Him

Accident

I'm lying on my bed right now. Jake is here. He said something happened at his house. Even though he wouldn't tell me what happened, I knew it was bad. His face says it all.

"Do you want to talk about it?" I ask cautiously.

"Not really."

I turn onto my side so that I am facing him. He is laying on his back. His bright eyes look dark. That must happen when he gets angry.

He lifts his hand up to make room for me to scoot close to him. Before I can move he knocks a picture down. It falls off my wall and onto the bed.

"Sorry! Did that fall on you?" Jake asks, picking up the picture.

"No it missed. Don't worry--"

It's a picture of my grandpa and me. Every time I see pictures of him I get sad. Avoiding the pain is something I'm used to. I know it's not a good thing to do, but I don't know what else to do.

"You okay?" Jake asks suddenly.

I stare at the picture. He and I looked so happy. He showed no signs of sickness! Why did this all of a sudden happen? It's not fair.

"Katie?" Jake puts his arm around my shoulder. As he plays with my hair, I lean on him.

"I... At the end of the school year, last year, my Grandpa got sick. It wasn't bad at first so I had nothing to worry about! A few weeks went by and he got worse," I take a deep breath. "My parents left to help take care of him. It didn't take long for him to be...gone."

I feel tears swell up in my eyes. I haven't really cried about it. Honesty, I haven't done anything about it.

"Were you close?"

I sniffle. "Yeah. He was my best friend. But now. He's gone. I didn't even stay at his funeral! I'm the worst granddaughter ever!"

"No. You're not."

"I am though! You know how I dealt with his death? I didn't. I avoided it. All of it. I hid my pain with so many parties that I barely even remember my summer."

"Katie. I don't know how you feel. And I won't pretend to. Just know I am here for you."

Hearing Jake's words made me cry. He really cares about me. I lay my head on his shoulder. He gently tightens his grip on me and kisses my head.

We stay this way for a while. Only adjusting our position a little so that we're laying down. I feel my eyes droop a few times.

Before I know it, I am asleep.

----------------

Jake and I have been together for a while now. He asked me to be his girlfriend after our first date. Of course I said yes! How could I not? He's so perfect.

I actually feel happy.

"Katie. Can we talk?" I hear someone say.

Slowly I turn and see Owen. I look up at him. He doesn't look very good. He's paler than normal and seems a bit off. Hopefully everything is okay with him. Maybe I could talk to him.

At least I can hear him out. I'm not really all that interested, but I will.

"Sure," I say slowly.

"Really?"

"Yeah."

I pick my lunch tray up and head to an empty table. Hearing his footsteps behind me, I sit down. There is tension in the air. Literally if I swat a knife, I can probably cut through it.

I choose not to say anything. If he wants to talk, he'll say something first.

"So," He clears his throat. "Um, well I've been meaning to talk to you."

"Uh-huh."

"I'm not... I. I'm sorry. No, I'm extremely sorry for what happened. If I could go back and change it, I would. I've never regretted anything as much as I regret what happened."

He stops. I'm not sure he knows how to continue. I really appreciate his apology. It must have been hard for him. He's never been the type to apologize. For anything actually! He's just not that person. At least he's making an effort though.

Riley must have talked to him.

"Please say something," Owen says suddenly.

"How long did you rehearse that apology?" I say.

He looks up at me and I smile. Quickly he figures out I am joking and chuckles. I pick up my apple slice and offer it to him. He reaches for it but it is suddenly taken away from us both.

Looking up I see Jimmy putting it in his mouth. He smirks as he sits down on the other side of me. Next to him is Emma. Riley and Fiona sit across from them. Hazel and Johnny aren't here. They decided to skip. Johnny thinks it'll be "romantic."

"I miss this," Emma says.

"Me too," Fi and I agree.

Ever since Jake and I started dating, our group has changed. Everyone acts like they have to pick sides. Sometimes they, not including Owen, will sit with Jake and me! Other times though, they sit with Owen.

Its okay I guess, but it's weird.

"So what's happening this weekend?" Riley asks all of us.

"Once Upon A Time!" The twins and I squeal.

"Besides that." Jimmy chuckles.

"Maybe we can all hang out?" Owen questions.

Everything goes silent. Jake would never agree to go. That doesn't mean I can't though. But would that hurt Jake's feelings if I went without him? I shouldn't tell him about it.

No. Lying is a bad idea.

"We're in!" Everyone is saying.

"Katie." Jimmy says nudging me.

"Sure. Sounds fun!"

All I have to do is tell him. Maybe he'll want to come. I doubt it though. That'd probably be awkward if he came. It'll be fine.

I hope.

As the bell rings I hurry to my locker. Since Jake couldn't come to school today, motorcycle problems, we are meeting up. I'm meeting him where we had our first date. We usually hang out there. It's so nice and peaceful.

"Hey wait up!" I hear a female voice call after me.

I turn to see Marisol. She is hurrying towards me. I haven't talked to her since my cousin’s birthday party. I wonder what she needs.

