《Out With The Old, In With The New》Chapter 23

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While everyone's siting in the living room talking about funeral arrangements, someone knocks on the door. Katie gets up to get the door and when he opens the door where she sees Atlas standing there with a shoe box in his hands.

Katie: Atlas, right? One of Ethan's friends?

Atlas: Y-Yeah... Are you Jade's mom?

Katie: I'm her sister... Did- Did you find anything...?

Atlas: Yes, but it's better if you sit down for this...

Katie lets Atlas in and everyone sits around him waiting for him to open the box.

Pearl: What's in there?

Atlas: I'm getting to that. I heard what happened, so...I went back to the canyon to see if I could find anything, and...I did.

Ruby: What'd you find!? Is it good!? Is it good news!? Is she ok!?

Katie: Settle down, Ruby. It could be bad...

Ruby: Oh...

Atlas: I- It was- I found-

Atlas opens the box and takes out a teared and shredded, bloody and dirt covered green jersey. It's so torn that the only visible thing on there is the number nine, and the letters 'C--L-NS'.

Sapphire: Oh God...

Amethyst: FUCK!

Atlas gives the box to Katie and all the other girls run to sinks and toilets and puke their guts out.

Atlas: I'm really sorry...

Katie: Thank you. You're welcome to come to the funeral if you want.

Atlas: I'll be there. Her favorite color was green, right? Maybe you could do a white, green, and black theme.

Katie: I'll take that into consideration.

He leaves and Katie folds up the jersey and puts it back on the box. Caleb pulls her into a hug and rubs her back while she cries in his arms.

Caleb: It's all gonna be alright. She's not gone. I can feel it.

Katie: Oh, so you're a psychic now?

Caleb: Well, no... But from what I've seen, she looks like she doesn't take shit from anything or anyone, so getting knocked down is only a pre-game warm up for her.

Katie: But she would never do anything worth losing this jersey... What if-

Caleb: Let's make a bet. If Jade comes back alive, but has a wrapped up wound, which warrants the shredded jersey, then you owe me a date.

Katie: And if you're wrong?

Caleb: Then I go with you the next time you go scuba diving.

Katie: You're gonna lose, but ok.

Caleb: Ok then. I've gotta go. It's been four days since we've seen Jacob and I'm starting to worry.

He leaves to look for Jacob and Liam comes out of Jacob's room with an old notebook in his hand.

Katie: Whatcha got there?

Liam: Jacob's note book. I thought you'd wanna have it.

Katie: Why?

Liam: Read it and find out.

Katie: Ok...?

Liam goes back to his room and Katie starts reading a random page from the notebook.

Katie flips to the last few pages of the notebook and sees a whole bunch of love notes for Jade. She decides to close the notebook and put it back in Jacob's room.

Jason comes downstairs and goes outside to check the mail. He comes back inside with some letters wrapped in a rubber band and divided by a piece of cardboard.

Jason: Amethyst and Sapphire have mail.

He puts the mail on the coffee table and goes back upstairs. Amethyst and Sapphire come downstairs and grab their letters. They each sit on a side of Katie and open the first letter in the pile.

Amethyst: Are we in contact with other family we don't know about?

Katie: Not that I know of, no.

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Sapphire: Who'd wanna send letters to us?

Sapphire opens up her letter and starts reading it silently.

Dear Sapphire,

You probably don't know me, but I know you. I know that this makes me sound like I'm crazy, or a stalker, or something else, but I promise you I'm not.

I just met you but it feels like I've known you forever. We're so compatible you and I. You're the Queen to my King. The Princess to my Prince. You light up my world like no one else can.

Before I met you, all I did was stay inside by myself. Watch TV, play videogames, and barely talk to anyone. But you make me wanna go out willingly. I wanna spend everyday with you. Every day. Every hour. Every minute. Every second.

I know there are personal reasons you don't smile anymore, but I hope I can see you smile again sometime soon. Your smile makes my heart flutter. It makes me go weak and feel like you're the only person in the world.

I adore you. I wish everyone else did too so they could see you how I do. You're beautiful, you're amazing, you're radiant...

Every single thing I can think of is what you are. I guess you can say that I...

I love you, Sapphire. Ever since we first spoke I've realized that I had feelings for you. Feelings I can't ignore anymore.

I don't wanna hide this from you anymore. I would've told you face to face, but I just couldn't. Everytime I see you, or I'm just near you, I go all stupid and the only thing on my mind is you.

