It Could Be You ((Jack))

[Mackenzie Holden]

"Rain. Heh. Yah." Mack spoke with a small smirk. She swung higher and higher, but came to a halt as Jack asked about Jamie. She sighed flicked her bangs out of her eyes, "Jamie and I. We met when we were really young. His dad and my dad know each other. We're really close. Jamie's 2 years older than me, he's the guy who I go to for inspiration on music- though lately it's been someone else, and well; he's just there." Mack answered slowly. Making sure to pass over who her new muse. Then, inhaling, she decided to tell him about the "relationship." She looked at Jack, and didn't look away; "when I was 11 and he 13, we sort of grew more than friends. Then I was sent to Hogwarts, and I broke it off with him. I guess, I used that as an excuse; but I don't know."

"It was a bit weird going out with him, because he's like my brother. So I think I made up some lame-o excuse to break-up with him. I suppose that's it." She shrugged and kicked some dirt and sighed before continuing, "He still thinks there's a chance as to me being with him again, and I shouldn't have acted the way I had tonight- because it just makes him think it even more. I'm not going to hear the end of it when I return home." Mack finished and looked up at the stars, as if to count them. Truth was she was just keeping her gaze away from Jack's. What she had told him was the truth, all of it, unless you count omission as lying without betrayal- but she didn't so she wasn't worried about her omitting the muse thing, "So? Was that what you expected to hear? Or was it supposed to be some story of Cinderella?"

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack nodded at Mack, who seemed to like the rain idea. Letting his feet move smoothly across the ground below him, Jack moved on the swing on slightly in the wind. He didn't look at Mack until she mentioned that Jamie was in inspiration. He raised his head so fast that he had a crick in his neck. Holding it, he raised an eyebrow but felt relief when she said that lately there had been a new person that inspirated her. Trying to hide his relief, he looked back at the ground. The breeze seemed to be picking up; leaves around the swirled and moved through the little place, making Jack shiver noticeably. He listened to the rest of Mack's story, making sure that he didn't met her eyes again. When she asked what he had expected, he became intensely interested in his laces.

"I...I guess I expected what you said. I mean, I wasn't expecting a Cinderella story; no, not at all. Just something, simple but yet.... important." Jack was starting to rush through his words, hoping Mack wouldn't get the drift of them. "He seemed to like you a lot. Doesn't he know that you don't return his feelings about you? How thick can you get?" the words were sour and mean, Jack still peered down at his shoes. "Why was he harsh with you? There at the end. If he likes you, why was he becoming angry?"

[Mackenzie Holden]

Mack smiled, but it was instantly turned to a smirk, "Jamie isn't thick. He's just stubborn. He doesn't want to believe I don't return the feelings. Oh well. I don't really care about it all that much. As long as I don't lose him as a friend, I'll be fine." She answered with a shrug. When he asked about Jamie's reaction to her staying instead of going, Mack couldn't help but smile and look at her feet.

"Because I'd rather be here with you then there with him. Jealousy is a nasty thing, Jack. Hadn't you learnt anything tonight?" She let slip out. Mack winced and hit her forehead with her palm, "And right now would be the time I would enjoy a time turner and go back in time." Mack muttered with a scowl, "So stupid. So stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid."

[Jack Rendel S5]

"Sounds thick to me." Jack muttered mostly to himself, although he could understand being stubborn. He was stubborn too, but really..... He sighed a kicked away more dirt to keep him busy. When Mack started talking about why Jamie had been harsh to her, Jack's head slowly looked up at Mack, who seemed to be muttering something to herself. He wasn't really listening to that; his mind was busy processing what she had just said. Because I would rather be here with you then there with him. But that would mean.... Jealousy in a nasty thing, Jack. Of course it is, Jack would know after tonight.... Hadn't you learnt anything tonight? Was she talking about him or herself? Jack couldn't help but put the three together, his eyes widening each moment that passed in silence between the two. Finally, Jack felt like his head was going to crack in two. If Mack meant what she had just said...then that would mean....

"Is there anything you want to tell me, Mack? Because, if there is, you can always tell me. I'll listen." There, Mack could tell him if she wanted to. He had always listened to her problems and vice-versa but.... this was different. It wasn't about their families, it was about the two of them. He remembered a time back in Hogwarts when Mack had said something about she was thinking about something to do with him, Jack. He secretly wondered if this was it and if it was..... Jack was still looking intently at Mack, trying to catch her eye.

