The Secret The Cheerleader Doesn't... - Chapter 69: Chapter 69

Cassie POV
I swung into a parking spot and headed over to the restaurant with Jaelynn. Jaelynn was talking about the game, "Crazy how Jakob made that goal... they wouldn't have won if he didn't score that! The kid is talented for sure."
"Jessika did good at setting it up for him," I commented, re-watching the move in my mind, "did you see how quick she moved? She got the ball all the way up to the top in less than a minute and was able to trick the goalie."
"Yeah, but she did get a lot of penalties," Jaelynn sighed, "she almost made her team lost... that boy ran right past her and made a goal."
"I wouldn't have been able to stop him," I said.
"But you aren't a soccer player mama. Jessika has been playing since she was kid. That's a rookie mistake... even Jakob wouldn't have done that," she said. As we got closer to the door, I realized that Ani and the twins weren't up there. Going back to the street, I could hear Jessika shouting. Instantly, I ran towards her voice.
"I told you to leave it alone Jakob!" She shouted.
"But it's obviously bothering you!" He shouted back.
"So you think bringing it up over and over, even though I asked you to stop is the way to cure my anger?" She shouted back.
"Enough!" Antonia's stern voice broke as I turned the corner to see them. She was standing between them - Jessika leaning against Antonia's car and Jakob against some stranger's. "You both won tonight... I have absolutely no idea what is causing this argument or what the hell you two are talking about but it ends here. Jessika... Jakob is just worried about you and wants to talk about it... don't get angry with him over that." Antonia was about to lecture Jakob until Jessika muttered out.
"It's always me."
"What?" Antonia asked.
"Nothing... forget about it," she turned to walk towards me, but Antonia wouldn't allow it to pass her.
"What is always you Jessika?" Antonia asked. Jessika was staring at the ground, her hands in a fist.
I moved towards her, my tone soft, "Jessika... what's wrong baby?"
"I'm the one who is always lectured... yelled at... I'm the stupid, useless, ugly one, huh! That's what all four of you think!" She was shouting loudly, getting the attention of strangers.
Jaelynn jumped in, "Stop yelling Jessika... you're causing a scene."
"A scene? Causing a scene means more than my feelings, huh?" She said back, her hands turning white from the pressure. She faced Jakob this time, "You wanna talk about it, fine. I'm pissed off with you. I'm infuriated, livid, frustrated with you. I'm so fucking mad that I just want to break down and cry."
"But why?" He asked, narrowing his eyes at her, "It's my life Jessika. I don't ask you about that stuff, so why is it such a big deal?" Antonia and I looked at each other, both completely lost. I glanced over to Jaelynn and she just shrugged.
When I looked back at Jessika... my heart almost broke. Betrayal, hurt, devastated... bewildered. I could see all those emotions on her face, but in a second, she covered it up. She just nodded her head and with a strained, shaking voice, she said, "You're right... it's your life... I just so happen to be part of it but that doesn't mean anything... I see now... I get it. I get why everyone acts like that to me then... I'm just a small, insignificant part of your life... I get it completely now. Apparently, I was the only one that thought our connection as twins meant the world. I was the only one that never hide stuff between us... I was the only one who viewed our friendship to be so fucking important... I viewed you more than just a piece of my life... I get it... I totally get it now Jakob. You're right, you never have to tell me anything anymore. I won't expect you to and in return, I'll keep things to myself. It must have been annoying for you to hear all my thoughts and feelings for so many years."
"That's not what I'm saying!" He said.
"Jessika, take a breath," Antonia said, getting closer to her, but Jessika just shook her head.
"It's always 'Jakob this' and 'Jakob that'. It's 'why can't you get it Jessika? Jakob can'," her head was hanging low but I could tell she was swallowing back her tears and pain. She wasn't going to let herself cry in front of us... she didn't trust us with her tears. "Yeah... you're brilliant Jakob. You're kind, funny, sweet, and loving.... you're great at everything you do. I'm proud to call you my twin brother... I get excited when we run out onto the field and do our twin doubles... plays that we made together. I love watching you do your Brainiac contests and I love seeing you geek out to weird ass shows... why do I love it so much? Because you're my brother. You were the only constant I had in life... my right hand man. You were always next to me, there for me, and honest with me. I loved you more than anyone... but I see you think differently... I told you everything because I wanted to celebrate my highs with you and deal with my lows with you. I told you everything because I wanted you to know you could tell me anything and everything and I would never judge you... never leave you... never hate you. You're my twin brother but you were also my best friend... so yeah... you never ask me those kinds of things, but I never give you a reason to ask... I would just tell you. I wouldn't wait for you to ask, I would just tell you because I would want you to be happy with me... I would want to have you, my brother and best friend, be protective and loving... so you are right Jakob... it is your life and in your life, I am just a small piece of it... while in mine, you are almost everything." I wanted to reach out to her, but she pulled herself away from everyone. She finally lifted her head and on her cheeks were two lines that were dried up... and her eyes red. Smiling at us all, she choked up and said, "So let's go celebrate Jakob's win..."