Page 118 of Withered

With a trembling tone, I ask, “What? That’s what you think?” I can’t believe he’s saying that.

“I don’t see another reason,” he mutters in a blank, cold tone.

I ball my hands into small fists and clench my teeth. “Fine. You want to fight. Let me finish this up, then we’ll fight.”

I don’t even look him in the eye and wrap up my small work, cursing myself over and over again, wondering why I bothered to come here.

“The fact that I am still here, helping you after everything, makes me the one who is pathetic.” I speak my last words and turn to leave.

A knock on the door startles me.

“Jake?” Esme, Jake’s mom, calls from the other side. I turn back to face a stunned Jake.

“Can I come in?” Esme asks. Jake’s eyes widen as well as mine.

“No.” Jake and I both shout together. Jake rushes to my side, clasping a palm over my mouth.

“Is there someone with you? Jake Henderson, do you have some blown-up Barbie or a lanky blonde in my house?” Esme yells.

I wince at her tone. Jake removes his hand and runs his fingers through his hair. “Mum, I was talking to Tyler.”

“Of course, Tyler. Listen, a friend of mine needs help, so I’m heading out. Your sister is sleeping; look after her. I’ll be home late,” Esme says, walking away.

“You don’t have a friend,” Jake retorts, looking at the door.

Esme halts and replies, “Yes, I do.”

Following that, we hear her footsteps descending the stairs and the front door closing.

“Woah, that was close,” I say, and he nods.

The room falls into complete silence, and I can hear the crickets in the background.

I shift my gaze away from Jake’s. “I’m going to go.”

“Wait, why did you text me to meet?” Jake asks, and my feet stop an inch from the door.

“I came here to tell you that I like you, but you have a different perspective on me. You’re back acting like the same old jerk I first saw at the party,” I say, looking at him, then open the door to leave.

“You like me?” Jake asks.

I turn and nod. “Do you want me to climb the Empire State Building and shout it for the world so that you can finally believe me?”

I get out of the door, but I’m pulled back inside and slammed against the door. The first-aid kid falls to the ground, and an intense-looking Jake hovers over my body, trapping me.

His gaze is so strong, and his body is so close, that the room feels cramped and hot.

“Say it again.” Jake glances down at me, his forest-green eyes fixed on me.

“I like you,” I whisper loud enough for him to hear.

“Fuck it,” he says this before diving into a kiss.

His lips never start soft but rough with urgency. He hisses because of his cut, but he has no plans to stop. It’s like he’s making up for all the lost time. I get lost in the kiss, and my hands thread themselves through his hair.

Our tongues collide, igniting the fire within us. His hands, which were pressed against the door, are now wrapped around my waist, drawing me closer to his chest.

I break away from him, my forehead resting on his chest. I look up as he slowly pulls me back.

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