Eternal Love

Falling fast

I wake the next morning with a bit of a headache. I look towards the others. Still sound asleep. What time is it? I wonder. I check my phone. 530 am. I get up. I notice Jake isn't in his sleeping bag. I walk down to the kitchen. I see the back porch light on. Did he go home? I grab his jacket, pulling it on. I open the door and step outside. "Oh my god, it is cold," I say to myself. It snowed! I sit on the back porch and stare at it.

I am remembering last year when it snowed. My mom let us stay home. We made hot cocoa, watched movies and built snowmen and snow forts. This year's first snow is so different.  Tears run down my cheeks. I put my hands in the pockets. I feel a piece of paper. I pull it out. I study it. Didn't I give him the note back? "Don't read that til later." I look up and see Jake in front of me. His eyes look darker. His facial expression changes. "You've been crying" he says, sitting beside me. "It snowed" I say. He raises his eyebrow. "It's... the first snow without my mom, I say.

"She always made a big deal out of the first snow" I say. He looks at it. "What are you doing up?" I ask. "I always go for a walk at this time, it's peaceful" he says. He is right. Out town might be boring, but it is beautiful.  Mountains are all around us. "Yeah, it is," I say. "Come with me," he says. I look at him. "OK". I put the paper back in my pocket. He takes my hand. guiding me as we walk. I try not to focus on us holding hands. My heart is doing jumping jacks though.

I am sure he isn't holding my hand for anything other than to guide me. "Close your eyes," he says. I stare at him, unsure. "Trust me," he says. I give him a look and obey. He stands behind me, hands now on my hips, guiding me. I swear I think my heart is going to beat out of my chest. He whispers in my ear. "OK, open," he says. I do. I stare in amazement. How did I not know this was here?

A little pond is frozen over. With the stars and moon light bouncing off, it is giving it a beautiful glow. Trees are covered in white. "I love coming here, it is just captivating," he says. I nod. "You.... intrigue me," I say. He smiles. "In a good or bad way?" he asks. "I am not sure yet," I reply. His eyes are so intense. He steps towards me. "We should get back," he says, taking my hand and guiding me back. "Jake," I say. He turns and looks at me. "When can I read it?" I ask.
"Read it when you're alone. Not alone like no one is around, but when you feel alone," he says, before heading inside. I stare at him, curiosity taking over. I always feel alone though, I think to myself. I follow him inside. Derek and Emily are in the kitchen making breakfast.

 " Y'all hungry? " Derek asks. "Yes, starving" Jake says. "I'll eat later. I am going to go shower," I say. They nod.  I head upstairs. "Did she eat at all yesterday?" Emily asks. Derek looks at her. "I made her breakfast yesterday. She sat with y'all for lunch. Why?" he asks. "I never see her eat," Emily says. "She didn't touch her lunch," Jake says. Derek walks over to the trash and moves a few things. "She thew her breakfast away," he says, looking at Emily.  "What do y'all think it is?" he asks. Emily shakes her head. "I don't know, but will figure it out," she says, touching his arm. He smiles at her.

(Jake's point of view)
I look at my sister with Derek.  They look good together.  I have never seen her take to someone so fast. My mind wanders back to Stormie. She isn't eating. I don't know why it bothers me so much, but it does. I barely know her.

(Stormie's point of view)
I throw on a black band tee for my favorite band, Icon For Hire. I put on my jeans and boots. I grab the jacket Jake gave me. I smile to myself. I feel so silly. I put my hand in the pocket and feel the note. I make my way downstairs. "Can I talk to you outside for a moment?" Derek asks. I look at him. "Sure." We step outside. "When was the last time you ate?" he asks, studying me like I am going to lie.

"I don't know, yesterday?" I reply.  He raises an eyebrow. "You didn't eat breakfast and you didn't eat lunch, according to them," he says, crossing his arms. "What, are y'all tracking my calories?" I ask, glaring at him. He sighs. "Stormie, I am just worried about you. You have to eat," he says. "I do eat," I snap back, feeling annoyed now. He closes his eyes. "Storm, I am not trying to accuse you of anything. You've... hurt yourself before in other ways," he says. Jake and Emily are coming outside now. Great, I think to myself.