Pieces of Love

Chapter 21

Emma

The day of Isaac's date dawned bright and early. I jumped out of bed with a spring in my step, excited on the prospect on going on my first date even though I might not have feelings for Isaac. Yet somehow a nagging feeling in my brain refused to free my thoughts of Jacob, who always came with a feeling of regret.

Trying to convince my parents was a painful process and a very embarrassing one at that too. I was pretty sure at the end of my talk with them my cheeks were so hot you could fry an egg on it. Both of my parents were very protective, thus you can imagine the conversation we were having. They made me promise that I will stay safe, and it was not the type of safety you practise on the road, and that I wouldn't consume alcohol. Please, the day that Isaac commits underage drinking is the day in which pigs fly. I wanted to tell them this, but I wasn't sure if that was a time for jokes.

Isaac's plan was to pick me up at five, and bring me for a walk around the city before having dinner. Because of this, I decided to dress casually, yet still look dressed up for dinner. It took me the whole of last night to pick out an outfit with the help of my mum to my dad's disapproval. In the end, we picked out a blue button down shirt and a denim skirt that reached my thighs.

It was like a whole jungle in my stomach as I made my way to my Music elective class, for not only would Isaac be there, but also Jacob. With shaky hands, I opened the door to reveal a lone Jacob perched on his desk, scrolling through his phone. I stopped short, about to quietly leave when he whipped up his head and made eye contact with me.

"Hey," I waved a hand meekly, before bolting. I could hear his cries behind me and I sped up, pushing through the crowd of students going to class, but the unfortunately athletic Jacob soon caught up to me, wrapping his arms around my waist. My head snapped back to meet with a hard chest and I winced, reluctantly turning around to face him.

"What do you want?" I snapped at him, although all I wanted to do was to take him back as my friend. Jacob flinched as if he was struck and stared at me like I was a puzzle. "You get angry at me for no apparent reason, and then ask for my apology. And before I know it, you start to ignore me. A few minutes later, you act as if you hate me," I said bitterly, looking down at both of our feet. Whoever said that girls were complicated apparently hadn't met Jacob before.

Jacob was about to open his mouth when he paused, looking deep in thought in what I just said. A look of shock crossed his features and his grip on me slackened. Regret flashed in his eyes but he wasn't focusing his attention on me. Taking the chance, I ran out of his sight, only to pause to catch my breath. Brushing my sweaty hair out of my forehead, I waited for a few minutes to make sure that Jacob wouldn't catch me. When nothing happened, I dragged my feet to my classroom before the tardy bell could ring. Opening the door once more, I saw a disgruntled Jacob talking to a frowning Lily.

"Lily!" I cried out in relief, grabbing her arm and pulling her away from her conversation with Jacob. "Thank god you are here!" Lily looked at me strangely but recovered and crossed her arms in front of her chest while raising an eyebrow.

"Why didn't you tell me you weren't talking to Jacob anymore?" she asked, scrutinising me carefully. Gulping, I looked over her shoulder to see Jacob staring at me and I averted my eyes, paying my full attention to Lily. Before I could answer, Isaac walked in, saw me and blushed, and right behind him was Mrs Schmidt. Silently thanking the heavens above, I lunged to my seat as Lily sat in hers beside mine. Before Jacob could sit down beside me, I waved vigorously at Isaac and patted the seat beside me, signalling him to sit beside me. Isaac flushed but slowly made his way towards me, gingerly sitting down as if the chair was made of hot coals.

In this class, there was no seating arrangement, but Jacob and Lily usually sit beside me, so inviting Isaac over was no harm. Out of the corner of my eye, Jacob stopped short and glared daggers into Isaac's back, as if he wanted to reduce him to smithereens. My heart ached but I knew even if we both forgave each other today, there is still the fact that I will be going on a date with Isaac tonight.