Book One: Rediscovery

Prologue: A Girl Named Jack and a Boy Named Darren

            Hey, I’m Jay, formerly known as Jack Jones, cousin of Daniel Jones, you know, one of the members of Savage Garden . And yeah, that’s exactly what I said. I’m his cousin and here’s the other shocker, I’m a girl. Don’t think that just because I have a guys name I’m a guy. The last time that happened, there were some pretty explosive consequences. Poor Darren, I really ripped into him. Sorry, I got off track. Anyway, I’m 25 years old with long, curly brown hair (it’s not straight like it used to be), and deep green eyes like Dan’s. I’ve been living in San Francisco for the last nine months because of problems that occurred in my homeland, Australia . Before you can even begin to understand what happened, you need to know the whole story from September two years ago. You see, I used to be an extreme sports champ. I did everything from BMX to blading up until one fateful day when I fell off my bike and broke my neck. It took me nearly six months to fully recover from my physical injuries, but the mental ones still haunt me. I had some great people helping me while I was going through physical therapy and whatnot. Darren, Dan’s friend and band mate and the only man that I ever truly fell in love with, was at my side 24/7. He was great even though we did have a few problems here and there. We got into this huge fight, which ended with Darren almost, committing suicide on a drug overdose. I don’t blame him. I was a total bitch towards him even though he tried to apologize to me several times. That fight was nearly over when I decided to also kill myself, but he saved my ass, then proposed to me. There were two reasons why we wanted to get married: I was three months pregnant with his baby, and we were deeply in love with each other. Around that same time, Dan and Nadia, my best friend, were also expecting, except she was three months ahead of me since their little rendezvous happened while I was in the hospital with my neck injury. Anyway, they got into their own little spat and separated for about a month and a half. Thankfully that ended happily even though Dan did break his arm. The day they got back together, Nadia had the baby, a boy by the name of Vincent Alexander Jones. He’s the sweetest little thing. I miss him so much.

            I’ve got a feeling you’re wondering why I’m rambling and why I don’t just come out and say what happened. I’m getting to it, hold your horses. I’ve still got a little explaining to do. You see, after Nadia had her baby, this stupid little reporter decided to sue me. That deserves a little explaining too, don’t you think? Well, while Darren was in the hospital recovering from his drug OD, I beat the little bastard to a pulp because he was being a pain in my ass. (Don’t tell anyone that because I could get into trouble.) Thankfully, the trial went my way, and we won, but not without giving up something. I became very sick and lost the baby. While I was in the hospital, I decided that getting married to Darren at that point in time wasn’t a good idea. I was under way too much stress from everybody, especially the press, and I just wanted some time to find myself. That’s what I’m doing here in San Fran, rediscovering myself, getting in touch with the part of me that I lost in Australia . Since then, I’ve been going to college to get my masters in nuclear physics. I went to Stanford University for six years before going back to Australia with Dan and Darren. I’m smart, have I told you that yet? I graduated at the top of my class two years before everyone else my age. I traveled the world for two years before actually going to college. I have a few months left before I officially finish. I had so much to make up since I took a nine-month chunk out of my life when I left.

            Um… I’ve been keeping in touch with Dan and Nadia since I left, mainly with email. We’ve decided not to give out addresses because I don’t want anyone knowing where I am, and I seriously don’t want Darren finding me. I told them both that when I was ready, I’d come back, and I’m not ready, especially for Darren. I haven’t heard from him the entire time I’ve been out here. No wonder, I told Dan specifically not to give me ANY information pertaining to Darren. You see, we broke up on “good” terms even though judging by the look on his face when I boarded the plane to America , he didn’t want to see me go. I knew I crushed him because he was so deeply in love with me. I hurt him, and I hate myself for doing that. For a while I began wondering if I made the right decision, but looking back now, I know I did even though you might think I’m insane for leaving Darren Hayes, the hottest man alive. The thing is, I’ve never felt so free in my entire life. I’ve been able to date around, have one-night stands, and do everything a normal college girl would do. But ever since I left Darren, I haven’t been able to keep a relationship for longer than a week. Was I really destined to be with him, or is this all in my head? Oh, I don’t know! I don’t wanna think about that right now.

~~~~~~~~~~

            Um… I’m Darren Hayes, lead singer of Savage Garden , you know, the guy with the dark hair. Yeah, well, it’s not dark anymore. I’ve gone blond, if that’s any surprise to you. If it is, I can explain. Being 30, divorced once, and losing a fiancé and a child makes a guy want to change. I think Jack and I are somewhat on the same frequency here. I left Australia six months ago to start recording my solo album. Dan and I decided it was the best thing to do because I couldn’t concentrate on anything Savage Garden related, so I just moved to San Francisco to get away from it all. And I know what you’re thinking; I came here because of Jack. Well, that’s part of the reason. The other part was the fact that there are so many great studios out here. Oh, and the coffee shops are the best.

            So, you really wanna know what’s been going on with me lately? Um… I’ve been recording the album, and that’s about it. I haven’t had any time to really start a relationship with someone. I dated a few girls when I first came out here, but that proved to be a mistake because I wasn’t ready for a relationship, and I ended up getting my heart broken by all of them. The only good thing that came out of that was a great song that will be on my album called “Heart Attack.” (I won’t explain its relevancy right now.) There are also going to be a few songs on there I wrote for Jack. I think my favorite one right now is “Like It Or Not.” That was the first song I wrote for her since she left, and it’s the only one that been running through my head constantly. I think it might also be considered a really sweet love song depending upon how you look at it. “Now I am standing at a terminal waiting to connect to another plane. And if I told you I’d just cancel my flight to America , would you call me insane? Everything I am has been neatly contained into the contents of a Samsonite bag. Me, a laptop, 2 suitcases and I’m coming to see you, whether you like it or not…” See what I mean? I can’t get it out of my head because it’s so true. Okay, I’ve gotten off track. I think I’d better quit it with the music and head into a more important direction.

            I’ve been keeping in touch with Dan these last few months, but he still won’t tell me anything about Jack besides the fact that she’s fine. Yeah, bull shit. I know he’s got her address even though he says he doesn’t. Then again, this is coming for a guy who can’t even marry is fiancé. That reminds me, have I told you about Nadia? She and Dan have a nine-month-old son together, and they still aren’t married. I don’t even think his family knows. If they do, he’s probably in some pretty deep shit with them. I think they’re still a little paranoid about Jack’s trial and the media sneaking up on them like they did with Jack. That was hard on everyone. I can see why she left afterwards even though I wish she would have stayed and thought things through a little more. I’m still in love with her, no surprise there. Maybe that’s why I’m having problems with my love life. I can’t keep a girlfriend for longer than a few days. I wish I could just move on, but it’s so damn hard! Being with someone like Jack has set the standard for judging everyone else. I know I’m not being fair to all the other girls, but I can’t help it! That’s just the way I am! I want Jack, not a substitution. I know I can’t have her, though, at least not just yet. Let’s hope the day we get back together comes soon. I can’t hold on any longer. I need her. She’s like my food, my oxygen, my water. Without her, I’m suffocating, dying. I just want to see her once more before I decide whether to give up on her and move on or not.

Chapter 1: Coffee Shop Encounters

Home