Fragile // Sequel to Torn

9. |

// Jakob's point of view //

I'm ready. I've gotten dressed, booked the restaurant and done my hair, cleaned out the car and gotten over my nerves. My first real date with Ashley. I really just hope it goes well. I check the time on my phone- 7:15. It's time for me to go. I take one last look at myself in the mirror before making my way downstairs. The house is dark and I'm not for switching on all the lights, so I awkwardly make my way through the blackness. I'm just at the door when I spot him, instantly jumping back in fright.

"Oh my god, Ethan." I breathe, trying to calm my heart rate. Something weird is going on.

"Jake, you can't go." He suddenly says, his voice sounding desperate.

"Uh, why not?" I question, wishing he'd just move so I could leave.

"Just... Please, don't go." Ethan persists, not giving me any reasons at all.

"I'm going to be late," I try, starting to get a little annoyed. "What the fuck is going on?"

"Nothing is going on."

"Why the fuck are you acting so strange then?"

// Ethan's point of view //

"I can't tell you!" I say, still standing in his way. What is happening to me?

"Then get out of my way!" Jakob orders, trying to push past me. I knock his hands out of the way.

"No!"

"What? Why will you not let me leave, then?" He pauses, stepping back a little bit. His expression changes completely. He can see right through me. I can tell he's hesitating to say it and I'm wishing more than anything that he wont. "Do you like me?"

It gets to me and I feel my cheeks heat up. I can't say anything, just stare at the ground with tears forming in my eyes. This is all my fault. Kaleb left me thinking about how I always got through that type of pain with Jakob. Then I started to miss him and it all escalated from there.

"Oh my fucking god, Ethan!" Jakob yells, aggression evident in his tone. "You fucking like me?"

"No! I don't like you!" I lie. "You can't just assume things like that! That is so self-centred and arrogant! I can't believe that you would just say that!"

"I-I didn't mean that... you obviously... I can tell you like me!" He stutters, taking another step back, shrinking down a notch.

"Shut the fuck up, Jakob, you don't know shit. Fuck you." I spit, instantly feeling guilty. It's almost like I want to hurt him for making me like him.

Jakob finally decides that he's had enough. He grabs my shirt, pulling me out of the doorway, shoving me across the room. He opens the door, slamming it as he exits. I follow him out the main door, still shocked. I watch as he walks out to the driveway, unlocking his car. He can't go to see Ashley. He can't.

"Jakob, please." I cry out, hoping that it finally stops him as a last resort. He stops.

"Ethan, I can't do this."

He gets in his car, shutting the door and driving out the driveway. I sigh, blinking away tears. I can't like Jakob. Not without finally talking to him one last time.

•••

I don't know exactly where I'm going, but I run. I run along the streets until I get to a familiar place: the beach. It's not the same place because we're back in Sydney, but it feels so similar. It's late and nobody else is here. I take off my shoes and begin to walk across the slightly cold sand.