I've tried to push these feeling down because I didn't know if you'd be ready for something like this, but I just decided to write it on all these notes. If you're wondering if this is a joke, prank, or some other kind of thing to embarrass you, it's not.

I really, really love you. The feeling is so strong I'm gonna scream if I don't get it out. This is my outlet. I hope you believe me.

Love, your secret admirer

She folds the note back up and is startled by Matteo's laughing.

Matteo: Someone's crushing on you hard!

Sapphire: Shut up! Get! Go to your room!

Matteo: Correction: Our.

Sapphire: Get!

Matteo: I'm older than you, you get!

Sapphire: It's your house, you get!

Matteo: Exactly. MY house! YOU get!

Sapphire: No! Get before I bash your PS5!

A squeak leaves Matteo's mouth and he runs back up to his room. He slams the door and slides down it sitting down on the floor. Liam looks up from his switch he's playing on Matteo's bed and just stares at him.

Liam: Ohh~ Someone's got a crush~

Matteo: Are. You. Four!?

Liam: Mentally, yes. But that doesn't matter. You're in love~

Matteo: Shut the fuck up you fucking dick rider! I will tell Amethyst you like her!

Liam: I'll smash your XBOX.

Matteo: It'll be worth it. Oh, they got the letters.

Liam: Nice! Soon, the Phoenix loving fighter will be mine!

Liam falls back onto the bed and lets out love stricken sigh.

Liam: I'm winning...

Matteo: I bet you are.

Liam: You don't get it! When she walks around in a sports bra and my fucking boxers! You gotta understand, that does something to a guy! Both physically and mentally~

Matteo: Your fucking nasty. I had no reason to know about your hard-ons and why they happen. As for your dreams...

He shudders and goes back to playing his game.

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Matteo: Keep those dirty thoughts to yourself.

Liam: So, if I were to mention me wanting to get frisky...

Matteo: EW! NO! NO! ABSOLUTELY NOT!

Matteo puts his headphones on and starts blasting heavy bass boosted music in his ears. It's so loud you can hear the headset moving on his head.

Liam taps Matteo on the shoulder and holds up a piece of paper.

Matteo: "I won't say anything about that anymore" You swear?

Liam nods and Matteo turns off his music. Matteo puts his headset away and looks at Liam who has a red face a drool going down his chin.

Matteo: DUDE! WHAT THE HELL!?

Liam: Ame in my boxers... Ame in nothing...

Matteo: LIAM SACRAMENTO!

Liam: The girl with the most pride on her knees sucking my-

Matteo: STOP RIGHT THERE, YOUNG MAN! GO STAND IN THE CORNER! YOU'VE EARNED YOURSELF 25 MINUTES IN THE NAUGHTY CORNER!

Liam: I said I wouldn't talk about it. You said NOTHING about NSFW thoughts.

Matteo: IT WAS IMPLIED! NOW GET IN THE NAUGHTY CORNER!

Liam laughs and stands in the corner trying to not break into a fit of laughter.

Matteo: Filthy!

Matteo throws a stress ball at him and it bounces of his head and, for some reason, makes Matteo laugh. An incoming call from Caleb makes him stop and he answers the facetime with a stoic expression.

Matteo: 'Sup?

Caleb: I've got J-Star and I'm on my way back home.

Matteo: That's good. That's very- GET YOUR ASS BACK IN THE NAUGHTY CORNER YOU DIRTY LITTLE MAN!

Caleb: Li?

Matteo: Li.

Caleb: (Sigh) Did he jack off to Ame in his boxers in your room again?

Matteo: AGAIN!? WHEN WAS THE FIRST TIME!? LIAM!

Caleb: Relax, I made him kneel on rice.

Matteo: GOOD!

Caleb: Anyway, we need to make sure that J-Star feels...at peace. I know what happened took a tole on him, but we need him back to his old self again.

Matteo: I agree- LIAM! CORNER!

Liam: GOD!

Matteo: DON'T YOU "GOD!" ME LITTLE BOY! I agree. No one 4Ks us like Jacob does.

Caleb: Catches y'alls every move. Ok, I gotta go. Later, Teo.

Matteo: Later.

Caleb hangs up and Matteo goes at Liam who sends one back in return.

Matteo: I'M GONNA BEAT YOUR ASS! WHY MY ROOM!? WHY NOT THE BATHROOM!? YOUR ROOM!?

Liam: I was hard in the hall and your room happened to be the closest one.

