Him

Burnin’ For You

I'm trying to be calm! I'm just so excited to tell the girls that Jake will be coming tonight. To be honest, I'm still a bit shocked he agreed to come. Owen promised to be civil. So it should be okay.

I'm waiting for the girls at my locker right now. We are going to have a real quick conversation about tonight's plans. We were going to wait till lunch l, but I'm too excited to wait! So I texted them all to meet me.

"Hey Katie," The twins say. Riley is with them but Hazel isn't. I know she's here today. I wonder why she isn't with the twins.

"Woah! Katie what happened to your face?" Riley asks while getting a closer look at the bruise.

Unlike my last bruise, which was easy to cover up, this one wasn't. It was horrible actually. Putting makeup on it just made it look way worse. I finally had to wipe the makeup off and just leave. No one else has really noticed it. But of course Riley would.

"Wow, that bruise does look pretty bad," Emma says.

"What happened?" Fiona asks.

"Oh it's nothing really. Jake and I were walking through the woods yesterday and a branch hit me," I explain.

"He didn't hold the branch back for you? I would've," Riley says smiling at Fiona.

I roll my eyes at Riley's attempt to impress, if you can even call it that, Fiona.

Jake normally holds them back for me. He just missed that one. It's not a big deal. It doesn't even hurt anymore! I need to let it go, because he feels bad about. I don't want to upset him by bringing it up.

"It's not a big deal. So anyway, are we meeting at Jimmy's house or do you want to do some carpooling?" I ask.

"We want to ride with you and Jake!" Fiona squeals.

"Okay. Sounds good."

----------

Fiona and Riley are taking forever to get here. Jake and I have been waiting by the car for about ten minutes. If she's not here soon, we are going to just leave.

"Let me text her again," I say to Jake.

"Okay."

K - Fi, come on. We are ready to go and have been waiting.

"Maybe we should just leave?" Jake suggests.

"Maybe."

I look at the doors again. She has a few more minutes to get out here. So hopefully she'll be here. If not, I'll just have to leave.

Jake hasn't really said a lot today. He's been awfully quiet and it's making me a bit nervous. Maybe it's his family again. I know last time he was quiet for a while it was because of them. I could try asking him. Last time he wouldn't tell me, so I won't be surprised if he doesn't this time either.

"Is everything okay Jake?"

"Fine."

"Is it your family?"

"Yeah."

"Do you want to talk about...”

"No I don't! I didn't want to talk about it before, why would I want to talk about it now."

"S-sorry," I say looking down. Maybe bringing up his family isn't such a good idea. He gets so angry every time I ask. I guess I'll just avoid talking about them so he won't get mad at me.

The school doors fly open and Fiona runs out. Riley is right behind her. They are both carrying bags.

"We were talking to a teacher. Sorry," Fi says as she throws her stuff in the trunk. Riley put his in right after her and then shuts it. He then walks up to Jake and they exchange a head nod.

Good enough, I think to myself.

We all pile into my car. Soon we are off and head to Jimmy's house. The car ride is awkward and really quiet. No one really knew what to say.

Fiona and Riley keep whispering to each other and Jake seems to still be really angry. No talking is a good idea I guess. But if I know Riley, he will start talking anytime now.

I hope tonight goes well. I know Jake and Owen are going to be civil, but I'm still really worried. What if they argue? What if one gets in the others way? Too many things could go wrong. I hope this isn't a mistake.

"So... So!" Riley starts. "Are you two excited?"

"Of course!" I say.

"She hasn't stopped talking about it." Fiona adds.

Jake stays silent. If he doesn't say something soon I'm really going to freak out. We need to hang out with my friends. He needs to like them. They need to like him.

"Jake?" I whisper.

He moves his hand and places it on my leg. "Yeah, I can't wait to get there."

"Are you going to share a tent?" Riley asks wiggling his eyebrows.

"Riley!" Fiona and I squeal.

"What? I know Fiona and I are."

"Oh my gosh," Fiona says and from the mirror I see her turn bright red and put her head down.

Laughing I turn towards Jimmy's road. Owen's truck is visible as soon as we were on the road. Jake notices the truck and he squeezes my leg a bit.

"Owen's already here!" Fiona squeals with excitement.

Her comment causes Jake to squeeze even harder. I flinch slightly as I pull into Jimmy's driveway.

As soon as I turn off the car Fiona and Riley jump out and run to Owen. Jake's eyes turn a dark blue color as he watches them with a look of disgust. His grip tightens a lot more.

"Ow. Jake, let go of my leg."

"Huh? Oh I'm sorry," He says removing his hand from my leg.

I sigh. I don't think this was a good idea. Maybe Jake and I should leave. No we can't. I need them to all get along. I know it will take a while for Jake and Owen to be friends but hopefully everyone else will.

