A Friend's Love

Chapter Thirteen: Worries

Jake's P.O.V.

It was the night before the first day of school. And my mind was buzzing with millions of questions and worries... What if my exes talked to Amy and broke us up? What if the guys I hung out with tried to break us up? We were strong enough to not let any of that get to us, right?

I looked over at Amy. She was asleep on the couch next to me. We'd been at an amusement park all day, celebrating the last day of summer. All of that excitement must have worn her out.

I smiled as I remembered our kiss in the dark Haunted House they had year round. And then I laughed, remembering how Amy had jumped the next second because a "ghost" flew across our car's path. (It was obviously a piece of white cloth tied to a swinging wire. I'd been in the Haunted House millions of times, so I knew all the tricks.)

Amy looked so peaceful in her sleep, her lips just barely curved up in a relaxed smile. I brushed a few strands of hair off of her sunburned cheek and threw a thin blanket over her legs. I knew I'd have to wake her up soon. What would people think if she came out of my house in the morning and we told people we were dating?

That was another thing that was bugging me. I couldn't help but wonder what people would think. I'd beat up any guy who tried to talk to her, and I was pretty sure she wouldn't let too much gossip get around if she could help it, but... I still worried. I didn't want to lose her... Amy was the best thing that had ever happened to me...

When I had to wake Amy up (it was almost midnight, after all) I forced all the worries out of my mind. Whatever was going to happen would happen, and I'd just have to accept that. Worrying wouldn't help anything.

So on the way to Amy's house, I wasn't the one who was worried. Amy was.

Her forehead was creased and she was biting her lip like she always does when she's thinking. And she was watching the ground, but not really seeing it.

So I pulled her to the side of the road and took her face in my hands. "What's wrong?" was all I had to say. And then she started talking and I couldn't have gotten her to stop if I had wanted to.

"Well... I'm just nervous I guess. I mean, it's a whole new school and you and Cassie are the only people I know, and I don't even know if you'll be in the same classes as me. And I don't know if I'll like the basketball team here, or the band... and what if I hate the classes or the teachers, or what if I make an enemy on my very first day? What if I don't know which bus to get on after school? What if people start rumors about us? And what will people say when I get off the bus with you? And what about your exes? What if they get jealous and they make something up about you to try to break us up? I don't want to lose you... I'm just... scared, I guess. And I know it's stupid, but... Oh Jake... what if no one likes me? I mean-"

I cut her off with a kiss. She slowly relaxed in my arms and when I pulled away, she was smiling sheepishly. "I talk too much, don't I?"

"No, of course not. I love hearing your voice. I just don't want you to worry!"

She shook her head, still not sure. "But..."

"Look," I interrupted, "do you think I'm not scared too? It's okay to be scared. Starting over at a new school is tough, but I know you'll do fine. And you have me. I promise I won't let you out of my sight unless I absolutely have to. You'll do great in all of your classes, the teachers are decent, no one could hate you, and what people say doesn't matter. Nothing's gonna break us apart, okay? I promise. Don't worry Amy. Everything will be okay."

She hugged me, and her face showed that she was a little less nervous. I smiled comfortingly at her and kissed the top of her head before grabbing her hand and walking her to her door. She kissed me on the cheek and turned the knob. "See you tomorrow Jake. And thanks... I needed that."

I threw her a wink and squeezed her hand before letting go. "7:30. And, no problem. You're never a problem for me."

Amy blushed and stuck her tongue out at me, saying "Corny!" before rushing inside and closing the door. I grinned and started walking back. When it started sprinkling, I pulled up my hood and walked faster.

That night, when I was alone in the dark, trying to sleep, I pushed aside my worries once again. Everything would be fine. As long as I had Amy, I'd be okay.

The last thought I had before drifting off to sleep was, what could possibly go wrong?

...I hate it when I jinx myself.

*

"If you judge people, you have no time to love them."

-Mother Teresa

There's a little bit of Jake's point of view on this whole 'new school' thing.. And... did he jinx himself? Is something about to go wrong?

Well... I wouldn't be saying this if something wasn't about to go wrong so... you'll just have to wait and see!(:

-Alyssa <3