. But I had another feeling that Ash didn't believe him. I quickly changed the subject.
"Is your eye alright?" I asked getting up and heading towards him.
"What one?" Ash answered with a chuckle.
I saw Jayme grinding his teeth in frustration. I just sighed. And examined it. There was no more puss or blood but the swelling didn't go down either. "I guess this needs more patient then I thought." I mumbled.
"What are you talking about? My eye or Jay and me?" Ash asked laughing.
I chuckled shaking my head. "I heard that." Jayme mumbled from behind me.
"Well you should stay the night. I dont know when my mom will be ba-"
"Ten-thirty," I heard Jayme interrupt me.
Ash and i both gave him a wierd look, he just shrugged.
"How do you-."
"It's Friday. Every Friday Wednesday And Sunday, she works till ten thirty. Shes off every Monday, works Tuesday and Thursday until 2am. And Saturday she cleans houses 9am til 3pm." Jayme said casually.
I frowned again. My moms been working at the hospital in the nursing home for years, and i could never figure out her schdule. Considering it changed every other month. "Oh, wow." Was all i could say. jayme just shrugged again.
"You got some problems Jay," Ashton said laughing.
Jayme gritted his teeth again I just rolled my eyes. "as i was saying, you can stay here. If you need a place to stay."
Ash raised his eyebrows, and stood up. "Naw, i should get home."
Surprised, i glanced at Jayme to see his reaction. Jayme just stared at him, it looked like he was trying to read him.
"Come on, Ashton i insist, really." I said as i stood up.
Ashton looked like a part of him wanted to stay. I really big part of him actually. Jayme sighed.
"I rather you crash here Ash. You can bearly see and i dont want you running into to Ruby Jane's gang the way you ran into Zee today."
Ashton sighed, "alright. fine, fine ill stay."
I sighed, "glad that's settled." I stood up and grabbed Jayme's arm. "Jayme and i need to have a little anger management talk. And we're going to bring up some snacks. Be right back."
Ash smiled and sat on my bean bag chair in corner of the room. "Okie dokie."
Jayme and i left the room and headed downstairs.
"Anger Management talk?" Jayme asked once we entered the kitchen.
I shrugged, "i don't know. i just wanted to talk to you in private."
"About my behavior?" Jayme asked looking in the refridgerator.
I clared my throat, "more or less. But, mostly, about Ashton."
Jayme turned around to face me better, "what about him?"
"I just wanted to make sure you're okay with all this. Him staying here."
"Zee i am the one that convinced him-"
"Yes but are you okay with it?"
Jayme sighed and shut the fridge and he walked over to where i was leaning against the counter. "Truthfully?"
I nodded. He leaned his palms on the counter so he was facing me and supporting his weight from touching me.
"Im okay with him being here. if he's safe. he is safe here. But, im more not okay with him staying in your house."
"I don't think i understand wh-"
"He's a hormonal teenage boy ZeeZee." Jayme said more in a whisper.
I gaped at him for a moment the sighed. "Jayme, relax."
"I can't Zee alright? I'm sorry. but i just need you in my sight at all times." Jayme said staring at me.
i rolled my eyes. "Jayme i-"
"Please, Zee, alright?" he said, and i realzied his fist were clenched so his knuckles were white.
i slowly ran my fingers across his hands and knuckles. I looked up at his face. "I promise jayme."
I saw him relax but not much, i leaned in and gave him a hug. he sighed and i finally felt his muscles relax. I let go and smiled.
"Okay, now more important stuff." I opened the cupord behind me. "Cool ranch doritos or BBQ?"
After our talk Jayme and i headed back up stairs. I wish i could say he was more relaxed but he obviously wasn't. I threw the bags of chips on the bed, and put a litter of soda on the dresser with some cups.
"So now what?" I asked slowly.
Ash shrugged, "i don't know. Jayme you got any plans?"
Jayme shrugged to and slowly went up to the window. "You and Zee are staying here while i go to pit night."
Ash laughed, "your joking. Jayme please tell me your joking."
my heart dropped to my stomache. "Jayme no you can't go. The guys at the diner they weren't just looking for Ash, they were looking for you too."
He sighed and nodded, "that's why im goin'. So we can put an end to this."
