Not Your Cinderella

Chapter 12- He's Really Smart For A Boy

Jake's POV:

Tasha sits on Browdy's desk in his office as I grade some papers. Neither of us have a class right away."You look beautiful today."

"Thanks Jake," she says smiling slightly. 

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing just some annoying girls talking about you," she says with a smirk. 

"Well what did they say?'

"Nothing important." I brush her hair away from her cheek, and then I noticed the shade of purple and blue.  

"Babe, why is your cheek bruised?"

"Uh. Nothing I. I um walked into the lamp in my room," she says playing with the bracelets on her wrist and not looking at me. 

"I don't believe you, want to explain?"

"No, not really. It's taken care of now." She says quietly. 

"What and why?"

"Nothing and the problem is resolved. Don't worry about me. I'm fine!" She yells the last part and I should know to back off. 

"You have a creepy ex boyfriend who tried to rape you and you are telling me not to worry! Tasha, you obviously aren't fine. What the hell happened?!" 

"Fine! You know what! Niko hit me, he knocked me unconscious. Our friends took care of me and I didn't want you to worry because you were with your daughter. I have you all week, she doesn't need me to steal you away."

"Tasha, don't you ever think that."

"Issy loves you and if I needed to come to your rescue she would be happy to give me up." She gave me a look and then hugged me.  

 "I don't need you to rescue me. I'm a big girl Jake."

"It's my job as your boyfriend to protect you."

"You have protected me. I'm not that fragile."

"So what happened to Niko?"

"Can we get off this topic?" Tasha asks looking annoyed. 

"I need to know."

"He got arrested, but I don't know the details."

"Good. He deserves it!"

"Hey Jake I'm going to go I've got some homework to do before my next class and I want to go for a run," she says with a slight smile. 

"Fine. Come over after your last class. I'll make you dinner!"

"Sounds good. Bye Jake," she says leaning in and we kiss. 

I start gathering up my books and stuff to head back to the apartment when my phone rings. All I see on the screen is the word hospital. 

Me: "Hello?"

The voice: "Jake it's dad. Issy had another reaction. "

Me: "To what this time?"

My Dad:" I think she got in the cupboard and got herself a snack. "

Me: "Oh great. How is she?"

My Dad: "She's sleeping now, they are keeping her for observation and she will have more testing tomorrow. "

Me: "I'll tell Browdy to cover for me."

My Dad: "Jake, you need to focus on school your mom can hold Issy's hand and I can do my work on the farm. You need to get your hours teaching and graduate. If you keep missing school you are just wasting money. I don't want to see your face until Friday night!"