Laid out in front of me were 3 different outfits for me to choose from. For some reason trying to find something I wanted to wear today had been really stressing me out. You know those days where you look at your wardrobe and don't feel like wearing anything and you end up crying because you can't choose? Yeah, that was what was happening right now. I was not deprived of options I just was not feeling any of the outfits. 

After trying to find something to wear for an hour and a half, I finally settled on the 2nd set of clothes I had laid out on my bed: my beige sweatpants with a white cropped vest and my matching beige knitted cardigan. I put my hair up in a messy bun and made my way downstairs. 

I was on the last few steps when the feeling of nostalgia hit me. It smelt like home. I eagerly walked into the kitchen wanting to work out what had reminded me of my home back in England.

I turned the corner and watched Sydney and Calla rushing around like ants, cooking something that was way too familiar. 

"Hey, Ivy," Calla greeted me once she finally saw me, "Syd and I have decided to try and make something from your home place today: a Sunday roast. Its Sunday and we thought since we had company coming later, we could try something different," she explained whilst peeling potatoes. 

Company? Oh yeah, Syd invited Jace over. 

"I'll help since it's something I have helped cooked many times before," I told the two of them whilst grabbing a knife and helping. 

When I was younger, I would always help my Dad cook on Sundays; it was our thing. It was always so much fun. We would have music playing whilst my Dad dealt with the chicken and me with the veg. We would always be laughing and joking about something whether it was remembering something that happened years ago or something more recent. It was light-hearted and enjoyable. 

I sighed as I remembered what happened. 

That was, of course, until he left.

I wasn't mad at the fact he had left, that didn't bother me. It was the way he was after. 

I found myself arguing with him more often and the way he spoke to me was not right. I am in no way perfect and I know I don't get everything right. No one does, but my Dad would always find a way to tell me I was wrong or that I will look back on it all and regret the way I was being. The thing was though, I wasn't acting any different to the way I was before he left and 7 years later, I still fail to see where I was being out of line. 

I had learnt from a young age to tell him what he wanted to hear but the older I got, the more I realised how messed up it was, so I stopped. 

I was 11 years old at the time it all happened. He used to say that I had him wrapped around my little finger, now I don't even know where in the big, wide world he lives. 

I felt my mood becoming dampened. I lightly shook my head to get rid of the depressing thoughts and helped prepare dinner. 

-

Calla and I were both in hysterics with the way Sydney was dancing and singing to the song currently playing through her speakers. 

"I can't breathe," Calla managed to say in between contagious laughs. We had stopped cooking a while ago and were just waiting for the chicken to cook so now we were all just messing about. 

I heard a knock at the door and instinctively walked over and open the door. 

It was Lucas. 

"Hey," I said after I had finally stopped laughing, "I didn't know you were coming today." 

I felt a presence of someone behind me. "Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you earlier," Syd commented. 

I let Lucas in the house and shut the door. I lead him into the living room and sat on the couch whilst putting the TV on. I had literally just turned the channel over when a rhythmic knock from the door sounded from the doorway. 

I opened the door to see a nicely dressed Jace at the other side. He was wearing black jeans with a white t-shirt and white converse. Simple but nice. 

"Hey," he said, a small smile playing on his lips. 

"Hey. Come in," I moved to the side allowing him to enter the house. 

He handed me a bottle of wine before saying, "I wasn't one hundred percent sure what you all liked so I brought this." I looked at the bottle, it was red wine. 

"You didn't have to bring anything but thank you anyway. I personally don't like red, but Calla loves it," I told him and led him into the living room. 

Lucas was sitting down watching a show on the TV when we walked into the living room. He must have saw our reflection on the glass sliding doors that lead to the garden because he stood up and greeted Jace in a friendly, man way. They stood there slapping each other's backs, I walked out the room into the kitchen and dining room to set the table.

The first thing I noticed when I began setting the table was Calla stood there with a glass of wine already. I handed the bottle of wine Jace gave us to Calla and told both Syd and Calla that everyone is here.

-

The food was surprisingly good. I say surprisingly because previously when all three of us have tried to cook a meal, we either end up burning it or it tasting like complete rubbish. Luckily for us though, that didn't happen today.

We all sat around the table, two conversations going on at once, me in neither of them. I must have zoned out because when I heard someone calling my name, it took me a second to register what was going on.  

"Earth to Ivy," Calla said, waving her hand in front of my face. Sydney and Lucas were sitting at the ends of the table, I had Calla on my right, Lucas on my left and Jace opposite me. 

"Hmm?" 

"Jace was asking you what you do for a job," Syd informed me. 

"Oh okay." 

I turned my vision towards the guy sitting opposite me. I inspected him for a split second as he ate. Thankfully, he ate quietly and with his mouth closed. 

"I work as a personal assistant for my boss, Sarah. She is a really nice boss and I get to work at her beautiful house. A win-win really." 

