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.

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

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

me despite

breathing in his warm scent. A comfortable silence falls

something. Before he does, his phone begins to beep inside his pocket. He reaches for it but

the corner of my eye, I see Jake smile before glancing

to

He stands up off the floor, holding out a hand for me to take. I reach out, placing my hand in his

bodies are. As his chest rises, it lightly bushes mine before falling back down again. Butterflies flutter in my stomach at his close proximity.

a piece of stray hair behind my ear. I automatically flinch

me with his head slightly tilted to the side. I glance away, unable to keep eye contact with him as I'm afraid he'll be able to see right

raises an eyebrow and opens his mouth to respond but his phone beeps