What Do You Want From Me?

Jessica couldn’t help the smile that formed on her face as she watched Matt’s car, which was driving in front of her own, pull into an oh-so-familiar parking lot. She followed suit, and checked her rearview mirror to see Brian’s car following. The three vehicles parked next to each other, each exiting almost simultaneously.

“Well, aren’t you just a hopeless romantic,” Jessica voiced to Matt, giggling madly at the scene surrounding them.

“Hey, don’t make fun of me,” Matt replied in a whiny voice, though it was evident he was trying his best to hide a smile. “We always have fun here. Right, guys?”

“Hell yeah,” Brian said. “It’s a fucking sweet ass place to chill when little kids aren’t here.”

Jessica nodded at the understandable comment, and took a look around. It’d been a pretty long while since she’d been there; at least a few years, most likely. It was hardly a normal occurrence that one would see a group of high school students hanging out at the park. Though, the red-head had to admit she was looking forward to letting loose for the first time in ages. Matt, Brian, and Zack just brought that person out of her. Their infectious attitude of simply not giving a fuck was addictive, but Jessica happily embraced it, and was even the first to take off in the direction of the many jungle gyms, swings, and slides.

“Look at this kid,” Zack exclaimed with barking laughter as he and the others trailed behind her.

Matt couldn’t hide the grin that formed on his face. He felt proud, because he knew Jessica wouldn’t be behaving this way if it wasn’t for his influence. She was, for the most part, a guarded individual, and that was totally fine; but knowing this, and then seeing her let loose as if this had always been her lifestyle, Matt felt an exquisite burst of pride and affection.

“She’s learning fast,” Matt commented, so only his two male friends could hear.

“She is,” Brian agreed, smiling fondly. Zack did, as well, and was the first to make a beeline for the slide. He ran up the slippery chute, and Brian followed mere inches behind him. He groped at Zack’s bottom on the way up, earning a surprised squeal from the younger man and a groan of protest from Matt, who’d unfortunately witnessed it. The two men huddled together at the top and Matt rolled his eyes as he made his way over to Jessica, who was now swaying back and forth lazily on one of the swings.

“Someone’s glad I brought them here,” Matt observed with a smile.

The expression was returned brightly. “I am, actually.”

“Well, good. That was the plan.” He sat down on the swing next to her and moved almost at the same pace she was. They were quiet for a few moments after that, both just simply enjoying one another’s company. Matt watched the girl next to him out of the corner of his eye, while she merely kicked at the wood chips beneath her feet and smiled at nothing in particular.

“What are you smiling about?” Matt asked, generally interested.

“Who, me?” Matt gave her a look resembling ‘duh’. “Nothing, really. I’m just…in a good mood, I guess. Shouldn’t you want me to be smiling?”

“Of course. I always want you to be happy.”

A light flutter tickled at Jessica’s stomach and she kept her gaze diverted away from Matt’s, as her smile grew bigger. “Thanks,” She spoke sheepishly.

Matt grinned. “No problem.”

Silence enveloped them after that; not awkward in the least bit, but both of them thought deeply of something to say. It was the first time since that night after the party that they were alone; or, as alone as they could get with Brian and Zack still all over each other some thirty feet away. Matt scowled at their forms, which were now sitting instead of standing, in the little area at the top of the slides. The hazel-eyed man knew his best friends weren’t going to get too graphic with one another, but just the fact that they were sort of intruding on some much desired alone time with Jessica, Matt felt the urge to throttle them.

“What’s up with you?”

Matt turned his head suddenly, realizing that Jessica was now looking at him with a confused expression on her face.

“What do you mean?” Matt replied after clearing his throat and attempting to appear more relaxed than before.

“You look like you want to tear Brian and Zack a new one,” She said with a laugh.

Matt chuckled. “Do I?” She nodded, and he heaved a great sigh. “Nothing’s wrong, per se. I’m just…thinking.”

