Learning to Be Human (FREE READ)

Chapter 15: Rekindle

My head was pounding. So many things circled what I felt to be my hollow cranium. It was more than just facing the man I had treated horribly by my hospital bed. It was more than coming to an understanding of what had just happened with Frank. Everything was slipping through my fingertips.

"I'm sorry..." I couldn't look at him in the eye.

"Sorry for what?" Jay asked.

"For being such a horrible friend. I don't deserve a friend like you," was all I could muster.

There was a pause and I felt my body shaking in anticipation, but it wasn't visible to the eye. Jay looked away and looked back at me with clasped hands.

He changed into a serious tone, "Do you know how fast my heart was beating?"

I looked up at him with guilty eyes.

He continued, "I could've been doing a million other things, but I saw you... they pushed you!"

I couldn't say anything.

Jay scoffed in frustration, "I told myself to trust your decisions..."

"Jay," I whimpered, "I'm sorry, I didn't know."

"But you knew you could press for help. You knew that I would come! Regardless of the harsh words you used on me the nights before! You knew!" his voice trembled, but not with anger.

"I didn't know I was going to be pushed off the edge Jay!" I argued, "I tried to fight my cherophobia. It's not something I wanted to happen!"

"I'm not upset with you for going with him. Understand that!" he furrowed his eyebrows.

"It sure sounds like it!" I felt my blood boil, "I'm sorry I messed up! What else do you want me to say?" I sobbed.

Then, with a soft whisper, he leaned forward, "Say it."

"Say what?" I threw my hands in the air.

"Say you deserve me," his gaze did not leave mine.

Wh-what?

My facial expression was utterly confused and I froze.

"C'mon," he smirked playfully, "It's not that hard to say it."

I couldn't comprehend the level of emotions stirring and pulling on my heart strings right now. Did he just say that?

"B-but..."

He shook his head, "But nothing. Say it."

I felt a new set of tears forming. But it wasn't from anger or sadness, it was from happiness. I wiped them away and sobbed to pace my breaths.

"I-I can't," I admitted.

"Well," he spoke tenderly to me, "I'm telling you, you deserve me."

I bawled my eyes out. I couldn't hold it back anymore. Jay came and allowed me to embrace him. His arms were wrapped around my shoulder and one on my head. He pulled me closer where I could hear his heart. He was filled with welcoming warmth that I couldn't help but let it all out.

"Jay!" was all I could wail out.

My nails dug into his shirt and my eyes clenched with self-frustration. After all I have done to him, he still wanted to be there for me! My tears ran hot and soaked his collar, but he remained still, accepting all of my emotions. I cried, and cried. I lost my voice in doing so, but I cried while apologizing.

"I'm sorry Jay, I'm so sorry!"

He continued embracing me, "It's okay," he whispered, "You're only human."

After calming down, we separated, leaving me to wipe my tears. Jay showed patience and sat back on his chair.

He then began to explain, "Even if you feel that you've messed up, or that you don't deserve me..." he smiled, "Everyone needs someone to lean on in their times of need."

"You're gonna make me cry again," I pouted.

"This is the flesh," he nodded in realization, "Who knew it could be filled with such energy and emotion."

"So, you still want to be my friend?" I smiled bleakly.

"I will always be your friend," he nudged my shoulder.

"Thank you," I toyed with my sheets.

For a few moments we just smiled at each other. I knew deep down that I was thankful to him. He had been there for me, and although he had not had his bad moments, I pledged to be there for him the same way.

Anita walked in, "I'm glad you're okay Katie."

"Anita," I smiled, "I'm better now."

"That's good," she responded, "It was all a blur, but when he got up and left without saying a word I thought he was going to ditch our family-time once again. But, he did it to save you, and I couldn't have been any more proud."

"Well, I sure am glad he did," I joked playfully.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there. I did not want Khloe to see," she drooped her head.

"Oh, no!" I fanned my hands, "I wouldn't either."

"I'm glad it all worked out, she's waiting for me in the other room," she looked at Jay, "Same time next week?"

"It's a date," Jay smiled.

My mouth opened agape and I lifted an eyebrow at Jay, "Date?"

Jay tried to play it off but sarcastically joked, "We've been working things out, you know?"

"No," I nudged him back, "I did not know!"

We laughed and savored each passing second until the doctor came in.

I sighed in relief. It was not "Dr.Syrus".

He tapped his clipboard, "You had a dangerous amount of water in your lungs. If this gentleman had not got to you a few seconds later, you would have died."

I sheepishly accepted that statement. He then continued.

"I've went over your medical history and you need to be more careful about your health."

Jay nodded in agreement, I followed in embarrassment.

"We'd like to further observe you for any potential hazards or changes, but you're free to go otherwise," he smiled.

"Thank you, doctor," I smiled, "I think I want to rest at home."

"Understood," he nodded, "I'll prepare the discharge papers then."

He left the room promptly and Jay chuckled.

