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.

reaches forward and pulls me into his chest.

haven't felt for years. I'm surprised that someone like Jake Melvin is the first person to make me experience it. I

reassures me despite being oblivious to the

His arms tighten around me and I relax against him, breathing in his warm scent. A comfortable silence falls upon us until Jake gently pushes backwards, his eyes meeting mine. I feel embarrassed and reach up, wiping away

something. Before he does, his phone begins to

away, focusing on a small piece of rubbish on the floor. From the corner of my eye, I see Jake smile before glancing down at his phone. The smile on his face vanishes as his eyes scan over the message —

"I have to go."

dis-heartened. Jake notices my disappointment and sighs before running a hand though his hair. He stands up off the floor, holding out a hand for me to take. I reach out,

chest rises, it lightly bushes

to tuck a piece of stray hair behind my ear. I automatically

glance

Jake raises an eyebrow and opens his mouth to respond but his