love next door

she was not beautiful, but she looked like art. Because art is supposed to make you feel something. And I felt my world painted in the prettiest picture with the magic of her colors. As she stood alone at the edge of the moonlit beach, the sound of waves washing away her footprints was eerily reminiscent of the way he had slipped out of her life forever. it had been two years since Jake left, leaving behind only memories of their whirlwind Summer romance. Emily's eyes drifted shut, and she let the salty breeze carry her back to the night they first met. It was at this very beach, where the annual summer festival was in full swing. Emily had been dragged there by her friends, who were determined to get her out if her shell after a painful breakup. That's when she saw him:Tall,dark-haired,and with piercing green eyes that seemed to see right through her. "Hey", he said flashing a crooked smile as he handed her a cold drink. " you look like you could use this" Emily's eyes snapped open, and she was back to the present, the sound of the waves back to the present, the sound of the cry of seagulls filling the air. she took a deep breath, feeling the familiar ache in her chest. she thought she was over him but the truth was , a part of her would always be stuck in that Summer, forever wondering what could have been. And then, as if fate was playing a cruel trick on her, Emily heard the sound of footsteps behind her. she turned around, her heart skipping a beat as she saw a figure emerging from the darkness a figure that looked uncannily like Jake. Emily's heart was racing as the figure drew closer. It couldn't be, she thought. Jake was gone, and she'd never see him again. But as moonlight illuminated the stranger's features, Emily's breath caught in her throat. IT WAS JAKE HE looked a little older,a little wearier, but those piercing green eyes were still the same. Emily felt like she'd been punched in the gut. what was he doing here "Jake"? she whispered, her voice barely audible over the sound of the waves. Jake stopped in his tracks, his eyes locked on hers. For a moment, they just stared at each other; the tension between them palpable. " Emily", he said finally, his voice low and husky. "It's been a long time" Emily felt like she was dreaming. This couldn't be real. But as Jake took another step closer p, she knew it was all too real. "what are you doing here?"she asked trying to keep her voice steady Jake hesitated, his eyes searching for hers. "I came back for you" he said finally. Emily's heart skipped a beat. Came back for her? What did that even mean. But before she could ask any other questions, Jake took another step closer, his eyes burning with intensity. "i've missed you ,Emily" he whispered. I've missed you so much Emily jerked her hand away as Jake reached for it. "You broke my heart, Jake ,she said her voice trembling." I can never accept you back. I hate you" Jake's face fell, but Emily didn't stick around to see the hurt in his eyes. She turned and ran, fleeing the pain and memories. Days passed, and Emily threw herself into her work. she took a flight back to LA, eager too escape the heart ache. Little did she know Jake had also boarded a flight to LA, unaware that Emily was headed there too. As fate would have it, Jake's mom lived in the same neighborhood as Emily's parents. when Jake arrived at his mom's house, he was surprised to see Emily's car parked outside her parents house next door. The old scheme was about to Begin. Emily and Jake would have to navigate their complicated past all while pretending to be civil to each other. But as they continued to cross paths , old feelings began to resurface Emily's mom was thrilled to see her and Emily was happy to be back home. but as she settled into her childhood bedroom, she couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. It started with little things. she'd see Jake's car parked outside his mom's house, and she'd feel a flutter in her chest. she'd catch glimpses of him mowing the lawn or walking his dog, and she'd quickly look away. But as the days went by, Emily found her self running into Jake more and more. They'd pass each other on the sidewalk, or meet at the local coffee shop. And every time, Emily felt like she'd been punched in the gut. "Hey, Emily," Jake would say his eyes crinkling at the corners. "How's it going?" And Emily would force a smile, trying to play it cool. "Oh, it's going. just bust with work and stuff." But the truth was, Emily was a mess. she couldn't sleep, couldn't eat. All she could think about was Jake, and the way he'd broken her heart. As the tension between them continue to build, Emily knew she had to do something she couldn't keep running into Jake, feeling like she was going to implode. so she did the only thing she could think of. she started to pretend that she didn't care. That Jake was nothing to her. But as she watched him from afar, Emily couldn't help but wonder. was she fooling anyone? Least of all herself? As the days went by,Emily found herself getting more and more comfortable with the idea of running into jake. she'd see him at the grocery store, or at the park, and she'd exchange a brief hello before moving on. But despite her outward calm, Emily's inner turmoil was still raging. she couldn't stop thinking about Jake, and the way he'd hurt her. one day, as emma was walking home from the library, she saw Jake's mom outside, gardening. Emma hesitated for a Moment, wondering if she should stop and chat, but something about Mrs. Stone's warm smile put her at ease. "Hi Emily" Mrs. stone exclaimed, settling down her trowel. "It's so great to see you! How's life treating you?" Emily smiled, feeling a little more at ease. "It's been good,Mrs stone. Just busy with work and stuff". Mrs. stone nodded sympathetically." I know how that is. Jake has been keeping busy too. He's been helping me out around the house, and doing some freelance work on the side." Emily's ears perked up at the mention of Jake's name "Oh yeah? what kind of freelance work?" Emily asked in curiosity