Heartstrings

Chapter 28: Whispered

Jake's Perspective

Friday morning, my eyes peeled open, blinking as they adjusted to the golden glow pouring through Emma's window. My mind lazily climbed out from the realm of my subconscious just as the very real stiffness of my muscles came back to me.

Groaning, I slowly turned onto my left side where my abs were less bruised and came face to face with a sleeping Emma. She wore a serene expression in her sleep, and I instinctively drank in her features. But as my eyes traced the curve of her cheekbone down to her jaw, my gut flooded with a pang of guilt and humiliation.

I was selfish for bringing her into this, but more than that... I felt embarrassed and furious that she'd seen me at my weakest... again. How could I protect her and be with her when I couldn't even take care of myself? I'd fought so hard to convince her to be a part of my life, and now it was on the verge of falling apart.

My throat began to constrict and my eyes stung, ushering forth stinging tears. I swallowed hard and blinked tightly, willing myself to keep my composure. But it was as if she could sense my consciousness, because a second later, Emma breathed in deeply and her eyes fluttered open on a deep exhale. I watched her large pupils contract, revealing that silvery halo of her irises.

- Hey, you.

I gulped back my tears as the musical lilt of her voice made the hairs of my arm stand on end, confusing my emotions even further. She reached forward and gently combed through my hair with the tips of her fingers.

- How long have you been awake?

- Not long...

My voice was hoarse and weak, so I cleared my throat, hoping she wouldn't notice anything was off. I flipped onto my back, and listened closely to her steady breathing as my eyes bore a hole into the ceiling. After a few minutes of silence, Emma sat up, leaning on her elbow, and brought her lips to my right temple, placing the gentlest kiss on a tender spot.

- How about some water and more medicine?

Without waiting for an answer, she slid off the bed and disappeared into the bathroom. I let out a breath of relief and shut my eyes, panting through the panic that was permeating in my chest. All my emotions were beginning to bleed together - my feelings for Emma, the fear of my father, my desperation for a way out, and the resurfacing despair over my mother's death - until I couldn't tell what I was supposed to feel at all.

A cool, damp cloth was finally placed on my forehead, and I opened my eyes and found Emma sitting on the edge of the bed with a glass of water in her hands. Her face was calm and unchanging.

- You're burning up. Here...

I sat up and accepted the glass of water she handed me and sipped on it. She handed me medicine and I begrudgingly took it, avoiding meeting her eyes. Fuck, I felt weak.

An overwhelming urge to push her away overcame me and my breathing became more and more shallow. How dare she treat me like I'm some injured child that needs taking care of! I've taken care of myself for years now. Why did I even come back here?

I heard Emma's voice, but her words were muffled by a ringing in my ears. I began to flail my arms and legs, pushing the covers off me as everything began to close in around me.
- Just stop, Emma! Back off for fuck's sake!
Emma's blurry figure backed away as I closed my eyes and darkness overtook my senses.  

X

I opened my eyes, gasping and sitting straight up. My eyes, frantic and disoriented, scanned the room - no more sunshine and no more Emma. She'd left a light on for me with a glass of water and more medicine, both of which I gratefully took.