Reunions [Zach, Jace, Jayla?]

[Axel Hayden Evans]

Walking over to a table, he took a bit from the slice of pizza, dropping the slice as topping fell all over his plate. He had forgot how amazing pizza had tasted, and also how messy it was. Though to his own defence, the pizza shop had stacked quite some amount of topping onto their pizza base's. He liked it, but wasn't exactly 'come and join me at the table' material, not that he wanted that anyway. He was pretty much lonely. Apart from Eli and Rodney, he really didn't know anyone in Los Angeles well enough to call them friends. Thats what he missed about Miami. He had friends, he had his cliche group, and they were pretty damn cool, too. He was on the football team, he went out and partied, he worked through assignments with his mates. He missed that, he missed feeling apart of something. And not being apart of a trio of brothers who were fighting against supernatural forces hell bent on killing them at every turn. And kidnapping, apparently too. It was like one of those movies.

He looked around at the people walking around down the street, enjoying themselves; holding hands with their special someone, laughing with their group of friends, hanging with their family. He had...Weird circumstances, he did wish things could just go back to easy street where everything just felt natural and normal, like it used to feel. What was he doing with himself now? Slugging down pizza, while reminiscing on where his life had gone. He was fighting off bad guys, or trying to anyway. He was at university studying a course which he really didn't know where it would lead him. And he was unemployed, with no parents, no aunt or uncle. He had found the answers, but it wasn't one of those magical family reunions like he had forced himself to believe in. It was reality. And this reality involved vampires, demons and a whole lot of crazy stuff.

[char]

Who said witches couldn't have cravings? Her mother told her that she used to smoke when she was younger, but Jace, she engaged in sloppy foods that she could eat in private or public, get messy and not give a damn. In a small leather jacket, a skirt and knee high boots, she stood at the counter. It was take away for her tonight as she dined with - surprise - a new roommate. She was supposed to be there soon, and since Jace had been out all day she had no idea who it was. Hopefully someone cool, someone fresh and new to accompany this crazy life she had now. Apart from witch hunters, vampires and crazed magical cheerleaders, she needed some normalicy. Not like the life had ever been normal. Her best friend was a freakin' banshee for christ' sake.

"Hi, pepperoni and cheese thanks. Puffy crust and two soda's thanks". Ordering a pizza alone. Saddest thing in the world it was. Turning slightly, she looked around. Couples, people, happiness and belonging; and where was Jace. On the side lines watching it all. Sighing, she scanned the room until she saw them. She skimmed him actually, not really paying much attention. Then he eyes shot back as her mouth dropped, looking at the guy. No way, it was Axel Evans! She had pizza cooking, but she couldn't focus right now. Walking from the que, she walked slowly towards his table, her heart beating. Meet Jace's un-biological big brother. This was the guy who played the role as her shoulder to lean on through high school. She knew he was going to LA, but she had almost forgotten. Standing in front of him, he looked down at him with a smile. "I'm sorry, you look vaguely familiar to my best friend in highschool. His name was Axel, he was awesome and - that's about it". Jace smiled down at him as she threw herself down for a hug.

[Axel Hayden Evans]

Just as he was about to gulp down another slice of pizza, he heard a voice which was so familiar it made him smile. He glanced up, seeing someone he hadn't expected to see in Los Angeles. It was Jacinta! Only like his best friend in high school. "Axel huh? Was he amazingly good looking and a real charmer? Otherwise, probably no resemblance at all."He grinned as he embraced the hug, wrapping his hands around her body, closing his eyes softly as he smelt the familiar scent of her beautiful hair, making him feel all warm and comforted inside like only an old friend could do for him. He withdrew from the hug, now in a standing posistion as he glanced at Jace as if he had seen a ghost or something. Wow, he really couldn't believe it was her, but the hug confirmed it was. He missed that!

