"What!" we yelled in unison.
"Sorry"Jake said taken a bit aback by our response "who's comming up the driveway?"
I looked out the window and ran out the door "Uncle Rain!" I exclaimed exited to see my dad's gunnie that was like family to us all."How was India? Wait no how is dad?" I said just as Chris met my side.
When I first met Uncle Rain my dad brought him back to our house so he would have somewhere to stay after his first tour. He had been tall and had some muscle but nothing compared to the amount my dad had obtained from drills,but what surprised me the most about him was his face ,he had arived at our house with a busted lip and bruises covering his face. That was the only time I had ever seen him look discouraged,he looked broken,and tired.
I looked in his eyes and saw that same look I had seen almost ten years ago I knew then it couldn't be good.
"Stef " he said taking me into his arms " and Christian my man how you been?" he asked taking him into one of those guy hugs that are like a hand shake, a pat on the back ,and a secret snap at the end.
"How bad is he?" I asked.
Rain reached for me and I shied away.
"No!"I said already knowing what the answer was.
"Stef honey I'm so sorry." he said trying once again to comfort me.
I took sevral steps back and I felt the tears welling in my eyes. No I thought don't let them fall it will only make it true. I ran back in the house and into my room slamming the door behind me.
What felt like hours later there was a knock on my door.
"Stef" a pause and a knock again "Stef open the door"
I pulled my head away from my pillow and walked to the door feeling every muscle and bone in my body strain to move and open the door.Rain was standing behind it he looked at me and pulled me to his chest. I tried to move away from him but he was no longer lanky he was built and I couldn't get away,so I started hitting him. I hit his chest ,his face, his stomach, and even resorted to below the belt he didn't budge.
"Shh" he cooed into my ear.
We stood there for a long time when I calmed down enough he let me go walked me to my bed, pulled back the covers and sat with me until I fell asleep
*****
I was awakened by a tapping noise.I slowly pushed the covers off of me and sat up. Then I heard it again but this time it was followed by the husky sound of my name coming from the window. exhausted I fell back onto by bed and closed my eyes.
I heard a deep chuckle followed my my name. I sat back up and walked to my window to fall straight on my butt.
"Stef open the window" Jake laughed.
I slowly stood up and slid open the window." what are you doing here Jake?"
"Well after you ran up to your room Christian freaked out and jumped in his car. Your Uncle Rain said he thought it would be best if I left so I did, but when I got home I couldn't stop thinking about you." He paused realizing what he'd said. "I mean I was scared for you,sorry if that sounds creapy, it's just I know how it feels."
Jake looked so naive and caring I couldn't help my self. " Oh so he does have a heart." I said aloud walking back to bed and bundling under the covers.
"Stephanie I'm serious, are you okay? he asked.I felt his presence over me as he sat down on my bed.
"Yea I'm just fine I find out my dad is dead so I try to get away from everyone only to be hounded by the new kid with the questions about how I feel and if I'm okay." I said spitting out the words while facing him.
"Stef stop being like that I'm trying to help you." he said reaching for me.
"Oh is that what you call this cause I would call it stalking." I said standing up.
He gave a quick "ha" and turned around. " Stephanie if you want me to I'll leave." He said roughly rubbing his neck. "Why did I come here anyways? I'm so stupid to ever think.........."
"To ever think what Jake that your raspy voice would make me feel better?That you admitting the fact that you were thinking about me would make the fact that my dad is......" I slumped back on my bed.
Jake sat down next to me again and put his hand to my face removing a tear I didn't know escaped from my face. "Stef if you want to be alone I understand." he said walking back towards the window.
I knew I would regret it but I did it anyway "Jake?"
"Yea?" he turned around his gaze to the floor.
"Thank you." I said walking up to him and wrapping my arms around his waste.
He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into him. "No problem Sleeping Beauty" I felt his smile on the top of my head.
"So Prince Charming?" I said looking up at his rugged face. "Do you do this often? Or is the whole nice guy slash stalker act just for me?"
"I guess you caught me " he smirked down at me "It's reserved for you,but sadly I have to go." He winked at me and jumped out the window onto the ground from the second floor without breaking stride.
Who is this guy? I thought before crawling back into bed and crying my self to sleep.
