Pieces of Love

Chapter 24

Jacob

I'm in her room. We're finally talking again. Should I ask her?

These are the thoughts that ran through my mind as I looked down at Emma, perched on the bed. Oh screw it, what do I have to lose? My dignity, a voice in my brain said. Ignoring that voice, I cleared my throat, grabbing Emma's attention. She looked at me curiously but I could see the tiredness in her eyes. My heart plummeted.

"I'm so sorry for the way I treated you that night," I apologised, feeling like a bastard for putting Emma through all of this. Her eyes widened, and she made a movement to get up, but I grabbed her shoulders gently and pushed her back onto the bed. Plonking myself on the bed beside her, I continued, "I was an idiot, and I let my feelings control me. Will you forgive me?"

Looking up at Emma hopefully, I saw her hesitate. Avoiding eye contact with me was never a good sign. But what came out of her mouth shocked me. "I should be saying sorry too. I said things to you that probably hurt you," she said, issuing a loud sigh.

My heart clenched at the realisation that whatever she said was true. Not only did I hurt her, she also hurt me too. The two of us had been more broken than we realised. Right then and there I knew Emma meant more than me that I ever knew, considering that we only met each other six months ago.

"Can't we both forgive each other? I'm honestly tired of all this," Emma's tentative voice broke me out of my reverie. I stared at her and for the first time in what felt like forever, gave a small smile directed at her. Nodding my head, I moved in to give her a hug, but she stopped me.

"I understand that you are worried that I'll spend more time with Isaac than you, but don't worry. Nobody can ever replace you, Jake. Nobody can ever replace my best friend," Emma sent me a dazzling smile.

I froze. Is it just me, or being friend zoned hurts like hell? Gritting my teeth, I ignored Emma's open arms and stood up, crossing my arms and turning around to face her. "Did I say something wrong?" she asked worriedly, furrowing her eyebrows. Shaking my head violently, I ran my hand through my hair, letting out a puff of air. Taking a deep breath, I asked the question that could possibly make or break me.

"Will you go to the Valentine's Day dance with me?"

Beads of sweat were trickling down my forehead and the room felt suffocating. I felt exposed, vulnerable even, and my insecurities were coming back. Emma's jaw dropped and she stared unblinkingly at me, which did not help slow down my heartbeat in any sense. After recovering from her initial shock, her face transformed into an expression of pity and I felt like throwing up.

"I'm...I'm so sorry...but...I already agreed to go to the dance...with Isaac," Emma said with caution, looking at me carefully as if I was made of fragile glass. Well, I felt like fragile glass. Gulping down the ball in my throat, I managed to croak out, "It's okay. I was just thought you were free. I...I have to go now. See you tomorrow."

Trying to compose myself, I gave her a wave and walked out of the room as normally as possible. Once out of sight, I bounded down the steps two at a time, and rushed out of the house like it was on fire. Isaac had beaten me to Emma once again.

Maybe I should just give up.