The Experiment

"Get out of this school. I am asking nicely. I don't understand what Jake sees in you that he can't see in me. I mean, you're very skinny, have a brown, bird's nest on your head, your eyes are your worst featur-" Britney spat. "I don't think so. I believe she's pretty with beautiful hair and eyes. You shouldn't be so mean, Britney," Jake said, striding toward me and cutting through the circle of mean girls. He held out his hand, and I grabbed it, pulling myself up from the hard, cold floor. He didn't let go as he guided me out of the dark alley. "How many times do I have to tell you to avoid her?" Jake asked, concern in his voice. "I won't always be there to save you, Jane." He looked at me with his gorgeous blue eyes, searching for an answer. Jake was the only person who genuinely cared about me. If the key were in my hands, I would lock myself in a room forever. Unfortunately and fortunately, it was with Jake. Despite my attempts to steal the key and lock myself away, he always found it and pulled me out of the darkness. "I didn't do anything. They grabbed me and pushed me into that alley. It's not like I did it on purpose." I kept my eyes on the ground. "Okay, okay, no need to get upset. I have to show you something." "What?" I asked with curiosity. "I can't say that. I will show you." Jake answered. I didn't like his answer very much, but I liked the thought that he was going to surprise me. "Hey, how's the squirrel?" Jake and I both loved animals. There was a forest behind his home, or rather, mansion, where we treated injured animals. Since Jake's father also loved animals, he allowed them to stay at the mansion until they recovered. Most of the time, Jake released them back into the forest himself. "A few days ago, my father said it had recovered. Since it was starting to tear up my room, we released it back into the forest," Jake said. "Alright." We kept walking until we reached his house, I mean mansion. With him, I don't realize how time passes. He's my best friend and my only friend. He knows everything about me and cares for me more than I care for myself. Even though I joke with him that I hate him or I am unlucky to have him, I could never mean it. If he leaves me, I would die. We open the door and step inside. "Niya, Niya!" Jake calls one of the helpers who work there. She comes running towards us. "Yes, master," she says. Jake takes my bag and hands his bag and mine to her. "Put them in my room for me. If father asks, tell him I am with Jane." With that, we both leave the house and start walking towards the forest, with huge dark green, long trees that only allow some sunlight inside. Once we enter, I feel like I am in an atmosphere filled with peace. I can hear the sweet sounds of birds and insects. We keep walking for almost thirty minutes. When Jake stops and turns to me, he takes a piece of cloth out of his pocket. "Wear this or it won't be a surprise." "What, I might fall down; this path is filled with obstacles. It's fine, I won't look," I say. "No, that will ruin the fun. Besides, I will carry you; you won't be more than 80 kgs, right?" He teases with that deadly smirk on his lips. I playfully hit him and act hurt. "Come on, I go to the gym so I can carry you, and besides, it's just a five-minute walk," he tries to convince me. "Ugh, fine," I give in. He puts the blindfold around my eyes and picks me up bridal style, then starts walking. Damn, why am I feeling nervous? I mean, we've been friends for almost five years now, but ever since adolescence kicked in, I feel a little different about him. No, I don't have a crush on him, but I won't say I don't like him. I feel my cheeks heat up, and after some time, he finally puts me down. Even though I was nervous, I still wanted it to continue for some more time, but it's fine now. "Are you ready?" He asks, and I nod. He takes the blindfold off my eyes, and oh my god! "I guess you dropped me somewhere and I died because I feel like I am in heaven!" I tell him as I look at what's in front of me. He chuckles. In front of me lies a place surrounded by bushes full of red roses, a waterfall in the center, its water sparkling in the sunlight that floods the area due to the sparse tree cover. Nearby, there is a serene pond. Birds flutter above us, their songs filling the air. "This is beautiful," I say. "Yeah, it is," he replies. I turn to find him looking at me, causing my cheeks to redden. Ignoring his gaze, I admire the view again. "I was planning to show you this place on your birthday, but today you seemed sad, so I brought you here to cheer you up," he explains. "It's beautiful," I reply, still avoiding eye contact. We explore the area and eventually sit down near the water's edge. Suddenly, my phone rings. I pull it out, and my mood shifts as I see who's calling. Mom. Jake notices my change in demeanor and leans forward to see who it is. "Pick it up," he encourages, and I do. "Honey, where are you? I'm really worried. Why didn't you come back? Are you distancing yourself from me like your father?" Mom's concerned voice crackles through the phone. "No, I'm at Jake's. We're studying," I reply nonchalantly. "Alright, honey. Have fun. Bye." I hang up without saying goodbye. My relationship with my family has never been the best. Mom and Dad always find something to argue about, but yesterday Mom did something extreme.