"What..." I giggled.

"You probably thought he was handsome huh?" he cooed.

"What?!" I exclaimed.

With such a sarcastic, high-off tone voice, he impersonated me, "Thank you, doctor. Can I have your phone number?"

"I did not say that!" I punched his arm playfully.

"Might as well have said that," he rubbed his arm, "Your gaze was a whole new level of gawking."

I shook my head, cringing at his words, "Please don't use that word in a sentence."

"Seeing the amount you took in you could do both," he crossed his arms.

"When did you get so annoyingly funny?" I shot him a surprised look.

"I think humor was this vessel's coping mechanism," he then toned down.

Oh... right...

Jay was utilizing the body of a human to remain undercover. I have completely forgotten that his true identity is still unknown. This information went over my head as I began to ponder about that mystery.

"Jay," I hesitated.

"Yes?" he asked.

"What do you really look like?" I stuttered, "You know... outside the vessel."

"It's not something you can handle," he shrugged.

"Awe come on, we are friends, right?" I playfully begged.

"This is that trendy form. What's it called? Gas-lighting?" he crossed his arms once again.

"I'm not trying to gaslight you," I giggled.

"That's what a "gas-lighter" would say," he countered.

Okay, no more social media studies for him. But still, I knew this question was going to loop in my head for a while.

"I just want to make sure I know all of you, the way you know all of me," I looked down at my hands.

"I meant that literally," he answered in a serious tone, "The human sight cannot withstand my being. It will cause them bodily harm, or worse, death."

"Has anyone seen you?" I asked and instantly wanted to take those words back.

What was I doing? I did not want to force him to admit anything to me. Why am I like this?

"Just Jay," he mumbled.

What did he mean by that? I was fighting every inch of my soul to ask that question, but I bit my tongue and nodded in silence. I had to come to an understanding that not everything needed to be answered right now.

Just like what had happened to me.

After I was finished discharging, we had to take an Uber back to the apartments. Jay had taken the liberty to get my moped back home before heading to the hospital to check on me.

The ride was silent, but my thoughts were loud. They were rampaging against each other and I couldn't shake the feeling of Detective Syrus telling me to be careful about Jay.

The Uber came to a stop, and we made our way up the stairs. I remember when Jay was extremely drunk and needed assistance getting up these steps. We came to my door and I remembered when Juvia first saw him and was instantly infatuated. Oh, what a time it was to have such unpredictable events. We opened the door and welcomed ourselves home. I remember when the first morning came after I took Jay home. He was making us breakfast!

Then on cue... my stomach growled.

"Oh?" Jay teased, "Seems like someone was tired of hospital food."

"I don't remember eating at all," I sighed, "I'm going to hit the shower."

"I'll prep something fast for dinner. I've seen a recipe I wanted to make from that Chef Gordon Ramsay," he went into the kitchen.

"Why would you cook from Gordon? He always gets mad and yells," I giggled.

"There's just an undercover heat of passion behind those harsh words. I mean, I learned that from you," he joked.

"Hey!" I pouted, "I didn't mean to."

"I'm kidding, go ahead and shower," he began, whisking through needed utensils.

I went into my room and was preparing for a much-needed shower. I hopped in and closed the door. I allowed the hot water to open my pores. I began shampooing and lathering my body.

Then I faintly heard a knock on the door.

Oh, it must be Juvia.

I heard Jay open the door. I continued my rinse.

But then, there was nothing.

"Jay?" I called out, "Who's at the door?"

I could hear voices, they were very faint.

All of a sudden, I heard a loud boom. Almost like a loud shot to my ears! I quickly wrapped myself in the towel and jolted out the shower.

I saw what had made the sound, and I also saw the poor drywall that received it. Jay's fist pierced through it and his glare dangerously focused on the person behind him.

I looked over and couldn't believe it!

"Frank?!"

"Oh so is that his name?" Jay sounded through gritted teeth.

"Katie," Frank called out to me.

"What are you doing here?" I asked with urgency.

"Can we talk?" he asked, "Without leaning tower of Rizza here?"

Was he referring to Jay?

"No," I answered.

With a swift movement of Jay's palm he tried to close the door.

Frank stopped it with a challenging palm and lowered his tone with his own urgency, "Please, Katie."

Jay then looked back at me. I was baffled as to what was going on, but he was here now! I glanced at Jay to calm down and recede back. Jay hesitated and then pulled away from both the newly implemented hole in the wall and the door. He passed by me and I could feel the animosity aura graze against my skin.

This is not good.

"Can this wait?" I asked.

"No," he said, "I need to tell you something."

"Frank," I gestured towards myself, "I'm literally naked. If this falls you will see things that can't be unseen."

"Oh, right!" he looked away awkwardly.

I closed the door and had to finally let in a deep breath.

What the hell is going on right now?

I looked into the kitchen where Jay and I's eyes met. He just smirked cockily and turned away.

Not helping!