Returning to You

Jessica’s POV
I woke early at first light and ate the rest of the pie which isn’t exactly healthy but what the hey. Once finished with the pie I got up and changed my clothes before I climbed out of the tent and made my way into the house. As I passed through the kitchen to check if the water was turned on and found it was so that’s one thing I can check off my list. I then moved to a light switch to see if that was working and it wasn’t so I figured that power had been turned off like it generally was in a police raid so I knew I had to get that up and running meaning I would have to contact the company.
I needed some tools to take apart the furniture and to fix the house up so I needed to get them as well so I grabbed my phone and wallet and made my way out of the house. As I walked out I saw Brian Senior getting the mail so I waved and jogged over to him. He smiled and said
“good morning Jessica, how did last night go?” I smiled
“it was fine I slept in my tent in the yard” he raised a brow as his mouth fell open
“a tent?!” I nodded with a small laugh
“yes a tent, I’m used to it and frankly I was not staying in there, I feared it would collapse on my head” we both shared a laugh before he asked
“so what are you doing up this early?” I shrugged
“I always get up this early plus I need tools, oh yeah I’m having a skip delivered at 11 just so that you aren’t startled at seeing a lorry in front of the house” he nodded and I then asked “oh is the hardware store still where it used to be?” he laughed and nodded and I thanked him before I left him to go back in his house and I set off down the road, the store being a good 5 blocks away.
Once I arrived at the store I walked over to the axes and grabbed one that looked like I could easily lift it and it could chop through a sofa. I then grabbed a drill and a hammer and some nails figuring that was all I needed for the time being, I could grab anything else I needed tomorrow but this was as much as I would be able to carry. I paid for it and then set off back home carrying the axe over my shoulder and the bag of the rest in the other hand, I’m sure I looked quite strange.
Once back I checked my phone and saw it was only 9 in the morning so I grabbed the axe and took off the protective packaging before I moved into the living room and stared at the sofa, considering it’s state it couldn’t be too hard to take apart so I got to work chopping the arms to pieces and then the back and then the seat until it was in pieces that could easily fit through the window. I figured I could throw everything out of the big Bay window which was smashed to hell anyway. Moving over I took the hammer I had bought from the bag and then made my way to the window and started breaking the bits of glass left out of the frame so that I wouldn’t cut myself or anything. I didn’t really want to use the porch much until I had sorted out the wood and getting everything through the window was easier.
Once that was clear I made my way upstairs and started on the furniture in Jasper’s old room and hacked that all up before carrying it downstairs into the sitting room. Just as I stood up to crack my back and wipe the sweat away from my brow I heard the beeping of a lorry backing up and moving to the window I I saw the lorry reversing until it stopped and a guy stood on the back operating the machine which lowered the skip to the ground, I hadn’t gotten a really big one as there wasn’t much to rip out but it was still big enough. I climbed out of the window once it was down and walked over to the guys and thanked them while I paid them. I then asked them if they knew any good carpenters or glazers and they gave me a variety of numbers including a plumber and an electrician. I smiled and they left me to my own devices. I blew a strand of hair from my face which had escaped the bun I had placed it in and then moved back and climbed through the window so I could start throwing stuff in the skip.

Brian’s POV
The guys and I were heading over to Pop and Suzy’s for some food, we usually went there on a Sunday for breakfast and today was no different though instead of breakfast Pop had called and he wanted us to come for lunch instead so I got to lie in and when I got woken up by Jimmy pounding away on the drums, I still don’t know why I let him live with me, I got dressed and jumped in the car and picked the other guys up.
So turning the corner to come onto their street in the Hummer it was Johnny who leaned between the seats and asked
“what is that skip doing there?” I raised a brow and squinted and in fact there was a skip in next doors garden. I let out a whoosh of breath and told the guys
“Jessica is back” a load of voices started talking at once and I tried to make each out but I couldn’t so I shouted above them “alright, ok shut up!” they did so and after a moment of silence Jimmy asked
“Jessica as in your neighbour and high school enemy/crush is here?” I glared at him for the crush part but he just looked back at me questioningly and I sighed
“yeah she is, she’s back and in her old place so I guess she’s gonna clear it up now get out of the car” I had pulled into the drive and they all stayed there a moment looking at me before they got out of the car and headed into Pop’s place. I took a cleansing breath before getting out myself and heading inside.
Coming through the door McKenna launched herself at me and I barely caught her with a laugh
“what was that for Kenna? I saw you like yesterday” McKenna nodded as I put her on her feet and she replied
“well that was yesterday and plus I wanted to see if I could take you down” I grinned
“never Kenna” she huffed before turning and walking into the sitting room and I followed after knowing that the others would all be in there as well.
I entered to find them all on the sofas with drinks in their hands already, soda not alcohol because Suzy doesn’t let them have it before 7 pm. I laughed as Zacky shoved Johnny on the floor so he could put his feet up on the chair and then Suzy came and smacked him on the back of the head and scolded him for both putting his feet up and pushing Johnny. I joined the group by sitting next to Matt who leaned in and asked
“have you seen Jessica?” I shook my head and he nodded “man I remember what she was like in school and then I remember after her brother died, it was harsh and I hope she got better and not like her parents” I shrugged
“I don’t know man, you never do know” he nodded and I looked up as Pop came in and slapped Jimmy on the back of the head telling him to get out of his seat and then pulling Suzy down beside him who smiled and kissed him while Jimmy whined about how she didn’t hit Pop when she hit Zacky and she replied
“well when Zacky becomes my husband he can do what he likes” we all laughed and then we talked for a while just messing around and talking about nothing and everything.
Eventually I ran out of soda so I got up and went into the kitchen to grab another one. While looking in the fridge for another can Suzy came in and leant against the counter. When I came out I closed the door and turned to face her as I opened the can
“what’s up Suzy?” I asked and she sighed
“I wonder about Jessica all by herself next door, by the sounds of it she’s been working nonstop since about 9 this morning” I raised a brow and looked at the clock to see that it was now 12:30 meaning she had been at it 3 and a half hours which was a long time. I crossed my arms and asked
“if she needed to stop I’m sure she would have” Suzy rolled her eyes
“that girl is one of the most driven I have ever met I mean she could have bought another place but no she wants to do that one up, driven I tell you. I would be amazed if she remembered to eat” I didn’t know where this was going so I asked this time
“what do you want me to do Suzy?” she smiled then and came to stand in front of me putting a hand on my arm
“would you be a dear and go over there and ask if she would like to join us for lunch?” I looked down at her before I lifted as hand and rubbed the back of my neck
“are you sure you want me to go over?” Suzy nodded and I thought about telling her to do it but I knew I couldn’t. Sighing I nodded and she smiled and leant up and kissed my cheek before patting my arm lightly
“thank you Brian, don’t be long the food is nearly done, I convinced your father not to get out the grill as well I am tired of BBQ food” I chuckled and nodded before heading past her and out the front door towards Jessica.