Can You Feel My Heart?

Wait

"Everything...affects everything."
-Jay Asher

Very simple, and very true. It's not complicated, as most true statements are.

Well done, Mr. Asher.

•••
Ten Days Before
There was a party taking place at Sam Vids house, his parents going away for the month. Every senior was going, including Jake. He knew his father wouldn't care if he didn't come home.

Jaylnn heard that Jake was going, and he immediately wanted to tag along.

"No, Jay." Jake had repeated himself for the third time, and he suddenly began to show irritation.

"Jake, pleeeaaaassse," Jaylnn begged. He didn't want to stay home while most of the school would be having fun.

"You're too young!"

"I am not. And if I'm too young, then why are some of the other freshmen going," Jaylnn asked, matter-of-factly.

"Because they are idiots and want to grow up too fast," Jake shouted. Then he went up to his room to get ready.

•••

Music blared from the house while Jake stood outside, taking deep breaths. He knew in his heart that Jaylnn was smart, and wouldn't make the same mistakes Jake did when he attended his first party as a freshman.

Jake didn't want his brother to do drugs or drink or have sex, like Jake did. He made a lot of mistakes that night, trying to fit in with everyone else.

But this time he didn't want to fit in. He wanted to sit down, enjoy the music, and possibly talk to Florence if she appeared.

So Jake walked in the house, feeling the air get stuffy as different smells wafted around him. Perfume, cologne, sweat, and...weed.

Most of the couches and seats were occupied by couples kissing and friends talking. There was a free seat across the room, and Jake made his way towards it. And then he bumped into someone, nearly spilling the drink in her hand.

"Woah," she slurred. The girl moved her hair out of her face. Florence.

"Uh...ehm." Jake didn't know what to say. His only friend stood in front of him, drunk off her ass.

"Hey, Jake!"

"Florence. You're drunk," Jake explained. Her black eyebrows knit together in confusion, leaving a little crease in her forehead.

Jake grabbed her shoulders and tried to lead her to the empty seat, but she shook her head.

"No," she smiled mischievously.

"Why not?" Jake was the confused one now.

"Let's go upstairs," she pulled at his arm.

"Florence. Please."

"What? I just want to go upstairs," she giggled. So off they went, upstairs, Florence dragging Jake behind her as she counted each step she climbed.

They walked into a room, obviously meant for a guest. Florence climbed on the bed and began to jump up and down.

"Whoooohoooo," she exclaimed, her cheeks getting red. "Join me, Jake. Its so funnnn!"

Jake just shook his head, sitting on the floor, waiting for Florence to tire herself out.

And eventually she did. Her jumps became more shallow, and her breaths heavier. She jumped one last time before letting herself fall on the bed. She then reached towards Jake, her arms outstretched.

"Jake," she whispered.

"Yes?"

"Stay with me," she mumbled. Jake walked over to the bed and laid down next to her.

"Okay. Always."

•••

Jake woke to the sound of screaming. It was Florence, and she was not next to him anymore. He grew anxious as he exited the room and ran to the door where the screaming was coming from. The party was still going on, even though the clock on the wall read three o'clock.

"Jake!" Her panicked voice made the situation much worse then he imagined.

"Jake," a voice came from behind him. He turned around quickly, only to see Jaylnn.

"What the fuck are you doing here," Jake screamed. "I told you to stay home! Go home! Go!"

Jaylnn tried to speak, but Jake was already turned towards the door again, banging against it.

"Florence!"

He heard her say something.
"...Stop, please....Talk to...."
Then louder, "Jake, help m-"
Silence.

•••

Heartache is nothing compared to loss. Or are they the same thing, both being a loss of love?
Yours Truly,
Quiet Observer.