“Ah. Thinking. Gotcha,” She mused, grinning all-the-while. “Penny for your thoughts?”

“I’m not gonna get away clean until I tell you what’s wrong, am I?” Matt glanced at her fully, somewhat charmed at the fact that she actually cared.

“Hm,” She hummed, tapping her index finger against her chin. “Nope. So, get on with it.”

Matt laughed, thoroughly amused. He twisted around in the swing so his body faced away from the jungle gyms, and looked over the creek that was only a few yards away from them. He gazed at it for a few moments, before looking to Jessica again with a glint in his eyes.

“Let’s go for a walk,” He announced as he stood from the swing.

Jessica was about ready to question him, until she saw his hand reach out for her to take. She blushed, which didn’t go unnoticed by Matt, but did her best to swallow down any shyness and quickly placed her hand in his and stood.

They walked toward the water in slow strides, and Jessica half-expected Matt to let go of their little embrace, but the fact that he didn’t had her insides swimming with dozens of very mirthful butterflies. It was, for the most part, a pleasant spot; considering Jessica was feeling especially ecstatic at the moment, she also took note that it could also be categorized as ‘romantic’. She briefly wondered if Matt thought the same, but the fact that he was a guy and a very masculine one at that, she kind of doubted it. Still, the idea had her thinking…

“So,” She began, doing her best to sound nonchalant with her approach. “What’s on your mind?”

Matt gave a half-smile as the couple came to a stop at the edge of the brook. Fingers still interlaced, the hazel-eyed man took a deep breath and turned to face his shorter companion. Jessica knew all eyes were trained on her now, but she kept her own on a pair of ducks floating close together, not too far away from them. They were a male and female, and if the red head didn’t know any better, she would have thought maybe they were a reflection of Matt and herself. The notion had Jessica ready to burst out laughing, but in not wanting to ruin the moment, she simply gave an entertaining grin.

“I think the question is: What’s on your mind?” Matt spoke, giving a slight tug of Jessica’s hand so she’d look at him fully.

“Oh, but I asked you first,” She quipped.

“That’s true, you did. But my answer is quite embarrassing, so therefore, I’d rather not say it.”

At that, Matt broke their linked fingers and proceeded to back away from her with a playful smirk on his face. He turned, and strode further down the border with a slight skip in his step. Jessica scoffed, thoroughly enjoying the little ploy he was trying to rope her into. In normal circumstances, she wasn’t really the type to go chasing after guys; but there was just something about Matt’s fun-loving side that got her going. Usually, his demeanor was powerful and serious and protective, and Jessica loved that about him. Seeing him like this, though, awakened a new form of admiration toward her savior; one that was making her lose control.

Swallowing thickly in an attempt to regain some sort of charge, Jessica followed after him. She placed a strong hand on his forearm, one that was unusually powerful for her caliber, and quickly turned him back around. His lips still held that very same smirk from before, but there was also an air of surprise behind it, because he, too, hadn’t been expecting that from her.

“What?”

And for once, Jessica really didn’t know. There was a stirring in her gut, something she dimly recognized as confidence, and before she knew what was happening, she was standing on her tippy toes and planting a soft kiss on Matt’s lips. It was with that one, little peck that a jolt of electricity travelled down the young woman’s spine. She felt strong, empowered, and so very right; but just like that, it all went away when an almost silent gasp broke the air between them. Jessica emitted one of her own and quickly pulled away, everything within her dwindling down to someone who was horribly embarrassed by her actions.

“I- I’m sorry,” She stammered, looking toward the ground in utter disbelief. “I don’t know what came over me. I’m not like that, Matt, I promise. Please, don’t think-”

A gentle hand suddenly rested itself on Jessica’s shoulder, and she immediately shut up. She closed her eyes, still refusing to meet the others, until Matt placed his other hand under her chin and tilted it up toward him.

“Hey, look at me,” He requested kindly, but Jessica still adamantly refused. Matt gripped her shoulder a bit tighter. “Please?”

