Help Me Out

Fairytales

Chapter Two

ALL HUMAN

What had I gotten myself into?

I held my head in my hands and sighed as I walked home from work. What had I done? I was screwed. I just pretty much flirted with another guy. What am I, a whore? God, I felt like one.

Just ignore it, Bella, my conscious said. Ignore him tomorrow, and he'll go away. He's just some random guy.

Just some random guy. Someone I'll probably never see outside the bookstore. Some guy. Some...beautiful guy...kind guy...

Oh, man.

As much as I wanted to leave; get away from him, I wanted to stay. I wanted to be able to sit down and actually talk with someone. Have a real conversation where I don't have to be afraid of what my answers are. What the consequences of my answers are. I wanted to be able to actually have someone smile at me, like he did today. It sent a warm feeling through me again and again. It was like an electric current. It was beautiful. I hadn't felt that in a long, long time.

I wanted to be able to discuss my interests. What I like to do; what I don't like to do. What my favorite genre of books is. What I like about people. My favorite foods. There were so many little things I wanted to tell him about myself. I just wanted to have an actual conversation with someone.

And he looked like someone who would listen to me.

Oh, what am I saying? He can't be. He just..can't. Why would he even talk to me? That's the question stuck in my head. Why?

I sighed, giving up on the subject for tonight. I'll see him tomorrow. I'll talk to him. Then I will never see him again. I will make him so bored with me that he'll never see me again.

Great.

As I neared the house, my stomach dropped. Jake's car was there. I really hoped tonight would be an easy night.

But when does that happen?

I walked up the stairs towards the apartment. I took deep breaths to calm myself.

I walked slowly into the room. Jacob was sitting on the couch watching TV. Or, at least, the TV was on. He didn't look over when I shut the door. I took my shoes off and walked quietly into the kitchen. I took a glass out of the cabinet, and got some water. He made no comments about how I need to 'stay out of the kitchen' or stuff like that. It was extremely unusual.

I took the glass and sat down in the chair next to the couch he was sprawled out on. His eyes were open; bloodshot. He was staring blankly at the screen. I bit my lip and did the same.

Minutes seemed to pass. Hours. He did not speak. We sat there late, late into the night. I was afraid to move. But I was exhausted. I needed sleep.

I slowly got up and walked into the kitchen to put my glass in the sink. I then slowly walked over towards the bedroom door. Ten steps...five steps...two steps..

"Where are you going?" he said groggily from the couch. I froze and closed my eyes.

"I was going to go to sleep-"

"Says who? I didn't say you could."

I should've just turned around and fell asleep on the chair. I should've.

But I didn't.

I felt something overcome me. Power, maybe? Something. I wasn't going to give in this time.

"No."

I walked into the bedroom, shut the door behind me, and locked it.

I heard his laughing from the other side of the door; the TV shutting off. My heart was racing. Anticipation. Fear. Worry. But, above it all, was pride. I had just defied him. I smiled lightly.