Trust Me

You've Got a Friend in Me

I woke up gasping for breath. My memories, my nightmares, it was all too much. I spun around; my pupils were dilated with fear. Just seeing images of them, my parents, I couldn’t deal with it.

Tiptoeing around the house, I managed to catch a glimpse of Jake asleep on the floor. He probably hated me now, I thought unhappily. I didn’t mean to scare him or hurt him anymore than I had to.

After I cleared my head of my parents, I went back to the pile of towels that I had slept in. It was crumpled and sandy like a little seagull nest.

I snuggled down under the rough material and nodded off to sleep.

“I’m so glad to hear from you,” Jake’s voice said loudly. “I was so worried,”

I looked around sleepily. Jake had woken me up again. It sounded like he was on the phone.

“Don’t worry, I swear I’ll help you,” he said tensely. “You didn’t deserve to be manipulated like that. They can’t get away with it, I won’t let them!”

Jake sounded really upset, I wondered what was wrong. I got up and shook the sand grains out of my hair. Jake was still on the phone and he didn’t sound any happier.

“It wasn’t your fault though. You got roped into it!” he shouted.

 I winced at his loud voice. I decided to walk in and apologise about last night. As soon as Jake saw me he looked nervous and almost frightened.

“I’ve got to go, nate er I mean mate, bye.” He jabbed at the end button viciously.

“Hey Juliette,” he stammered. I raised my eyebrows.

“Back to your usual habits again, I see. Waking me up with phone calls,” I teased.

“Could you hear the conversation?” he asked with a worried look.

“Every word you said,” Jake’s face turned a chalky white colour. “Why? What was so important?” I asked.

“Nothing,” he said quickly. “Just wondering,”

“Look,” I said quietly. “I’m sorry about yesterday,” Jake put a warm hand on my shoulder.

“Don’t worry, I didn’t take it to heart. I know something happened and you didn’t want me to be around then,” I smiled at his kind, understanding face.

“Thank you,” I said as I gave him a peck on the cheek.

“Juliette, I have something to tell you,” Jake looked seriously at me. “I have to go home for today,” he said. “My Mum is worried about me being away,”

I felt like someone had punched me in the stomach. He was leaving me alone in the beach box. I knew it was selfish of me to expect him to spend every minute with me but it was hard enough being cooped up in a tiny beach box all day with only each other for company but with no one, it would be unbearable. I couldn’t help but show how upset it made me feel.

Jake looked at my disappointed face and sighed.

“I don’t want to go back home either, Juliette,”

“When are you going?” I asked.

“Now,” Jake told me as he gestured to his lumpy backpack.

“I guess this is goodbye then,” I said unhappily.

“Juliette, don’t be like that. I’ll be back tomorrow,” Jake took my hands and kissed me softly.

“Bye,” he called out from the front of the beach box.