YOU

Chapter 4 (Jake)

It had been a day since I told Hayley. I was sitting in the hotel room. Hayley had her eyes in a novel. "Shadows of the past" by Eliza Bennett. Something I knew all thanks to Sydney. Hayley looked cute with specs on. Almost like Leah. She was untouchable ecstasy. The second I came in contact, I'd be addicted. I started to quietly sing. 'They want to take you from me, drug me up and leave me lonely, I swear, they say that you're not real, but I know you are.' It was a song from a singer we both liked. Her face would glow up whenever an Ari Abdul song played. Hayley was looking at me. She had probably heard me. I don't know how, but I was falling for her. I didn't know what she thought about me. 'What's going on in your head detective ?' She asked. 'It's just that you feel like Leah. I just have been a bit off.' She looked at me. Her brown hair was tied in a bun and held by a pencil. She walked up to the couch . It faced my apartment building. I could see a small figure at the apartment. I was positive it was Leah having her coffee. Hayley kept her hand on my shoulder. 'It's okay to be off sometimes Jake. You've been through a lot.' She replied. Her voice was soft and comforting. She was peeling me layer by layer. 'You just have that light like her. Being a ray of hope in the dark.' I said. 'I may not be Leah, but I care about you.' Hayley replied. Her words had hit me hard. All my walls were breaking down in front of her. 'I know. Thank you.' I replied. 'You don't have to thank me Jake. Just...let me be there for you.' She replied. It was clear. She had feelings for me. 'Hayley...I' I started. My voice faltering. She was right besides me on the couch now. She looked into my eyes before leaning in. Never in a thousand years did I imagine that my first kiss would be a celebrity. She closed the distance between us. Her soft lips gently brushed against mine. My hands were now on her neck. Her hands were on my neck. The kiss felt like a question. Me kissing her back was an answer. Her kiss deepened. Thank god I had two sisters. They both had told me to use my tongue. My tongue slowly entered her mouth. A few seconds later, we pulled away, breathless. I had just gotten a taste of heaven. She breathed for a few seconds and then, her feet touched the area to sit on the couch. Her thighs were on mine. Her hands went to my shoulders. My hands went to her waist. Her lips collided with mine. Her kisses grew much more urgent. I replied by following her pace. My heart was racing. Hayley pulled away. 'Guess that we're more than friends now.' She said. Her breath was close to me. 'I guess so.' I replied while processing everything. Her hand was in mine. 'Can I ask you something ?' 'Sure Hayley.' 'What's your favorite memory with Leah ?' She asked. Her tone was careful. The one to use when on really thin ice. 'There was one time when I took her out to get her mind of her stepfather. We went to a nice place in Venice Beach.  I remember that night. It was during the "God's watching" tour.' I said. 'She must be really special to you.' Hayley said. 'She was the one person who broke my layers in high school. She's family.' I said. 'I know this girl I wanna date. Her name's Hayley. I hope that she could go out with me once this thing is solved.' 'I'm sure that Hayley would say yes.' She replied. That's when my phone rang. It was Leah. 'Hey L.' I said. 'He ca...called me.' She said. Her voice was faltering. I knew exactly who it was. 'Leah, I'm coming. I'm just besides the building.' I said. Hayley had grabbed her phone and room key card. I opened the door after grabbing my mac book. I could feel the straps of the drop leg holster I was wearing contract and relax. I took the stairs. I ran to my building and then ran up thirty two flights. I was more than exhausted. I opened the door. I saw the Leah that I saw the night I took her to the hospital. She was scared. She immediately hugged me. Her eyes had tears flowing through them. She had finally healed old wounds to get them ripped open. 'He called my phone up somehow.' Leah said. I could see her finger caressing her most painful and prominent scar. A cut from a knife. Hayley was standing in the doorway. I was besides Leah. Our backs touching the large glass panes. I knew that I had to keep Leah safe this time. 'Cancel your ticket to Seattle.' I said. She nodded instantly.