Jake and Me.

Chapter 6: Forgiveness.

JAKE DAWSON:

I went home that day, exhausted from our victory. But I couldnt stop thinking about Gabrielle's bravery. The way she wasn't afraid to stand up for me. No girl has ever done that for me.

But why? I was such an dick to her the first few days she was here. I decide to shoot her a message.

"Hey Gabrielle. Do you think we can maybe meet up tommorow? I wanna chat with you."

To my suprise she responds pretty quickly.

"Sure. Want to meet at Dawn's Cafe?"

I respond with a yes, and that I'd see her at 10.

I close my eyes and imagine the sweet scene of having lunch together.

Wait why am I dreaming about that!?!?!

JAKE DAWSON SNAP OUT OF IT. With that I force myself to go to sleep.

Surprisingly I guess I did.

I yawn stretching out big, grabbing my phone to check the time.

9:37 a.m

It's nine thirty-seven. ITS NINE THIRTY-SEVEN.

I GOTTA GET READY.

I jump out of bed and head to my closet, I decided since it was going to be pretty warm today, I'd wear some black shorts, and a blue nike shirt.

I slip on my black dunks, and I'm racing out the door and into my car. I realize not after the Cafe we picked is 10 mintues from my house. It says I'm gonna be there at 9:56.

But I dont trust the time. I go at least 5 over the speed limit, now checking the clock and its 9:54.

I pull into Dawn's cafe. And go inside. I see her sitting at a table for 2 in the back corner right by a window.

"Good morning.", I say sitting down.

"About time, I'm starving."

I look her and her laugh. "Sorry to hold you up, I almost slept in."

"Sounds like you.", she says smiling at me.

Just then the waiter walks over. "Aww you two are just a cute couple..."

I look at the waitress then over to Gabrielle who's trying not to laugh.

"I uh...",I say rubbing the back of my neck, "were not a couple."

"Oh goodness I'm sorry!", she says sweetly.

"Its alright.", Gabrielle says. "I'll take the... sweet waffle special, and a vanilla milkshake."

"Of course!", she says writing it down. "And for you dear?"

She looks at me, and I snap out of my trance. "Yes uh, the western styled omelet, and a vanilla milkshake."

She nods saying it will be right out, as soon as she walks away Gabrielle let's out a laugh. "Can you believe she thinks we're a couple?!"

"Hey don't act like it's a bad thing.", I say looking at her.

"I'll pass.", she says smirking.

"You can't resist my charm.", I joke rolling my eyes.

"Oh yeah?", she says leaning in so close to me her face is inches from mine.

I stare at her, then find myself fighting the urge to not kiss her. I look from her eyes to her lips, and at each one of her cute faded freckles.

Suddenly I decide that two can play this game. I brush a piece of hair behind her ear and caress her cheek.

Her gorgeous tan turns into a red, as she backs away.

"Couldn't handle the charm?"

She shakes her head. "Bull your being way to over the top attractive."

She realizes what she said only too late.

"I uh...there's our food!!", she says changing the subject.

The waitress sits down our food, and tells us to enjoy.

I enjoy my food, as I haven't had such a good omelet in hot a mintute.

Gabrielle seemed really flustered even though she didn't want to admit it.

We kept up a good talk. Talk about highschool so far, football games, life in general.

.."Your so not funny.", Gabrielle laughs taking a final sip of her milkshake.

"Yeah yeah. Ready to go?", I ask standing up.

She nods getting up to, only her shirt gets caught on something, and as she pulls on it it rips.

It ripped a small chunk out of her shirt. It went from her left lower ribcage to her hip. I laugh at first only until I notice the scar.

There was a hole shaped scar with streaks around it.

Gabrielle sees that I've noticed and she covers her waist. "I uh let's just go."

She walks close to me as we pay and leave a tip. As soon as we were out of the building she goes to walk away, but I gently grab her wrist.

"Where are you going?"

She looks at me confused. "Home?"

I smile. "Could I take you home so you don't have to walk?"

"I enjoy walking, but sure."

She follows me to my truck, and I start it. I offer to drive her around for a bit, then finally after a while I decide it's time to go home.

I pull into her driveway, and before she can think about getting out I gently place my hand on top of hers.

"Gabrielle?", I ask.

"Yes?", she looks at my hand then back to my eyes. Her face was red.

"If you don't mind me asking what happened?"

She seems to know what im talking about. She scoots up in the seat and turns her left hip towards me so I could see the scar, then she turns around and shows me her back. I could vividly see a scar in the same spot on her back.

It only then hits me. "Is that a bullet hole?"

She nods. "Its a long story....I dont know if you'll wanna hear it."

I nod, "No please, go ahead...that is if you want."

She nods. "Well last school year, around the end, I was involved in a....."

She pauses and what she says next shocks me.

"...a school shooting. and well let's just say I got shot trying to protect my best friend from flying bullets who also got shot."

I sat there in shock. When waves of guilt wash over me, as I was a complete asshole to her the first few weeks she was here.

"And well....my best friend....didn't make it.", she says tears welling in her eyes.

I gently wrap her in a hug. "Gabrielle I am so sorry. I had no idea that you went through that, and all this time before I was a douche to you."

"Its okay jake. You've made up for it.", she says pulling away from the hug gently before stepping out of the car

"Bye jake..", she says smiling.

"Bye Gabrielle."

She goes to shut the door then pauses. "Oh and jake?"

"Yes?"

"You can call me Gabi.", she says shutting the door softly.