The Firefly

31º

Once I had washed the dishes I ran, literally, to my room and, closing the door tightly, scolded myself.

It wasn't the first time I had liked someone... but never had anyone attracted and confused me at the same time as Jake Hale.

I couldn't remember any guy who had given me such aggressive butterflies in my stomach or had ever knocked me out with just a smile.

In the hot shower I tried to concentrate only on washing my hair thoroughly and avoiding anything that made me think of that scurvy Greek god.

I concentrated on Axel, thinking back to our messages and phone chats.

He was a precious boy, polite and definitely sociable, much more so than anyone else.

I put music on my phone as I dried my hair and put on my make-up.

I wore a black sweater which I then slipped into a pair of jeans, put on a pair of ordinary white Nike shoes and then slipped on my beige coat.

I let my hair down after straightening my glasses, grabbed my suitcase, turning around and checking I hadn't forgotten anything and then left the room.

Was I excited? Yes.

Was I anxious, nervous, about spending Christmas with the Hale family and especially that Hale? Yes, even more so.

But even so, I walked down the stairs trying to look confident in the eyes of the others.

Jake was waiting for me at the front door holding nothing but his cane.

-The suitcase? - I asked him gathering all the courage I had in my body.

-It's already in the car.- He said in a low voice without ever opening his eyes as if afraid to meet mine.

He was wearing a beautiful grey turtleneck jumper with black jeans and a pair of low, white, expensive shoes.

He adjusted his trusty dark glasses and then ran a hand through his raven hair, signalling me with his head to come out.

I rushed to his side and he, with a frightening grace, grabbed onto my arm, turning his face away.

The walk from the villa to the car seemed to take forever, I tried to ignore the irregular beat of my heart.

Liam was waiting for us right outside the gate and came down to help me load my suitcase into the boot of a new car: big, grey and expensive looking, also owned by Jake.

I helped the boy into the car and then sat down beside him as Mr Berardi, in the driver's seat, started the car. 

I turned around as I watched the mansion get farther and farther away, Jake had suddenly become stiffer as his face turned towards the window and he clenched his jaw.

He was definitely nervous about meeting his parents again, but there was more to it than that.

He seemed agitated at the idea of being there, at my side.

I said nothing as I turned away from him and Liam watched us from the rear-view mirror.

-Are you all right Miss Hooper? You look...- He asked after a few minutes, I nodded nervously.

-Yes, I just slept badly.- I explained seeing the boy at my side whitening.

-Do you mind if I put on some music?- Liam asked at one point resting his hand on the button to turn on the radio, embarrassed.
-No.-
-Yes.-

I looked at Jake as he slowly turned his face towards me, sighing he shook his head changing his answer.

-No, turn it on.- He said softly as Liam turned on the radio after a moment of hesitation.