[Mackenzie Holden]

Mack looked at Jack, her eyes just still- trying to show no emotion; like that could work. She trailed her finger down the chain that held up the seat of the swing and sighed. The wind picked up slightly, and it blew her hair around her face. Mack brushed it away; as if the messiness didn't bother her and opened her mouth to speak. What was she supposed to say though? "Yes, I want to tell you about it. Yes, I want to tell you how I feel, but no I can't because it would be disasterous?" Mack bit her lip and thought about something to say, what could she tell him? Yes, she indeed want to tell him, but how could she tell him without giving too much away?

"Nah." She said, shaking her head. Deciding to just...not tell him.

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack raised an eyebrow. "You sure." He didn't want to force it out of her; he wanted her to have a choice, but he wanted the truth. Mack had told him a long time ago that she would enlighten him on what was bothering her, but so far, she hasn't said anything more about it. Jack shrugged at his questions, placing them in the back of his mind. Still looking at Mack, he kicked off from the ground again, welcoming the wind. He tried to take his mind of all those questions and worries, but they kept on coming to the surface of his mind. Jack shook his head, letting his brown hair fall over his eyes.

"So, what would you like to do now? We could... go for a walk....um....... jump in the pool." The last suggestion was made as a joke, although it would feel good to go swimming. Of course, their clothes would get soaked and they would probably get sick, but if it felt good at the time.... He halted and waited for Mack to answer.

[Mackenzie Holden]

"No! I'm NOT sure! Damn it, Jack! I'm not sure of anything that's why I am not answering!" Mack yelled at him. She kicked the pebble and stood up from her swing. She leaned against the pole, her arms crossed over her chest, and looked at the stars. She blinked back hot tears and breathed out slowly. Regaining composure, she turned to face him when he asked what they should do. Mack shrugged and tucked some hair behind her ear.

"I don't care, swimming in this would be horrid though." Mack answered as she indicated her outfit. Jeans in water would never work. She waited for Jack's response as she pulled her hair back into a pony-tail.

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack raised an eyebrow and felt his blood pressure rise as Mack said that wasn't sure. He wanted to shake her, he wanted her to understand that she could tell him whatever was on her mind, that she could trust him. He gripped the chain of the swing so hard it hurt, but he did not release until Mack was done speaking. She seemed to be cooling down after her near breakout, but Jack wasn't nearly ready for peace. Jumping out of the chair, he moved over to Mack and grabbed her arm, but not tightly, just enough to keep her in one place. "Listen, you can tell me what you want. If you're not sure then just say the damn thing! Get it over Mack and then you won't have to be bothered by it! Why can't you just....trust me?" Jack told her, surprised to find his voice in a deadly whisper. He wished that his breath did not smell of firewhiskey and butterbeer; not the greatest combo; but there was nothing to do at the moment. Keeping a firm grip on Mack's forearm, he dragged her closer to him, trying not to breath in her face. He had never been so close to Mack, but he ignored all feelings of embarrassment. "Tell me Mack. I want to know. Please." He added the "please" so it didn't sound like he was trying to run over her. Even though his voice still had certain anger tinted through it, Jack let a smile slip onto his features, letting her know that he wasn't that angry.

[Mackenzie Holden]

There was a sharp pain in Mack's arm as Jack grabbed it. Her blue eyes flashed as she turned to face him, "I do trust you, Jack! You are the only person I can trust! Don't you know that?! Trust Jamie? That's like no totally possible, my parents like him and he'll do anything to get them to like him more! Jack, you are the only person in my life that I could trust with anything and everything. Except one thing. And that thing is so fragile I am not sure I am willing to let it be shattered." Mack stated sharply as she yanked her arm back. She shook her head at him, "If you really want to know- I guess I'll tell you, but it isn't going to be easy for me. OK?!" Mack sighed and looked at the ground, shuffling her feet and breathing in lightly. She wondered if she could just mumble it and he wouldn't be able to hear it...She didn't want to risk it.

"Hey, you know that song I sang?" She asked him; looking back up at him, "What do you think it's about?" Mack smiled a small smile, but it didn't do any good.

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack let Mack wrench her arm away from his grasp with a feeling of deep resentment. Maybe if he had held it tighter she would have told him... No, Jack thought quickly, he wouldn't resort to pain to find out the answers he so desperately needed. Pushing that past his over-worked brain, Jack looked at Mack as she said that she would tell him. Was it a joke or was it for real? Jack decided he would play along, even if she wouldn't tell him. "Jamie." Jack said at once to Mack's question. Of course it was that rotten thieving.... Remembering what Felicity had said and fought against the reality that it might be real... "Well... I don't really know, but that's my best guess." Jack said slowly, regretting to have jumped to conclusions. "But... what does that song have to do with everything? Oh... it's the thing about your newest person who inspires you, right? So then it can't be Jamie..." Jack said more to himself than Mack. Turning his head to see her properly, he was hit by a sudden idea. Could it possibly be about... "Me?" he asked in a stunned whisper.