Matteo: YOU SON OF A BITCH!

Liam runs out of the room and down the steps with Matteo hot on his heels. They run around the living room getting everyone's attention.

Amethyst: GO LIAM! RUN!

Liam: I AM! I AM!

Amethyst: Sapph, get in on this!

Sapphire: Beat his ass, Teo. Whoop. Whoop.

Matteo: Can you at least TRY to care?

Sapphire: Oh, sorry. GO! BEAT THAT MAN'S ASS! Is that enough for you?

Matteo: Yup!

Matteo tries to hit Liam, but he ducks out of the way and Matteo continues his useless advances.

Matteo: FIGHT ME LIKE A MAN!

Liam: NO! YOU'RE GONNA KILL ME!

Matteo: THAT'S THE IDEA!

Ethan comes down holding a depressed looking Pearl's hand. They sneak behind the couch and go to the kitchen without being noticed.

Ruby: What ever started this?

Jason: Did you send him to the naughty corner?

Liam: GET AWAY FROM ME!

Matteo: COME HERE! YOU THINK JACKING OFF IN MY ROOM WAS FUNNY!? I'LL SHOW YOU FUNNY!

Amethyst: DUDE! YOU WHAT IN HIS ROOM!?

Liam: HIS ROOM WAS RIGHT THERE! WHAT WAS I SUPPOSED TO DO!?

Liam throws Matteo across the room and grabs one of Caleb's switch blades from the corner.

Liam: STAND DOWN BITCH!

Matteo: BRING IT PUSSY!

Matteo grabs a baseball bat and they start running at each other. Ruby and Jason hide behind the couch with their eyes covered shaking while everyone else quickly leaves the room.

Matteo is about to swing the bat when both their collars are grabbed and they're both now being held in the air. They turn and look at an angry looking Jacob and a disappointed looking Caleb.

Caleb: Can never leave you two along together, can I?

Jacob: What. On. Earth!? I know you guys fight, but- YOU'VE NEVER- ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL EACH OTHER!?

Caleb: You've scared the babies! I hope you're happy!

Liam and Matteo look at Caleb who has Jason and Ruby clinging to his shirt and shaking.

Jacob: Does this house fall apart without me!? Matteo, you are next in line to run this shit when I die! What the hell little man!? What were you planning to do with Jason's bat?

Matteo: Bash his head...

Jacob: Bash his- Matteo! Don't you think that's a little too much? What if you gave him brain damage? What if you killed him!? Liam, what if YOU killed HIM!? Is that what you're both for? Killing your own blood?

Jacob drops Matteo and takes the blade from Liam's hand. He makes a cut down his arm.

Jacob: You wanna stab me, dumbass?

Liam: No...

Jacob looks down at Matteo who won't even look him in the eye.

Jacob: Look at me, Matteo!

Matteo forces himself to look at Jacob who has blood trickling down his arm.

Jacob: You wanna bash my head in? You wanna kill me?

Matteo: N-No...

Jacob: (Sigh) Look, we're family. We don't do shit like this. Matteo, you and I both know you don't wanna leave. Go to your room. I don't wanna see you for the rest of the day. If I do, you're grounded, got it?

Matteo: Yes sir...

Jacob: Liam, go out and cool off. I don't wanna see you either. You can be around me when you've both mellowed out, ok?

Liam: Ok...

Jacob: Go. Both of you.

Liam grabs a jacket and leaves while Matteo goes up to his room. Caleb tosses Jacob a roll of bandages. Jacob sits on the couch and starts wrapping his arm.

Caleb: The house really does fall apart without you, man. No one handles them like you do.

Jacob: I know that now. I won't leave again.

Ethan: I haven't seen them like that since...y'know, man.

Caleb: I know. We can't let that happen again.

Jason: Are they gonna cool off soon?

Jacob: Yeah, of course. You know we never stay mad at family for long.

Pearl: Where'd you go anyway?

Caleb: He was up in Upside Pairs.

Ruby: You went to the Akuma hotspot!?

Jason: Was it scary!?

Jacob: Nah, it wasn't scary. It was really bright though. I ran into Atlas, E! He's hoping to get tail!

Ethan: Even if Marinette did like him, she wouldn't be able to handle who he is.

Pearl: Is he psycho or something?

Caleb: You know about the Ghost Rider Association?

Ruby: Ame worships their group and everything they are. Aren't they the ones who take the bad people off the streets illegally?

