A Time To Love

Chapter Thirteen

*Emma's p.o.v*

I stretched as I woke up, my eyes taking in the bright light that illuminated Jay's spare bedroom. We both decided it was best for me to take the spare room instead of sharing with Jay. I rolled over and checked my phone for the time 11:45, wow it was almost lunchtime. I made my way downstairs and into the kitchen while still in my pyjamas. I couldn't hear Jay around, so helped myself to a glass of juice and sat on a stool next to the kitchen counter. I took out my phone and scrolled through social media, all my old friends were with their soulmates for Christmas looking really happy. My heart ached as I looked at their happy faces, I hadn't spoken to any of them since the photo incident.

I was lost in my thoughts when the front door opened and closed and Jay walked in with multiple bags of shopping.

'Good afternoon.' He smiled, I looked up at him and gave him a small smile.

'Em, are you okay?' Jay questioned as his worried eyes scanned my face.

'Yeah I'm fine.' I replied avoiding eye contact.

'I thought you might be hungry.' Jay rummaged through one of the bags and pulled out a brown paper bag and placed it on the counter in front of me.

'Thank you.' I mumbled pulling out the warm breakfast roll. I quietly ate my food while Jay put away the shopping.

I finished my food and got off the stool to put my rubbish in the bin as Jay was done with the shopping.

'Hey Em.' Jay called grabbing my attention. 'Would you want to go to the Christmas market in town?' He asked running his hand through his curls.

'Yeah sure.' I nodded. I wondered back upstairs to get ready, I walked down the hall into the bathroom, Jay had shown me the night before. I hummed to myself as I showered my low mood slowly getting better. I stepped out the shower on to the fluffy bath mat. I wiggled my toes, the soft material tickling them. I smiled grabbing a towel from the rack and wrapped it around my body. I looked around and mentally cursed myself as I had forgotten to bring clothes in with me. I scooped up my pyjamas that lay in a pile on the floor and held them under one arm while the other hand held up my towel.

I slowly opened the door and stuck my head out to check the hallway was clear. Thinking it was safe I hurried down the corridor as I reached Jay's bedroom door it opened and he stepped out and I stumbled right into him. Without thinking my arms flew out to stop myself from falling backwards, my eyes lifted to look up at Jay. His eyes widened as they looked at me, his expression instantly told me the mistake I had made. I blushed furiously as I bent to grab the towel and pyjamas off the floor, I pushed past Jay keeping my head down and ran to the spare room.

I slammed the door and breathed heavily trying to compose myself and comprehend what had just happened.

Jay had just seen me completely naked. Embarrassment filled every part of me. Desperately trying to forget what had just happened. I quickly chose and outfit and got dressed, I pulled my winter coat over my jeans and jumper and put on my matching hat, scarf and gloves. Prepared to face the cold weather, I plucked up the courage to leave the room and head down the stairs where Jay was patiently waiting.

Luckily for me, Jay acted like it had never happened as we left the house and walked together towards the town. We turned on to a street and I gasped, it was amazing, lights strung above us all the way down the street. Stalls ran the length of the road each side, it was a beautiful sight. We walked slowly down the long pathway, allowing me time to look at every stall. I was so mesmerised by the market I didn't notice Jay take my hand. Sunset was soon upon us as we spend hours walking around the town and market, I was enjoying every moment.

Just before we headed back to Jay's house we stopped at one of the food stalls and bought half a dozen sugar donuts. He passed the bag to me as we wandered back towards his house. I took a bite into one of the delicious warm doughnuts, without a second thought I lifted my doughnut up towards Jay and offered him a bite which he happily took. I ate the rest of the doughnut as we reached his house.

He opened the door and we walked in taking off our coats and shoes. I put my gloves in my coat pocket and hung my scarf and hat on the hook along with my coat. I turned towards Jay as he looked at me.

'You have some sugar...' Jay started to say as he lifted his hand and brushed his thumb over my lips to remove the sugar.

His hand lingered on my cheek, I leant up and pressed my lips to his. Jay started to kiss me back before stopping abruptly.

'Em..' He sighed dropping his hand from my face. I dropped my head as tears sprung to my eyes. I pushed past him and up the stairs into my room. I sat on the bed, the tears falling freely. What was I doing? How could I have been so stupid?