"House? That's unusual. You enjoy it though, right?" Jace questioned in response. Why does he care if I enjoy my job or not? 

"Yes, I do," I replied.

I looked down and carried on eating my food when I felt someone's sock covered foot lightly touch the side of my leg. It was probably an accident, so I didn't respond in any way. That was until I felt it again. 

And again, and again. Constantly. 

I sneakily glanced under the table only to see that it was Jace attempting to play footsie with me. 

I was not in the mood. 

I looked up and saw Jace intensely looking in my direction, the sides of his mouth slightly tugging up at the sides when he noticed me looking at him. 

Letting no emotion show on my face, I looked back down at my food and tuck my feet behind the legs of the chair. 

We had all finished dinner and had since moved into the living room. I was sat on my favourite sea blue beanbag whilst everyone else was seated on the big white couch. I was mindlessly scrolling through my social media accounts when I overheard someone saying about moving out. 

I put my phone down only to realise it was Calla talking to Syd. 

"Cals, did you just say that you're looking for somewhere to stay?" I asked, hoping she had. 

"Yeah, you did. I'm getting bored of my old place now and want to move, why?" 

"You should totally come and live here with us! Leah moved all her stuff out the other day and if you don't want that room, you can have the spare. I've been meaning to look for a new roommate, but you'd be perfect!" I told her, getting excited. 

She turned and look at Syd who nodded and shrugged in agreeance. 

"Sure! I'll bring my stuff round tomorrow. We're all going to be living together!" She jumped up, squealed, and ran into the kitchen to get, what I assumed to be, more wine.

I sat there for a little longer before looking up at the black, square clock mounted on the wall. It was almost midnight and I had work tomorrow. 

I got up and ran up the stairs two at a time and walked into my bedroom. 

I walked into my closet and picked my red shorts (they're short but I only live with women) and my big pyjama top. I went into the bathroom to get changed when I heard the front door loudly shut. I immediately assumed it was Jace leaving as Lucas had said he was staying in the spare room tonight. 

With no makeup on and my hair as it was before, I considered putting a nightgown on but decided against it. It was too hot.

I quickly put my phone on charge before exiting my bedroom, closing the door behind me. I made my way down the stairs and towards the kitchen to get a cold drink for my sore throat when I felt someone watching me. 

I turned towards the front door to see Jace standing there, shamelessly looking me up and down. I cross my arms and turn towards him, "Are you done?" 

"Hmm?" He hummed in question, his eyes tracing up my body before finally settling on my eyes. Pervert. 

"Take a picture if you want; it'll last longer," I sarcastically said so I was surprised when he actually took out his phone. 

"I was joking you pervert and anyway, I thought I heard you left otherwise I wouldn't have given you the pleasure of seeing me in my pyjamas." 

"Nah, I just went out to my car to get something. I'm glad I didn't leave though," he commented before taking a slight step forward. 

Instinctively, I took one back. 

I looked him in his mesmerising blue eyes. That is one thing I cannot take away from him no matter how much of a dick he was acting; his eyes are capturing. 

It's a habit of mine, looking into people's eyes whenever I'm talking to them, but this felt different. Looking at him now, without the cockiness, I strangely felt... safe. Like his eyes alone could tell me more than he would ever be willing to verbally.

I watched as his eyes flickered from my brown eyes to my mouth. 

My throat suddenly felt dry. What did I come downstairs for again? Ahh yes, water. 

Clearing my throat and breaking whatever was currently going on between us, I sent him a genuine smile before turning around and getting something to soothe my throat. 

I took the water upstairs with me and settled on my bed. 

I was sat on my bed reading a book when a knock from my door echoed through my room. 

"Come in." 

"You're awake?" Jace said whilst slowly opening my door. He stood there almost in awe for a second just observing my room, taking everything in. It wasn't anything special so I'm not sure why.

"Yeah, surprisingly," I joked. I felt more comfortable around him ever since that 'moment' in the hallway. 

"Well, I just came up to say that I'm leaving now. Thank you for tonight, I really enjoyed it," he told me whilst sleepily smiling. I could tell by his eyes that he was telling the truth.

"So did I. Let's do it again sometime, you have my number," I said laughing. 

He deeply chuckled before replying, "Sure, let's do something again. Goodnight, Ivy." 

"Goodnight, Jace." He smiled, shaking his head slightly whilst looking down before he turned around and closed the door behind him.

I turned onto my side and picked my book back up. 

After attempting to re-read the same paragraph for the 7th time, I put the book down on the table next to me. My mind was too preoccupied. I rolled onto my other side, going over the last 24 hours in my head before peacefully falling into a deep sleep.

*

You got a little insight into Ivy's past and that's not even the half of it! And Jace was in Ivy's room ;)

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Thank you for reading :)