"I can't believe its you. Here in Los Angeles! What are you doing here?" He questioned with a grin on his face as he continued to stare at Jacinta, amazed to see her. He felt bad though, too. He had gone through a lot and really wasn't there for her when she needed him after the bad breakup with Zachary. He had basically taken off in search of answers for all of his questions about his parents. He was dealing with his aunt and uncle's sudden murder, and the investigations involved, as well as all the questions the cops asked and of him being a potential suspect. His life just took a huge turn for the worst, and he didn't want to talk to anyone; he basically shut everyone down, even his friends. He wasn't saying he left on bad terms, with Jace at least. He couldn't give her answers, whether he would be back, what he was doing, nothing, really. He just took off when he got the chance, everything was too much and he needed a fresh start.

[jayla]

Jayla didn't know if she hated going out to the shopping complex today or not, but she was bored, like totally bored and she hadn't had something remotely unhealthy to eat in a long, LONG time. She had her cravings too! So, here she was, dressed in a fluffy pink top and a black pair of skinny jeans, to combine to her skin-colored high heels. Yeah, she wasn't sure if she was high fashioned or not, but she really didn't care. She couldn't walk on flats anyway.

When she suddenly heard two very familiar voices, she almost literally froze. Wait a second.. She slowly turned around and soon had the feeling, her mouth dropped to the ground. Axel? Jace? Oh my God..” She quickly turned to the cashier and ordered herself a pizza too, before making her way to the two people she had known as her best friends. ”Axel, you don't mind if I sit? No, of course not.” She smirked and plopped down.

[char]

She couldn't stop smiling. Axel hadn't changed, always making her laugh. She did as they hugged. She felt his strong posture like it used to be. It was comforting. It made her feel not as alone as she had. The feeling of her chest, his heart beat. She could stay in that hug all day. It was such a relief, but parting she looked into his eyes. The smile couldn't be wiped off of her face. "I am so happy to see you". She said softly, trying not to actually cry. It was such a wiff of familarity that she hadn't felt in weeks. Her best friends were off somewhere and she hadn't heard from them. But finding Axel, it was exhilirating. She didn't want to leave encase she would never see him again - again.

"I'm - at school here! Yeah, at LAU. If you tell me that you are there too and we haven't seen each other then I will kick you butt kid". She said cute and innocently with a warm smile. Axel was the best thing that had ever happened to her. With this happiness, things weren't bursting into flames or floating around. It was content and amazing. Realizing she could sit, she hinted to them with a cute laugh as she then sat down at the table. She shuffled onto it, looking at him and keen the hear the story. Last time they spoke, he was searching for his biological parents and Jace was planning to stay in Miami for a bit. What a surprise right? But in the back of her mind she dreaded something; hopefully another specific flame from her past wouldn't show up in LA.

But one person she could definitely not want to see again had come. What was this? Knowing Jace, it could be her magical subconscious bringing them all together at a time of loneliness. Right now she couldn't care, when she saw Jayla she kind of scream. It was her bestest bestest friend since like - forever. She smiling as her eyes went bright and she hugged her. "Jayla - you bitch". She grinned as she took her into the hug and then they all sat. Jace had no idea that the pizza she was buying for her and her roommate was in fact for her and her best friend.

[Axel Hayden Evans]

He was so happy to see Jacinta too, he really had missed her. Had had been so spun up in his own personal shit that he hadn't even bothered to contact any of his friends. Was it just because the whole ordeal in Miami just made him want to forget everything about the city, altogether? He really didn't know, but in seeing Jacinta here, he realized how much he did miss the place; before everything went downhill for him. What he would give to have that life back, the way it used to be. It was just fun, easy and they all enjoyed their time together, making getting through high school so much easier.

When she mentioned she was studying at Los Angeles UC, his jaw nearly dropped. He smirked at her comment, he didn't even have to answer her question because she would already know from his guilty smile that he was studying there. This doesn't mean what I think it means, does it? We are going to be together again?! This is the only decent thing which has happened since arriving in this city..." He smirked softly, feeling this surge of emotion and happiness that Jacinta was here and they would be on campus together. How could he have missed her?! He knew the university was big, but it wasn't that big, was it? Maybe he needed to get around the university more. "What are you studying then? It feels like old times, chilling together and enjoying life. I missed that. Its not the same here." It really wasn't, it was so different and he felt like he had no one. He had met people, but it wasn't the same.

