Later that night Jake and I hung on his bed with her old doodle book. I had three from elementary school, two for middle school, and four so far from high school. Jake on the other hand had four from elementary school, five for middle school, and five more from high school.
"Each book that I have here has at least 10 drawings with you included. My first book was from first grade, before we met." Jake leaned forward to grab the book he was talking about. "Dreams were basically all this book was made of. At six years old I wanted to travel to the moon to moon walk. Sports like football and basketball were also really big interests of mine.
"When you came to Johnson elementary after leaving Westview in Simlynn, is one my dreams changed. You were added into them as my best friend. Even though many kids had a best friend of another gender, I was picked on for it. Actually, believe it or not, Parker was the bully. I stocked him in the face and we later learned to except each other's problems."
I remember when Jake was sent home for a school suspension. Both boys test the others limits which has gotten them in some serious trouble. "So is that why you were sent home and you weren't sit by me for we get lunch? You have lunch detention?"
"Exactly, back to my point. From third grade until the last day of fifth grade, I drew about you and I. After fifth grade ended I cried for maybe a month when I found out you were moving back to Simlynn. Id thought to myself 'she really hates me for telling her that I love her last week before school ended. I messed up and now she's... Gone!'
"Sixth grade until now, I've drawn sad thoughts about how stupid I was. We would call each other once a week with her mom's phones. You would keep telling me that you love not because of me but because you had to help your grandma. I thought you were making up an excuse until we went to visit you after eighth grade. A little creepy but this next picture I want to show you as one of my favorites."
Jake reached across the bed and got another drawing book. As he flip through the pages he continued to talk, "do you remember watching Romeo and Juliet in your basement? You had phone asleep with your head against my shoulder so I took a picture, later printed it and dry it out. Peaceful this was written all over your face." Honestly, I didn't like the picture. "Enough talking about me, what did you draw about?"
"Second grade," I began, "was when I started to draw. My old house was the first picture but old memories of it made me sad so I stop drawing about Simlynn. I wanted to start drying about all my new friends, my new home, and new school. You were my first happy memory which told me I should try to draw us. We first talk by the swings that I included in the picture.
"Fifth grade I started to realize that I wanted more than a friendship." I blushed and continued, "I wasn't able to say that too because I already knew I was leaving once the school year ended. You are a sensitive boy and I couldn't watch you cried for months. I hate watching you suffer the pain which is why I had to hand you go now and take off as quickly as possible.
"Sixth through eighth grade was so hard for me because I knew you were sad. I had to deal with the pain just like you did. When I saw the pictures with you and Layla, I figured you had moved on. I –"
Jake cut me off, "can I swing what that was? Please?" He made a sad face that was almost to say 'i'm sorry, I messed up.' Nothing was wrong with Layla which made me wonder. Why was he begging to explain?
I nodded.
"Layla, on that night, snuck into my cabin and took several pictures of us together. I've never liked her at all! Layla loves to brag about how much money her parents have. It's so annoying! I never really let my feelings for you go Ella."
