Julie Henry

Chapter 1

Days passed by, and the end of the month came. I tried to tell Jake what had really happened but whenever I approached him, Ivy would show up. Soon I had very little courage and tried to stay away from him as much as possible. I had this theory of my own, if I didn't see him, I wouldn't wanna talk to him and clear out our misunderstandings. 'Out of sight, out of mind' right? ..Or maybe I was just scared of him yelling at me again. Well whatever the case was, I was satisfied in keeping my distance.
Jake is my neighbor, I moved to this neighborhood a few years ago and became friends with him. We got along pretty well. He used to be my best friend, my human diary and worse of all ..my first real crush.

Tomorrow is the first of October, the opening day of the cafe. I wonder if I should go or miss out on it. My brother Kevin wasn't home yet,he had started a part time job, not because he needed it but because his fiance and our neighbor Alice (Jake's sister) had pushed him towards it.
I came out to the balcony with a cup of coffee in my hand and my mind filled to the top. The stars were out bright and the wind slowly brushed against my face making it cold. I took a sip from my mug and realized I could hear Jake talking to someone on the phone. I've never been the girl who would go eavesdropping on others but it seemed as if he was having a fight with Ivy, his girlfriend, and so I supposed this could be an exception. I walked closer to the edge of the balcony towards his house. I was starting to make out his words when he slammed opened the door in anger and came out to his balcony. I turned around to walk away. Unconsciously, I took a big sip of coffee which burned my tongue and I started coughing. I kept walking away and acted as if I was walking around in my balcony unaware of his existence (yet alone what he was doing). When I turned around, I noticed he had come closer to my side. He was about to say something when my phone started to ring. I tried reaching it with the same hand holding the mug which made me spill it all over my jeans. This in turn made my fingers lose grip and there went my favorite mug (another thing I lost because of that stupid Jake) broken, lying there on the floor, defenseless, with the coffee I was so close to drinking. I answered my phone whilst wiping my jeans with nothing but my bare hand. I could here Jake laughing while going back in.
'Hello' I answered.
'Are you coming tomorrow ?'asked Ryan. Ryan was my best friend Ashley's boyfriend. Technically I didn't know Ryan that well, I had hardly met him a-few times but I knew he talked a lot.
'What ?' I asked confused.
'You're free tomorrow, right?'
'Yeah I'm free ..oh the cafe?' It was my plan to begin with of course I'm free for it! I didn't even want to invite you, Ashley and her big mouth! It was supposed to be just me, Ashley, Ronald, and Justin. Justin had backed out though, he called it a 'tea party' and labeled it too girly for his taste.
'yeah!' He exclaimed.
'I think I'll be joining you guys' I told him sarcastically.
'You think?' he asked, "Come on be straightforward" he pleaded.
'Ok yeah I'll be there' I told him straightforward, hoping this would end the conversation.
'Great!' he replied.
I went back inside and changed into my pajamas. I heard the car honk, Kevin was back. I went downstairs to open the door for him.
'So how was first day at work?' I asked.
'We had fun ... a little' Alice replied, while playing with Kevin's hair who looked like he had a rough day.
'A little ?' I repeated.
A small conversation started but it didn't last long and Jake came in as well.
'Hey' he said, intruding.
'What's up?' Kevin replied.
Jake turned to Alice, who handed him a bag of things he was waiting on, I started walking towards the kitchen 'Did you guys have dinner or should I serve ?' I asked.

'We ate, thank you' Kevin replied kissing me on the forehead and then walking Alice towards the lounge.
My phone started ringing it was Ryan.. again. I went inside the kitchen and replied 'Hey' while getting a bottle of water from the fridge.
'I was wondering if we could have lunch together as well' Ryan asked.

'No' I answered firmly. 'Ask Ashley, You guys have fun' I replied as I hung up reaching for a glass from the above cabinet.

