Before Me, Him

Chapter 9

     His house was stunning. The walls were a pure white contrasting the dark wooden floor that was shining. There were several marble poles across the room and a big red stairway leading to the other floors. The house was even bigger inside than it was outside. We start walking towards the pool area and, as we arrive, we lay down our belongings. The towels were placed on top of the several chairs and both Emily and Dean sit by the pool placing their feet inside the water. I was astonished. "I've never been to a house this big" I thought. Philip and Jacob were discussing something, so I ended up going back inside to explore a little bit. I know I shouldn't, but the curiosity was bigger than me.

     I remove my hair tie leaving my brown hair rest. As I walked I found an open door that led to a very bright room. I enter and see this marvelous piano standing in the middle of it. Not a lot of people know but I had piano lessons when I was little, I really loved playing the piano when I was young.

     One time my brother caught me playing the piano and singing a song but I only noticed his presence once the melody was over. He was staring at me, from the door. We were both at school and I actually thought all the students had left, that is why I went to play a little bit. 

     William was in such a state of shock that tears started running down his face. He walked towards me and hugged me tightly in his arms as he whispered: "That was beautiful June, the most beautiful thing I've ever witnessed". I remember crying a lot back then.

     I'm an insecure person, ever since I was a kid. I don't think anything I do is worth praise or even good enough to be shown to people. That's the reason why I don't tell people about me, I don't let them get to know me. "If you don't create expectations you won't get disappointed right"? The piano was right next to me, I had walked there without realizing it, so I open it up showing all its shining white and black keys. I wanted to play, I wanted to sing. My fingers approach the keys touching one of them and, right before my voice came out, I hear someone talking.

     - What are you doing here June? – I look back and see Dean in front of the door that I had forgotten to close.

     - Nothing special. – I close the piano and see a hand on my right touching it. I turn around and see Dean extremely close to me.

     - Do you know how to play perhaps? – he says with a beautiful smile while placing one of his hands on the other side of the piano, trapping me between his arms.

     - No, I don't know how to play Dean. – I shove one of his arms and start walking to the door. – I don't know what you are planning but if you break her heart, I'll kill you.

     As I leave the room I see Jacob laying his back on one of the white walls.

     - Yo. – he smiles – You look scary. I should be careful not to get on your bad side, right?

     - Was that a joke attempt? Because if it was, you failed miserably. – I smile and start walking back to the pool.

     Jacob accompanies me and, when we arrive Emily comes to fetch me.

     - Hey June, why are you always with Jacob? – Emily grins as if she was expecting something to happen. – Are you in love?

     - No one is in love. - I look at her as if the question that she had asked was pure stupidity. – Stop making movies inside your head Emily, you'll just get disappointed.

     I sit down on the border of the pool and wet my feet. In the meantime, they were all outside the pool talking about something that I didn't know what it was. "Are you in love?", what a stupid question honestly. I don't have time for that and, even if I did, it wouldn't be Jacob he is more of an inconvenience even though he is very handsome.

     I felt left out, this is not a place for me to be. I truly just wanted to go home. I went back to get my stuff and went to the main door. Jacob was there as if he was waiting for me. I pass by him and ignore his presence while I leave the house. He followed me.

     - It's not night so you don't need to walk me home. – I stated while looking at him.

     - That's true but do you know how to go back? – with a smile appearing on his lips he got me again. I didn't memorize the full path from the beach to his house so I would most likely get lost at some point. Acknowledging my defeat, I do not reply. After some minutes of silence, Jacob decides to bring up another conversation topic. – When did you meet Emily?

     - We met when we were baby's, but I can only remember stuff after the age of five. We're family after all, even though we might not look like it. – I could see Jacob staring at me as if whatever I was saying was the most important thing in the whole world.

     - If you were that little it's natural that most memories are blurred. Why did you become friends? – I was unsure if I should talk about this but his serious expression made me do it.

     - Emily is special. – I smile. – You know how she always cares about everyone and how the environment changes when she is around? She has a kind heart, the kindest I've ever met. I've known that ever since we were little and I just wanted to protect it from people that could stain it. – I look to the bright blue sky and then to Jacob as I, unconsciously, show him a smile of true happiness. I could swear that for a glimpse of a second his eyes were sparkling but maybe it was just me, imagining things, as usual. – Even though she keeps everything to herself, when it comes to me, she tells me everything. I never showed her love or care but she always came to me with a kind smile and pure intentions. That's why I love her.

     We both had stopped walking and Jacob was just staring at me. Once I realized what had happened and what I had said I feel my cheeks getting hotter. I was feeling embarrassed. Shortly after I realized that I had let my guard down and spoken too much especially about myself. Jacob is most definitely dangerous, I should be extra careful around him.

     - What is it? – I question as he kept staring at me, astonished.

     - So even you can smile. – he says while kindly smiling. My heart hurts again. Every time he smiles I picture my brother. This is so painful.

     - What is that supposed to mean? Of course, I can smile, I'm human after all. – I restart walking and Jacob follows. For the rest of the trip, we both stay quiet, neither of us talks. I thought about asking him how he met Emily but I was afraid I would let my guard down again. It's better to avoid him at all costs.

     When we arrived he just waved and smiled as I entered back in the house. Some hours later Emily came back home and we had dinner. As I entered my room I check my phone to have seven missed calls and four unread messages from Luke.

     I was too tired to worry about him right now so I just went to sleep waiting for the next morning.