Page 129 of Withered

“I don’t know how it happened, but we became friends after a while. Like really good friends. Our classmates started noticing us. He started calling me to discuss homework, but I think it was more of a reason to talk. He finally said he liked me in seventh grade, over the phone. I knew deep down that I liked him, but I was a coward. I didn’t know what to do at the time, so I just ignored him. After that, it was only a passing glance in class and hallways.”

“So, he used to have a crush on you?” Jake asks, smirking.

I nod. “Yeah, you can say that. I think everyone in our class used to ship us back then. Kristy used to tease me a lot. I was too much of a nerd to focus on him.” I fake a smile.

“I’m glad you didn’t. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be here with you.” Jake grabs my hand in his and slips his fingers into mine. “So, what happened to that guy?”

“You could say we went our separate ways. His father got transferred somewhere, and they left. I didn’t get to say goodbye,” I tell him and add, “Maybe I was a bad one at that time. I didn’t care about his feelings for me, and I never got to apologize.”

“I should thank him if I ever get to meet him, or I wouldn’t have stood a chance,” Jake remarks.

I smirk at him. “Maybe, who knows?”

He is silent for a long time before asking, “What if he returns one day? Will you go back to him?”

I look at him, and he looks upset. “It’s been years, Jake. I’ve changed, and so must he. I don’t know if he is the same Patrick I liked. But no, I won’t go back. I’m happy where I am right now.”

I raise my laced hand to my lips and kiss the back of his hand.

“Why do you put up with me, Rose?” Jake asks, breaking the strong silence.

I couldn’t help but wonder if there was an innocent side to this bad boy’s face. “You are not as bad as you think you are. You areyou.”

“No. I’m much worse,” he responds.

I chortle. “You’re unbelievable.”

“What’s even more unbelievable is that you think I’m a good person. If you see who I truly am, you will no longer like me,” Jake adds, and I’m getting annoyed.

I grumble. “Stop. I think I’ve seen enough. When are you going to realize that I don’t care? Jake, you are who you are. And you are good. Stop being so harsh on yourself.” I add, “I’ve been cold my whole life, Jake. But you are fire. You keep me warm.”

Jake’s eyes flicker between mine with that unreadable expression. He cups the back of my head and pulls me towards him for a quick kiss.

“Don’t you know, there is no charm equal to the tenderness of a heart?” I express my emotions in the simplest yet most beautiful quote.

Jake raises his brow, a teasing smile on his lips. “Did you just quote Austen to me?”

I look at him, taken aback. “I don’t know if I should be amazed by the fact that you read Austen or that you caught me.”

“I'm full of surprises.” Jake smiles, and I smile back at him.

He grabs my arm and widens his legs. I find myself wedged between them, my back to his chest, and his arms around my waist. We just sit there, enjoying our escape and the company of the stars and moon.

I was so busy looking at the stars that I got startled when he pulls my hair over one side and rests his head on my shoulder, peppering kisses along my neck.

“Do you realize how amazing you are?” Jake speaks in a low voice. I don’t reply; instead, I stare at the night sky, enjoying Jake’s little assault.

“What is your obsession with stars?” Jake asks, his chest moving as he speaks.

I point my finger to the sky, mesmerized by the tiny little dots that shine as brightly as ever. “Just look at them; you’ll find your answers.”

“I’ve always loved the stars. Watching them gives me absolute pleasure and peace. Sometimes I’ll lie down in my backyard and stare at them for hours. They are like a ray of sunshine. But you know what? I love darkness. Without darkness, they are nothing. Some people say,The stars you look up to reflect what’s within you.” I say this as I keep looking at those thousands or millions of stars in the sky.

We stay in that position for a while, and I let out a yawn. I hear Jake’s chuckles, and he asks, “Let’s call it a night.”

I nod, and he helps me back on my feet. “I am hungry,” I say.

Jake smiles and says, “Let’s go then.”

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