Caleb: Yup. Atlas is the leader.

Jacob: HE WHAT!?

Ruby: You thinking what I am, JJ?

Jason: Hell yeah!

Both: ETHAN'S SO AWESOME!

Ethan: I am?

Pearl: Dude, you have contacts on contacts. The second someone steps outta line, they're dead.

Ethan: Hmm... You aren't wrong.

Pearl: I have an idea...

Ruby: What?

Pearl: We could have a spiritual party...for Jade. We haven't had one of those in a long time.

Ruby: Yeah, but we're gonna need an open area.

Jacob: We...could use the soccer field. Nobody ever used it after 4 PM.

Pearl: Yes! Spiritual party is on!

Ruby: Whoo!

Jacob: How does this spiritual party work anyway?

Ruby: Well, the last time we did one was on our mom's B-day. It's supposed to do one of two things: Let said person's spirit communicate with you if they're dead, or give you their location of they're alive but in danger.

Pearl: If their signature color is shown, but all you can hear is their voice then...then they're on the verge of death.

Caleb: Oh...

Caleb looks at Jacob's dim face and decides to quickly change the subject.

Caleb: Where are the Kwamis?

Ruby: Oh, they're visiting Marinette. They asked AFTER raiding the fridge!

Jason: You're only mad because they ate your fruit bars.

Ruby: My Pomegranate fruit bars! All of them!

Jacob laughs at their bickering and everyone (minus Matteo) enter the living room again and turn on the TV.

They all take turns flipping through three channels at a time. When it's Katie's turn she gets a call from Sasha and steps outside to answer it and hands the remote to Caleb.

Sasha: The police just called me. They said you don't have to send all the girls, just the girls who got it the worst from your...dad.

Katie: W-What...?

Sasha: I can take them if you want. Plus, Noah can take them out to have fun after.

Noah: Now, hold on! I never-

Katie: You guys would really do that?

Noah: I mean, yeah. They're family to us too.

Sasha: Yeah, we've known them since they were in pull-ups. It's tomorrow, so...

Katie: Yes! Yes! You can- You can take them! Amethyst, Pearl, and Ruby! You can take them!

Noah: We'll stop by tomorrow to get them. Later, Collins.

Sasha: Bye, Katie! Bye, Caleb!

Sasha hangs up and Katie stares at her phone confused. Caleb? What the hell was she talking about? Katie slowly turns around and Caleb flips the switch on the flashlight and holds it under his face.

Caleb: Boo.

Katie: AHHHHH!

Katie screams and punches Caleb in the face making his nose start bleeding. Caleb uses his shirt to slow the bleeding and Katie starts apologizing.

Katie: I'm sorry! I'm sorry! You scared me and-

Caleb: Nah, it's good. I deserved that. You've got one hell of a swing. Could knock someone out with that shit.

Katie: My bad...

Caleb: It's all good, really. Hey, if you don't got anything going on over the weekend, you wanna go do something?

Katie: Are you asking me out?

Caleb: Are you saying yes?

Katie: I did have a few things I had to do, but I guess I could squeeze you into my schedule.

Caleb: My, my~ What a business woman~

Katie: What? You still tweaked about not passing the business portion of home economics in High School?

Caleb: Hop off my dick, Kat. Unless...you wanna hop on it instead?

Katie: If Noah's been giving you whatever he's on I want you to go cold turkey. There will be none of that here, sir.

Caleb: Yes, Ma'am~

Katie: Shut it!

Liam finally gets back with a to-go container in his hands and Caleb looks him up and down suspiciously.

Caleb: What's that?

Liam: I got Matteo that Shrimp Boil from that Seafood place he likes. You think he's still mad?

Caleb: Why don't you go see?

Liam goes inside and says hi to everyone then goes up to Matteo's room and stops outside his door. Liam knocks on the door, but gets no answer.

Liam: Teo? You still up?

Matteo opens his door looking like he's gonna fall over any second. He holds up a computer with the letters L.S on it with a small smile.

Matteo: It took all day...but I fixed your computer... I'm sorry, bro...

Matteo falls asleep against his door frame clutching Liam's computer. Liam carries him into his room and puts him to bed. He takes Matteo's food downstairs and puts it in the fridge.

Everyone watches the last ten minutes of the TV show then Ethan shuts off the TV and everyone goes to bed. Caleb and Katie are left alone sitting on the couch and Caleb breaks the awkward silence by clearing his throat.

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