Tangled Love

I remain silent, unable to let him into my thoughts. I can't tell anyone, the thought terrifies me.

Jake sighs at my silence and reaches up, wiping away a tear with his fingers. I immediately freeze, sucking in a deep breath from the way his fingers feel against my cheeks. He places one hand under my chin, tilting my head up so that I'm holding eye contact with him.

"The teacher wouldn't allow Trish to leave." He mumbles apologetically.

"What about you?" I ask him quietly.

"I'm not going to let a teacher stop me." He responds, giving me a small smile. I swallow the lump in my throat and search his eyes.

"Please talk to me," Jake pleads, his voice softening. I close my eyes and shake my head, leaning back against the wall. The words that I want to tell him are at the tip of my tongue but no matter how hard I try, I can't speak the truth.

"My life is completely messed up." I eventually mumble, being vague.

playful. He reaches forward and pulls me into his chest. His body feels

that someone like Jake Melvin is the first person to make me experience it. I can hear the soft thumping of his heart through his shirt and I sniffle, burying my head closer

"It's going to be okay." Jake reassures me despite being oblivious to the

breathing in his warm scent. A comfortable silence falls upon us until Jake gently pushes

say something. Before he does, his phone begins to beep inside his pocket. He reaches for it but doesn't break eye contact with me and his stare makes me feel vulnerable and exposed.

corner of my eye, I see Jake smile before glancing down at his phone. The smile on his face vanishes as his eyes

have to

hair. He stands up off the floor, holding out a hand for me to take. I reach out, placing my hand in his and I'm not surprised that his hands radiate warmth

it lightly bushes mine before falling back down again. Butterflies flutter in my stomach at his close proximity.

Jake whispers. He inches forward, raising his hand to tuck a piece of stray

you do that?" Jake asks suddenly, looking at me with his head slightly tilted to the side. I glance away, unable to keep

know what you're talking about." I mumble. Jake raises an eyebrow and opens his mouth to respond but his phone beeps multiple