And then he heard another familiar voice, turning to see that it was Jayla! Jayla?! What was she doing here. He eyed Jacinta with a confused smile, giving her the telepathic 'did you come here with her' type look. He turned to Jayla as Jace and her hugged, and greeted her with a smile as she took it upon herself to sit down and join them. He chuckled softly. "Some things never change..." He commented, still smirking. "So, is this the part where I ask why we are all having a reunion at a pizza shop, in Los Angeles? Who woulda thought?" He chuckled softly, happy to see them both, Jayla to a lesser extent, but she was here and was part of the great memories he had in Miami.

[char]

She couldn't help but giggle a bit at what he said. "Yeah. Sorry Axe, but your stuck with me. But I know, this year has been kind of hard. New city, new - well actually no new friends yet. I think I am still trying to be comfortable with myself then trying to make new friends, if you know what I am saying". She looked down slightly but back up to Axel. Some say the friendships you make in highschool you will cherish forever. Somehow any friendship she might make here would never measure up to the people she knew in senior year. The pearky and funny Jayla, talking with Axel and yeah - even being made laugh by Zach. That was her first taste of love, and she hasn't had another since. But Axel was here now, how could she even think about being sad.

"Majoring in psych actually. Riviting stuff it is. You know me, always trying to figure people out. If memory serves, you were one of the few that I couldn't figure out Axel. Always keeping everything in. I miss that". She gave him a warm smile, dismissing the smell of pizza and the sound of talking as she sat there. But she smiled, she had to. This was extraordinary. Then when Jayla came, it went to Ultimately Awesome! She looked to Axel on his remark, and sighed. "One of those crazy things I guess. But seriously, this is wild. Who would have thought three of Miami's coolest would be here. I still can't believe it". Then she brought up something she really shouldn't have and something she hope Axel wouldn't get angry at. But even though 'he' broke her heart, she was still curious. Looking to Jayla, she sighed. "Have you heard from Zach since Graduation?".

[jayla]

”Remind me, why am I a bitch? Jayla asked with a grin, as Jace noticed her. She felt as if this totally wasn't the moment to be mad at her. She hugged Jace back as well and looked at her. ”I missed you, best friend.” She said, making her tone a little playful and childishly, which she totally did on purpose.

She missed her friends, even though part of her was still mad at Jace for leaving Miami and her being too wrapped up in her own family drama to even notice she was gone, until she was in fact already gone. So, in fact, she was just mad at herself and at nobody else. But, with her mother in the hospital and all, it just didn't seem logical. Not that her thoughts in particular had been just that, though.

She sat down and listened to what Axel and Jace were talking about, which was obviously school. Right, okay. Weird they hadn't seen each other that much, even though officially, she and Jace were roommates. She looked at Axel and gave him a half apologetic shrug, before she took a bite out of her pizza. She really didn't feel all that sorry, to be honest. He knew how she was. ”I'm majoring in Graphic Arts.” She said, before turning to a waiter and ordering an iced tea. ”And my mom is sick, but I am not going to bother you with that, now that we just met again.” She said, with a smile on her slight smile on her face, that wasn't as big as it normally was.

Jayla turned to Jace and shook her head slightly. ”No, I haven't. Not that I mind really, I'm still going to kick Zach's ass when I see him, for dumping you.” She then turned to everyone in general. ”It really is hard to believe that we're all here for the studying and haven't met each other since.. now. I know what brought me to LA, but you guys?”

[Axel Hayden Evans]

It appeared that Jacinta was feeling exactly how he felt; lost, lonely and not really sure what to do now that the new year has hit. He really did understand that feeling, on the difficulty of making friends and all that. He smiled sympathetically towards her. "Who needs new friends when you got your cool high school pals?" He grinned softly. Nothing could take away high school or the people he had met there. He couldn't imagine not having Jacinta there through high school, he really couldn't. It would have been dull, lonely and he wouldn't have anyone to talk with. Plus she was fairly good at school which made it easier on him when he struggled. Generally, she was just an amazing friend who he could open up to. But how could he even imagine opening up to her about his new found destiny and responsibilities? Would he lose her again?

