Secret Love

Untrue feelings, an accident, and a fight

Jason's pov

My dad comes home drunk again. He throws a whiskey bottle at me and I run upstairs to my room, slamming the door. I want to go to Miranda's house like I usually do but with the way things have been between us... Oh what the hell. I'm going over there anyway. I sneak out my window and run to her house. She and her dad are watching TV when I get there. He waves. She stares at the popcorn in her lap. Her dad leaves to his room and I sit beside her. She stays quiet. "My... Uh..." "I know. Your dad." She says. "Are you mad at me?" "No. Of course not. I'm mad about that bitch that was taking advantage of you." She grumbles, glaring at the TV. Why would she be mad? Unless she's jealous!? I stare at her trying to tell but her usually easy to read emotions are masked and I can't decipher a single thing. I keep my mouth shut though. We sit there just watching TV until a knock on the door startles me. "Hide. Just in case." She says. I sigh and nod.

Miranda's pov

I open the door and it's just Jacob and Tyler. "It's just the guys!" I call. Jason walks back out. He waves to the guys. It's about time for dinner so I go start it. "You guys staying for dinner?" I ask. I know Jason is but I don't know about the others. I don't hear a reply so I just go back to making dinner and I put my headphones in, listening to a little Johnny Cash.

Jason's pov

"Dude, we need to talk." Jacob says. I pull my stare from the TV to look at him. "About what?" I ask. "That party. What the hell happened?" "Nothing man. That chick just used me to get to her boyfriend and make him jealous. I'm not good at this dating thing so I wasn't really sure what was going on." Both of them laugh. "Not that. You and Miranda." Tyler says. My palms sweat. Uh oh. "What about us?" Tyler glances in the kitchen. "Dude, it's plain as the damn boots on your feet you love her." My face gets red but I hide it with my hat. "No of course not. She's like a sister to me."

Miranda's pov

My eyes tear up, hearing him say that. I knew it. I knew there was no way he liked me. I misplace the pot from my sadness and it falls. The boiling water landing on my legs, making me scream. Instantly the boys and my dad rush into the room. Tears not just from the pain but from sadness of knowing Jason doesn't love me back course down my cheeks. My body hurts unbearably but somehow I remain standing.

Jason's pov

I see her knees give out and rush to catch her. Her jeans are soaked. An empty pot lay beside her. "It.... It hurts so bad." She whimpers. "What happened?" Jacob asks. "Isn't it obvious dumbass!? She spilled boiling water on herself. Someone call a damn ambulance!" I shout terrified. Her dad pulls out his phone. "Don't worry sugar, help is on the way." "Jason. I... Can't feel my legs." I wonder how bad it is.

*10 minutes later*

They get her in the ambulance and I watch them take away the girl I love. I instantly jump in her truck and tear down the road to the hospital.

Miranda's pov

I shakily open my eyes. My legs are killing me. My vision is cloudy. I see shapes. "Sugar?" "Jason?" I whisper. He comes into focus, a worried look on his face. I force a smile and his face relaxes. "What happened?" I whimper. "Burns on your legs." He says. I realize everyone else from my squad along with my dad and Alex's girlfriend are also in the room. I look around the room then try to sit up but the pain makes me cry out. A doctor walks in. "Ok there's too many people in here." He says, making tears come to my eyes. I grab Jason's arm. "Don't leave me!" I cry, desperate. A tired smile lands on his face. "Of course not, sugar. I haven't left this room once." That's when I notice a little stubble on his cheeks and chin. "H-How long was I out?" I ask. Everyone else leaves. "About a week and a half. We really thought you were gonna die." His words send a chill down my back. He notices. "But don't worry you're okay now. Well... Except for the burns." I touch my leg, making me wince in unbearable pain. "Don't do that." He says.

Jason's pov

She looks up at me with tears in her eyes. "I don't know what I'd do without you. You're my best friend." I hate that I'm such a fucking chicken. "You're my best friend too." I say, hugging her. I sit in the chair beside her bed. The face she's making is her in pain face. The same face she always had on those six months with that cast on her arm after an ATV accident. The same face when she stuck her hand in the river during winter on a dare to see how long she could last. She ended up having hypothermia. I'm pulled from my memories when she grabs the bedsheets and grits her teeth in pain. "I'll call a doctor." I say, standing up. "No. Don't." She says, shooting a hand up. I hold it. "Why not?" "I don't want a damn doctor. I'm fine." She's so stubborn. And she's not fine. I can tell. But I do as she says. "Jason, I heard what you said." She whispers, finally opening her eyes again. Those amazing gold eyes that I've never seen anywhere else. Oh wait what did she say?! "Y-You what?" I choke out, wide eyed. "I heard what you said." She repeats. Shit! "I'm just glad you feel the same. I don't want things to be awkward between us." She continues. Wait what?! My heart just shatters. She doesn't like me back. I knew it. Thank God I never told her. "Uh... Y-Yeah the guys were being teasers." I mumble, rubbing the back of my neck. The girl I love doesn't love me. My life is over. "I'm glad you're okay." I force myself to say, fighting back tears. "I've gotta go. My dad wanted me back home soon." I lie. My dad doesn't give a shit. She stares at me oddly, trying to figure it out. But I quickly leave the room before she can ask. I whip out my fake ID and get a 12 pack of Budweiser and a glass of royal crown. I get home, instantly downing like three beers. My dad isn't the only one getting drunk today. Speak of the damn devil he walks out of the kitchen. "What the hell?" "Fuck off." I growl, taking a large gulp of the whiskey, my throat burning. "What did you say to me boy?" He growls back, furious. I stand up, sick of his bullshit. "I said fuck off. Got a problem with that?!" I shout. He grabs my neck, throwing me to the ground and trying to choke me. I still have the crown and I smash it over his head. I punch him in the jaw and pull out my switchblade. Breathing heavily, I hold it out in front of me. "You're dead kid!" "Whatever I don't care anymore!" He charges. I dodge, losing my balance though from drinking. He pins me down, slamming my hand down trying to get the switchblade. I wriggle out from under him and run out the front door. My arm dislocated, my lip and nose bleeding and my eye swollen shut. I get a text from Tyler saying she's home. I drive over to her house.

Miranda's pov

My dad lays me on the couch and the door opens. Jason. Oh man! "Your dad got ya again?" I ask. He nods, glaring at the ground, his fists clenched. "How are you doing?" "My legs burn like a motherfucker." I respond as he sits down. "Jason stay at our house tonight." My dad says, making me smile. He smiles too. "Thanks sir." He nods and pats his shoulder. The meds are making me extremely tired. I tell him and he smiles again. "Just sleep then sugar. I'm right here." I nod. "Don't leave." "Never." I drift off to sleep.