Deadlock

XLIII

I’ve been thinking about this the whole night. Basically, I haven’t slept. My eyes were hurting, but I couldn’t sleep anyway. I have decided. I’m going to meet Jake today. And I can’t let anyone stop me. I put on my hoodie and started walking along the big hallways of the mansion. I’ve been trying to hide myself and escape the whole place without anyone noticing me. I can’t let this plan be ruined. But of course, I had to tell Nikki, the one person who would be happy about it.

“Em? Really?” Nikki screeched after I told her I’m going to meet up with Jake. Nikki, was of course aware that Jake came to me two days ago asking me to run away with him. But all I gave him was a… well I was reasoning out with him but that didn't necessarily mean a rejection.

“Yes, I’m going to meet him tomorrow. You can’t tell anyone about this Nik.”

“Of course, of course. Nobody will know about this.” She assured me. “Hey, right or left.” She made me choose between her right and left hand. I didn’t quite understand as to why she suddenly wanted to play games with me, but anyway, I chose her right hand. She opened it and revealed a really cute necklace with a key as the pendant. In the middle of the key was a diamond… or so I thought. Nikki couldn’t afford diamonds so it must be something else.

“Wow, is this for me?” I asked her excited.

“Yeah, and this one’s for me.” She opened her left hand and showed me another necklace with a lock as the pendant. It had this kind of diamond in the center too. It was really cute.

“Is this a damond.” I pointed to the thing I knew wasn’t.

“Nope. I don’t know how this thing works really, but when I bought it, the lady told me that I will always know where the other holder of this pair is at. And I thought I would like to give this to you.”

“Aww, I’m touched. I love you Nik.”

“Shut up.”

And we both laughed.

Of course, I expected her to keep it between the two of us. It’s not like my grandpa or anyone knows about Jake and me, but I can’t let them know about it. They’re not stupid and they might suspect.

I walked myself to Grand Castle Park at 7;45 in the morning and realized I was minutes early. I didn’t mind though, the place was incredible. And there were no people, not that I could see of. The place was actually huge. I waited in a bench beside the walkway to the center of the huge fountain, behind was the castle. I’ve been there actually. Of course, what are the famous places that Emilia Van Tassel hasn’t been to. Anyway, the castle wasn’t a place where princesses live; it was actually the place where artifacts are kept. It is a museum.

While I was busying myself remembering the beautiful artifacts I’ve seen inside the museum, I didn’t notice Jake was there standing beside the bench where I was sitting.

“What is it your thinking?” Jake’s cold voice rang from behind. I almost fell from my seat, because honestly, my mind was just so occupied I didn’t even realize he was there.

“You scared me in there. Did you just get here?” I asked him shaking off the surprised look on my face.

“Yeah.” He said. Jake looked confused and excited. I didn’t know what exactly he’s thinking because when we last talked, I sure sounded like I was rejecting him. He might be wondering why I’m asking him to meet me today.

“Let’s go.” I told him. He didn’t say anything. He just quietly followed me.

I wonder if I was doing the right thing. But we’re already here, there’s no going back.

“An Amusement Park.” He was more of like questioning.

“Yeah.” I cheered.

“After all that has happened, Emily an amusement Park?”

“Well you didn’t expect me to bring you to a hotel, did you?” I joked. And I quickly regretted it.

“Emily, what are you up to?” The intensity on his voice was more pronounced.

“I just wanted to have fun today.” I reasoned out to him.

“And I wonder of all people I was chosen to be here with you.”

“Jake…”

“I mean there’s your grandpa, or Aunt Sally, or Nikki and there’s Rob.”

“JAKE! You’re here with me because you’re Jake, my bestfriend.”

“Right, I’m Jake, your bestfriend.” He said downheartedly.

I walked to him, grabbed his hand and led him inside the just opened museum. It was early but we weren’t the only people there. There were actually few people who are probably tourists and decided to start their day by going here.

For the first few minutes, Jake refused to talk to me. He might be thinking I was only playing with him. But Jake can’t really ignore me for long so in no time, he just started enjoying the trip to the Amusement Park. We rode a couple of long roller coaster rides. I wasn’t a fan but at least it wore off the tension I had for so long. I was screaming all over and Jake was just laughing at me. It made my heart thumped, maybe I made it a habit to also feel ecstatic whenever Jake feels it. Whenever I look at him smiling, I can’t help my heart from jumping.

We were inside the park the whole day. If it wasn’t the greatest, it’s sure one of the best day I had for the past 18 years of my life. And having to share it with Jake, the idea of not losing him was just planted even stronger in my head.

I was carryng this one huge teddy bear Jake won for me while we were strolling in the streets of the park. If I really put a thought about it, it was kind of our first date. I usually go out with Jake but in all those times, Nikki was always there. Not that I didn’t want Nikki in there but okay maybe I didn't want her there. I mean I love the girl, there's no doubt in that, but I’ve always wanted to know the feeling of going out with Jake alone.

“So how’s our first date?” He asked all of a sudden. I like how Jake can still talk casually like this to me.

“Great. This is the best date ever.” I exclaimed. “On the second thought, this is the only date I had in my entire life.”     

“Are you kidding?” He asked but when I looked as serious as ever he added, “I mean, you and Rob…”

“We didn’t date. We actually never dated. Or we would’ve had dated that one time but then I saw you with Ashley so I left.” I told him honestly; too honest I wasn’t even thinking what I was blurting.

“What?” He asked for confirmation. Now what should I do? “Emily, why exactly did you bring me here?”

“Jake…”

“Emily, come on. Don’t be scared. Tell me.”

“I ahm…” Jake moved to touch my shoulders. My hoodie was taken off in the midst of a game earlier and it didn’t help because when Jake touched my bare shoulders, his cold hands sent chills through my body.

“Do you want to run away with me? Emily, I love you and if you come with me I will protect you and I will take care of you. Don’t be afraid Em…”

But before Jake could finish what he has to say, big men in black approached us. They were circling us and it did scare me I got to admit. We were like two small kids in the middle of those goons. I’m not usually judgmental but I can’t help it, they scared me like heck. Even if Jake can fight, in which I heard he can due to the school rumors that the fourth member of Rob’s circle can totally beat up 5 people at once, Jake can’t pull it well. Those 5 guys Jake could beat up were probably just school kids like us. But these men, they are no school kids. They are really goons, scary real goons.

“What do you want from us?” Jake managed to say. He was trying to shield me from the scrutinizing eyes of the big men. And then it hit me, we were kind of the only people in that certain area of the park.