𝐒𝐓𝐔𝐂𝐊 𝐎𝐍 𝐇𝐈𝐌

Chp 29- Mixed emotions

He had just about reached the door when he heard mumma's voice calling from the kitchen. "Wait a minute, dear," she called. "Breakfast is almost ready."

"I should take a leave," he replied awkwardly, his eyes darting around the room. "No, no, come and have breakfast with us. Then you can go or ask Sarah to come along to school with you. Mumma said, trying to lighten the mood. "I'm not going to school, Mom," I replied, feeling a little embarrassed by the whole situation. "Okay, at least let him have breakfast, Sarah," she said, turning back to the stove.

He walked back to the kitchen where Mumma was frying eggs and making toast. He sat down at the table with me but the atmosphere was a little awkward and shy. We ate in silence, unsure of what to say to each other. Suddenly, I felt a kick on my feet, and a cough escaped me. Jake was sitting adjacent to me. We both looked at each other, and our eyes were locked.

"Sorry about that," Jake said, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's okay," I replied, feeling a little relieved that he had broken the silence. "I didn't mean to kick you."

"I know," I said, giving him a small smile. "It's just that things have been a little weird between us since...well, you know."

"Yeah," he said, nodding his head. "I know what you mean."

We continued to eat in silence, but the tension between us had lessened somewhat.

"I got up to pour myself some orange juice, and as I reached for the jug, our fingers brushed. I felt a spark in my stomach, and I couldn't help but wonder if he felt it too. It was a small moment, but it felt significant somehow. I tried to shake the feeling off and focus on getting my drink, but the memory of that touch lingered with me.

As I got up grabbing the juice, I accidentally bumped into Jake who was done with his breakfast passing behind me. The juice spilled all over my dress and on him too. I was mortified and didn't know what to do. I apologized profusely, but the damage was already done. He was kind enough to help me clean up the mess, But I couldn't help but feel embarrassed by the whole situation."

"I went upstairs to change .After I was done, I heard a knock at the door. To my surprise, it was Jake. He seemed hesitant at first, but then asked if he could come in. I said yes, and he came in.

He started "you don't have to worry about James anymore..." but he was interrupted by the sight of the bracelet I had on my dressing table.

"Um, can you hand me the charm that I gave you?" he asks, his tone playful yet still somehow nervous. I nod and gladly surrender the charm to him, wondering what he has planned.

I feel a tinge of excitement as I watch him attach it to the bracelet, our eyes meeting briefly before he shifts his gaze away again.

He makes me wear the bracelet and says "Looks even more beautiful on you," and I can't help but smile.

I notice how his hand is cradling mine, our fingers intertwined. After a few moments of silence, he breaks the spell, shifting to face me. Our eyes lock, but suddenly I realize and clear my throat, separating our hands. The cold hits my fingers, and I struggle to hide my diffidence as I yearn for the warmth of his touch once more.

"Umm sorry I did not intend to make you uncomfortable" he says But then a gentle warmth envelopes me once again, as his hand finds mine and closes around it, our fingers intertwining once more.

His touch is tender and comforting, making all the worries fade away. It's as if we are the only two people alive in this world.

"Oh,God what's happening, I'm sorry again" he says as our encounter is interrupted by an unexpected, biting chill, as a gust of wind blows through the air. I look down and see my fingers are no longer wrapped around his, now hanging limply at my side.