She was right, he did keep everything in, still did, especially now that he had a valid reason to hide things, he thought. He was never entirely open about all of his thoughts now and even back then, especially when it come to the things he had gone through. He knew Jace understood and never really expected him to explain every detail to her, that is what he liked about her. There was no pressure, everything just came naturally. He liked natural.

Soon Jace spoke of her major and Axel's eyes lit up in surprise. "No way?! I'm studying Graphics Design, so kind of similar. Why haven't I seen you in any of my classes, are you skipping or something?" He chuckled softly as he teased Jayla. He even missed their little teasing fests with eachother. He remembered people thinking the two would get together or something because of how much of a love/hate relationship they had. It was the stupid and minor things like that back then which were really huge things now that he missed immensely. He frowned softly as Jayla spoke of her mum. He liked her mum, she was always nice. "Sorry to hear that JP, I hope she gets better soon." It was sad to hear things like that, for him especially, because he had seen so many loved ones die around him. He'd hate Jayla to lose someone so close to her too. It wasn't right.

Then Jacinta caught him off guard by asking if anyone had seen Zachary. He bit his lip, remembering Zachary, who he hadn't even thought of during this little reunion they were having. He and Zach had left on pretty bad terms. He quite remembered a punch on breaking out between them after Axel confronted him about leaving Jacinta and leaving her heartbroken. He hated seeing Jacinta like that, and felt so bad for having to go to Los Angeles after everything suddenly fell down around him. From the way she spoke and looked, it wasn't difficult to confirm that they two hadn't gotten back together. That was a relief for Axel. He and Zach used to be buddies, mainly because they were on the same football team and he would hang out with the gang because he was dating Jace- something which annoyed him, due to him knowing what a doush Zach could be. He decided to stay out of their conversation, not wanting to talk about Zack or anything. He decided to just eat another slice of his pizza to keep his mind off of Zach. There were some things about Miami best left forgotton.

Soon Jace questioned why they were here. Did he really need to get into this whole thing with them right now? He knew that Jacinta knew the general details, but he assumed Jace probably didn't. A lot happened, just had to get out of that town, too many memories..." He left it at that, not sure really what else he was supposed to say.

[jayla]

”Yeah, Jace. You still have us.” Jayla said, taking the liberty to talk in Axel's name too. She smiled at her two best friends and took a sip from her iced tea. She wasn't planning on missing her friends again, absolutely not. Although, she had no idea who knew just exactly what she was herself. And she wasn't risking on telling anyone.

When she saw Axel's eyes lit up in surprise, she chuckled. ”Maybe I just skip classes with you.” She teased him, as she gave him a playful push. She always liked Axel, he was amazing, in the sense of him being one of those guys she half knew she wouldn't fall in love with. And that was actually something, seen that he was still a guy. She smiled gratefully at Axel. ”Thanks, Axel, I appreciate it.” Jayla listened to what he said and nodded. ”Good enough for me.”

[char]

''For not calling me that you were in town!''. Jace just smiled. They were all connecting, just like old times. There were nudges, teasing, smiles and updates on each other's lives. It was just like highschool, but just not that simple. Jace knew they would be their for each other no matter what. She looked from Axel to Jayla constantly as they exchanged words, giggling at what they were saying. It was great, the best way to spend her night. But she did have a new roommate to contend with, and couldn't stay out forever.

When she heard about Jayla's mother, Jace's jaw dropped. ''Jay, I'm so sorry. Is she going to be okay?''. Jace remembered the weekend long sleepovers Jace would have at Jayla's, talking about everything and eating everything. Even though they would probably wake up at noon, Jayla's mother would always have super-sized stacks of pancakes ready for them. Maybe trying to start over and forget her past was stupid, because this is what she was trying to leave behind. Never again.

