JEANIE

Dear Travis,

There is something about the truth that really sets you free.

Which is why I have a hard time treating you like I used to.

Before, you were mine.

Now, you don't remember you were mine. You've been lied to.

And I have to deal with the consequences of you being held captive in that.

It sounds cheesy, even to my ears, but I don't care. It's true.

This letter is being written as I cry myself to sleep tonight. Because I keep thinking about what if you were freed.

Would I want you back?

Inside yes. Desperately yes. But I wouldn't ever let it happen.

Too many chances for you to lose the truth again.

Jeanie.

"I really don't want to meet him, Lucy!" I groan as I am being pulled through the parking lot to the park. There is nothing worse than being brought to a place to meet a boy who is bound to end up doing some serious damage to Lucy.

I haven't even got back from school for a week, and I am already hating my stay.

As much as I wanted to say that school is bad, home is even worse. John isn't ever in a good mood, and that meant yelling.

Mostly at me.

All I wish I could do is escape.

"Travis!" Lucy shouts. "There he is," She squeals.

Great, someone's in love.

I follow her gaze to a young man standing right next to the swings. He returns Lucy's wave, and then his gaze rests on me.

When we get closer, I can actually see his face. He is clean-shaven, very good looking, and tall. I feel small next to him.

"Hi," He says as Lucy walks up to him, throwing her arms around his neck. He returns the hug but does not linger in her embrace.

"Hi," I say to him as he looks at me.

"This is my best friend, Lara Jean Clayton."

"Just Jeanie," I say before she can continue and I have another person calling me Lara Jean.

He smiles and shakes my hand. His grip is strong, and when he lets go, I have the strange urge to shake it again.

How can I want to? He looks arrogant, and a bit snobbish from the clothes he's wearing. What is this, a date?

Lucy is dressed the same way.

I feel weird in my jeans and t-shirt.

I also feel like a third wheel, so this is going to be awkward.

"So Jeanie, how many siblings do you have?"

"None. I'm an only child."

He nods. "How's that?"

I shrug. "Can get boring. I don't mind it, but I guess it's because I don't know what it's like to have siblings. Lucy is practically my sister."

"Travis is the eldest of fourteen," She says. My eyes widen, as I glance at him.

"Two were adoptions, and there are two sets of twins," He says nonchalantly.

I nod. "Wow. How's that?" I ask him, and he laughs.

"Not like your childhood, I reckon."

I nod in agreement.

"What do you guys want to do?" Lucy jumps into the conversation. I can tell she wants Travis to talk to her, so I know that I should back off and let the two of them talk, like a good third wheel should.

"Well, it's lunchtime. I was thinking of a burger and fries."

I nod. But Lucy frowns.

"How about an actual restaurant. They serve burgers and fries there too, right?"

I chuckle. "Yeah, except it's a lot more expensive," I tease, and Travis nods.

"Fine. Okay. Fast food it is," she agrees, and I stop myself from smiling. Poor Lucy. She probably just wants to make a good impression.

"Let's go. My car is parked over here," Travis says, and Lucy walks next to him, and I behind them. I glance at the park and smile. I love the park. Mom never took me when I was younger.

"No use going with only one kid," She used to tell me.

I sigh. It is hard being home. I missed my friends but it is hard to be home, especially considering I am now back in John's life. But I am glad to be back for Lucy's sake. I know she missed me, most likely way more than I missed her.

Speaking of friends, I also haven't seen my friend Fran in a while. I wonder how she is.

"C'mon Jeanie!" Lucy yells and I hurry up the slope.

I climb into the back seat of the car, and Travis drives us to a burger place. We end up going inside, and I go find us a table while they order. Lucy knows what I like.

They come back with the food, and I feel my mouth water as I set the burger in front of me. I stare up at them.

"Thank you."

"Don't thank me, Lucy paid for it all," Travis says, and Lucy grins.

Oh, Lucy.

I feel like I shouldn't be here. I feel like I am invading their space. They've obviously done this a few times, and I barely know him. And by barely, I mean not at all.

I barely know Lucy anymore. She's changed so much in the past six years.

They both start talking, and even though Travis tries to pull me into the conversation, Lucy immediately puts it back on her.

When the conversation is put back on me, I cringe.

"So, Jeanie, which parent do you think you're closer to?" He asks me.

I swallow. "My Mom."

"Why's that?"

I don't answer right away.

So Lucy beats me to it.

"Her dad's mean. He bullies her," Lucy says, and I turn my glare on her. I am going to put it gentler than that, but apparently not.

Travis doesn't look at Lucy but only looks at me. I see in his eyes the concern.

Why? He barely knows me.

I decide to elaborate, "He's my stepdad. He met my mom, and they got engaged before she told him she had me. He didn't want children."

"I'm sorry," He says clearly, and I can tell he means it.

"Thanks," I say.

Lucy goes to the bathroom.

This whole conversation makes my skin tingle. Just like it does when I have to face John.

He scares me.

Our eyes are still locked. Travis lets out a breath.

"If you ever need protection, or someone to talk to, I'm here."

He says it ever so gently.

And I don't know why, but for the first time since John has come into my life, I feel safe.

"If only I could have felt safe now."

This is the only thought I had with me as I tried to get back to sleep.