Summer Love: Before the Spark

Chapter 19

Reuben was laying on his burgundy bed, gazing wearily at the ceiling.

His home was quiet and he figured his mother was working another late shift.

He sighed quietly and rolled to his side, so he could gaze out the window.

His mind was swirling like a whirlwind and he shivered as cool air from a vent flooded his dull room.

He absent-mindedly reached for a soft blanket and wondered if Jesse was ok.

Was she just sick? He silently hoped so.

He felt his stomach churning and an uneasy feeling settle within the depths of his gut.

He was starting to feel like something else was wrong with Jesse's sudden disappearance and he found it difficult to brush the feeling aside.

---

Jesse was in a bathroom, her trembling hands hovering above the marble sink.

The warm water was gliding across her fingers and her gaze was locked on the mirror as she stared unintentionally at herself.

Her eyes were bloodshot, her umber eyes were glossy. Just when she thought things couldn't get any worse... Then this happened and of course James wasn't helping at all.

She bit her velvet colored bottom lip and broke her gaze from the mirror and turned off the silver faucet.

"Sweetie, are you ok?"

Jesse turned towards the voice, glancing down since she was unable to look the woman in the eye.

"I'm fine," Jesse said as she shifted uneasily.

Her heart was racing against her chest, her breathing was tense and she felt awkward just standing there.

Without any further conversation, Jesse swiftly turned on her heel and rushed out of the bathroom.

She felt like she might throw up. She hated lying to the woman, but it wasn't like she'd open up to a stranger.

Her feet tapped lightly against the solid floor and she bit her soft bottom lip to prevent tears from streaming down her face.

Eventually she found herself sitting on a chair again. Her head was bowed as she pondered deeply.

"Jesse."

She furrowed her brow as she glanced up and gazed unwilling into her brother's eyes.

"What are you doing out here?" He said.

"I'm getting away from you that's what," Jesse snapped bitterly.

"Look, just talk to me about how you are feeling-"

"No! Why the... Why are you pretending to care now! A... After all this time.. All you've ever done is push me away, blame me for everything and be cold." She jabbed a quivering finger at his chest, "I don't want to talk to you."

She glanced down hesitantly.

"And it's not like you really want to talk to me anyway," Jesse said, quietly.

"You're acting as if this is my fault," James said faintly as he crossed his arms over his chest and furrowed his thick brows.

"Because it is you're fault!" Jesse exclaimed hastily, drawing other's wary gazes.

"Whatever," James said, "At least mom loves me."

Jesse's eyes widened and she opened her mouth to retort, but her mind was blank.

She felt tears threatening to break lose at his words.

His words were sharper than a two edged sword and pierced through Jesse's fragile heart.

"...W...What," She muttered, shocked.

"You heard me," James said bluntly.

Jesse was at a loss for words as her brother gazed at her without any remorse for his actions.

Her stomach churned and a lump formed in her dry throat.

James spun on his heel, leaving Jesse alone.

Jesse felt her heart break even more and it shattered into smaller pieces. It was almost as if her heart was shards of glass dividing into smaller pieces.

Did he not realize how much his words was hurting her?

--- The next day ---

"Jesse where have you been?" Reuben asked, before taking a bite of his tuna sand which.

"I was sick," She said directly.

"Oh... Well I'm glad you're better now," Reuben said after he swallowed his food.

Jesse forced a smile and was glad she covered her bruises with foundation.

"Thanks," She said quickly, "And you don't have to worry I'm fine."

Reuben nodded, slowly.

"...Well uh Lukas signed you up for a piano competition."

Jesse nearly choked on her potato chips.

"What!" She muttered whilst coughing for a few moments.

"I know I know don't be upset buddy," Axel said.

Much to Reuben's surprise Jesse sighed and said, "I'm not surprised."

She trailed off and thought for a moment.

"But I'll do it."

"Huh? Like really... I mean like willingly?" Reuben said, fumbling over his words for a couple of moments.

She nodded.

"Are you ok? You feeling under the weather buddy?" Axel asked as he raised his brow.

"I said I'm fine didn't I? Plus, this is the least I can do for Lukas right."

"I guess you could put it that way," Olivia said softly, "But are you sure?"

"I'm positive. Just give me the information will you," Jesse said assertively.

"Sure thing," Axel said and handed Jesse a heavy folder.

"Huh... More papers than I expected for just a competition," She muttered quietly.

Axel just nodded while Olivia fiddled silently with her thumbs.

Reuben smiled contently because his best friend was going to play wholeheartedly again.

Well at least that's what he thought.