Another World

CHAPTER 17

Chapter 17

I feel his eyes searching mine all over. He also watches my flowing hair moving gracefully like liquid in the water. It must be surrounding my face because he tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. I'm so hazed by our connection that the next thing I feel is his lips on mine, full and soft. Then again I remember that we're under water and I need to breathe. When I resist to head back to the surface, Jake blows a mouth-full of fresh cool air into my lungs. Looks like training paid off. And so we share the life for that precious moment. A memory. That I can keep all to myself and share it with the people I love. Someday I know I will. After what feels like forever, we finally rise to our night sky. I had my arms draping over his shoulders and gripping his jaw and cheeks in my palms. He stood taller than me, so he lift me up so he could for once look up to me. He held me so firmly around my waist and lower back. Like nothing in the universe could separate us. Nothing. For a moment we stare into each other's eyes, dreaming about what could happen next. I can't help but pull him even closer to me. He comforts me in such a warm and securing way... Our lips find one another once again, more rushing and fiercely but are interrupted by an unknown female voice. "Well just look at you two love birds! I surely miss it though, Jake. Don't you?" I look at the woman standing at the edge of the lake. Jolene. What exactly did she mean by missing it, why did she say Jake's name? I feel Jake lowering me into the water but still gripping me tightly. So tight like he is anxious about what might happen next.

"What do want Jolene? I thought we made a deal?" Jake asks.

A deal? What deal? When Jake and I are alone, I'm so going to ask him what's going on! I'm not going to let this go so easily.

"I know we have a deal sweetie. Just checking if you're following orders... " Jolene says with an evil-looking smile.

She turns away and walks into the forest. What the hell was that!?!

I just stare in Jake's eyes. He's still holding me like we've been together forever. So I pull away. I give Jake a what-exactly-just-happened-look.

"I can explain." Yeah sure! Go ahead and say it to my face.

"I'm not so sure I wanna' hear it. But you're damn right you're going to explain!" I practically shout in anger.

I rush to the 'shore' and climb the steps up to retrieve the towel. I see Jake behind me. He knows what's best for him. To keep that stupid hole in his face, shut. I wrap my towel around me and run back to the palace grounds.

As soon as I reach my room, I lock my door behind me. I do not want to be disturbed right now. The Jake-situation can wait. I'm exhausted! And really, really confused.

I change into my pajamas and climb into bed. I just can't sleep while everything that just happened is buzzing inside my head. What are Jolene and Jake up to? I finally fall asleep after taking a few pills. But I wake up after an hour.

"Who is that? How did you unlock the door?" The light switches on and I see a very familiar face in front of me. "What do you want, Jake?"

"I just came by to explain everything, Isabelle." His face looks so innocent and soft. Like he did absolutely nothing wrong.

"Then explain." I say gently. He carefully sits at the edge of the bed and begins to speak,

"Isabelle, I don't want you to think I am a low life or creepy monster. You see, even before I met you, Jolene and I had a deal. I promised her to make the new princess- which is you- fall in love with me and take you back to the python-warriors. In return she will reward me with one night of her life. That's it. But Isabelle, I was stupid and confused and you know I'm not going to do it, right?" I'm totally beyond speechless. What a pervert!

"You bet your ass I'm not going to let you take me! Oh, I think you're really looking forward to that night, aren't you! You belong together! I trusted you, Jake! I almost thought it was real love. How could I be so stupid? It seemed too good to be true after all. Love really is what people say it is. Complicated." I say-scream- so loud he begins to twitch. I start sniffing and let my tears run down my cheeks. I don't care if I look like a clown. He broke my heart and he'll pay. I got hurt too many times before. He reaches out to me and I let him. Just because I need a little comfort...

"Isabelle, I didn't take you on a date because Jolene wanted me to. I did it because I wanted to! I really like you." He says pathetically.

"Then why did she mention your name when she said that she surely misses it?" I see him wanting to confess something but his mouth closes again. That same mouth that brought joy into my life. A chance at love.

"Because.... because we had a relationship."

"What? You and her. How did you even meet each other?" Then I click! Jake is a bad guy, working with the pythons!

I quickly get out of bed and rush to the door. But it's too late. He grabs my wrists and throws me back onto the bed. He shuts the door as fast as lightening! Nobody can help me or even hear me. I struggle to find words, but when I do, I blurt them out softly,

"Please, don't hurt me! Please!" I reverse to the other side of the bed and Jake walks closer.

"Isabelle. Why would I hurt you? I love you."

"No you don't! You don't even know what real love is! You're with the pythons!"

Jake walks around the bed to my side. He leans over me and I lie on my back facing him.

"Isabelle, I would never, ever do something to hurt you! You're special. Jolene is a bitch. Our relationship is over." He whispers.

There's nothing left to say to him.

He leans in closer and kisses me on my temple. His bodyweight on mine. His lips make me feel so gullible and him trustworthy! But I do not let the feeling change what I feel about him. His lips start to find their way down my face and neck, ever lowering. Things are getting way too far right now. Why is he being so compelling? "Stop, you're hurting me." I lie between gasps. He opens his eyes quickly and scrambles to sit next to me.

"Isabelle. I never knew it would've come this far. I'm so terribly sorry. I wish you no harm at all. Jolene and I are long-time over. Our deal stood but the first moment you came walking up those stairs, I knew it would never happen. You're different. Lovely and kind and caring. So innocent-like. I searched for real love my whole life. The instant I met you, I knew you were different and special. Very special." He says with a gentle smile.

"Just get out." I command.

"But-"

"Get out! I'm confused right now and I don't need pressure from you." I say like a true princess.

He nods and closes the door behind him.{^: