Closer Than You Think

Running

Salty water filled my lungs, every five seconds I had to stop to cough. After 20 minutes of swimming in ice cold, freezing, dark water, I arrived at the pier. I finally managed to scramble up onto the boardwalk and spent 2 minutes throwing up salt water. Standing up straight, I noticed a few couples just staring at me. I nodded at them and started walking as if nothing happened.

Fear gripped my stomach. What if he was here?!? Lurking in the darkness that the lamposts couldn't reach?!? He did know everything about me, he probably knew I was coming here. My eyes flickered to every face, looking for white (well, white white). My pace quickened.

What the hell was I going to do now?!?

I walked quickly and with purpose. Pretty soon I arrived at the shore and asked a man passing by for a quarter to make a call on a payphone.

I knew exactly who to call. After dialing the number I waited a moment for someone to pick up.

Click, "Hello?" Jacky's voice came through.

"Jacky? It's Noel. Can you pick me up?"
---
"So," Jacky smirked, "How was your daaaay?"

"How do you think?" I tossed one of her satin pillows at her, "Pretty tired. I went swimming today!"

Jacky cackled. She'd come by ten minutes earlier and picked me up. We'd come to her penthouse apartment, this seemed the safest place to be. No pictures of her apartment.

We laughed and ate pizza. I'd sent a text to Mullen and Poppop, telling them I was at a safe place, but refusing to say where. I wasn't a 100% sure Jeff wouldn't be able to find the texts. I'd also sent it from a complete stranger's phone. There's no way he could find me now. I'd even thrown away my water logged phone.

I laughed, we were havin' fun and watchin' Monk.

"Alright," Jacky giggled, "You might not have to go to school tomorrow, but I do. It's 1:30 and I'm goin' to sleep." She started walking to her room, "You know where the guest room is."

The smile slid off my face, "Yeah... right." Could I actually sleep?

Easy. No.

I turned off the tv and headed to the guest room. I walked to the adjourning bathroom and looked in the mirror. Technically, I had been sleeping, but not alot and it never ended well. There were ginormous bags under my eyes and my hair was a mess.

I carefully got undressed and stepped into the shower and turned it on, letting actual CLEAN water wash over me. I washed and stared at the shower curtain. I knew how this story would end. I'd see a dark figure behind the curtain raising a knife. I was immensely relieved when I got out that there was no one. I dried off and noticed that new clothes had been set out for me. Jacky's.

I smiled and unlocked the door. I had no clue what to do all night, but I would not be sleeping.

I swung the door open and froze.

"Ooooof course." I said, glaring at Jeff.

He sat smirking on the bed, "Didn't you miss me? I sure missed you." He bounced lightly on the bed at this last part.

"God you're clingy. I saw you like an hour ago."

He laughed and lay down on my bed.

"Not goin' to sleep."

"I'll wait." He wiggled his eyebrows, "Do you like the outfit I picked out for you?"

I glanced down. Black t-shirt, white jeans and a white hoodie. I felt like a reverse oreo.

"Not in particular."

We sat in an awkward silence (awkward on my end, creepy on his).

"You want to take a break? This game's getting boring. Wanna play a new one? How about Jenga?" I joked nervously.

He snickered and shook his head, no.

20 minutes later, Jeff sighed and spoke up. "I've got to leave early tonight. Cops'll be here any moment."

I sighed in relief until he smiled.

"The fuck's got you so happy?"

"Nothing. You'll find out later." With that he stood up and stretched, walking to the window. He paused once he got there. He glanced over his shoulder at me, smiling over the carved one. It was a pretty weird sight.

"Then again, I suppose I've got a minute or two." He strode back over to me.

"What do you-" He cut me off with his mouth. On mine. Just to clarify.

My eyes widened. There were no sparks, just a weird hot, gross, curling feeling in the pit of my stomach. My face and ears turned hot. I can honestly say, nothing feels weirder than kissing a guy who's mouth can't fully close and is open against your cheeks. His lips were rough and dry, scarred and cut.

All in all, it was...awful. You wanna know the very worst part? I sure as hell wasn't gonna take my eyes off the bastard so it was a game of awkward eye contact since he wouldn't (couldn't) close his eyes either. Finally, he let me go.

"It was good for me, was it good for you?" He joked.

"No! How the hell could that have been good for you?!" I waved off his reply before he could get it out, "No, no, tell me. How does it feel to want something most of your life, only to find out, it HATES you and is not as great as you thought it was?"

He gave me a deathly glare, "Later."

He jumped out the window.
-----------------------------------
Sorry it took me forever to update!!!
School gets in the way! Oh well, Hope you liked this. Since nobody's getting the last challenge, here's the next:
Why might I have picked the name Lola? (Hint: It's a song)