Pieces of Love

Chapter 34

It turns out that the paper bag had contained a book that Jacob had bought for me. At first sight of the book, I immediately refused, for it was a classic: Emma by Jane Austen, and was sure to be expensive. However, Jake managed to guilt trip me by saying that he had bought this as a belated birthday present and would be a waste of money if I did not take it.

The Beanhouse had become my new hang-out spot. The taste of the Caramel latte that Jacob had bought for me had driven me here many more times, whether it was just grabbing drinks to-go or a cosy afternoon session with only my books and my music to entertain me. The café was a perfect spot for the latter since not many people knew about this place, so the café is usually empty throughout the day.

This afternoon was no exception as I cuddled up in a corner, the book Emma in my hands, my earphones blasting Taylor Swift. I had barely started, yet I was already hooked to the book. My violin was propped up against the table I was occupying, having come here straight after my practice with Lily at her house for our performance for the senior class graduation.

The canvas tote bag that I used to carry my notes and textbooks to Jacob's for our study session is also beside me, considering that I first went to him in the morning before going to Lily's. Therefore, a relaxing afternoon at The Beanhouse is what I needed badly.

It was exactly one week after my date with Jacob, yet every moment with him is still clearly etched into my mind. Somehow, word had went around about Jacob and I being together, and for one week, I was the subject of cruel teasing from what I was pretty sure was the whole female freshmen population at Clifford High. Jacob had also been through the same thing, and the weekend was welcomed with open arms; two days without all the high pitched squealing and the endless questions were heaven.

Just then, my reverie was broken by the loud ringing of my phone, startling me so much that I dropped my book. Lily's name flashed upon the screen and I quickly tugged an earbud out of my ear, answering the phone. A flurry of voices greeted me.

"Hello? Hello? Lily, are you there? What's going on?" I asked repeatedly, my voice full of confusion.

"Emma!" Lily exclaimed loudly over the speaker and I winced, but she continued, "Where are you now?"

"I'm at The Beanhouse. Why do you ask?"

"Great! Meet me down at the beach in ten alright? No questions!" And with that cryptic message, she hung up.

Staring at my phone, it took me a while to gather my senses before I packed up my stuff, finished my drink and left the café. The walk from the park to the beach took me lesser time than expected, for two reasons. Firstly, there were lesser people using the pathway considering that it was late in the afternoon. Secondly, as the yellow sand of the beach came into view, with it also came the loud cheering of people, something which made me quicken my pace to see what was going on.

Violin and tote bag gripped tightly in hand, I manoeuvred my way through the crowd to the front, where my heart gave a backflip and I felt strangely dizzy.

For there Jacob was, playing a furious game of soccer with a few other older boys that I did not recognise, but one fact seemed to stand out in my mind. He was shirtless. He didn't have a six-pack yet, but it was close to one. A pair of gym shorts hung low on his hips, and I could see that he had garnered quite the attention from females, considering that most of the crowd were teenage girls. For a moment, jealousy coursed through me at the fact that he was noticed by other girls, but then, it was unfair of me to think that he did this on purpose.

"Emma!" A familiar voice shouted out and I turned around to see into Lily, her phone still clutched in her hands. "Like what you see?" she grinned devilishly and I laughed nervously.

"Anyways, I was actually on my way to the mall when I spotted Jacob. I'll better be going now. See you later!" Lily continued. She gave me a small wave, before heading up the beach. "And don't forget you owe me for this!" she shouted behind her back and I rolled my eyes.

"Em?" a hand tapped me on my shoulder, and I turned around to literally bump into Jacob, which meant his bare torso made contact with my upper body. The thin top I was wearing did not help me whatsoever with fighting down the blush that erupted all over my cheeks.

The tips of Jacob's ears were turning pink as he looked down at me and I had difficulty fixing my line of sight on his face. The soccer game had finished, and people were slowly walking away. The boys that Jacob played with glanced between the two of us, some of us giving suggestive looks before they left, not before calling it a good game. Jacob gave a nod in their direction to acknowledge them.

"So ..." I began awkwardly, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "Who are they?"

Jacob jumped slightly, before addressing the sand in a soft voice, "They are a few sophomores and juniors from Clifford. I met them during soccer try-outs. Apparently they said I was a good player and invited me to play a match with them down here."

As he was speaking, he started walking towards his things in which he left a good distance away from where we were standing and took out a water bottle to drink. Taking advantage of his distraction, my eyes raked over his body and I gulped. His skin was coated with a sheen of sweat, but although that should be disgusting, I found it strangely attractive.

I was broken out of my stupor when Jacob tugged a tight fitting black tee on, and I was left blinking stupidly in the light made by the now setting sun.

"Checking me out, aren't we?" Jacob suddenly said cheekily, now that he was more comfortable with a shirt on and I quickly shook my head, although it was obvious lie. We continued walking down the beach, me struggling slightly with the weight of my tote bag. Shifting it slightly on my shoulder, it was all it took for Jacob to offer to help me carry it.

I guess chivalry isn't dead, after all.

As we walked hand in hand down the beach down the beach, basking in the light of the setting sun, I felt peaceful. Amidst all the workload that came from being at Clifford High, strenuous Music elective lessons and music competitions, and the drama between me and different boys, all I needed was a breather. Being away from the bustling city and just being immersed in nature was simply put it, bliss.

The violin that I was carrying was, undeniably, the thing that brought Jacob and I together. Inanimate object as it was, it was a treasured thing. Overcome with emotion, I tugged Jacob's hand and as he turned to me, I surprised him with a kiss. He pressed his body up close against mine, his hands trailing from my shoulders down to my arms, and finally settled around my waist.

"You have no idea how much you mean to me, Em," Jacob murmured against my lips.

"I guess it's for you to know and for me to find out. But if there's one thing that I know, it's that you, Jake, really is one of the best things that have ever happened to me."

I have never spoken a truer sentence in my life.