Jake

Chapter 37 - The end of the Beginning

I stared ahead, the sun slowly beginning to rise as a loose array of orange and red colours danced over the horizon. I yawned, feeling myself grow more tired as I leaned back on the porch, my legs propped upwards against the railing.

I wanted to sleep, but I didn't want to leave reality, not when it was so beautiful, so calm. I forced my eyes to remain open as the front door sounded and out walked Jake, he looked tired, his eyes heavy. He was without a shirt, wearing black loose tracksuit pants and bare-footed, his hair was askew, gorgeous even in his most casual of moments.

I dropped my legs allowing him to pass where he took the seat beside me on the double seater.

"How are you feeling?" He asked

"Fine" I shrugged "And you?"

"Fine" He replied as he looked towards my face

"I have a lot of questions" I sighed as I looked toward him, our eyes meeting

Jake sighed back and moved his gaze from me to the distance ahead

"What happened to you?" I began, unsure of how to ask how he'd arisen from death

He shrugged "I'm still not really sure myself"

"Do you remember anything?" I asked, watching him carefully as he looked forward

He shook his head slowly before turning his eyes to me

"Maybe an angel was watching over us, over you" He softly spoke as he leaned forward with his elbows on his knees

"Will we ever know?" I rhetorically asked

He nodded "One day I think we'll understand"

"And what happens now?" I slumped as the woken sun peeked out, the porch, our skin lighting up with a golden glow

"That's up to you" Jake m watched me

I looked to the sunrise, squinting as I thought about it

"I want to go back to school" I thought out loud, the sentence coming out almost as a question

Jake nodded "I wouldn't be against it"

"But, I want to be wherever you are" I admitted as I kept my eyes ahead

"If that's what you want, then I'll be wherever you are" Jake agreed, sending shivers throughout my body as I turned to him with a small smile

"That's what I want" I nodded as his lips curved up into a smile, our eyes locking on each other like the first moment we'd met

"Then that's where we'll start" He whispered as he leaned forward, his hand reaching up to my face, his fingers warm as they traced my jawline.

I had never ever expected this life. I knew what I wanted, I knew who I wanted. I wanted normalcy, I wanted what everyone else wanted, happiness, love. But I also knew that things would never be the same again, my normal would always look different to everyone else's, and that was okay, as long as happiness and love were there for me too.

The slow movements of Jake's lips on mine was something I never wanted to end, something I would never get used to. His touch, his warmth, the way I felt safe and at peace when he was with me was a feeling I never wanted to let go of.

"I meant what I said Haven" Jake mumbled quietly as he leaned his forehead on mine, my lips tingling with electricity once he'd pulled away

"Okay?" I breathed, unsure

He hesitated, kissing me gently on my nose, a charming grin in place. I waited patiently, enjoying the moment for what it was. His hand was pressed against my face, his thumb slowly creating circles over my cheek as he leaned forwards, his breath brushing along my ear.

"I love you" He whispered, a rush of goosebumps erupting over my skin, electrifying my body

Perhaps the elders had been right.

I smiled wildly, my arms around his neck, absorbing every part of him that I could

"My world is about to change indefinitely isn't it?" I whispered as Jake pulled his head back enough for me to look at him

"Afraid so" He lightly chuckled as he kissed me again

I leaned into him, urgent for more when the front door opened and slammed shut again. Our heads snapped towards Julian who stood on the porch, his eyes were stern, concerned, and my stomach dropped instantly

"What's wrong?" Jake turned serious

"I have someone who is desperate to talk to you" Julian held up his mobile phone, his eyes on me

"Who is it?" I questioned as I stood

Julian hesitated before answering "Luis"

A jolt of adrenaline shot through me, my chest tightening

"You wanna explain, or shall I?" Julian asked as he wriggled the phone between his fingers

Slowly, I took the phone from Julian and hesitated, my fingers trembling, my mind racing. Our entire relationship would change drastically, because I knew now, I knew the truth, I knew what I really was, who I really was, what he really was, what he had done. Everything was changed, everything was going to come to light in a most darkened of way.

I looked down at the screen before pressing it to my ear

"Dad?