The drive home was not as awkward as I imagined it would be, after the scene that had unfolded on the small cottage. I cried my heart out in front of someone I never really expected. I cried for almost two hours, stopping to breathe and stare quietly at the floor yet Jasper had not made a move to push me away, to make me stop. He just let me cry, his arms never wavered nor loosened their grip around me. And for some insane reason, it was as if I never wanted him to let go. Like at that moment, I finally allowed myself to break apart and the only thing that kept me together was his arms, and it would be the only thing that would keep me together.

He was driving now. My pouring of my emotions a while ago made him think I was unfit to drive. He was probably right, my hands had not stopped shaking, even when we drove into the familiar streets of our neighborhood.

"I'm actually concerned about how silent you are, blondie," he starts as we turn left to another street instead of turning right to where my house was. Yet somehow, my alarms did not go off. I could feel his eyes on me but I couldn't turn to look at him. Not out of embarassment but of denial. I had been wrong about him and it made me feel bad. Guilty even. For how I treated him. I let out a heavy breath, my mind still spinning from all the things that had been happening lately. He pulls the car into an unfamiliar driveway. From where we parked, I could make out the small park our town had built for the sake of it. It had a narrow white bridge that lead to Kaye, a small cafe owned by the family that owned the lot. I finally turn to him as he leans back on the car seat, running his fingers through his hair then down his face.

"Your eyes are still puffy from all the dramatics you did earlier," he says, unfastening his seatbelt. He steps out of the car, oblivious to my scowl as I hurriedly unfasten my seatbelt and step out only to waver for a moment. He was already walkinh towards the bridge when he glanced back at me, his eyebrow raised.

"What? Afraid to be seen with me?" The corner of his lips turn just a little, making him look like the devil I remembered him to be. I roll my eyes yet despite it all, I was afraid. Well, maybe not afraid but something. I glance at my reflection on the side mirrors and stare at myself in horror. I looked absolutely dreadful! Even I had a reputation. I hastily fish out my sunglasses from the car compartment and a beanie I had in the backseat. I followed Jasper across the bridge.

The cafe was small but well lit and...almost empty. I peek at the inside from the glass windows, there were roughly three other people inside. I have never been to this cafe, mainly because it was out of the way to my house and it always seemed too elegant from afar. Yet, a closer look at it now, it doesn't seem daunting. It just feels...warm.

"Seriously?"

I almost run into him. I didn't even notice him standing there. Had I been staring too long? I tug on my beanie, pulling it lower down my head. Jasper chuckles softly, before pushing the door open in front of me.

"If you are trying to be inconspicuous," he points at me, "you are doing a horrible job at it." I scowl in response, following him inside. Miniature chandeliers hung on the ceiling and there was even a fireplace, near what I assumed to be was the counter. I was probably gaping, why had I not been to this cafe before? Hadn't Jasmine told me we should come here? I feel a slight twist in my gut, remembering her and look away from the warmth of the fire that seemed to burn as bright as her hair. I follow Jasper to a corner table way at the back but it still had a clear view outside. It was already getting dark and the park was starting to light itself up. I noticed the lights dangling from one lamp post to another making it seem like the park was littered with organized fireflies. I feel a small tug on my arm and glance down to have Jasper staring at me his hand covering, what I would think, was an amused grin. I roll my eyes at him and take a seat across him, making sure to put a good distance between us. Even though I was sure no one who knew us would come waltzing through here.

An old lady, with graying hair and honey eyes, walked over to our table. I assumed she was the owner. Her smile was warm, and she wore a dress a size too big for her. I quickly took off my shades, hoping to lessen that negative vibe I was probably emitting.

"Hello, Jasper," her voice reminded me of Jasmines grandmother. It was low and a little rough but it made you feel like you landed in a tub of marshmallows. "It's been a long time since you came here." She glanced over at me and I could see her studying me, a small smile on her face.

"I see you brought a new friend," her smile was kind but her eyes seemed to suggest that I was not just a friend. I give her a smile of my own, not trusting my voice enough to speak without releasing another round of waterworks. Then her smile disappeared with a frown. "Why are your eyes puffy dear? Has Jasper been giving you a hard time?" She turned to Jasper, a loving yet angry expression on her face.

"Actually," I start but Jasper was quick to cut me off, talking like his easy confident self.

"Sorry, nana, I did something that upset her today, thats why I brought her here to try and make it up to her," he smiled at her, the way I never saw him smile at anyone and somehow a part of me that loathed him for so long, loosened its grip. "I know your cakes and teas will make her feel better."

The old lady reaches up and ruffles his hair like a school boy and I actually had to stop myself from gaping. Hiding my surprised look at how the old lady treated him and how he reacted, smiling like an idiot, I looked down on the menu. There were too many things to choose from that I continued to stare at it until the old lady, 'nana' suggested that she make us something special. I nodded my head in thanks and watched her walk back towards the counter and disappear behind a small wooden door which probably lead to the kitchen.

When Jasper and me were alone, that was were I felt the awkward. I didn't know where to look. I just couldn't look at him. After seeing that.

"Hey, blondie," he calls. I raise an eyebrow in acknowledgement, pretending to be engrossed over their small rose shaped napkin holders. I could feel him staring at me. This was so unlike me to be awkward but somehow witnessing that felt...intimate. He reaches for my hand and I flinch away, my eyes quickly darting towards him. He seemed surprise by my action and pulls back his hand, his face falling just a little.

"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you." Then he turns towards the window, giving me good look at his perfectly chiseled jawline. I slap myself mentally. Did he just sound...hurt? No. impossible. I glance up at him he was staring at nothing in particular outside, his fingers tapping softly on the table.

I felt bad. I actually felt bad for Jasper. Could this day get any weird? I cut class, I go on a mysterious trip with a guy who could have killed me, I find out my best friend prepared a small cottage rest house for us with said guy, and now I am in this Cafe I have never been, about to have tea and cake with the very same guy that I was convinced, until a few days ago, killed my best friend or have her locked up in a basement somewhere-

"Hey, if you don't want to stay here you can leave, your house is pretty near," he says and it somehow felt like a slap in the face. A slap that made you feel guilty. I swallow the uneasiness I was feeling, wringing my hands on the table.

"Sorry," I start, my voice not quite strong or loud enough.

"What?"

"I'm sorry," I say again, this time I looked at him, noticing the blacks under his beautiful eyes, the way his hair is always unkept. God it must have been so hard for him.

"I'm sorry I blamed you and didn't do anything when people suspected you and accused you," my voice was trembling now but I couldn't stop. I shouldn't. "I'm sorry I was indifferent when I should have been there. I was selfish. I was mean and wrong and you loved her, didn't you? You care about Jasmine as much as I cared and I'm sorry you had to be alone through your pain and I wish I could have been there. I wish we could have-" I stopped, holding my breath. Holding my tears. I couldn't cry here. Not here. Closing my eyes, I could feel his hands wrap around my shaking ones. They were bigger than I had imagined and warmer...and gentler.

"It's all in the past now," I hear him say although it seemed like he sounded so far away. "It's okay. What matters is that we are both here now. Together. Looking for her."

I open my eyes, feeling like it was the first time I had ever met his eyes. They were so beautiful, I didn't even feel guilty thinking about it. I stared at our hands intwined on the table, my fingers looked pale. He let go of one hand, taking a small napkin and dabbing my cheeks with is. I pull my head away, smiling, despite it all.

"Now stop crying before nana thinks it's my fault again," he says, throwing the napkin at me. I laugh now, soft laugh but I could feel the sadness draining away.

"I see you two have made up," Nana appears with a tray of tea and cakes as she gently places them on the table, a mischievous smile on her face as her eyes fall on our hands. Me and Jasper pull away. Why was I feeling guilty? We weren't doing anything wrong, right? I bite my lip as Jasper thanks her and she strolls away. There was this awkwardness again and I just wanted it gone. There shouldn't be any awkwardness. Not with me and Jasper. I clear my throat, finally appreciating the cake before me. I pick at it with my fork, hesitating on destroying it.

"So, is nana her name?" I ask, biting into a piece of cake. I glance up at Jasper who was busy staring outside. I look at where he was staring and find the park, unchanged and empty. When I glance back at him, I almost forget how to swallow as his eyes seemed to hold my gaze intensely.

"Her name is Mary Beth," he explains, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I call her nana because she used to be my nanny, back when..." he trails off, lost in his thoughts. Somehow, I got the idea where he was going and decided not to push on the subject. I slide my plate of cake over to him and pull his plate towards me. I dont even ask for permission as I take a piece of it and pop it in my mouth. I could almost smile at the taste. I have never had this good of a cake since mom had been promoted.

"Jasmine said you were a sweet tooth," Jasper commented absent mindedly. He was staring at the table now, his finger making gentle strokes on the table. He laughs then shakes his head. "Never believed her. You didn't seem the type." He added, that half smile on his face. I stab the cake with my fork. I hated his eyes.

"We met here, you know," his smile is a sad one now, I could see the weariness in his eyes. Stop staring at his eyes, Pat. He spreads his hand across the table, as if he was setting a table cloth. "I actually never imagined meeting her here." He chuckles then corrects himself.

"Actually, I never imagined I would talk to her at all."

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