"Jayme im in this as much as you. So i'm going with you. Vision or no vision, im coming." Ash grumbled.
"Ash Screw and Pop came to see me the other day. And they said i have to do, or they'll come searching for both of us. If i show up maybe they'll leave you out of this. Hell, maybe i could just tell them that your old man finally beat ya for his last time." Jayme said turning from the window after locking it. "But me staying here and missing pit night is out of the option."
"Then i'm coming, and that's the only option." I said standing tall.
Jayme shock his head, "hell will freeze over before i drag you any more into this."
"Then don't drag me any farther. i'll walk the rest of the way," I said seriously and ash let out a small laugh.
"McKenzie im serious." Jayme said his voice monotone.
"Jayme i'm serious. I'll do what ever you say, but im coming. Ill stand five houses away with a pair binoculars." I told him.
He opened his mouth to talk again, but his phone buzzed. "Hello," he answered. "Yeah im coming. Wouldn't miss it for the world Screw. Will Ruby Jane's gang be there?" There was a moment of silence, Jayme nodded. "Okay yeah, thanks. See ya then."
"What'd they say?" Ash asked quietly.
"Ruby Jane shouldn't be there. Screw said Lone Wolf's been saying that they're moving out this area to join another gang a good 20miles away. But who knows," Jayme sighed.
"So when we leavin'." I asked fixing my hair into a sloppy bun.
"I am leaving around six or seven." He said leaning his back on the wall. "You are staying here. Incase your mom comes home,"
" Ash will be here," I said. "As long as one of us stays were okay. And i think you rather take a person that has vision." I turned to Ash, "no offense."
"None takin," he answered. "Besides, she's right. if anyone came here for some reason it would e safer for me to be here instead of ZeeZee."
" Yeah, Ash is right. So it's settles im going Ash is staying." I said staring at Jayme.
"Alright, so um, Zee where's the bathroom." Ashton asked standing up.
"Down the hall right here. the door should be open you'll see it. Feel free to shower if you need to, the towels under the sink. Oh and pain killers above the sink." I explained walking towards the closet.
Ash nodded and left, leaving Jayme and me alone in silence. I heard him follow me into the closet.
"I dont care what you say Jayme, i'm going with you. this is the best plan, and really the only reasonable plan right now. thereforew we are goin use it," I bent down picking up my sleeping bag and putting it i the corner. "Besides," i started again. " I can take care of myself Jayme and-" i turned around and bumped right into him because how close he was standing.
He looked utterly lost and fustrated.
I sighed, “I will be fine.”
Jayme sighed and shrugged, but didn’t say anything.
“I know how to run when things get bad. And I know, I know, when things look bad I leave. Don’t wait for you,” I said.
Still Jayme was quiet.
“I know you’re not okay with this, I know you care for my safety. But when we go, don’t let your mind go wanderin’ to worry about me. Because that’ll only get you hurt.”
Jayme finally moved his eyes to the floor and turned to walk away. I grabbed his wrist.
“Jayme at least say something,” I said getting frustrated.
He shrugged and gently pulled his arm away, “I have nothing left to say.”
And he left me standing in the closet, shocked and more worried.
I stepped out of the closet and heard Jayme thump down the stairs then heard the TV being turned on. Ash came into the room few moments later. He sat on the edge of my bed.
“Something wrong,” he asked.
“I think so,” I told him. And I quickly explained how quiet Jayme was when I talked, and what he said when he left.
“You’re right, something’s wrong,” Ash answered. “That’s not Jayme; he must be up to somethin’.”
I nodded, and decided to go downstairs. “Hey Jayme I’m sorry can we ju-“
I stopped considering I was talking to no one, but an empty chair. Jayme was gone.
“Ash,” I yelled panicking.
Ash ran down the stairs nearly running right into me. “What, what’s wrong?”
“He’s gone.” I said looking out the front window.
“Shit,” Ash said, “should’ve frickin’ saw that comin’.”
“Stay here, incase my mom comes home. Stay hidden but keep an eye on her.” I told him.
“Wait, you’re-“
“Please Ash,” I said writing a note on the notepad in the kitchen. “I’m just telling my mom I’m with Jayme.”
“Okay, be careful,” he said.
I opened the front door, “same for you.”
And then I took off running.