((Sorry about this....didn't have much time. ))

[Mackenzie Holden]

"It wasn't about Jamie, he just helped me write it." Mack answered with a small chuckle. Then he guessed again and she shrugged, "Would that be bad?" She asked slowly in a small timid voice. Mack crossed her arms and felt a cold shiver go up her spine, she let out a quick shudder before looking at Jack with a quick raised eyebrow. She wouldn't know what to do if he said, 'yes.' Probably push it off and take it as some joke, Mack thought with a defeated sigh. She inhaled and walked the length of the swing. Back and forth. Back and forth. Back and forth.

"Then again, if it is bad, I'll just say it was about someone else and then we can go for that swim in the pool." Mack spoke quietly. Then she stopped pacing and threw her hands up in the air before saying, "No! You know what?! I won't pretend that song is about someone else! It's about you, Jack! About you and about how much I like you! And how it hurts me to just sit there and...and...know you could never like me back! It's about how you make me feel when I am around you, and about how it just doesn't add up because I'm not supposed to like you. At least, not in the way I do."

Mack looked at him, tears nearly burning her eyes, she looked down- avoiding his gaze and whispered, "There- I said it. You know. Feel free to laugh. Lord knows many others have, Dix- Jamie. Jamie did it out of jealousy though."

((No worries )

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack grinned rather stupidly as Mack said it wasn't Jamie. It was rather stupid of him to think such a thing but he didn't know who else it could be about. He had only come to the conclusion of himself to hope that it was about him, that the song really was based on him. His head swam at the thought, although it was actually quite pleasant to think about something that would never actually happen. Jack watched as Mack walked by the swing, she seemed to be having a raging conflict with herself. He didn't laugh at the sight though, he knew Mack wouldn't laugh at him if he was having a problem such as this. She would try to help him, and that was what Jack was planning to do. He heard Mack mutter something he couldn't hear, so he leaned in closer but back away when she threw up her arms. It seemed like an eternity as Mack spoke. Jack could hardly believe what he was hearing. It was like a great dream that he just become reality. He swallowed hard and pinched his arm, making sure that this crazy night wasn't just some dream. His arm stung where his fingers had been but Jack knew that he wasn't in a dream. He didn't wake up in the boy's dormitory of Slytherin common room or his huge room in his house. He was still here, standing near Mack, watching her closely for signs of lying. There was none, and Jack felt his heart pound slightly when he saw Mack looked close to tears. She had said that he could laugh if he wanted to, but he was far from laughing. No, he would never laugh at something like this. Never.

Jack walked over to Mack and without thinking, kissed her. He kissed Mack, straight on the lips, but not for long. He pulled away quickly, glad that his face wasn't red. "I hope that answers some of your questions." said Jack, letting a grin spread on his face. Tonight was a time for change, and since Mack had made the first move, he could make the second bigger one. Still rather close to her, he grabbed her hand. "Really, you aren't going to let your sister and some ex-boyfriend bother you, are you?" Jack looked down at her, the grin still on his lips. "I think it's only our opinions that matter about this."

[Mackenzie Holden]

"uhm," She breathed. Her eyes looked at Jack, she wasn't bothering to hide her surprise. Four good ways to describe the way Mack was feeling at the moment- would be; confused, hopeful, nervous, and in complete and utter shock. "Que-questions..." she breathed out again. Mack moistened her lips and felt like she was going to fall over from complete surprise. When he grabbed her hand, she had to close her eyes to stop the world from spinning. It was sort of like an out of body, out of mind experience; and it took a bit before Mack became herself again.

"Right, you know me better than that..." She snapped lightly. Her eyebrow rose into a swift arch, and she wondered if she should take her hand back. She decided against it. Mack decided to let the angel on her right shoulder be heard this time, and for once she felt like she knew what she was doing. There weren't many times where she knew what she was doing; let alone felt like she knew what she was doing. Maybe that was what added to her surprise a bit. Maybe. Then it hit her like a ton of bricks.