"Let me get it" Jake whispered from behind me, I could almost feel his chin resting on my head, making my heart skip a beat. I felt annoyed that this cold hearted person could still make me feel this way. He is not allowed to make me feel this way! I ordered my stomach to stop with the butterflies!
'Get out of the kitchen right now' I said firmly turning to him.
'I did you a favor. Knowing you, you would've broken this glass as well'
'Well it's not like you pay for the damages around this house, is it now?' I asked him.
'I wonder if Mike does' he replied.
'Well keep wondering, it's all you ever do'
'Well I surely didn't anticipate you two would be together so I guess my wondering isn't doing a good job.. So does Ashley know you're planning on stealing Ryan?' he asked.
'I didn't steal Mike and I'm not stealing Ryan.. where did that even come from? What is your problem?' I asked him furiously.
'You are my problem' he said eyeing me.
I took a deep breath while dropping my gaze from his and after a while he left the kitchen. I tip toed to my room and started working on my assignment which was due Monday. It took longer than I thought and after a few hours of doing absolutely nothing, I heard something hit my window. I went to the window to find Jake standing in his window looking at me.
'I Know I said you don't pay for the repairs around this house but if this window breaks it's gonna come from your budget!' I yelled at him.
'Well if you're done talking to Ryan, can you turn off the light' he replied in a low rude tone.
'I'm not talking to Ryan and I'm gonna turn it off whenever I feel like turning it off'
'You're disturbing me and I'm sorry I meant Mike' he corrected himself.
I threw my cell phone at him.
'As you can see I'm not talking to anyone, now leave me alone' I said pulling my curtain closed over the window.
'I'm not returning this' I heard him shout out. I ignored him and went to sleep.
Next morning, when I went downstairs Ashley was already there waiting for me 'Why didn't you reply when I called you last night' she questioned furiously.
'Because my beloved neighbour gets disturbed by midnight calls' I answered sarcastically.
'What is going on between you two anyways?'
'A lot yet nothing' I replied pouring myself some coffee.
She sat cross legged on the couch where I usually sit.

'care to elaborate?' she asked.

'Do I have to ?' I whined.
'Yes ..yes you do'
'Remember his party last month?' I asked.
'Yeah people are still talking bout it so it's kinda hard not to'
'He told me he liked me but I left with Mike that day and poison Ivy poisoned him into believing I'm with Mike' I said it all out in one breath.
'Wow and Damn' she replied.
'yeah'
'Well fix it' she replied.
'Like I have'nt tried'
'Did you talk to Mike ?' she asked.
'No'
'Well now we know why Jake is being an ass to him too'
'He is?' I asked.
'yeah'
'You like Jake right?' she asked me
I turned to her giving her the "isn't it obvious" look.
'And he likes you.. interesting' she mocked the idea of me not having anything to do, to fix the situation.
'I'm not sure anymore. He's still with Ivy, no? "
'Well then you fight fire with fire'
'I'm not getting a boyfriend' I replied, looking up at the fan.
'If it's not him than why would you' she said teasing me.
I got up and went to the kitchen.
'well you like a guy ..' she said.
'Who's already committed so I don't need a boyfriend. The end.' I cut in.
'What Mike got a girl?' Kevin added coming out of his room going towards the kitchen.
'Mike?!' I repeated coming out of the kitchen.
'Well he is good looking and rich' Kevin tried defending his view.
'Yes Mike is perfect for you I can almost picture your wedding and kids and grandkids' Ashley continued.
I laughed at the idea.
'Morning Jake' Kevin said, putting on his shoes. Jake was standing near the stairs, i hadn't noticed him nor had Ashley, she gave herself a face palm.

"Alice is not here what do you want? " I asked him crossing my arms around my chest and rolling my eyes.

"It's what you want" he replied looking away.

"what ?" I looked at him, confused.

He took out my phone and placed it on the stair and left.
"Right "
I went and picked it up.
"Shit "
I whispered to Ashley "Tell me there's a plan B " I looked at her hopeful.

"Kill Ivy" she answered .