Around The World With You

NINE: Blake & Riley

Ryan closed the door behind me and showed us to the couch.

When I sat down, Ryan came closer to examine my face, "I'll get you some swabs."

He walked away.

The living room was strangely tense with the bubbling sparks of curiosity.

Jake was leaning against a tall bookshelf beside me. He had his hands crossed and his eyes were set on me the whole time.

We didn't exchange a word.

Ryan's footsteps neared and he was gently dabbing my cheeks and momentarily checking if anything was wrong with my head.

"What's this number?" He asked showing two fingers open in front of my face.

I scrunched up my face, "Umm..four?"

A small smile lit my face. Ryan looked so cute when he was worried. He didn't even bother to ask who did it so he could take revenge like other brothers. He just wanted me to be safe and I loved him for that.

"Aw, something is wrong with your head!" He wailed, laughing and giving me a tiny smack.

As he was going back to throw the used swabs, he looked at Jake, "You can sit here for a while," he looked back and forth me and Jake, "Thanks for helping my little sis. I owe you one."

He walked away yet again. And we both were alone together yet again.

My feet tapped the tiles sounding a small beat up rhythm. Slowly I turned to Jake, now sitting on the couch across me. Legs crossed and arms draped over the top. Like he had been here before.

I risked a few words, "Jake?"

He looked at me. "Yeah. What's your name? I just saw a girl in trouble and wanted to help out."

My heart shrunk. The unimaginary and real Jake doesn't know me.

My mind stretched and pounded itself to figure out what had just happened.

Apparently, Jake was not a product of my imagination. He had been some kind of soul that only I could interact with.

Now that soul has turned into a real human being somehow but doesn't have any memories of his 'soul' life.

That's only one hunch. There are thousands more running through my head and it would take another hundred pages to list them all down.

I am not a believer in ghosts but what else can I believe when an imaginary being suddenly becomes real?

I leaned forward. "How did you know my address if you don't know who I am?"

Jake's face contorted. "I am not sure about that too. I just let my mind drive me."

I gulped. My hunch was right. He was a soul that turned into a human being. Otherwise how could he have had the slightest idea of which house was mine in this extravagant neighbourhood?

I continued my questioning. "Where do you live?"

Jake's face fell slack and looked at me with expressionless eyes. "Why are you asking me such questions? I helped you and you don't even thank me for it and the next moment you're interrogating me!"

Jake stood up and stormed out the door, kind enough not to slam it. I heard the rev of the engine and he drove off.

I placed my head between my knees, frustrated.

I want my old Jake back. My old imaginary Jake. My caring, sweet and understanding Jake. The Jake who could be claimed by no one but me.

Hopeful, another hunch distracted my mind. What if the soul was still here and the Jake that just stormed off was his real life doppelgänger?