Before Me, Him

Chapter 22

     As I was walking back home I hear someone running in my direction. "Jacob." I thought as my heart trembled a little. I look back and see a twelve-year-old kid running towards his parents that were a little bit away from me.

     Why did I think about him? Is it because he always appears when I least expect it? I do end up thinking about him a lot, ever since I met him, however, I am well aware of the reason for that uneasiness: William. The only reason he is on my mind is because he is very similar to my brother and my heart hurts when I see him. It has always been like this, ever since I saw him that day at the bar.

     Out of a sudden, my forehead touches something cold and I can see a male figure holding a blueberry smoothie against me.

     - It's cold! – I say while creating some distance and placing my hand on my head.

     - You were so lost in thought that I thought this would be the only way to wake you up. – I look up and see Jacob with his stunning smile. My heart aches. – Hi!

     - What are you doing here? – I question him.

     - You didn't eat anything in the shop so I thought I would bring you one. – he stretches his hand into mine and gives me the smoothie.

     - What if I don't like blueberry? - I say while he shrugs his arms and laughs. I give him a smile as I start walking.

     - You know you shouldn't let her get to you right? Polly's just having fun teasing you, that's how she is.

     I nod my head while drinking the delicious blueberry smoothie. Jacob is right, I just need to ignore her and not let her get to me. Usually, even if people teased me or mocked me I wouldn't care, I wouldn't even give it a second thought but now it feels like it's different. Did I change? That had to be the answer. When did I turn softer? When did I lower my guard? Was it when I came here? Or was it...

     I look up and see Jacob drinking his manga smoothie. Maybe it was when I met him. I don't know him for that long but, the way he interacts with me is different from everyone else. It has to be because he is similar to my brother. Due to his appearance, I feel more comfortable and end up letting certain things go unnoticed. That's the only logical explanation.

     - I was just careless. – I say while looking into the horizon. The sun was starting to set.

     - You've been really careless, definitely. – he drinks a bit of his smoothie.

     - What do you mean by that?

     - I mean your ex did find you here. Didn't look like a coincidence.

     - How did you know he is my ex? – I stop walking and stare at him in shock. Jacob lets out a chuckle.

- Well, I didn't until now. Being an ex was one of the possibilities. – he gives me a warm smile.

     I let out a sight. "Great, I was careless, again." I thought to myself. It annoys me how easily I lose my logic with him. If this situation was with someone else I might have replied something like "My Ex? Who?" or even "What are you talking about?". It's starting to get on my nerves.

     - We dated for five months and a week before I came here he cheated on me. Found him in bed with another girl. Since then he has been wanting to talk to me to fix everything even though I've told him to go away. – I look at Jacob. – Honestly, I just want peace and quiet and he is not letting me have it.

     - Did you give him peace though? – he says while focusing his eyes on mine.

     Did I? I guess I didn't. Luke insisted on talking with me, in order to solve things, to fix things between us and I didn't want to listen. I thought that if I went away he would let go or not even bother me since he had another one. Actually, no. That's not true. I just didn't care enough to hear him out. I was too selfish. Jacob is right, even if he did cheat on me I should hear him out. If I do that the book can be closed on both ends and we will be both at peace. He will be able to move on with his life.

     After a twenty-minute walk, we arrived. Ever since that question we did not talk to each other anymore, we just walked. He just walked by my side, making sure I would reach home safe and sound. I opened the front gates and he stood there, watching me until I entered the house, he always did that. I start placing the keys in the door but, before opening it I felt strange. I needed to say something.

     - Jacob... – I say while he stares at me with a kind smile on his face. On my lips, a warm smile appears as I could feel the sunset rays touching my cheeks. – Thank you.

     His smile disappears leaving on his face an expression that I hadn't seen before. I couldn't quite figure out what it was but, the silence that had been created was making my heart pound. 

     What is this feeling? Stop it.

     Jacob places his hand on the front gate and slowly starts walking towards me. Our eyes were looking at each other and no matter how hard I tried I couldn't look away, it was as if a spell had been poured onto us and this was the outcome. As he climbed up the small front stairs I listen to a click.

     - June? – a woman's voice. Therese's voice. – Jacob? You are back already?

     - Yes! We just came back! – I say with my emotions boiling on the top of my skin.

     - Oh, my! Did you catch a cold? You're bright red! –she places her hand on my forehead.

     - What? It's possible yes Therese. I will get some rest! – I pass by her and don't look back. – Goodnight Jacob.

     I close the door and run to the bathroom. I look into the mirror and the once pale white cheeks were now very red as if I was blushing. "What was this all about? What happened?" I whispered to myself. Why is my heart pounding so much? It's making me feel uneasy. Am I sick? Did I catch a cold? I should get some rest. That will cure it right?

     After laying down on the bed I turn on my phone and send a message to Luke:

     We can talk. I will tell you the time and place tomorrow morning. Goodnight.

     The phone buzzes with an "OK" from Luke. Tomorrow I will be healed and everything will be solved with Luke. Things were finally getting fixed, slowly but surely.