The Willow Tree

Chapter 11

It was the first time that I had properly left my house in over a month. I stood on the doorstep outside of Jake's house and slowly knocked on the door, eagerly waiting for him to answer. Within seconds the door swung open.

'Willow,' Scarlett, Jake's little sister, shouted enthusiastically as she wrapped her little arms around my knees in an attempt to hug me.

'I love your costume,' I replied as she giggled and twirled around in what appeared to be a princesses dress.

'I have a tiara,' she beamed up at me, clearly very pleased by that fact.

'And you look beautiful,' I told her.

'Are you staying tonight for a sleepover?' She asked her little eyes wide as she looked up at me.

'Yes,' I replied, placing my bag down at the bottom of the stairs.

My Father had left this morning for a week long business trip and I had asked Jake if he wanted to stay at mine for a couple of days. I couldn't think of anything worse than sleeping in my house alone for a whole week. He told me that his Mum had insisted that I stay with them for the week, and for that I was extremely grateful.

'Hey,' Jake's voice greeted me and I felt my face light up with a smile.

'Hi,' I replied as he wrapped his arm around my shoulders, kissing the top of my head.

'Let me get that,' he said as I went to pick up my bag.

'Thanks,' I replied following him as he headed up the stairs.

My favourite thing about Jake's house was how cosy and homely it always felt, nothing like mine. Walls covered with photos, toys and books scattering the floor, piles of papers that were intended to be sorted but probably never would. Unlike my house, it truly felt as if someone lived here. 

I sat down on Jake's bead staring at the wall above the headboard and the photos that were stuck there. They were mainly of him and his little sister, with a couple of the two of us, but one of the photos caught my attention. It was of a little boy sat on a swing, while a tall man pushed the boy a huge smile spread across his face.

'Is that your Father?' I asked.

'Yeah,' Jake replied. 

'He looks like you,' I told him, although he had probably heard that a million times before. 

'I've heard,' Jake chuckled. 'I don't see him that much anymore though. After my parents got divorced, my Mum moved here with us and he stayed behind in our old house. He doesn't really bother with Scarlett and I anymore.' 

I knew words wouldn't make anything better, instead I rested my head on his shoulder.

'Well this got quite intense very quickly,' Jake laughed standing up and taking my hands. 'Popcorn and a film?' He asked.

'Perfect.'

-

'Can Willow sleep in my room tonight?' Scarlett asked her Mother as she snuggled into my arm while chewing on a slice of bread. I loved the way she treated me almost like I was her older sister, it was so sweet and she really was the loveliest little girl.

'Sorry Scarlett,' Jake said. 'But Willow's staying with me.'

Scarlett stuck out her bottom lip obviously sulking.

'What?' Jake asked noticing the disapproving look on his Mother's face.

'But Willow's a girl and she won't want to stay in a smelly boy's room,' Scarlett insisted. I looked up at Jake and couldn't help but burst into fits of giggles.