catch me

part 2

A mixture of shock and sadness washed over me, how could they break up? They seemed like the perfect couple. I always thought I would never have a chance because of how strong their relationship was. Jake started to stare of into the distance. I couldn't bare his anguish any longer, I stood up, rounded the table, and wrapped my arms around him. His head was level with my stomach, and he leaned against it. Neither of us said anything for what felt like an eternity. I unconsciously started to stoke his curly hair, and I quickly stopped what I realized what kind of impression my gestures could give. But as I stopped, he wrapped his arms around my midsection, and he started to cry. I was surprised, but I also welcomed our close proximity, and was strangely happy that he felt comfortable with me to show his vulnerability. I tried not to focus on our touch, but instead on soothing him.

I don't know how long we stayed in like that, an eternity seemed to pass by the time I cleared my throat and suggested that maybe we should find somewhere more private. I had previously noticed some of the cafe's patrons and baristas looking over at us curiously and I thought he would need the privacy to let his emotions out.

I drove us over to my dorm, texting my roommate ahead of time, but she was out with friends and wouldn't be back till later. I led Jake by the hand through the labyrinth that was the dormitory hall, until we reached my flowery decorated door.

He had been uncharacteristically quiet, trapped inside his head. Once inside my dorm, I asked if he wanted anything to eat or drink, but he didn't reply. So, I opted to give him a bottle of water.

I sat down opposite of him on my small futon couch,

"Do you want to talk about it?" my voice was almost a whisper. Jake looked up and met my eyes, they held onto for a moment too long.

"She cheated on me." his eyes dropped to his hands in his lap. Horror washed over my face, and I suddenly felt drained.

Faith never took me for the cheating type, every time I saw them together, she clung to his arm, played with his hair, held his hand.

"When did it happen?" I dared to ask.

He let out a dark chuckle,

"It didn't happen just once, a few times actually, with her ex, Evan."

Anger suddenly boiled in my blood. He didn't deserve this...

Jake continued,

"We went to a carnival, and he was there. I hadn't seen Evan, since high school, we used to be friends actually." he paused taking a breath. I could tell having to tell me about it made his wounds bleed more.

"He stuck around for a while; we played a few games. I was fine at first but then,

his breath hitches

"I saw the way she looked at him."

Tears slipped down his cheeks again, he was breaking down again. I hated seeing him like this, he didn't deserve it, and more importantly Faith didn't deserve him. I scooted closer to him, wrapped my arms around him, and he cried into my shoulder.

He stayed with me for a few hours, eventually falling asleep on the futon, I had a paper due, and he said that I should work, he just didn't want to be alone.

When my roommate got back Jake excused himself, said that there was something he needed to do.

Over the next week, I didn't see much of Jake, but one night around 2pm, I got a text,

jake 💛

audio file

Still half asleep, I fumbled around in the dark for my earbuds, the cords twisted together, and it took me a hot minute to untangle them.