I sucked in a hollow breath as I began walking down the stairs. My heart thundered in my chest and my hands were crazy clammy. Jane jumped down the flight of steps and was probably already sitting at the table by now. Then there was me, slowly taking my time down each step. Contemplating whether or not to go back to my room and fake a sickness. No, I screamed, quit being a coward. I was on the last step; too late now.
"Leah," a womanly voice strived. "When did you turn into this beautiful young woman?"
I glanced behind me and there stood Rose Olson; Jaleb, Callan, and Jane's mom. Even in her late 40's she still looked stunning. Her short black hair was slightly curled in that "I just got out of bed kind of way". Yet still; it was gorgeous. Jaleb was definitely hers; almost all of his qualities came from her. Same eyes, face shape, hair, and quietness.
I jumped into her arms and gave her a tight hug. Rose was more of a mom to me even compared to my own mother. My mom was the tomboy type; she never liked giving advice. Whereas Rose couldn't stop giving. Anything that my mom felt uncomfortable with (which was a lot of things) Rose picked up the slack. I loved her as if she was my own mom.
"Rosy," I yelped. "I've missed you so much!"
Rose smiled caringly and grabbed my hand, "I've missed you too Pumpkin. Now why don't we get down there and eat. I can't imagine how hungry you must be."
I flinched away from her. I wasn't ready to go down there. I wasn't prepared to meet the new Jaleb. Before I could even suggest going back to my bedroom she was yanking me into the kitchen. What I saw in there was something I could have lived without. Something that could probably make me throw up. Scratch that; I was already vomiting in my mouth. This is disturbing and awkward. My hearts breaking; why did I come back to the Lake House? I've got three words to say; holy shit saliva.
Jaleb was kissing, no eating some chick's lips. They were like hungry animals, saliva overload. I gasped and still Jay ignored us; pretended like we weren't even there. He continued to make out with this trashy stranger. The feeling in my stomach, that yearning and infatuation for him was turning into a dark pit. I didn't want to ever feel like this ever again.
Rose cleared her throat, "Jaleb. Quit it, we have a guest." I gaped at her; she acted like him and some random girl making out was a common thing; something that happened all the time.
I was disturbed; scarred for life. Not to mention heartbroken. So this is how it feels to have your heart torn out of your chest? Jaleb pulled away and wiped his mouth. His black hair was longer than I remember. Yet still he was even more gorgeous. He had the most stunning eyes, and when he looked back at me my breath caught in my lungs. They were blue, not the ocean kind of blue; the kind of blue that reminded me of winter. Of icicles, they were pale... almost as pale and white as his snow skin.
His gorgeous pale blue eyes glimmered at me, "why the hell is that here?' My mouth gaped open and the water in my eyes threatened to stream out. No, I refuse to cry. I was too caught up in the moment to even realize Callan walking towards us.
He continued to stare me down, and the hoe at his side clung onto his muscly bi-step. Her red poisonous nails traced... wait a second, is that a tattoo? Jaleb had a tattoo? He had a freaking tattoo! What kind of seventeen year old had a tattoo? I shook off my stupid question and fought off my tears. God dammit, why the hell do I still find him so attractive?
I'm sitting here trying not to cry at something he said, but checking him out in the process. Obviously I need help. I need some serious physiological help.
I stared at his tattoo in utter awe. It was a quote, "Trust your struggle." Next to it was a pair of wings. If I were to ever get a tattoo it would always be a pair of white inked wings on my wrist. His made me rethink exactly what I wanted. I gawked; it was beautiful.
