Beyond The Ferns |ON HOLD|

Chapter 3: Salty Reunion

Jake's POV

I walked into my walk-in closet, looking for a purple shirt, my mom hates that color, and based on the commotion downstairs she is already here. I walked around with the towel around my waist, with water from my long hair dripping all over the carpet.

I sighed.

I put on a deep purple polo short and a white basketball shorts and pair those with purple socks.

Someone is going to be upset this morning.

I walked outside my room slamming the door loudly on purpose. My footsteps echoed throughout the empty house. I took my time walking down the stairs.

1..

2..

3..

I walked into the kitchen, the scent of bacon cooking fills the atmosphere, Nerine has her back turned to me, my mother is sitting at the island with her fingers curled around a steaming cup of coffee. No sign of my dad- no surprise there.

"Good morning, Nerine," I say casually, as I opened the cupboard searching for my box of lucky charms. I took out the cereal box and placed it on the counter, aware of the thick tension in the room.

I heard my mother clearing her throat. I turned toward her. Her emerald eyes seem to look straight through me. She seems to look older, a few streaks of grey in her dark hair which she wore in a tight bun and dark circles under eyes. She looks far from the lady I knew from my childhood.

What happened to you Mom?

"Hello," I said in a monotone staring at her, she stares at her cup of coffee "may I ask why you are here?"

"Jake! that's not the correct way to speak to your mother." Narine whisper-yelled at me.

"Oh, I'm sorry, is there a reason why you are here Mother?" I drink from the box of milk, avoiding Nerine's glare.

She responded with a simple "Is that what you are going to wear?" her usually honeyed voice sounds lifeless to my ears. She eyes my purple shirt with distaste.

"Uhm, yes, are we going somewhere?" I asked as I juggle the empty milk box on my feet. Her face immediately lights up. "we are going to spend our summer at your father's island."

pfft Of course not

I have so many plans.

Soccer matches in England

Parties with my best friend in Greece...

A Drake concert...

Skinny dipping with Brittany and McKenzie.

A bucket list to fill.

But I could not say no to her, not with her face looking so alive and happy. Like the mother I once knew.

"Fine, Whatever." I rolled my eyes, I stare outside the huge kitchen window munching on the Lucky charms.

Seems as if I'm going to hell in a few weeks

"Okay, its time to go!" she sprang up from the stool, motioning me to come.

"Now?!" I asked horrified, I kicked the box in the garbage bin. I looked around to see if I could find Nerine to save me. She's no where in sight.

I have plans tonight with Samantha

"C'mon, Jake the helicopter is waiting," her voice now sounds too peppy.