Meant To Be: A Jerika Story

Chapter Fifteen

Erika POV: I felt bad, but I couldn't resist it. By now, it was obvious to me (and probably everyone) that Jake was crushing on me. So I was teasing him a bit, fully aware of the effect I had on him. It made me feel sexy and wanted; two things I hadn't felt in a while. Plus a few days ago, he had destroyed my mattress by spilling acetone all over and then lighting it on fire.  He definitely deserved this.
"Which one?" I say again, swinging the underwear back and forth. He gulps, then suddenly gets up.
"I really gotta go," he says. He walks toward the door, then turns. "But in my opinion? The black." And with that he leaves.
I smile to myself. I had somehow gotten a guy who could get any girl all flustered over me. Life was weird.

That Night-

Erika POV: I sat in my room, waiting. The new mattress I had ordered was supposed to arrive today, and I was getting anxious as it was already 10:00 pm and there was no sign of my delivery. The last few days I had been forced to share a bed with Tessa until my new one was delivered.  Everything was fine until her sister came to visit for the weekend. I knew that she would want to spend time with Tessa, so I gave up my spot for her. So I really needed my bed today. I continue waiting, until I suddenly get a text from the delivery company. My order had been delayed indefinitely. Great. Now I had no place to sleep. Annoyed, I went into the the office and plopped into a chair.
I let out a long groan.
"Erika, what's wrong," says Jake, looking up from his phone.
"Well since you fuckers ruined my mattress I had to order a new one, but it's still not here. And since Tessa's sister is here I have no place to sleep."
"Just sleep on the ground,"
"I've tried that, but my back aches so much the next day. It's not worth it." He laughs.
"Woww. hashtag soft."
"You have no right to talk! You did this!"
"Hey, you could sleep in Chanthony's room.." "I'd rather die." He smirks, then seems to think for a second.
"Fine, I guess since it's my fault your bed is ruined, i'll let you sleep in my bed."

Jake POV: I really did feel bad for what I did, so I offered her my bed to sleep in for the night. "And don't worry, I'll sleep in office or something," I add.
She takes a second to think it over.
"Ordinarily I wouldn't accept, but if wasn't for you I wouldn't even have this problem..so thanks, I will sleep in your bed." She yawns.
"Also, I'm tired so I'm going to go get ready for bed," she says, leaving the office. I nod and go back to working on vlog ideas. A few minutes past when I hear the door open.
"I'm going to bed, g'nite," says Erika. I look up, and am stunned. She's wearing a silky back crop top and matching shorts; shorts so short they were practically underwear.
"Damn Erika, are you going to hook up with a guy in my bed or something?" I say, looking her up and down. "Shut up," she says laughing. Still checking her out, I get up and take her to my room. As I watched her settle into the sheets it took all of my will power and then some to not climb into the bed myself.

Erika POV: Jake had left a few minutes ago, leaving me alone in his nice, big bed. It was much plusher than my own, and I could already feel myself falling asleep. However, I felt like something was missing. I couldn't put my finger on it, but something was off. But I fell asleep before I could think about it any further.

Hours later, I woke up to the sound of the door creaking open. It was too dark to see anything, but I could hear someone walking up to the bed. "Who is it," I say cautiously.
"Who else would it be," the voice replies.
Jake.
He climbs into the bed, and pulls the covers over himself.
"What are you doing? I thought you were sleeping downstairs," I whisper.
"It was too cold," he says sleepily. I softly laugh. "In 80 degree LA weather?"
"Yeah," he mumbles. Then all of a sudden he puts his arms around me and pulls me to his chest. "You're really warm Erika," he says, snuggling his head into my neck.
I stay silent. I look to his eyes and see that he is already asleep. He looked so peaceful and innocent, like he didn't have a care in the world. I smile and reach up to slowly run my hands through his hair; reveling in how simple and sweet the world was at the moment. I remembered how something had felt off when I was trying to sleep earlier, and how I didn't know what was wrong.
But I knew now. Jake wasn't there with me.
He wasn't there to wrap his arms around me. He wasn't there for me to hold onto. He wasn't there to fill the air with his minty, evergreen scent and the noise of his light snores. He made everything seem complete and everything made sense as I rested my head on his chest. Suddenly all the feelings that I had buried deep inside for weeks burst out. I couldn't lie to myself anymore and pretend I didn't like him.
I did like him. I liked him a lot.