chapter ten,
brotherly fights and flames ablaze!

JACKIE WAS IN THE LIBRARY, SITTING with Skylar, Grace, and Kia. "So, tell me about this bonfire thing.  I heard it's kind of a big deal here." Jackie stated.  "Okay, try a huge deal.  You're going with Brady, right?" Grace said, looking at her.  "Yeah."

"Do you think you guys are gonna... You know." Kia knitted her eyebrows together, looking at the two.  "Oh, ew! Grace!"

"What? No, no.  Why would you think that?" Jackie stated, confused.  "Tons of people hook up at the bonfire."

"Like everyone." Skylar added.  Kia shook her head, staring at the boy.  "And who's even done that? That's so gross."

"Yeah, it's, like, a thing." Grace stated.  "Well, no, not us.  We're just friends."  Grace and Skylar laughed, causing Jackie to stare at them in confusion.  "What?"

"Yeah, right.  Are you sure about that?"

"You guys do seem pretty close." Skylar stated.  "Look, me and Brady are just friends.  Nothing is going to change that." Grace sighed, working on her homework.  "Whatever you say, Jackie.  So, Kia, has anyone asked you to the dance yet?"

"No.  We still have a few days left so I still have time.  What about you?"

"Brett asked me.  He's really sweet."

"Somebody's got a crush." Skylar stated in a sing - songy voice, making Kia join him.  "And his name is Brett."

"Shh! Not too loud.  What about you and Isaac?"

"There's nothing going on between me and him, Grace.  Plus, he hates me."

"I don't think he does." Grace stated.  "And what makes you say that?"

"I just have a feeling he doesn't hate you as much as he does.  I mean, I remember in second grade, you would always invite him to eat lunch with you, Brady, and Samira."

"I felt really bad about saying that he looked as if he ate something sour.  He was really grumpy that day.  I don't think I ever apologized for that."

"You really are a sweetheart.  Nathan wasn't lying about that." Jackie stated.  "Nathan said that? He's really sweet.  Is he doing okay?"

"He's fine." Jackie answered, giving her a smile.  "Also, Parker told me that you made her hot chocolate last night."

"Yeah, it's been a bit cold for the last few weeks... that and I was craving hot chocolate."  Jackie crossed her arms as she leaned onto the table.  "Are you sure there's nothing going on with you guys?"

"I'm sure, Jackie." she stated. Kia eventually packed up her things and left the library, leaving the trio alone. "She's definitely meeting up with Isaac. I can feel it." Grace teased, causing Skylar and Jackie to laugh.  Jackie's face formed a smile, trying to keep her voice low.   "They've been hanging out a lot lately.  I thought they hated each other?"

"We thought so too.   Maybe they've decided to put their differences aside for once." Skylar answered with a shrug.

Their time had unfortunately come to an end when the bell rang, signaling for them to get to their next class. Jackie walked through the hallway, trying to get to her English class.  Brady noticed, waving at her.   She reciprocated the action, a smile on her face.  He walked over to her, the two of them walking together.   "Hey, Jackie."

"Hi, Brady. We're still going to the bonfire tonight, right?" she asked. The boy next to her nodded his head, looking at her. "Yes, we are. You're going to have so much fun, I promise."

"I hope I do. If it isn't, I'll have to sue you for that." she joked, causing Brady's jaw to drop in amusement. "Really? Are you going to use my mom against me?" he asked, nudging her gently. "Now that you say that, I will." she answered, laughing. Brady playfully rolled his eyes, shaking his head. Jackie's face flushed, her cheeks pink. He really knew how to make a girl get butterflies... well, according to her at least. It's like he had some kind of invisible charm, a charm that worked on her.

"What would my punishment even be?" he questioned, raising his eyebrow. "Hm... getting me more donuts. They were really good."

"I'll check with my lawyer... she's not here right now so I say yes." he teased, making Jackie laugh. It was just the two of them in that moment and it felt right.

And she was starting to let him into her heart.

THE BONFIRE WAS IN FULL SWING AS Brady and Jackie found a spot on a log. Paige and Liam were with Alex and Danica, minding their own business.  

"So, how's your first official bonfire going?" Brady asked, drinking some soda. "I don't really know. I just got here." Jackie answered with a smile. "Well, I promise to make it awesome for you. Do you want to watch a game of beer pong?"

"Um... sure? That sounds pretty gross though." Brady laughed, placing an arm around her shoulders. "Trust me, people don't drink the beer after the game. Although, it's a waste of drinks." The two of them walked over to where the game was being held. Isaac and Kia were going against Brett and Grace, although the girl was unaware of his flushed cheeks. "I think Isaac has a crush on Kia." Brady whispered, giving Jackie butterflies.

She gulped, nodding her head. "He can deny it all he wants but he's definitely starting to like her. Too bad he doesn't like her." Brady gently nudged her shoulder, shaking his head. "I think he does like her. He just uses the whole 'I hate her' argument as an excuse to hang out with her." Jackie thought about it for a moment, letting out a gasp. "They have been hanging out a lot! Kia comes over to the house almost every day for some project they're working on."

Brady nodded his head, looking at her. "She's got him wrapped around her finger and she doesn't even know it. I think it's just how she is. She's always been a caring and kind person, ever since we met. I just wish Isaac could be less moody towards her." Jackie glanced at Kia for a moment, seeing the way Isaac looked at her. For a boy that seemed to hate her, he had a funny way of showing it.

"I think he'll warm up to her eventually.   But enough about them.   Let's watch some beer pong." she stated, gently pulling Brady to get a better view. They watched as both teams tried to get the ball into the farthest cup, earning cheers from the crowd. After multiple attempts, Kia made the ball into the cup. "I did it!" she exclaimed.

"You did it!" Her and Isaac hugged as he spun her around.   Brady and Jackie smiled at the two, clapping for the game.  The fun was short lived, however, when Alex punched Cole in the face.   Brady decided to drive Jackie and Lee back to the house, taking Samira, Liam, and Paige with him.   He dropped the Shetty siblings off first and then his sister, leaving Lee, Jackie, and himself in the car.

"Did you like the bonfire?" Brady asked, keeping his eyes on the road.    "I did... well, except for the whole fight thing.  We're gonna get into a lot of trouble." Jackie answered.  "How about you, Lee?" Brady questioned.   The said boy's cheeks flushed, clearing his throat.   "It was fun."

Unbeknownst to Brady, Jackie glanced at him.   She still didn't understand why she was feeling some kind of way about him but she'd ignore that for now.

Maya Speaks 💫:

Brady is so sweet omg 😭

Cole annoys me sm bro... "B-but Cole is so Conrad coded" GIRL CONRAD WOULDN'T CHEAT ON HIS GIRLFRIEND WITH HER BEST FRIEND OR THE WHOLE TOWN LIKE BFFR (unlike Jeremiah because that's who Cole reminds me of but Cole's easier to look at 💀 he ate with that one little thing)

Brackie my babies ☹️ I'm so sorry for not writing about you guys for the last few weeks 😭 But I'm back now!

But ty for reading pookies and be on the lookout for another update!