Human 101

Chapter 25: Broken arm and Butterflies

I tapped my pen on the notebook on the desk. I was trying to solve a math problem but I couldn't focus for some reason. Celine was on her phone having given up half an hour ago. I took a sip from my glass of water and emptied it.

"You can take mine. I haven't drank from it yet." Celine said giving me her glass. I thanked her and took a mouthful of water, "Where do you think Jace is? I'm having a bad feeling about him. You don't think he's still racing, right?" She said and I spat the water in my mouth. The remaining water went down my throat wrongly and I started coughing wildly.

"What?" I rasped and Celine patted my back.

"It's no biggie, I'm just having this weird feeling." She said and I nodded. "Let me get something to wipe the desk with."

I looked down at the desk and realized the water got on my book. I quickly raised my book up and placed it on the open windowsill. Celine left to get something to wipe the table with. I wondered if I should call Jace... Has the race started yet?

I waited for some time before deciding against it. Celine has been out for some time so I decided to looked for her. As I walked down the stairs, I heard Celine's voice talking to someone worriedly.

"She's been coughing badly. I don't know if I should take her to the hospital. What do I do Jace? Come over quickly." Jace? Who's she talking about? It's not me, is it?

"Celine?" I called and she quickly hung up the phone. She gave me a nervous smile before walking into the kitchen. My phone vibrated and Jace name appeared.

"Jace?" I said, answering the call. I heard him taking heavy breaths. "Are you okay?" I asked him worriedly.

"What? I should be asking you the same question. Celine said you were coughing badly and almost choking. Are you better now?" He asked and I scrunched my face in confusion.

"I just choked on water. I'm okay now." I replied.

"Water? Should I send Cole over?" He asked and I refused. I heard the announcer say something. "I can come over if you want." He added and my face reddened.

"It's fine. I'm really okay." I assured him and he sighed.

"I'll be there as soon as this is over." He said and I nodded before realizing he couldn't see me.

"Okay. Good luck." I said and hung up. My tattoo burned at that and I was once again reminded of my task. What do I do?

Celine came out of the kitchen looking at me apologetically.

"You don't mind me calling him right?" She said innocently and i almost scoffed. "Your face was red and you were coughing so I got scared." She added.

"I stopped coughing even before you left the room." I stated and she widened her eyes. I started to feel uneasy staying in her house but I couldn't find an excuse to leave.

"That's because.." my ringtone cut her off and I couldn't be more grateful to whoever was calling me. I answered the call and walked back upstairs.

"Hey sweetie." Annie's cheerful voice said in a sing-song voice. I cracked a little smile at that. "I think I lost my earrings, do you have any idea where they could be?" She asked and I decided to use it as my getaway.

"I'll come over and help you look for it." I said and Annie let out a sound of joy. I hung up the phone and looked at Celine who just walked in. "Annie lost her earrings. I have to go help her look for it." I said and Celine nodded.

"You're not mad at me for calling Jace right?" She asked and I just wanted to roll my eyes.

"Should I be?" I replied and she quickly shook her head. I gave her fake smile and she waved me goodbye.

There's definitely something fishy about her.
*****
Almost two hours had passed and I've heard nothing from Jace and the others. I considered calling them but they may be in a tight position.

My phone rang and I immediately answered it, not even looking at the caller.

"Elena." I heard Luke say. Jace cursed from the background. "How's the situation at home?" He asked asked.

"Situation? Annie and James took the kids to a friend's party. They'll be back late." I told him and he sighed in relief.

"Coast's clear." He said to someone there, "Open the front door Elena." He said and I rushed downstairs. As soon as I opened the door, I was greeted with a sight of Jace with his left hand in a cast.

Luke was carrying their stuff out of the car while Cole was parking the car.

"What happened?" I asked, my voice came out in barely above a whisper. Jace gave me a nervous smile using his other hand to scratch his head.

"Can I come in first?" He asked and I quickly stepped aside. He collapsed on the sofa and I rushed to him. I softly touch his arm and he groaned. The door shut and Cole and Luke came in with Jace's backpack.

"What happened?" I asked Cole and Luke and they both looked away nervously.

"Someone tampered with the brakes of my car." Jace said. "I was with my car all along.. till Celine called. I called Cole over to check up on you but he's not allowed into the garage so I had to go out and meet him."

"He won the race good and fine but he couldn't end it so he jumped out of the car, injuring his arm in the process." Luke concluded and my eyes clouded with tears.

"Hey.. it's fine, I'm fine. It's just minor injury Elena." Jace said using his other hand to wipe a tear that escaped from my eye. The tattoo on my collar bone burned but it didn't hurt more than the guilt that was eating me up.

"It's my fault." I said and Jace shook his head.

"It's definitely not your fault." He said but I didn't believe a word he said. If I hadn't foolishly choked then he wouldn't have gone out to call Cole.

"We'll just roll." Cole said but I didn't pay any attention to them and neither did Jace.

"I got to go up to my room before mum and dad comes back." Jace said and I tried to help him up. "Elena I injured my arm not my leg." He laughed and I pouted. I took his backpack and followed him up.

Jace entered his room and collapsed on his bed. I dropped his bag on the couch and sighed.

"Goodnight then." I said and he nodded. As soon as I shut the door, Jace groaned and I opened the door immediately only to see Jace pulling his t-shirt halfway up.

"What are you doing?" I asked him. His face was covered with his t-shirt and he was wobbling around like a fish.

"I'm tryna get this shirt off." He said and I smiled at his attempt. I walked closer to him slowly tried to get his bandaged arm out of the shirt. Jace froze as my finger grazed his skin and my face was already burning red at this point.
He used his other hand to remove the shirt out of his face. I noticed the closeness of our face and I felt my face burn even more. I might look like a tomato now.

Our faces slowly came closer and I couldn't help but wonder what was going on.

"Elena." Jace whispered and I hummed in reply. I unconsciously bit my bottom lip and Jace stared at it and shifted closer to me. I have no idea what's going on but I didn't want to stop and the butterflies in my stomach didn't want to stop either.

My eyes voluntarily shut and I could feel Jace's breath on my face. Just as I was about to press forward, I heard the door slam open.

"What's going on here?!" Oh no..

******
~Korisa