Finally her pizzas came before she could say anything else. The waitress placed down two pizza boxes and two sodas as Jace forked out the money and gave it to her. Looking at the expressions on her friends faces, she sighed. ''No guys, my New Years resolution wasn't to get incredibly fat. I have my new roommate coming in tonight and I am trying to pull off the cool vibe - kinda''. Smirking, she looked down at the pizza boxes. She should go, but she didn't want to. It was crazy to get to see her best friends from highschool here, even more crazy was to leave them within five minutes of seeing them.

[zach]

Zach pulled open the see through door hearing the bell ding as he walked in. What was he doing here anyways? He was on his way to Hart Enterprises for another fun filled day in the bitches corner (aka Ariel Dawson), and of course he didn’t have any lunch meat left back at his dorm, so he had to stop at the closest place to his job. Bellsario’s Pizzeria. He was never a pizza fan, which was definitely surprising considering the fact that every high school party had the traditional pizza being served and boy did he make it to every party back in the day. In the day meaning a year ago. He still couldn’t believe it had only been a year. It felt like forever. Maybe that was just because he basically detached himself from the friends he had….or they sort of detached themselves from him. After breaking up with Jace, he lost all of their mutual friends. But he couldn’t blame them for siding with Jace. Jace didn’t do anything wrong. Yes, she caught his bed on fire, which completely scared the shit out of him, but he didn’t take it well at all and broke up with her in the process, a decision he was still not sure that he made correctly.

Zach stopped at the counter and waited to order. There were a few people ahead of him in line, so he knew it would probably take a while. Zach leaned against the counter and continued to think about the decision he had made to break up with Jace. He kept telling himself that it was a mistake, but in the back of his head, he was still contemplating that same idea. Was it really a mistake? He wanted it to be. He loved Jace, and he wanted to believe that he would have continued to love her unconditionally. But how far can one really push that ‘unconditional’ crap until they reach their breaking point? He did love her. I mean she was the first girl he asked to be his girlfriend. The first girl he held hands with. The first girl he kissed. The first girl he brought home to his family. Hell, she was his first for everything. But getting past what he had seen that day wasn’t that easy. And because he had made the decision to leave, it’s not like he understood what had actually happened.

“What can I get for you?”

Zach was too distracted to hear her, which made her repeat herself a bit louder and more agitated than the first time. Zach looked up at her, and all he could see was her look of death. “Ehhh well aren’t we in a great mood today,” he said sarcastically although she didn’t look pleased. He nodded, “okay, I’ll have a large extra cheese slice of pizza….” He paused watching her type in the order on her screen, “….with a side of ‘have a great day’ because I doubt I’ll be hearing that from you.” A few of the girls waiting in the line behind him giggled, and the girl who was ordering his food looked a bit embarrassed. Well now he felt bad. But she was really making him mad. He didn’t particularly like his job either, but he would pretend he did around clients that came in.

“$3.75,” the girl said without looking at him.

Zach reached into his back pocket and pulled out his cheap black duck taped wallet. Yes, it was duck taped and completely falling apart. He was poor! What else was there to say. He pulled out a 5 and handed it to her. She made the transaction very quickly, and Zach figured it was just so she could get him away from her and move on to the next person. But as she handed him his change and spoke to him, he really didn’t hear a word she was saying. He could have sworn he heard his name. It was possible, I mean he was in the shopping complex in the middle of LA, but the way it was said. That voice. Zach took the money from the cashier mumbling a thank you as he glanced past the counter towards the back of the pizzeria. No freakin’ way! There standing next to a dining table was Jacinta Vanessa Landers.

Zach swallowed hard and became a bit tense. Holy crap, why the hell was she in LA of all places? He wasn’t sure what he should do. He could always walk up to her and talk to her, but she was with friends. But he hadn’t seen her in months, so maybe it was the best thing to do. After all there was a lot of sorting out to do. No, not sorting out, just ending on better terms. But would it really be the ending if he went to talk to her? She probably wouldn’t even want to talk to him. But before he could even tell himself that he wasn’t ready to go over to her, his legs just started to move. And by the time he contemplated actually turning around, he was already half way over to her. And of course, once he got closer to the small group of people, he realized they weren’t just any friends, they were their friends. Their mutual friends. What the hell? Was there some reunion that someone forgot to tell him about? Or was this just one big joke on him. Either way, it was way too late to turn around and head back to his pizza, not that he was excited about that slice or anything. But once he realized she was with Jayla Pearson and Axel Evans, he wanted so bad to have a little power of his own so he could transport himself out of this whole situation.