"Hey," I say sounding unsure.

"Hi."

There is an awkward pause.

"Um... do you need something?" I ask opening my car door. I set my stuff in the passenger seat. Marisol still looks a bit unsure.

"Could you maybe give me a ride?" She asks.

A ride? Why isn't she with Paige? Well, today is just full of surprises I guess.

"I don't mean to be rude but why aren't you with Paige?"

"Well I would be but I need a ride to the daycare. Laci is sick and I need to get her."

"Oh. I'm supposed to be meeting Jake," I pause. Marisol has a look of fear on her face. "But, I can take you."

"Really? Oh my gosh. Thank you so much," She smiles.

I move my stuff to the back and motion for Marisol to get in. Just as I thought, she looks around first. One of the mean girls getting in the car with the girl that beat up the Queen bee? Yeah! That doesn't happen. Not normally anyway.

As soon as Marisol is in I start the car and exit the parking lot. The daycare isn't too far. That's good. I don't want to be late meeting Jake.

"So what's Laci have?" I ask.

"I think she just has a cold."

"Well I hope she gets better ASAP!"

"Me too," Marisol giggles.

I pull into the daycare. Marisol is quick in getting out of the car. I roll down the window when she stops. Quickly she turns towards me.

"Thank you Katie!" She says.

"You're welcome. Do you need a ride home from here?"

"Oh no. My mom will be coming in a few."

"You sure?”

"Yep! Don't keep Jake waiting.”

With that she turns away. Something was off with her voice. With the last thing she said to me, her voice was... weird! It sounded serious but like she was trying to be funny. Oh well, I'm sure I'm just overthinking it.

Jake isn't here yet. Even with taking Marisol to the daycare I still beat him here. If he had motorcycle issues this morning though, that could be why. He probably doesn't want to drive too quickly.

There is a sudden poke at my side. I jump and scream. With my heart beating rapidly, I turn around.

Facing me and laughing hysterically is Jake. I hit his arm and cross mine. I put my angry face on as he laughs.

"Ouch," Jake yelps.

I don’t say anything I just stare at him. He deserves it for scaring me. I could have had a heart attack. And then I'd die! What a jerk! He could have just killed me.

"Are you mad?" He asks.

"You almost have me a heart attack!"

He laughs at my response.

"I'm serious! See?" I grab his hand and place it over my heart. My heart is still beating as fast as a race horse. Jeez!

"I'm sorry," Jake says.

I look up into his eyes. If I had to choose my favorite thing about Jake, it'd be his eyes. They are just so bright and blue. And, at night especially, they seem to sparkle. Looking into them makes me feel happy.

Even though he scared me I can’t stay mad at him. Plus it was a joke. He wasn't trying to give me a heart attack. That'd be really crappy if he was.

"How was your day?" Jake asks as we walk around.

"Pretty good. I missed you!"

"I missed you too. I think I fixed my motorcycle. My dad and I worked on it all day! So it should run just fine."

"Well I'm glad," I say.

Silently we make our way to a path. We always take this path because it's kind of a way back to where we park. It takes a while though. Plus near the end it's not actually a path. So we have to dodge branches and stuff. Jake always holds them back for me.

I guess I should tell him about Owens suggestion. Hopefully he'll want to come. He hasn't really tried making an effort with my friends. I think they'll like him if he actually meets them. I know Owen probably won't, but hey! Maybe the others will.

"So, um," I start. "Since you weren't at school today, I sat with my friends."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, And Owen sat with us."

"Oh I see. How was that?"

"Good. A bit different but overall it was okay."

"Okay."

We are at the part of the path that we have to go through the woods. Jake holds back most branches for me. Some I just have to duck under.

"What are you doing this weekend?" I ask.

'Hopefully spending time with you."

I smile. "Well my friends are all getting together Saturday night."

"Yeah? And whose idea was this?"

"Oh um. It was Owen."

There is a sudden motion in front of me. A second later I am hit by a branch. A stinging sensation comes immediately. I shriek and put my hand where the branch hit.

What just happened?!

"Oh my gosh Katie. I'm so sorry! I thought you were right behind me," Jake apologizes.

Still in shock, I just stare at him. He always holds them. Why did he let go? Yeah he said he thought I was close but still.

Jake moves closer to me and moves my hand. He studies where the branch hit me. After a few seconds he kisses under my eye. He's trying to be sweet, but it really hurts.

"Katie, I swear I didn't mean to. It was an accident," He says.

"An accident," I repeat still in shock.

"I would never do that to you. And if it means that much to you," he pauses. "I'll come and hangout with you and your friends."

That brought me out of my shock. He wants to come? Wow. I can't even believe he wants too. This is going to be so awesome. I can't wait. Well I only have to wait two more days.

Forgetting about my cheek I hug Jake. We hug for a while and then I pull away a little. I kiss Jake and smile.

I put my head on his shoulder as we walk back to where we parked.