Tangled Love

CHAPTER 38

The sting behind my eyes intensify and my body aches in places I didn't even knew exist. When I shift or move positions, an uncomfortable grunt involuntarily leaves my lips. The exhaustion I've felt the past few days is beginning to take its toll on me. My body feels like it's on strike, refusing to function correctly unless I give in and sleep. It's not that I'm refusing to sleep, it's simply that my brain won't shut down for one night.

I'm wearing an off the shoulder baby pink shirt and my hair is scraped back into a messy bun. Underneath I wear my pyjama shorts from last night and I plan to remain like this all day. My mind wondered to last night when things became awkward between Jake and I. I'm planning on avoiding the topic entirely today. The kitchen door swings open and Jake waltz in, his hair wet from the shower.

Speak of the devil.

I scroll aimlessly through my phone, avoiding eye contact with him. . . It's easier said than done.

Especially when the boy always looks so damn good.

Jake notices my hostile personality towards him and he sighs heavily, making me aware of his presence. I watch from the corner of my eyes as he walks over to the microwave, placing some oatmeal inside. He turns it on, the beep of the microwave filling the silence between us.

"Sleep well?" Jake asks me quietly, turning to look at me. His voice is strained, holding back from what he really wants to say to me. I simply shake my head and carry on scrolling through my phone, glancing at my unread texts. Multiple messages from Mum asking of my whereabouts. I roll my eyes at my phone, feeling surprised that she'd even noticed my missing presence. I turn my phone off, placing it down onto the dining table before putting my head in my hands. Text © 2024 NôvelDrama.Org.

If I close my eyes here, I could power nap. . .

I hear a chair scrape back and Jake pushes his bowl of oatmeal towards me, dropping a spoon beside it as he takes a seat opposite me.

"Eat it, it'll give you energy."

"No thanks, I'm not hungry." I reply, my voice exhausted as I push the bowl back towards him. I really can't stomach food right now.

"You should eat something Emily."

"I'm really not that hungry," I shoot back at him, noticing his eyebrows creasing together.

"Oatmeal is good for the body, it's fuel." Jake said stubbornly, pushing the bowl back towards me. I raise one brow, passing it back to him so it looked like we were playing a game of pass the parcel.

"I'm not a car, I don't need fuel." I say light heartedly, wanting him to drop the subject. The real problem between us is currently being disguised as a god damn bowl of oatmeal. I sigh heavily, standing up from the table and scraping the chair back.

"I'm going to try and get some sleep. Enjoy your oatmeal Melvin," I smile tightly at him. He raises one brow but doesn't question my actions. The awkward atmosphere between us continues to grow until it's almost suffocating.

I leave the kitchen and walk up the stairs, putting some distance between Jake and I so I can clear my thoughts

I finish making my bed as Jake knocks on my bedroom door. I pause and look up at him, both of us creating eye contact that i'm not ready for.

"Is this about last night Emily?" Jake says, his voice a low murmur. The blue in his eyes burn brightly as he looks at me, pleading with me to talk to him. I slowly nod my head.

"It's a little confusing, that's all." I say quietly, avoiding eye contact with him. He takes a seat on my bed, blowing out a deep breath. I watch him as he reaches up, running a hand through the soft strands of his dark hair.

"I don't know if I can explain, it's difficult."

I'm surprised at his words because I thought I'd be getting honesty from him. . . Maybe this is his honesty. I nod slowly, digesting the information that he isn't ready.

"I like you Jake." I blurt out, letting him in on my thoughts. My eyes widen at my sudden urge to be truthful and I mentally slap myself as I notice the surprise flash in his eyes. He masks it over so that his face is emotionless and he quickly stands up, acting like I've grown two heads.

"Say something." I mutter, my cheeks turning into two hot flaming coals. Someone crack an egg on these cheeks because I'm ready to scramble them.

"You shouldn't, you really shouldn't." He says darkly, his words quiet. I frown at him, feeling hurt as I watch his take steps towards the door.

"Why is it wrong for me to like you?"

He simply shakes his head at me in response, his face twisted and contorted as he leaves the room. I wonder what happened to him to make him so unsure on himself and uncomfortable with portraying his feelings. Despite that I'm still hurt and confused.

I lie down, emerging myself inside the safety of my blankets. Before I know it I'm fast asleep, the thought of Jake still fresh in my mind.