Invisible

Chapter 24 Familiar Faces, New Problems

Whistling... Yep that's whistling, I pull the pillow beside me over my head. He always was a morning person.

"Make it stop." I groan before my snooze alarm beeps and I smash my hand into the button.

"Leah?" There's a knock on my door. "I made breakfast, you'd better get out here while it's still warm."

Tossing on my robe and brushing my hair takes about a minute and I cautiously step into the clanging and clattering that fills my kitchen with noise and see Jacob's bare back as he tosses another set of pancakes into the oven to keep them warm. He looks over his shoulder and smiles.

"How were the dreams?" He bluntly asks as he sets the tray of hot cakes on the table alongside a plate full of cheese and sausage patties.

I turn to stare at him, it's Jacob. The one who used to get the late night calls whenever I had a terror, who held me when I cried no matter what he had to do to be there. It just feels weird that he knows so much about me all of a sudden.

"None last night actually..." But I don't think I actually even slept.

"That's fantastic. So," he sits across from me at the small table and serves up a stack of the steaming pancakes for me before taking some for himself, "how are you?"

Such a simple question... Such a complicated answer. I take a bite of breakfast and close my eyes to take in the light and perfect taste and texture of the pancakes, every bit as sweet as I remembered. When I open my eyes Jacob is looking intently at me and I drop my eyes back to my food.

"Good?"

"You have no idea how much I missed these." I say quietly.

"More than me?" He has that hint of teasing in his voice that I used to give into, it effects me differently and I can't pinpoint why. It gets under my skin.

"Almost." I force a smile and keep on eating.

"So Leah, that guy who was here last night... Hunter..." The way he says it makes me uncomfortable.

"Oh my gosh! I gotta get to work!" I cut him off and run to the bathroom, taking a fast shower and brushing my teeth before thundering back across the living room and kitchen and slamming my bedroom door.

"And what am I supposed to do while you're at work?" Jacob asks as I open the door, fully dressed for the day.

"Did you tell your mom you weren't dead yet?" I can't help it, my voice drips with anger, I've moved past the shock of seeing him now I'm just upset.

"Hey! Leah!" Jacob grabs my arm as I tug my shoes on and stand to leave. "I know I hurt you and abandoned you, but please don't do this. I still love you."

Now I need to get out of here before I lose it, I'm so close to breaking down right now and I'm in so much pain.

"Please, Jacob this is too much. I need space, I need time. Please call your mom." I jerk my arm out of his grasp and leave. I should call my therapist and set up an appointment, I should call in sick, get things sorted out, instead I go to work.

Things are quiet today, the second day back passes without incident. Tori leaves me alone and I keep a wide birth between myself and her. I don't speak to anyone all morning and even the costumers seem to avoid me, I guess people are afraid of me now that they know who I am.

"Leah, you alright? It looks like you've seen a ghost." Al's reassuring hand lands on my back as I'm signing out for the day. I look at him too quick and too shocked to hide anything. "What?"

"You don't know how close to the truth..." I shake my head to clear it. "Um..."

"Are you free for dinner? Maggie and I were hoping you'd be available. Gordi just got home from observation and he always settles back down when the family gets together."