Dear Merlot {COMPLETED/REWRITING}

CHAPTER EIGHT

Jax and I decided to have a staring contest. Okay, I staring war, with me less staring and more glaring. Boy, if looks could kill. After Jax decided to get snippy with me, I had a hard time putting a smile on my face and acting like everything was fine. Jax had no idea what it was like to have dreams that actually came to life in bits and pieces, and he shouldn't treat me like I was useless to the situation. He hadn't helped at all. In fact, the only thing Jax had done was complain and make things more complicated.

Flannery decided to finally step in when she saw that neither of us would back down. Personally, I would spend the rest of my life glaring at Jax if that meant I'd win. Gross, the rest of my life... with Jax. Puke.

"Children, children. Calm down. Do you guys want to figure out what this key is for, or are you slowly falling in love by looking into each other's eyes for so long? Oh goodness, I should've thought before I spoke. I'm ruining your moment, aren't I?" Flannery was adorable. Unless she was insinuating romance between me and my nightmare come to life. She seemed so nervous when she spoke, as if we would attack her if she said the wrong thing.

I nearly vomited when Flannery started talking about love, but Jax nearly fainted. I mean, in a couple of seconds he lost the game and his balance. Boys. Luckily, Jax's dramatics made me the winner! To rub my win in, I sauntered to the door, blew a kiss, and then slid out slowly, making sure to put on the show of any true sore winner. I beat Jax Avamaria at something, that was an accomplishment!

When Jax finally swallowed his pride and made it out of the attic, Flannery suggested that we try looking for clues in the cellar. As we made our way down the steps, I started to sing that popular song from that movie with those girls about making their way somewhere, when Jax ran in to my back. As if that hurt. He couldn't even beat me in a staring contest.

Alright. It hurt a little.

"Right this way folks. No more lovers' spats necessary. The door is right here, and you're in luck! This one doesn't lock from the outside. Good, let's move quickly, you guys still have to get home before your parents wake up." Flannery could boss us around so easily, and it seemed like she prepared everything that she said to us ahead of time. Her words were so- I always felt like I should give her my full attention when she spoke- commanding, even if she was nervous and shaky.

Jax and I obeyed, excitement was coursing through our veins. We'd finally be getting somewhere.

The door creaked open slowly, it was pitch dark inside. Jax and I quickly took our phones out and turned on our flashlights- I was amazed, since when do phone batteries last this long? I took a spin, looking around as the light hit different places. A box sitting in the middle of the cellar caught my eye, so I walked over to it while Jax and Flannery walked around the perimeter looking for anything special.

The box was oddly light, and loosely taped. My great-grandparents were certainly the hoarding type, they had stuff everywhere and seemed to do nothing with it. I peeled the tape off of the box and carefully opened it, afraid of what could be hiding inside- it had been a while. When I finally got it open, I only saw one thing. It was large but flat, and when I removed it, it sparkled from the light.

A large, old book lie in my lap. I was entranced by its beauty. It was so unique and rustic, I felt an instant connection with it, like it was a gift made specifically for me. I wanted to find out what was inside on my own, but after careful contemplation, I decided to allow Jax and Flannery to join me.

When they finally make it back over to me, we sit around the book, all eyeballing it, anticipation growing. I tried to open the book but it wouldn't budge. Perhaps all of these years had mended the pages together... if that was possible. Jax grabbed it and tried, with all of his male willpower, to open it but he failed. Flannery didn't even try, if I couldn't then she definitely couldn't. Jax took it from my hands again and started to examine it with his flashlight.

"Aha! It is locked. There is a very small lock on the side. It's like a giant diary with an average sized lock. I bet the little key will fit!" Jax seemed so proud of himself that I didn't have it in me to insult him.

"Who still says aha?" I asked him with a sly smirk on my face. I couldn't help it, that was a very perfect moment. Jax just made it too easy for me. At least he figured out what I couldn't. That should be consolidation enough.

Jax didn't respond to me so I just rolled my eyes and took the book. Flipping through to the first page, I read aloud, not paying much attention.

"Dear Merlot and Jax,

We've decided, that this will be our gift to you. Please only read our story if you are ready, which, if you are reading it now, you must be. We're both very proud of you for figuring this out. You'll soon understand how important this is, and maybe you will understand the different phenomena you guys have experienced since you were just elementary children.

Do not be afraid, all of these are good things. We have many plans for you! Now we have to skedaddle, there's lots to prepare.

-Love you both,

Grandma Louise and Grandpa Styles.

PS. Have you met the messenger yet? She should be the only way you find this but maybe you've found your own way- Grandma

PPS. Of course they did Louise, trust me, there won't be another way- Grandpa"

AUTHORS NOTE//

I loveee writing the letters. Things get trippy x