"Should we leave?" I ask Jake.

Jake looks at me. "No. I know how important this is to you. We have to stay."

I smile and give Jake a quick peck on the lips. We exit the car soon after that and I see Emma and Hazel hurrying towards me.

"Katie!" They both say happily.

"Hey!" I say as we all hug.

Jake is lingering behind me a bit with our stuff. He's such a gentleman. I smile as he gets closer to me. Hazel stares at him with no expression and Emma smiles.

"Hey Jake," Emma says as she hugs him.

Emma hugged him? Well that's a good sign. Hazel looks pretty irritated though. She blames him for my bruise. She seriously thinks he did it on purpose! Stupid, I know. But oh well.

"Hazel," Jake nods.

"Jake."

Well I guess that's as good as that'll get. Jimmy walks up and hugs me and shakes hands with Jake. Owen and Johnny stay in the back.

Owen's going to have to come over here. He actually needs to make an effort. Jake sets our stuff down where the tent is going to go. He puts my arm around his and walks me towards Owen and Johnny.

Oh great. Here we go.

"Owen. Johnny," Jake says doing a head nod.

"Sup," Johnny says.

Owen stares at me for a few seconds and then looks at Jake. He gives him a head nod. I hug Johnny and go to hug Owen but stop myself.

Would Jake get mad at me? I would hate to have him mad all night.

"Hey Owen," I say as I back into Jake.

There is a long awkward pause. I don’t know what to say. And I'm pretty sure no one else does either.

It is only six. Jimmy and Riley left to get fire wood. Owen wanted to go with them but Jake talked him into staying and helping set up tents.

Jake is really making an effort to be friends with Owen. I'm really glad because I can't have them hating each other.

"Katie. Come help us get the food," Hazel calls from the house.

I stand up quickly to help but feel a pain shoot up my leg. I look down to see a big bruise on my thigh. It is the spot Jake had been gripping. I look around quickly before pulling my shorts down to cover some of it. I don't want Hazel to see it and make up things.

I get to the house and see Hazel. The twins are getting marshmallows out of a cabinet.

"What should I get?" I ask Hazel.

"A new boyfriend," She mumble.

I am completely shocked. Hazel was fine with him a minute ago. Now she's being all mean. The twins stop what they were doing and turn towards us.

"Excuse me?" I say.

Hazel crosses her arms over her chest and replies, "You heard me."

"What's your problem?"

"Jake. I don't think he's good for you."

"And why not?"

The twins move towards us. "Um we're gonna go."

"No it's fine. Katie just doesn't realize she's dating a jerk."

Really? I'm dating a bad guy? Oh she does not want to go there with me. I know for a fact that Johnny is not a good guy. And he hasn't been for a while. If she wants me to bring that up, I will. But I don't think she realizes what she's getting herself into.

"Oh and Johnny's a good guy?" I snap.

"Better than Jake."

I scoff. "Really?"

"What's wrong with Johnny?"

The twins quickly rush out of the house. I wish I could leave also. Hazel is really making me mad right now. But you know what, I'll just let her have it.

"Johnny's been in a gang for about two years now. He's stolen from lots of people, oh and been in jail. So who's a bad guy now?"

Hazel's jaw drops. She must've had no idea of any of this. It's clear in her eyes that she is shocked.

"Is that true?"

Quickly Johnny, Owen, and Jake ran in the house. The twins must have went and got them. Great just what we need. An audience.

"What's going on?" Johnny asks.

I continue to stare at Hazel. She has a tear in her eye. I immediately regret telling her all that. She doesn't deserve to be crying now. Johnny better be able to make her happier. Even though she knows now what he's like, I'm sure she wants to understand and forgive him.

I'm sure she'll be okay.

I hope.

"Hazel, what's wrong?" Johnny asks moving closer to her.

"Stay away from me," Hazel runs out of the house.

Oh no. This is not good. Johnny is going to kill me. I wasn't supposed to tell anyway. He was going to tell her on his own. What have I done?

"Did you tell her?" Johnny accuses me.

"I- um."

"Great. Thank a lot Katie!" Johnny says as he pushes me out of his way.

Johnny chases after Hazel. I shouldn't be spying but I have to see. I can't help but feel like this is all my fault. Johnny trusted me to not tell her and I did. I'm an awful friend.

Johnny catches up to Hazel. He holds onto her arms and talks. She tries to push away but can’t. A few seconds pass and she is crying. Johnny holds her as she put her head on his shoulder.

I think they'll get it worked out. Good. I have to go apologize and make everything right. This feeling of tension needs to go away. It's funny though. I thought Owen and Jake were going to be a problem but all the problems have been my fault.

