My Protector

chapter three

      I awoke the next morning with dried tears below my eyes. I wiped them away and sat up, stretching my arms high in the air until-

      Ow. I need to remember that my wall is right behind me. As I was rubbing my sore knuckles, I heard chuckling from the other side of my room. Instantly I stood up on my bed and faced the noise, hands up ready to defend myself. My eyes widened even more when I recognized Jake's face as he sat there laughing at me. I slowly sat back down on my bed and eyed him cautiously. What was he still doing here? I remembered that he had saved me at the party, but I didn't know that he stayed all night!

      "You're cute when you sleep. You talk and move around a lot," he said with a smirk. I blushed, embarrassed that he had watched me sleep until I realized that I didn't even know why he was here. 

      "What are you still doing here?" I asked, a little more rudely than I had meant. His face suddenly turned more serious and he said in a gruff tone, 

      "I stayed to make sure you were alright, to make sure that you would be safe. I thought it would be reassuring but I guess not. Sorry to disturb you." He stood up and angrily walked out. Why do I always do that? Mad at myself for being so rude, I hopped out of bed fast and ran after him. I sprinted down the hallway and turned the corner and bam! Ran face first into something hard, but not too hard to be a wall. I opened my eyes to come face-to-face with Jake's chest. I slowly looked up to find that he was looking down at me, amused. I crossed my arms, embarrassed to have been that close to him. 

      "Did you have something you wanted to tell me?" his eyes twinkled with amusement as I just remembered why I sprinted in the first place. 

      "Um, uh yes. I um wanted to say that, uh, thanks for last night. And I'm sorry for this morning. I was just, um, startled that you were in my room. That's all...” I sheepishly looked up to see that he was grinning so wide that it just made me smile. 

      "Anytime princess," he said, suddenly turning serious. He lifted his hand to move a piece of hair behind my ear. I blushed instantly and he chuckled, pulling his hand away. 

        "Why all of a sudden are you talking to me, and being nice to me?" I almost whispered, a little out of breathe from his touch. 

      "Danielle, we've been in the same class almost every year. We had to talk sometime. And I noticed you were in trouble and I wasn't going to let that asshole hurt you again; Jimmy either." He spoke harder towards the mention of both guys, clenching his fists at his sides. I looked up at him a little nervous and he just gave a small smile. 

      "Do you want me to make you some breakfast since you're here?" I asked sheepishly as I barely knew him, but it was polite. Also I wanted him here, I didn't know why but I felt safe with him around. Jake and I could become close friends, I thought, daydreaming a little. I pictured us laughing together and watching a movie. I blinked as my daydreams were interrupted when my thoughts went wild. I pictured him leaning down to kiss me while I laid in my bed and I instantly shook the thought away. 

      "No thanks I don't eat breakfast," he said as I felt a little disappointed. That's when I noticed his hand. 

      "Your hand is bloody. That happened last night, how come you didn't clean it?" I questioned, suddenly feeling like a mother. I guess he noticed it too. 

      "Because Mom," he continued sarcastically, “I was busy watching over this pretty girl to make sure she wouldn't get hurt," he teased. I laughed at his joke. I was acting a little momish- 

      Wait. 

      Did he just say pretty girl? Was he implying me? I stopped suddenly and just looked embarrassed. Nobody has ever really called me pretty before, well, besides my grandma that I visit every once and awhile. But she's half blind so it wasn't that comforting. 

      "Um, you should follow me so I can get that um, cleaned off," I stammered afraid that he might change his opinion about me. 

       I lead him to the bathroom and turned on the light. Looking in the mirror, I froze. Had I looked like this the whole time? I slammed the door in his face, yelling to hold on I needed to do something first. I thought he would be mad, but I just heard him lightly chuckle on the other side of the door. 

      I turned to the mirror to get started. First I brushed out my long, tangly brown hair. Next, I watched my face and brushed my teeth. I couldn't talk to him with bad breathe! I smoothed out my shirt that I was wearing from last night still, and let him in. 

      "Are you ready for me doctor?" he asked with a wink. I just smiled and closed the door behind him. I turned to face him and he was holding out his hand. I was hesitant to grab it because it would be physical contact and I wasn't sure if I could handle that yet, what with my raging thoughts and all. 

      I gingerly reached out and took his hand in mine, instantly feeling my whole body tingle. I looked up and he was looking at me, with his soft brown eyes that could just melt you if you stared long enough. I quickly looked away and grabbed some antiseptic wipes. I took one and gently placed it on his knuckles. He sucked in air quickly and I realized he was in pain. I quickly pulled the wipe off and apologized, embarrassed. 

      "You don't have to apologize, it's not my fault I punched a wall. You can continue," he said, still not changing his solemn expression. I nodded and cautiously placed it on again, watching him place his lips in a tight line, bracing against the pain. I wiped at his hand until all the blood was gone, and then dried it with a towel. I bent down to grab some bandages to wrap his hand in, and when I stood up I realized that he was closer than I had remembered. I was face-to-face with his chest again. I automatically backed away and looked down, embarrassed. I wrapped his hand off quickly and then walked him to the door. 

      "So I'll just see you at school then?" he said, his face still a smirk since I was so close to his chest. His muscly, huge, wonderful- wait what was I saying! I couldn't think those things. I nodded and he walked out, thanking me again and waved. I waved him goodbye and then closed the door. Time to get ready for a long day of school.