[1] EXPOSED

1.3 - Ignite

1. 3  Ignite                                                                      

After rolling his eyes, Jake made his way to a booth near the takeout counter and sat down on the side facing away from the door. I quickly followed him and slipped into the booth across from him, hoping he wanted my company at a time like this. Debating whether or not to check if my family noticed my arrival, I took a quick look, locking eyes with my Grandma, who quickly turned away without saying a word. The last thing I wanted was for her to come up to the table and make a scene. At least my parents didn’t notice and she didn’t tell them I came back inside.

Jake looked at me and sighed. “I’m so sorry you had to hear all that…”

            “Oh, it’s fine…” I played with my hair and spied on my parents’ table often to make sure they weren’t coming over.

            Jake rubbed his eyes and looked at me. “No, it’s not fine. You shouldn’t have to be involved with this stuff; you don’t even know Nathan very well. I feel like this isn’t really a good first impression.”

            “Jake, I just wanted you to know what happened. I’m sorry it turned into a fight,” I truly felt bad about everything. Seeing Jake this upset over this made me feel worse and worse. It gave me a sinking cramp in my chest. It was a similar cramp that I felt when I walked into the gymnasium that day the pictures were scattered amongst the floor. It wasn’t even a cramp. I don’t even know what that feeling was.

            “It would have happened anyways…” he stared at me and I just stared right back at him. We just looked at each other for a minute before I saw someone moving out of the corner of my eye.

            “Oh, crap, my Grandma’s coming over to the table!” I whispered. Jake bit his lip and pretended to sink into the back of the booth cushion. She walked over to the table and put her arm against the side of the wooden section of the booth.

            “Hey, Sweetie, your parents and I are heading to my house tonight. Do you want to come sleep over there?” Grandma asked. She looked down at me and then noticed Jake, who was sitting right across from me.

            Jake awkwardly smiled at her and lifted his hand in a slight wave. It was completely adorable and I think Grandma thought the same thing.

            “Hey, Honey, I’m Jewel’s Grandma,” she smiled at me and seemed to know I had feelings for him. That made me uncomfortable, but at least she wasn’t my mom and at least she didn’t know about my luck with boys lately.

            “I’m Jake.” he said softly and then looked at me for approval, “Jewel and I go to school together.” At least he didn’t say we were just friends. I wonder if he did that on purpose. He probably just said something obvious. Whatever he said, he said it right.

            “It’s nice to meet you,” Grandma smiled, “Well, Jewel, we are leaving soon. If you want to stay home, that’s fine.”

            “Um… is it ok if I do that? I’m feeling a little sick…” I lied. I faked a rogue stomach cramp and hoped that Grandma didn’t notice that it wasn’t real.

            “That’s fine. You sure don’t look good. Why don’t you and Jake say your goodbyes and I’ll drive you home.”

            “I can probably walk home,” I told her, wanting to spend more time with Jake.

            “No, Grandma’s going to drive you.” My mom seemed to come out of nowhere. She made it clear that I didn’t have a choice and her polite behavior vanished as soon as she came to the table.