"What did you do?" Jake asks me when we get outside.

"I told Hazel what Johnny was going to tell her."

Owen is walking on the other side of me. The twins went to "set up the rest of the tents." They are really just trying to avoid all the drama. We all had to grab some food since I was the only one left that was originally supposed to help.

"It's your fault we have to carry all this crap," Jake says.

"They could've helped." Owen says.

"Yeah but..." I start to say.

"But you had to be stupid and get in a fight. All this tension is your fault. I hope you know that." Jake interrupts.

I am completely surprised by Jake's words. His eyes had turned that dark blue shade and his jaws is clenched. He's right though. This is my fault. If I hadn't been so stupid everything would be fine.

"I'm sorry. You're right." I says.

I know Jake is right but the way he said that hurt my feelings. He said it front of Owen too. I can't help but feel a little embarrassed.

"You're not stupid Katie," Owen whispers.

I smile but do not respond. Once we reach the camping spot, Jimmy and Riley pull in. Maybe everything will calm down now. I've known Hazel forever, she'll forgive me. She hates to have tension and drama around.

"Jake, you wanna help me unload the firewood?" Owen asks.

"Sure."

I watch Jake and Owen as they go and help Jimmy and Riley. Owen and Jake are getting along really well. I need to get along with Hazel. I'm the reason there is tension right now.

I get up to talk to Hazel. Before I get too close to her, I pull my shorts a bit lower. A bruise showing would probably cause another fight. And we do not need that.

"Hey Hazel. Can we talk?"

"I'll leave you two," Johnny says.

I sit next to Hazel. She is really quiet.

"I'm really sorry Hazel. I don't know why I thought fighting with you was okay. You're my best friend."

"No. It wasn't your fault. I was just mad that you had a bruise and I jumped to conclusions. Jake seems like a nice guy, I mean look how well he's getting along with everyone," Hazel smiles.

"Aw I love you!" I squeeze Hazel into a tight hug.

We continue to chat about nothing specific. The twins had joined our conversation.

As the sky fades from blue to black, we all sit around the fire. The guys had made an excellent fire. It was so big and bright. If you sit too close the heat will almost burn you. But it is perfect!

Jake and I are sitting together on a tree stump. We have a blue blanket wrapped around us. He holds it around me so I can roast my marshmallow.

Almost everything is perfect. The only thing that isn’t so great is that the guys had bought and brought some alcohol with them. Everyone is drinking it.

Even Jake.

Everyone has started to get a little loopy. I pledged to stay up all night. Jake agreed.

So as everyone else goes into their tents, Jake and I go for a walk. I only had one drink, so I am not tipsy or anything. Jake had two but he seems to be okay also.

"Jake?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you."

We stop and sit on a rock. "For what?"

"You know, getting along so well with everyone."

His face turns very serious. If only it would've been a bit brighter outside, I would have noticed his eyes. They aren't glowing blue, they are dark.

"Me getting along? What, do you think I have no self-control?" He spits out.

"What? No! That's not what I..."

Jake gets up before I can finish and moves away from me. I follow after him. When I finally catch up to him he is standing very still.

"Jake I didn't mean anything by that."

"Sure."

I slowly move my hand to his arm. He flinches a bit, but does not relax.

"Jake."

He turns towards me and grabs my arm before I move it. With my arm he pulls me towards him.

I'd be lying if I said it didn't hurt. He was holding on really tight and I am actually scared. I shouldn't be though. I know this is my fault. I always say the wrong things.

"I just don't understand why you always take their sides. I've been there for you when they weren't. I'm always there. None of them love you like I do!" Jake says pushing me back with my arm.

Love? Jake loves me. Does he even realize what he said? Oh my goodness. I never thought anyone could love me. I know Owen never did. After him, my heart shattered into a million pieces. I thought love was just a lie after that.

"You love me?" I ask.

Jake moves and put his arms around my waist, pulling me toward him. "So much."

I put my arms around his neck and pull him into a kiss.

It was a quick kiss.

"Come on."

"Where are we going?"

"The tent," I state.

The whole way back, we are silent. The campfire light is getting brighter. I hear no sounds except from the crackling fire. Everyone must have fallen asleep.

As soon as Jake zips up the tent, butterflies floods my stomach.

I move in front of Jake. We are both sitting on our knees. He looks into my eyes as I close the space between our bodies. I slowly place my arms around his shoulders.

Our lips move slowly together. He slides his arm lower on my back and I pull him down on top of me. His hands slide under my shirt and he pulls it off of me. He starts to place kisses along my jaw and down my neck.

Jake suddenly stops and looks at me. "Are you sure."

I nod and he takes his shirt off. I pull him back down to kiss me.