Coming Home

Chapter 13, Arms Outstretched

Today is the day. I'm reaching for him. The guy I've been thinking about for awhile now. I've been in Tree Hill for about three and a half months and I realize that I've never mentioned Jake. That'd be because he hasn't been around much lately. I'm bound to find out what. Jake is such a great guy and he's extremely irresistible. I just want to find out what's going on with him.

"You're pretty amazing," I say smiling. Hearing him play his guitar and wow is he incredible.
"Thank you," he goes to put his guitar down.
"You don't have to stop playing. If you don't mind id like to listen for a little longer."
"Oh, uhh okay." He grabs his guitar and starts playing. Just when I think that he couldn't possibly be more perfect, he starts singing. Oh my goodness.

After playing for a little bit longer he puts the guitar down and looks at me. I'm sure I look like a fan girl to him. I'm smiling and blushing. I tuck my hair behind my ear and look into his eyes. "Jake, I had no idea that you were so talented."
He slightly laughs, "thank you Kierston. Don't take this the wrong way but we've only hung out at a few parties and talked on and off. Any particular reason why you show up at my house?"
"Oh wow. I didn't mean to intrude rudely or anything-"
"No you didn't. I was just curious. Sorry I cut you off, go ahead."
"Well I haven't seen you around as much lately. At first I thought maybe you were sick but then it just went on and on. Are you okay? Is something happening?"
"That's really sweet of you. However, I'm alright. Do you want to see the reason why I've been gone so much?"
"If you don't mind. Yes, I'd like to."
With that Jake stands up and offers me a hand. I take it and then we walk inside. I'm really quite walking in because I don't know what to expect. Then I see pink, a crib, and a baby.

"Meet Jenny. This is my daughter."
"Jake.. She's absolutely gorgeous. It's stunning."
"Thank you Kierston."
I feel tears begin to brim in my eyes.
"Kiers is something wrong?"
"Oh. Long story," I say inhaling. "I'd tell you but I don't want to wake her up."
"We can go back outside but-"
I grab the baby monitor. She's sleeping and this way we'd hear if she wakes up.

We both sit on the stairs of his porch. I show him my tattoo first off.
"Paisley, who is that?"
"That's my daughter. Would've been my daughter. I had this bastard of a boyfriend who came home late on night. He was drunk, I'd just found out I was pregnant. I had no idea for how long. He started beating me.. He kept beating me until that second heartbeat inside of me stopped. I woke up in the hospital to find out I was almost five months along and it was a girl. He went to prison and I was left with nobody." I didn't even realize that I was shaking until Jake pulled me into a hug.
"I had no idea. I have no idea how somebody could've done something so horrible. Especially to a beautiful girl like you."
He looked me in the eyes. I could just get lost in his. He looked like he was getting lost in mine. "It looks like we have a bit more in common then we think." He says leaning towards me. "Yes I'd say so," I lean towards him. He lightly puts his finger on my chin. We slightly tilt our heads in opposite directions. Our eyes only inches away. Our noses slightly touching and our mouths are so close to connecting.

Do Kierston and Jake kiss? Read the next chapter to find out.