She sighed, feeling her lips begin to tremble a bit at the totally unwanted emotion beginning to take over. Liquid pools formed behind her eyelids, and she wanted desperately to kick herself for even getting into this situation in the first place.

Still, the tone of Matt’s voice and the way his fingers pressed into her skin had Jessica’s walls crumbling, and she slowly opened her emerald green orbs until they were met with those of the other’s.

“I really didn’t mean to...” She tried to voice once again.

“Jess,” Matt broke in, before she could go any further. “You’re talking as though I didn’t want it.”

Jessica furrowed her brows. “Wh-what?”

Instead giving a response, Matt moved a hand to lace through Jessica’s auburn locks, while the other took hold of her lower back, and he pulled the shorter girl into another kiss. At first taken by surprise, Jessica quickly recovered and hooked both arms around Matt’s neck as the kiss grew deeper and deeper. Tongues soon entered the mix, as Matt’s poked out and licked sensually along Jessica’s lips. She couldn’t help but giggle, and opened her mouth to allow the other access. The muscles twined together in a sort of dance, and Matt moaned softly at the heavenly taste of her. He’d expected it, but nothing close to this marvelous result.

When the area quality exiting and reentering through their nostrils became inadequate, they broke away from one another and took deep, shaky breathes. Still embraced, their eyes were locked on one another in both surprise, and utter approval.

“I- I didn’t know you…” Jessica began, but silenced herself because, honestly, she really didn’t even know how to word her thoughts.

“Liked you?” Matt guessed with a grin, to which the other blushed and nodded. “I could say the same for you.”

“Touche. How long?”

“Long enough,” Matt considered, but upon inspecting the narrow eyed gaze Jessica gave him, he knew she wanted specifics. “Probably ever since that day when Jason said he was going to fight me, and then backed down.”

Jessica’s eyes widened a bit. “Really?”

“Don’t sound so surprised. You and I locked eyes, and that’s when I sort of recognized how beautiful you were. Ever since then, I haven’t been able to keep my eyes off you.” At that, Matt’s cheeks flushed at his admittance. He’d never planned on telling Jessica all that, deeming it way too cheesy for what he portrayed himself to be; but with the way she was looking at him and what had just happened, it needed to be said.

“Wow. I never realized it stretched back to that point. I didn’t notice I was…feeling something…for you until you almost killed me with your car,” Jessica said with a very amused smirk. Matt scoffed and broke their embrace with a hearty laugh.

“You would bring that up at a time like this, wouldn’t you?” He voiced jokingly. She nodded, batting her eyelashes in a flirty way.

“Hey, be grateful. If that wouldn’t have happened…well, who knows. I probably wouldn’t have taken as much notice to you as I did, and I’d still probably be caught in Jason’s clutches.”

“Well, when you put it that way…” Matt leaned in and placed another kiss on Jessica’s lips. She giggled happily and hugged him to her once more. He wrapped his own arms around her skinny waist and smiled.

Muffled coos of joy were suddenly heard somewhere in the distance, and the couple quickly looked toward the jungle gym where they left Brian and Zack. Matt scowled and Jessica laughed when they saw the two doing their best to spy inconspicuously.

“Don’t you two have anything better to do?” Matt declared, breaking apart from his female companion and glaring at them.

“I told you they’d see us,” Brian spoke in a hushed voice as they stood from their kneeling positions.

“Oh, who cares?” Zack exclaimed. “Honestly, how could we not watch? You two are so adorable and it’s about damn time!”

“Really now? And, uh, how long have you known about this?” Jessica mused.

“Probably before you two even knew,” Brian said with a snicker, and the heterosexual couple promptly hung their heads in embarrassment.

“Were we really that obvious?” Jessica whispered to Matt, who only shrugged and flashed an evil glare at his two friends.

“In any case, we’re very happy for you guys,” Zack announced with a smile. “We should all go one a double date tonight to celebrate! I’m thinking dinner and a movie?”

“As great as that sounds, I’d better get home soon. On normal occasion, my mom likes me to be home by dinner time so we can eat together.” Jessica rolled her eyes at the notion.

“Don’t sound too disappointed,” Matt told her with a frown. “We can always do it some other time.”

She nodded and smiled. "That sounds like a plan. I'll just have to make up another lie to tell my mom. It shouldn't be that hard."

Matt grinned. "Sweet. Well, let me at least walk you to your car. I don't want you getting into any trouble, considering it's..." He gave the watch on his wrist a quick look. "4:25."

"Really? Yeah, I should probably get going. Mom's usually got dinner ready by 5, and it'd just be the end of the world if I wasn't there."

With another roll of her eyes, Jessica allowed Matt to lead her back to where their cars were parked. After an embarrassing bid of farewell from Brian and Zack, complete with knowing smirks and promises to see her soon, Matt and Jessica finally embraced in another affectionate hug.

"So, what exactly does this mean for us?" Matt mused, a bit sheepishly, when they separated.

Jessica sighed, not meeting the other's eyes. "Well...I am really happy with how today went. But after everything that's happened, and considering how things are with my parents, I think we should take things slow."

"Oh, yeah, I totally understand. Like I said, I wouldn't want to get you into any trouble." Matt's words were absolutely sincere, but Jessica could tell he was a little upset, and that was the last thing she wanted.

She raised both hands and cupped his cheeks. "Matt, please don't misunderstand. I want us to work out, I really do. That's why I want to take things slow and see what happens. If we were to rush into something and then have it blow up in our faces, I don't know what I'd do. You're the only thing I have to look forward to right now and I don't want to mess that up."

With that, she leant up and pressed a soft kiss on the other's lips. He smiled into it and hugged her close, now fully understanding what she was getting at.

"Can you get anymore perfect?" Matt questioned, dimples poking adorably in his cheeks.

"Don't be silly," Jessica said with a humbling smile. "But I'd better get going."

"All right. Text me later?"

"I will."

With one final, breathtaking kiss, Jessica climbed into her car and started it up. Brian and Zack waved from where they now sat on the swings, and Matt merely gave her a reverent smile. Jessica couldn't help but return it, but it was only when she pulled out of the parking lot and was out of eyesight, that she broke into an unbelievably cheeky grin.

'Matt likes me. ME. Nothing can ruin this day.'

With the street she lived on coming into view, Jessica was quite sure about that. Not even her mother, who would most likely find something to yell at her about upon arriving home, wasn't going to ruin her mood. At this rate, things could only get better.

But, just like that, the notion completely disappeared from her mind. Jessica pulled onto her street, and the first thing she saw was her father's car. Now, for a normal person, one would probably be ecstatic to see their daddy home from work. Of course, Jessica's family was hardly normal, and considering the fact Jeffrey Flaherty didn't usually return home until well into the evening hours, Jessica could feel her throat begin to dry up. Sure, the elder Flaherty did sometimes arrive home early. She knew this, but that wasn't what was truly plaguing her.

Jessica pulled into the driveway and exited her car quicker than lightning. Her breath quickened, as she took in the sight: a rather familiar, black Hummer parked near the curb in front of her house.

"Oh, God." Please don't let it be who I think it is...

At that, she made a beeline for her front door. It was already unlocked, another bad sign, and Jessica could feel her lips trembling just a bit. She pushed the wooden portal open, flinching as it made a most unruly creaking noise, and slowly stepped inside.

The house surrounding was quiet, the third bad sign so far, and Jessica made like a ninja and tip-toed toward the living room area. Quiet voices could be heard from within, and she suddenly wished she would have just stayed with Matt because that one voice, Jessica could pick it out from anywhere, and that's when she knew she was absolutely screwed.

Deciding not to put it off any longer, Jessica moved along further until she was standing in the doorway. Now, she was face-to-face with her mother, her father, Jason Kiegan, and Isabel Vega.