Page 86 of Withered

“See, was it that hard?” Jake smirks and lets me go. “Now, let’s get down to some biology.” He chuckles.

Wespendtwenty-fiveminutesstudying, and I discover that this egoistic, self-centered, attractive guy is far smarter than I am. We simply revise the topic, and he has everything sorted out. I finish my schoolwork at his house while he works on his chemistry homework.

It was an odd scenario in my eyes. Jake always struck me as arrogant, obnoxious, and with an ego that couldn’t go any farther. I never thought of him as a studious person. But then there he is, in front of me, twirling his pen between his fingers and focusing on his book.

This boy never ceases to amaze and surprise me. Just like the day I got a glimpse of his soft side when he showed up at my house to drop off his sister. That was the day I realized he was more than his tough exterior.

“You do know that a picture lasts a long time, don’t you?” He smirks, his gaze fixed on his book.

I roll my eyes. “Why would I do that with you right here in front of me?”

“Just saying,” he says before returning to his writing.

My thoughts go back to when Tyler told me that Jake had been through a lot. I never got to know, and I get that Tyler isn’t the one who can’t tell me, but I do want to know.

“Hey, Jake!”

He tears his gaze away from the book and stares at me. I’m mesmerized by those captivating eyes as he tilts his head to one side. “Yeah?”

I realize that I have been staring at him. “Never mind.”

I have no idea how he will react, and I don’t want to start a fight, especially now that we’re finally on good terms.

He looks confused as he sits up, asking, “What is it?”

“It’s nothing. Really,” I say, getting back to my homework.

I'm so focused on my blank sheet that I don’t notice Jake cross over and sit right in front of me. He snatches my copy from my grasp and sets it aside. “Now tell me, what is it that you want to know?”

“Why would you think that?” I ask.

“I took a guess. Every time you want to know anything, you start a conversation, then try to change the topic,” he states.

I’m both surprised and amazed. Shocked that he guessed correctly and amazed that he pays attention to such little details.

“It’s just something Tyler told me,” I state.

He stiffens immediately, and his eyes turn dark and sharp. This is the Jake I’m afraid of.

“What did he tell you?” He asks curiously, his voice stern.

“He didn’t tell me anything. It’s just what he said.” I chose my words carefully.

“What did he say?” Jake demands. The tone in his voice tells me I shouldn’t have brought this up.

“Remember that day when I saw you and Olivia together?” I start with a low voice. I hate that day, and I still do. I hate that girl.

“How can I forget that? I made you cry. I tried to come after you, but Tyler stopped me. He said I’d done enough. I remember the look on your face. Hurt and pain were evident in your eyes. And I hated myself because I caused it.” His voice softens as his head droops.

I say, “When Tyler caught up with me, he said I should take it easy on you because you’ve already been through a lot.”

“Just that?” His eyes met mine.

I nod and ask carefully, “Was he talking about your dad?”

Jake’s dad is a sensitive topic, so I won’t be surprised if he blows up.

“Maybe. There are other things too.” I just nod my head as he responds.

---