"Wait," she took her hand back and narrowed her eyes, "what just happened, did you just...just...kiss me?" She asked- wondering if he had done it intentionally. Oh how she wanted him to have. How she wanted it to mean something more than it probably meant. Mack felt a sudden rush of dread flow through her. She wasn't sure she wanted to know the truth.

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack let his smile turn into a smirk as Mack looked completely dumb-founded. Had he done the right thing? Swallowing hard, Jack forced the smirk to remain on his lips even though he felt rather hot around his ears and neck. Still keeping his gaze on Mack, although it was rather forced he had to admit, Jack waited to see what she would say. He laughed lightly. "Do I know?" Jack asked her, with fake confusion. Even though his insides were squirming painfully, Jack remained calm and collected on the outside, or so he hoped. Mack seemed to be taking this worse than he thought. His face reddened even more and he was happy that they dusk could cover it. He felt his eyes sting for he hadn't blinked for the past few moments, he had been to busy looking at Mack. What she said though completely knocked Jack off balance.

"No, Mack, I didn't. You just imagined it." He said sarcastically, an eyebrow raised. "Of course I did." He paused, wondering what effect these words would have on Mack. He hoped dearly that this wouldn't tear apart their friendship like it could to many others. The thought made Jack shudder. Mack was his only true friend and if this vandalized their friendship.... "Look..uh.. are you okay?" Jack managed to spit out.

[Mackenzie Holden]

She smiled at his sarcasm, and shook her head before hitting him lightly in his shoulder; "That's enough Wise Crack." Mack told him with a smirk. Then he asked if she was okay and she beamed, but the beam disappeared and she stuck out her lower lip; "No. I'm not okay..." She whispered, sinking to the floor. Mack lowered her head into her hands and breathed in and out shakily. Then slowly, she reached up; grabbed his shirt and pulled him down with her; "I'm better than okay." For once she was better than okay, and she was willing to admit it. Her eyes searched his for any indication that he had kissed her because of any other reason than to kiss her, and saw none.

"So, has the awkward moment passed?" She asked with a raised eyebrow, leaning her head on his shoulder. It was just a reaction she had done with many of her close friends. Jamie, Shay, Kylie, and now Jack- though the only other one of those guys had meant something to her more than just a "friend." And now, Jack meant something more. Mack sighed and lifted her head, looking straight at him- "Why did you think that song was about Jamie, of all people? Why not think of someone from school? And why in hell did Felicity say you were her boyfriend?! Speaking of the she-whench, what are we going to do about her...or our parents? Wait, I'm getting ahead of myself. I am completely assuming something more will become of this. Get a grip, Mack." The last part she spoke to herself with a roll of her eyes. Learn to walk before you run...but I want to bloody run!!

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack smirk flashed back into a grin as Mack hit him. His face became it's normal color, much to his relief, and Mack seemed to be taking it much better than Jack had hoped. That was until she sunk to the ground. But, he couldn't dwell on that for long for Mack grabbed his shirt and pulled him to the ground, which hit him rather hard in the knee. He couldn't help but laugh and ignore the pain that had erupted in his kneecap. Sitting down cross-legged, Jack felt Mack's head on his shoulder. His stomach did a back-flip but that was cast-away by the brimming hopefulness that was ready to swallow him whole. Jack made himself blink a few times as Mack lifted her head away and started asking questions left and right.

"Really, didn't I answer questions before?" Jack asked with a raised eyebrow out of cockiness. However, he had been thinking the same questions. It wasn't like Felicity was such a matter (a horrible one at that) but their parents could be even worse. Jack would receive worse treatment from his father than ever before if he caught wind of this, and knowing Roger Rendel, he would. Jack forced a smile on his lips, but it wasn't genuine. "I thought the song was about Jamie because, well... at the end of the song you kind of jumped on Jamie's back and acted all girly around him." Jack said. "I've never seen you act like that before Mack, and it kind of made me a tad bit jealous, you know?" He felt his face flush again but, he thought to himself, if they were going to tell everything, why not now? "So, that's all about Jamie. And why not someone at school? Like I said, I never saw you act like that, but maybe I just don't know you well enough. As for Felicity, I don't think we have to worry about her. I will keep on being horrid and maybe I'll drown her in the pool." Jack winked at Mack, knowing full-well that she would like the last comment. "She just said that I was her boyfriend because she wanted to feel important. I wondered the same thing... I mean, I'm not that important, so why saying that would make her feel important I don't know. Our parents? Um... don't tell them and hope no one else does. But, I have to ask you the same question you had for Felicity. What about Jamie? Won't he try to attack me for stealing his girl?" Jack asked with another raise of the eyebrow. He personally had no hope for their parent situation, but he would just have to survive through that. After all, Mack had been the best thing that had happened to him in a long time. Trying to keep his voice expressionless, Jack leaned back and propped his body on his elbows.

