Lovestruck (EDITING)

21: Familiar

I don't realise I've drifted to sleep until I'm jolted awake by Jayden's truck going over a large bump in the road. I blink the sleep from my eyes and look out the windscreen to see that we're pulling up to a small brick house with a beautiful garden and a large surfboard-shaped mailbox. I smile, remembering how much Jayden's dad used to love surfing, and unbuckle my seatbelt before climbing out of the car and into the cool night air.

I close the creaky door of the old truck and follow Jayden to the front door without speaking.

"I can't even remember the last time you were here," he says, unlocking the door and slowly turning its rusty handle.

The door creaks open and I give Jayden a small smile when he steps to the side to let me through. I step inside into the narrow entrance hallway and I'm suddenly struck with deja vu.

I open my mouth to speak but I'm silenced when Jayden's large hand is pressed against my mouth. I instinctively struggle out of his grip and jam my elbow into his ribs without thinking. He winces and stumbles backwards, making me instantly regret my overreaction.

I watch as Jayden raises his hands in surrender before pointing to the doorway next to him which has beads handing over it and no door. His parents' room, I remember. I exhale loudly and give him my best "sorry" eyes. He sighs before walking past me through the open living area and into the hallway.

I look around at the familiar old sofa, large television and the small dining table before following after him. I enter the hallway which has hand-drawn cartoons on the walls, some of which I remember, and smile at the fond memory.

Even the sweet scent of this house is familiar to me, and I find it extremely comforting after the night I've had.

My eyes follow the narrow hallway down to a door at the end which is partially opened. I quietly make my way over to it and cringe when it creaks as I slowly push it open. My eyes take in the large room in front of me which contains a large sofa and television and is complete with its own kitchen and small breakfast table. A guest house.

Jayden enters the room from a doorway in the far corner, carrying a pile of folded blankets, a towel and what looks like spare clothes.

"I forgot you guys built this place," I say, walking further into the room and taking a seat on the edge of the couch.

"The last time you were here, my grandparents were living in here," he gives me a small smile that doesn't seem to reach his eyes and places the pile of blankets beside me.

"Thanks for doing this, Jayden," I smile, leaning my head on the top of the couch in exhaustion.

"It's fine, really. I got you some blankets, a towel, if you wanted to shower," he gestures towards the hallway where the bathroom must be located, "And I brought you a t-shirt. You know, in case you didn't want to sleep in that," he raises an eyebrow at me, gesturing to my outfit.

I let out a small laugh and nod in agreement, picking up the t-shirt. I notice the graphic design on the front of it - some kind of video game? - and I can't help the smile at creeps onto my face.

"Thank you," I say sincerely, stepping out of my wedges before turning around and pulling my dress over my head. I pull the t-shirt on, which I then realise barely covers my butt, before neatly folding my dress and setting it on the edge of the couch.

I twirl back around to Jayden, who's jaw might as well be touching the floor right now, and pose playfully. Then I realise I just took off my clothes in front of him, and feel my cheeks begin to burn up. I awkwardly take a seat on the edge of the couch once again.

"Goodnight, Jayden," I almost whisper.

I see him swallow hard before nodding, turning around and walking out the door, mumbling a "goodnight" on his way out. I bury my face into the couch cushion in embarrassment for a few moments before exhaustion hits me once again and I decide sleep is all I can think about.

I pick up one of the soft blankets Jayden left for me and lay down on the couch, wrapping myself in it. It's not until I'm laying comfortably on Jayden's sofa, exhausted and ready for sleep, that thoughts of Landon hit me like a tsunami.

I can almost still feel his hand on my thigh, can almost taste the alcohol on his tongue, yet at the same time it feels like it was days ago that I saw him. Saw him with my beautiful blonde best friend. Saw her on top of him. His hand on her thigh, his tongue in her mouth. The memories leave a bad taste in my mouth and I roll over to try and shake them from my mind.

I take a deep breath, inhaling the sweetly scented air of the guest house and I finally remember where I am. The familiar scent of the air and the softness of my blanket help me to find comfort and to finally relax.

I drift to sleep, knowing that I'm safe here.

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Thanks so much for reading! This chapter was a really fun one for me to write. To create that little familiar world of Jayden's house for Skye was really interesting for me and gave me a chance to be really descriptive and creative. Please vote and comment :)

fancyauthor xoxo