Broken Promises

Chapter 9

Jake p.o.v.

She seemed completely out of it… This whole morning, she seemed completely in her own world and looked even more distant from everyone else than before. To make things even worse, it was probably my own fault as well.

This was the last class before lunch and one of the only classes she didn’t have with Luke so I knew that if I wanted to talk with her, to apologize, this was my one and only chance before her guard dog would keep her as far away from me as possible.

The moment the bell went and everyone started packing their stuff, I was ready to jump up and run after her as I had expected her to bolt out of the room the moment she could. She didn’t move though…

My eyes were glued on her back as the teacher, followed by most students, left the room yet she still hadn’t moved. What’s she thinking about that’s got her that zoned out?

Leaving my stuff, I took slow steps until I was standing a few feet in front of her desk and leaned back on the desk that was standing in front of hers. The last students started leaving the room but my eyes confusedly stayed on her as she looked down at her hands, nervously playing with her fingers. Yeah, something was definitely up with her.

I shortly looked up at Kevin and he gave me a nod before softly closing the door behind him. I watched her quietly as she seemed completely oblivious to her surroundings and I couldn’t even begin to wonder what was going on in that pretty little head of hers. This can’t be all my doing, right?

“Catherine?”, I called her name softly and she seemed to snap out of it as the moment I did, I saw her shoulders tensed up. She continued to sit there frozen but I watched as the surprise settled on her face as she noticed the class was empty. Please don’t run away…

“I need to talk to you” she stayed absolutely still again and her eyes seemed slightly panicked, darting everywhere but me before her gaze shifted to the door. She’s gonna run…

“Catherine please, I ju-“ I didn’t even have time to finish my sentence as she jumped out of her chair and bolted to the door, just as I had expected. I quickly pushed myself up and ran after her, closing the door before she could open it any further. My hands were placed on both her sides on the door, my front leaning against her back, not leaving her any space to run away again. I felt my heart beating out of my chest just by standing this close to her and I was pretty sure she could feel it too if she wanted to.

I could see her hands slowly leave the doorknob as she pulled them both up to her chest, making her as small as possible. Great, now she’s scared of me as well.

I sighed and slowly let my arms drop back to my sides, my front now only a few inches away from her.

“Catherine, turn around”, I told her, making my voice sound as soft as possible. I really don’t want her to be scared of me.

She slowly turned around and I took a small step back to give her a little space. Just a little…

I sighed again as she was now facing me but she again didn’t look up at me. Why did she always do that?

“Please look at me”, I didn’t care that my voice sounded begging. I wanted her, no I needed her to look at me.

I raised my hand and ever so gently put my hand to her cheek, surprised she didn’t pull away. Maybe she doesn’t hate me that bad after all.

Or she’s scared shitless and you’re making things even worse.

Please, don’t let it be that…

“Catherine, please look at me”, I whispered and my voice got lost in my throat as her eyes came up to meet mine. For a second, we both just stood there, lost in each others gaze. She was assessing me as if I was a danger, something she needed to be weary off, and I simply watched her because I found her the most beautiful girl in the world. It were her eyes that captivated me most of all though. Her eyes were round, leaking with all sorts of emotions I couldn’t even begin to understand, and framed by the thickest and longest lashes I’d ever seen. I knew her eyes were brown but the soft specks of yellow I now found in them, almost made me believe they were like liquid gold. She truly took my breath away…

I took in a big breath and even her sweet scent made my brain go to mush.

Wow, hold up dude. You sound like you’re in f*****g love with the girl, get your damn s**t together…

I cleared my throat and took another small step back as I softly let me hand drop from her face, all the while not breaking the eye contact.

“I wanted to apologize for yesterday, I never should have treated you like that” she seemed surprised by those words as her eyes slightly widened, her face turning a little less defensive. She stayed quiet for about a minute, seeming to be deep in thoughts, and it was only when she opened her mouth that it was my turn to be surprised “I shouldn’t have said anything either because you were right, I don’t know you and I shouldn’t have judged you like that so I’m sorry”

I behaved like a total asshole yet here she is, apologizing to me… If anything, I did the exact same thing as her. Judging her because I thought she was just a shy girl with the perfect posh little life.

In any instance, I shouldn’t have gone off like that. End of discussion.

“You shouldn’t apologize. I judged you as well and I shouldn’t have done that, I’m sorry”, I told her and her eyes narrowed slightly, probably debating if she should forgive me or not and I felt myself grow a little bit more confident about the conversation.

“I’m an i***t, I know I am. Big, big i***t”, I said before playfully tilting my chin once at her “Go ahead, call me an i***t”

She seemed hesitant but her uneasiness from before seemed to have settled down a little, her posture a lot more relaxed.

“Come on then”, I tried again, a smile on my face as I waited for her to actually say it. Not sure if she would though. I raised one of my brows at her and she softly shook her head.

“Fine, you’re an i***t”, she responded and I quickly threw her a wink “I know right?”

Her lips turned into a smile and the spots of gold wildly danced in her entrancing eyes, making me gulp at the beauty of them. Making her smile made my heart feel warm, like I accomplished something of major importance. Her pink cheeks started blushing up even more as she found me staring but I still couldn’t pull my eyes away from hers, they had me glued to my spot.

I’m doing it again, for f***s sake Jake…

“So, I guess you’re still not gonna take me up for that offer of showing you around?” I asked, enjoying this calming atmosphere between the two of us.

“Ask me again tomorrow” I felt myself smiling brightly as she walked out after saying that. Seems she’s got a bit of a feisty side after all.

I contently shook my head and stepped out of the classroom as well. She might not know it yet but she’s gonna be mine, just wait and see.