[Mackenzie Holden]

Mack's jaw dropped and she let out a snicker, "Oh, Jack, I act like that around most older guys who I am semi or close to. I act that way around Kris, honestly. It doesn't mean anything, besides I was too nervous thinking about the amount of people on stage to realise what I was doing." She shrugged and tucked a stray strand of hair away, some of it had come loose from it's pony-tail. He added his answers to her questions and she nodded slowly, biting her lip- almost wondering if it would bleed. But before it got the chance to, she was asked a question in return.

"His girl? First- I'm no one's girl. If I like someone, chances are they like me back- no one owns me, Jack. And no. Don't worry about him, I have him underwraps. And it doesn't involve drowning him in the pool- so I will want to help with the drowning of darling Felicity, if it's alright with you?" Mack smiled malicously and raised an eyebrow as Jack leaned back, being propped up by his elbows. If Mack was up to full witchy power, she would've knocked his elbows out from under him and made him fall back, but she didn't. Instead she sighed and continued to talk; "My parents, however, will be told. One way or another. And if they have anything to do with it, which they won't, they will try to make it so I don't go to Hogwarts again...but like said, not gonna happen."

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack raised an eyebrow but said nothing. He hadn't really seen what Mack acted like when she was around older people, but if that was how she acted, he was glad he never got a chance to see it. His elbows were starting to sting but he pushed that to the back of his very filled mind. Still trying to relax and get into the groove of things, Jack heaved a sigh and closed his eyes. It was true that Jack had had his fair share of girlfriends, but he had never actually felt anything toward them. They were just like an expirement, testing out what could happen. Jack bit his lip: He didn't like these memories. They weren't one of the fondest, that was a positive. A smirk crept on his lips but it was only a faint one.

Jack let out a small snort as Mack said she was no one's girl. "He seems to think you are then. Trying to force you to ride home with him and all that. It was like he felt like he owned you. Did you notice or am I just trying to make up bad things about him?" Jack let out another small laugh, as his eyes looked around at their surroundings. "Certaintly," Jack said with a smile at Mack mentioning Felicity's drowning. "I wouldn't need any help, I'm sure. She's nothing for strength, believe me." Jack's smirk returned but he wasn't looking at Mack anymore. He was just looking out at the water of the pool, watching it shimmer with many different colors. It made him faze out until he heard Mack say that her parent's would try to stop her from going to Hogwarts. "What?" he yelped, his voice rising out of anger. "Your parents would be that....that... I mean, they really do hate me, don't they?" Jack sat up and crossed his arms across his chest, his gaze now on Mack.

[Mackenzie Holden]

Mack smiled a small, timid, and scared smile at Jack; "No. They hate the idea of you. They hate the idea of someone actually, being there for me and liking me because they want to, not because they have to." She told him with a deep depressing sigh, "And they would try anything in their power to actually take me away from someone who can love me or be with me of their own will not because they are forced to. It's like this big controversy about what and who I am then actually who would want to be with me." She continued. For once she could say what she suspected without being completely criticsised.

She stood up and dusted off her jeans, helding her hand out to Jack; "Swim?" She asked with a raise of her eyebrow.

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack raised an eyebrow and made a mental note not to stop by Mack's house ever again. Since Mack seemed to really think that the Holden's would find out, then they would probably go to all lengths to get to Jack. At least, what he knew about Derrek Holden didn't help much. He seemed rather brutal to him and he had no intentions to get in his path. He smirked up at Mack calmly, not really taking heed what her words really meant. He frowned when a sudden thought stuck in his throat. "Er... Mack, do you think you'll be able to handle your dad being angry at you for this? 'Cause, I mean... if you... don't want to do this....." He let his sentence hang. He didn't know how to finish it after all. This new thing between him and Mack... he didn't know what to call it... but if Mack didn't want to be anything more than friends. Jack swallowed hard, but didn't let his thoughts venture any farther. He knew he could survive through his father's wrath, but he wasn't sure if Mack could handle it. After all, he had no idea what happened at the Holden family...

"Swim?" Jack asked, taking Mack's hand and pulling himself up. "What do you mean- Oh!" He smiled at Mack. "Honestly, you don't want to go swimming, do you?"