Zach stopped a few feet away from Jacinta and cleared his throat. He wasn’t sure what else to do. I mean what could he even say at this point? But his mouth worked faster than his brain and he managed to come up with something. “Wow, definitely something I wasn't expecting.” He shoved his hands in his faded blue jean pockets. Boy was this going to be interesting.

[Axel Hayden Evans]

When he noticed the pizza boxes, he was rather surprised, not seeing how Jace could gulp down all of those herself. But then she mentioned the roomate, and he smiled softly. He had a roomate too which he should really take pizza home to, but it was more fun eating the pizza in the pizza shop down the street on this beautiful afternoon. He would get another pizza for Rodney eventually, make him happy and all, which could hopefully work as a successful bribe in making Rodney come out with him. But the thought of roomates made him realize how everything had changed; they had their own roomates at the university now, and although they could probably still be good friends, it wasn't just going to be 'just them' anymore? Or was it?

To add a grenade to the reunion, he saw Zach nervously approach them, standing right near Jacinta as he spoke. He bit his lip softly, not really sure what to say, he was speechless seeing Zach here. What had it been? More than a few months since he had seen or spoken to Zachary? He wasn't complaining, it definantly made things easier and calmer. The last time they spoke they were about to get into a punch on, and Axel basically de-friended Zachary after the bad breakup with Jacinta and all the personal shit he was dealing with in his own life. Maybe he overreacted, maybe he just realized what a jerkoff Zachary was for the way he handled things? He really didn't know, but he was beginning to think it wasn't just coincidence they all met here at a pizza shop today.

"You can say that again..." He responded, eyeing Zachary for a moment before turning back to his pizza and taking another bite. This was definantly going to be awkward, he didn't even know what the current situation was between Jace and Zach, but could assume from what she said earlier, she hadn't seen him for basically as long as the rest.

[jayla]

”I didn't know you were! You left before I got the chance to find out.” Jayla said, with a smile on her face. Her smile, however, faded, as soon as she heard what Jace said and she nodded. ”She's in the hospital.. She was attacked. But here in LA, they promised they would give her the best medical care possible. So, I'm sure she will be okay. She is strong.” She knew her mother was strong, as she had always been just that. And besides, it really took something of strength to raise her, the way her mother had for so long.

When she saw the pizzas, she smiled and looked at Jace. ”What room are you staying in?” She asked, even though she was pretty sure she already knew. But it was nice to see Jace's reaction in just a little. She would be totally surprised, she was absolutely sure of it.

Jayla looked up when she heard an all too familiar voice and she frowned, before looking over at Jace and Axel, to see what they thought of Zach suddenly standing here, too. ”You could say that.” She said, as she focused on the straw in her iced tea.

[char]

No way. This could not be happening? Was this even possible? Was - - Jayla her new roommate. ''Room 2.. Why?''. A smile peered over her face. If it was true then it was exhilirating. The smile couldn't be removed. Looking at her friends, she then stood towards them as they called her to go and pay. Embarrasing, she almost forgot to pay. That was sad. ''Sorry, be right back''. But upon turning towards the counter, she saw him. Slowly but surely, the bright smile on her face was starting to dicipate. It wasn't a frown. It wasn't content. It was almost blank. Standing feet away was Zach. Her first love, her first breakup and more importantly; he ex.

He moved towards them. She wasn't sure what to do. Was she supposed to leave? Say hello? At this point it seemed that she was going to pass out. Looking at him, straight in the eyes she felt like she was going to pass out. It was - intense. With every step he took, the blood rushed further and further to her head. He got to her as she looked into his eyes as he stood in front of her. Every part of her hated him, and being a witch she could spell his balls into oblivion. But she was captivated, unable to look away from him. She wasn't sure why, and even though Axel and Jayla spoke, she didn't look away. ''Z - Zach.......''.