Scream for love

Chapter fourteen

After three weeks, Vergilia came back to school. She still had the cast and used crutches, but apart from that, she looked okay. Damien carried her backpack around, Jake could see that he was still beating himself up. Jake closed his eyes and relaxed, as he was sitting on the windowsill next to the stairs, until the bell to the first classes rang. The classroom was upstairs, so Jake waited for most of the students to pass him by. What caught his attention was Damien helping his sister. It didn't seem to be enough, since he had only one arm free. Jake contemplated, if he should step in, before he did, when he saw Vergilia almost lose her balance. He jumped of the windowsill and walked up to them.

-Damien, take her crutches. - he said.

-What are you doing? - asked Vergilia, as Damien did what he was told.

-I didn't carry you out of the fire just to have you snap your neck on those damn stairs. - Jake said, before he picked Vergilia up bridal style. She held onto him and it did feel somehow nice.

-It was you? - she asked and that's when Jake scolded himself in his head. He didn't want Vergilia to know, but he spoke without thinking.

-Yeah. - he nodded as he carried her to the classroom.

Once they were on the spot, their classmates awed and whistled at them. Jake could see that Victoria was pissed off, but for once it wasn't his problem. Damien laughed at the reaction of other students, before Jake spoke up.

-Shut the hell up all of you. - he said. - Nice to see any of you trying to help by the way. - that shut them up.

Then he carefully set Vergilia on her feet, before she took the crutches from her brother.

-Thank you. - she said, looking at Jake.- For then and now.

-I'll be around, don't use the stairs without me. - Jake instructed. - If I will have to go somewhere, I will leave a member of my team to assist you.

-I don't think it's necessary. - Vergilia argued. - All I need is some practice.

-Practice on an even ground, not on the stairs. - Jake answered, ending the discussion.

Jake kept his word, he carried Vergilia up and down the stairs for the whole day, and next ones that came after. She opposed from time to time, but it was clear to her, that Jake wouldn't stop. Every time he was needed by Halvor, or had to intervene in some ruckus, Vergilia was left with Damien, also with Arthur nearby too. Even though Arthur was better built than Jake, Vergilia didn't want him to carry her. All he could do was holding her up, making sure she didn't fall.

-Arthur! - Jake was nearing to them with a frown on his face. Arthur tensed, as he would feel the scolding coming. - You should have carried Vergilia down.

-I didn't let him, don't get angry at him. - Vergilia immediately stepped in.

-I told him to make sure you're safe. - Jake answered.

-He does, I just don't want to carry me. - Vergilia argued. - I let you do that, because you're just too stubborn, but he doesn't have to.

Jake took a deep breath and slowly let it out to calm down. Then he closed his eyes for a second, before opening them again.

-Fine. - he said, noticeably calmer. - Arthur, you're free. Thanks.

-Anytime. - Arthur nodded and left them.

Vergilia started making her way to the classroom, where their next lesson was supposed to take place. Jake didn't feel like doing the same, he joined Sebastian and the basketball team for the break. Recently he felt very tired, probably his body was reacting to doing more physical work than usually. He plopped down on the chair next to Jared and leaned on the table.

-You look like you really need a break.- said Curtis, slightly worried.

-I will get one when Vergilia won't need the crutches anymore. - Jake sighed in response.

-How long will it take? - asked Jared.

-I don't care. - Jake muttered.

They gave each other a knowing look, but they didn't continue the subject. Last thing they needed was Jake getting angry, and whenever he was tired, the probability of him lashing out was higher. Better solution was just letting him relax with them.