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I gasp, stumbling back as the crowds rush toward them like a swarm of vultures to roadkill.
My insides twist that they’re fighting because of me.
The party erupts into chaos, with shouts of ‘fight, fight’ filling the air. Julie, that bitch cheerleader, is there too, egging Jake on.
My chest tightens, and I’m about to implode.
As the fight escalates, something inside me snaps. I can’t stand there a second longer. Without a second thought, I turn and rush out of the house, my feet carrying me down the driveway as fast as I can.
Darkness envelops me. The music from the party becomes a distant echo, rapidly disappearing behind me. The only sounds accompanying me are the occasional barking of a dog from behind gated houses and the soft hum of the street lamps overhead. Tears stream down my face, and I hastily wipe them away.
I’m angry at myself for listening to Tyler, for even considering Sarah’s advice, for coming to this stupid party. This isn’t my scene, and revenge is not in my nature. I realize how far I’ve strayed from who I truly am, all because of letting myself believe something was happening between Jake and me.
My steps slow as the adrenaline starts to wear off, and the night’s cool air wraps around me. Marching under the dim glows of street lamps, I’m going to be sick. That’s how horrible I feel. The tears keep coming.
Rushing home, my heart racing with every step, I flinch when a car pulls up alongside me. Fear grips me for a moment until I blink away the tears clouding my vision and recognize the figure behind the wheel. It’s Jake, his expression stern, the passenger window rolling down.
“Get in,” he barks, his tone leaving no room for argument.
I hesitate, my emotions a whirlwind.
“Just leave me alone, Jake. I should have known it was a mistake being with you at the party months ago.” My response spills out, my voice clipped.
“Em, get in before I carry you in. You’re going to hear me out before you go off listening to that idiot Tyler,” he growls.
Turning away, I hurry down the sidewalk, my arms tight by my side, not ready to face Jake or anyone else. I just need space and time to breathe and think.
The car door slams shut behind me, and instinctively, I turn around to see Jake hurrying toward me.
My heart races.
I can’t help but notice a cut at the corner of his eye, likely from the fight, bleeding slightly. As he approaches, I raise my hand, signaling him to stop.
“Just go home, Jake. I’m not interested. Today’s been a shit day.”
He shakes his head, his determination clear in his persistent stride. “No, you’re going to hear me out.”
He reaches for my hand, but I push him off, not in the mood for his persistence, but Jake isn’t deterred. In a few quick moves, his hands gently but firmly grab mine, and he walks me backward until my back kisses a tree.
“Today I had the crappiest day, and it’s because I feared you were going to dump me… and I couldn’t bear it. Fuck, I felt like shit.”
His confession hits me like a wave, but I try to maintain my composure.
“We’re not dating,” I remind him, trying to keep my voice steady.
“Don’t kid yourself.” He leans in closer, his face just inches from mine, his eyes searching mine. “We’re dating,” he says, his voice low and intense.
I struggle to concentrate, his proximity sending a jolt of electricity through me.
“Can you back off?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper, betraying the turmoil inside me.
“Not until you hear me out,” he insists, his gaze holding mine captive.
At that moment, under the dim streetlights, with Jake so close, the world seems to narrow down to just the two of us. His presence is overwhelming, and despite my resolve to stay angry, to push him away, I find myself being drawn into the depth of his assertiveness.
There’s a part of me that wants to melt into him, to forget the chaos and the drama. But there’s also a part that’s scared he’s going to hurt me. Jake’s words, his fear of losing me, add another layer to the already complicated situation of whatever is going on between us.
“Fine, talk!”
