Summer Love: Before the Spark

Chapter 23

Jesse was shivering and her eyes felt heavy, but the piercing air kept her awake.

Rain was falling outside which gently coated the dewy grass and the clouds that loomed above rolled slowly across the gloomy sky.

Jesse's teeth were chattering and her hands trembled swiftly.

The shed door opened slowly and Jesse quickly glanced up.

Instantly, Jesse was grabbed by her arm and was yanked hastily.

Her mother's expression was cold and her gaze was distant as she dragged Jesse.

Her mother dragged her into the kitchen and turned the faucet on, letting water fill up the pristine sink.

After what felt like a while Jesse's eyes scanned the room. Her heart was pounding against her chest and she was breathing heavily, as she knew what was about to happen.

"You little brat," Her mother snarled as she forcefully put Jesse's head in the sink.

Jesse squirmed in her mother's grip as water filled her lungs.

Jesse could not breathe and her mother's gaze hardened, her dull eyes narrowing.

As her mother put her head up and out of the water, Jesse gasped. She coughed, but was trying to catch her breath at the same time.

Before she could catch her breath, her head was forcefully put back into the sink.

As she struggled to get away from her mom's tight grip, she felt excruciating pain as water filled her lungs. 

Am I gonna live this!? She thought anxiously. I don't want to die!

Her heartbeat was racing and her thoughts brewed anxiety.

Suddenly, her mother lifted her head from the sink and she threw Jesse down.

Jesse's head hit a chair and slowly she slumped to the floor.

She fell to the ground quickly, her face drained of color. She curled into a ball timidly while shivering and coughing as she desperately regained her breath.

"You retarded little brat... I wish you were never born," Her mother spat before hastily storming off.

James had his brow raised, a smirk simply tugging on the corner of his lips as he watched the events unfolding before him.

"Well well well," He began as he walked over to Jesse and kneeled besides her, "Guess you got what you deserved."

Jesse coughed harshly as she laid on the ground, her chest was heaving in and out slowly. Her lungs were burning and her head was now throbbing.

James did not bother to show her an ounce of sympathy and the smirk on his faced showed that.

Her body trembled and she was gasping for breath. Her wet brunette hair stuck to her face and water dripped from her thick hair.

"Get... away.....," Jesse managed to mumble weakly, "Go away..."

"Oh you said to come closer," James eyes lit up, "Ah very well then."

Jesse groaned as she slowly sat up. She winced as she did so though.

Her eyes immediately narrowed as she gazed at her brother.

"You just really are dumb Jesse," James said bluntly.

Jesse gazed at him blankly before weakly standing up to her feet and walking away.

"You are just gonna walk away eh?" Her brother said mockingly, "How pathetic!"

Jesse however did not give him any attention. She grabbed her backpack and slowly headed to her room.

She stumbled a few times as she walked up the stairs. Her head continued to throb harshly and small black dots danced across her vision.

As she entered her room, she nearly collapsed.

She closed her room door though and sat down, her back against the door. She put her hand on her aching head and sighed.

Her chest heaved in and out weakly and she thought to herself... Just one more day.

She shifted a little while shivering before wiping her dewy face as she breathed slowly.

Just one more day.

---

Olivia and Reuben were walking down the sidewalk together.

"This convenience store is not as close as I thought it would be," Reuben said softly.

"No kidding," Olivia said faintly as she stuffed her hands in her fluffy coat pockets.

"Liv...," Reuben said heavily, as he slowed down his walking pace.

"Yea?" Olivia said gently.

"Can I talk to you for a moment?" He asked quietly.

A tense silence hung in the air for a moment and surroundings seemed to become still.

Olivia's walking pace slowed down and was now matching Reuben's.

"Of course you can," She said softly.

"Look I did not bring you out here just to go to the store y'know," He said quickly as he rubbed the back of his neck steadily.

"Ok... Go on."

"I am just worried alright. I mean how could I not be? Lukas is in the hospital. Jesse seems.... Off and everything has just been going south for everyone. But I am mainly just wondering what is up with you? You have been so... Snappy lately y'know."

Olivia sighed slowly and pinched the bridge of her nose gently. "Reuben... I should not be telling you about this but...," She said hesitantly, "All I can say is that it is about Jesse..."

Reuben glanced up at her, his eyes widening, "What?"

"I know...," Olivia said faintly, her tone hushed, "It is about something she's done in the past."

"Wait... slow down," Reuben said, "How is Jesse tied into this?"

"This stupid lady is blackmailing me...," Olivia said faintly, "I'm doing all I can to get this to stop, but...  She has me wrapped around her little fingers currently."

Reuben stopped dead in his tracks, his slow pace coming to an instant halt. 

"My gosh...," Reuben said quietly, as he processed what Olivia just told him.

"You can not tell anyone about this though or else I am screwed," Olivia said swiftly.

Reuben nodded.

"I will not tell another soul... You have my word on that," Reuben said hastily.

The two began walking again.

Olivia had to admit, she definitely felt better after explaining her situation even if it was brief.

But a thought still lingered in her racing mind.

How am I going to get out of this one?