Chapter 27

I was leaning against Alanna's car waiting on her coming out. Jake had sent me a few more messages
but I had yet to read them. I didn't know what to do about him. I wanted to get to know him more but I
didn't want to put myself right out there.

"Hey girl". She smiled. "Good to go?".

"Yeah".

Alanna didn't quite seem herself, the ride home was quiet but it wasn't awkward. "Are you okay?". I
asked.

"I'm okay". She smiled. "Just feel a little sick but I'll be fine. Are you good?".

"I'm glad there's no school for two days. I plan on spending them in my pjs". I had already decided I
wasn't going to the beach tonight. I just wanted to chill out with takeout and a movie.

"Are you not coming tonight?". She asked as we pulled up outside Jakes house. I didn't mind, my
house was only round the corner.

"I don't think so I'm not really in the mood and I really need to study. Ryan's supposed to be coming
over to help me but I don't know how long his practice will be".

"He seems a little busy to help you out. Wasn't he meant to come by last night?".

"What you getting at Alanna?". We were all busy at times. I was just glad he was helping me out.

"You should ask Jake to tutor you". How did I not see that coming?

"Maybe". Unclipping my seatbelt I opened the door and got out. Why would he want to waste his time
tutoring me? Surely he was too busy for that.



"He wouldn't mind". She shrugged. "If you change your mind tonight give me a call". I wasn't changing
my mind. I had a big bag of hot Cheetos waiting to be eaten.

"I will". Walking the short distance to my house I noticed George was over, could see his car in the
drive. I wasn't sure of what I made of George yet but he did make my gran happy.

I could see Jake, he was walking on the opposite side of the street with Jack and a few other guys I
met the other night. I had been avoiding his calls and messages all day. Lowering my head I stared at
the ground as I walled the rest of the way home. I really needed to start bringing my earphones to
school.

"Your phone broke princess?". I didn't even see him cross the street.

"It's not". I didn't stop walking.

"You're killing me here Leah".

"I'm not allowed my phone in school Jake surely you know that?". I sighed.

"Let me take you out".

"Tell me you're not seeing anyone else". I stopped walking so I could look at him. "Tell me I'm not
making a mistake and tell me you won't-..."He grabbed me a round the waist pulling me flush against
him. I couldn't breath, time had stopped. My skin tingled all over, my heart pounding in my chest.

Brushing his nose against mine I couldn't break the stare, I was hypnotised by the color of his eyes. My
mouth became dry, my breathing heavy. My body felt like it was on fire, I wanted him to kiss me and do
other things that I shouldn't even be thinking.

"You're mine princess. Do you understand that?".



I didn't know what he was saying, right now I didn't care. All I cared about was the way my body felt
against his.

"You're so fucking beautiful". He growled his lips brushing against mine. "Your smell". He groaned.

"Leah?". It was like a bucket of cold water had been thrown over me. With my good hand I pushed on
his chest but he didn't like that. A snarl fell from his lips as he pushed me behind him.

"Are you okay?". George asked as he took a step towards me but stopped when a growl ripped from
Jakes mouth.

What was he doing?

"I'm okay George I'll be in just now". As he walked back inside I shoved Jakes arm. "What was that all
about?". He snarled I mean who does that?

"Nothing". He scowled. "I'll see you later". As he walked away I made my way inside and headed
straight upstairs. I didn't need the third degree from my gran because I'm sure George would have told
her.

Hanging my bag over my chair I hung up my jacket and took off my shoes. Phone in hand I fell onto my
bed. I couldn't stop the butterflies in my stomach. I had kissed Jake before but that one was different. It
felt right, it felt good, like I was meant to be kissing him.

Turning my tv on I started to strip out of my clothes. I had a bath bomb that I'd been wanting to use
since I got here but never got round to doing it. Placing my clothes in my washing basket I pulled out a
pair of fresh pjs for after my bath.

Throwing on some sweats and a hoodie I pulled my hair into a messy bun and put my glasses on. I felt
relaxed already. Heading downstairs I could hear the chatter from the living room.



"Hey honey how was your day?". My gran was sat on the couch with a glass of wine, George beside
her his arm around her shoulder.

"It was okay". I shrugged. "I'm just glad it's the weekend". Heading to the kitchen I opened the fridge
my eyes falling on the cookies. Taking one I grabbed a bottle of coke. I wasn't hungry for food but I
always had room for snacking.

"We're going out for dinner around 7 do you want to join us?". She asked.

"No I'm okay I'm going to order some takeout, eat junk food and watch a few movies". That was my
night sorted and I couldn't wait to do nothing. Ryan hadn't messaged me yet but I'm guessing practice
wasn't over.

"First week is over sweetheart. You survived". She smiled. "Do you need me to leave money?".

"Yes please. I'm going to head upstairs, it was nice to see you again George". Closing my bedroom
door I grabbed the Cheetos from inside my drawer and fell onto my bed.

I felt good, happy even.

I had been watching greys anatomy for a good hour or so. I had laughed and ugly cried all within that
time. Searching for Ryan's number I hit call putting it on loud speaker.

"I'm done in". He groaned. "Coach well ripped me a new one tonight".

"A hot bath will sort you right out". I laughed. "Studying can wait". I could always ask Jake to help me.

"Shit shorty I totally forgot. I can come over now if you want?".

"Don't be daft you sound like you need your bed and I wasn't phoning for that".

"Phoning cause you miss me". He laughed. "I have that effect on most girls".



"I talked to Abby today".

"You did, what did she say?".

"She's a sweet girl Ryan, she's so down to earth".

"And?". He sounded eager, excited even.

"I got you her number and I gave her yours".

"You didn't".

"I did listen I've got another call coming through I'll send you her number okay. Bye". Hanging up I
missed Alanna's call by seconds. If it's important she'll call me back.

"Leah?". My gran called from the bottom of the stairs. "Are you sure you don't want to come?".

"No gran I'm okay but thanks for asking". I liked that she was involving me but I didn't want to intrude
her time with George.

"Do you need me to bring you anything in?".

"Hot Cheetos".

"You and they bloody chips". I heard her mutter. As I heard the door close and her car start I jumped
out of bed and went to lock it. She would be gone for at least a few hours which meant I had the house
to myself.

Connecting my earphones to my phone I put a random playlist on Spotify and went to run my bath.
Music was a good escape, some lyrics more relatable than others. Trey Songz - love faces was blaring
in my ears.



Getting my bath bomb and my pjs I hung the towel on the radiator so it would be warm for me finishing.
Dropping the bomb in the bath I took off my glasses and stripped out of my clothes. Checking the
temperature of the water I let it run a little while longer before adding some cold into it.

I couldn't get over how much better I was feeling. I was tucked up in bed watching tv but wasn't really
paying attention. I was scrolling through Facebook, Alanna had been posting updates of them at the
beach. Not going to lie it did look like they were having a great time.

It was 9 o'clock on a Friday night and I was in bed already. What the hell was I doing. I should be out
having fun with my friends. But then I would have to get ready and I was to lazy for that. I was having a
internal battle with myself when my phone pinged.

'You're missing out! Please come I'll even walk back and meet you half way. Ax'

She had attached a photo of her and Lacey to the message but it wasn't them that I was looking at.
Jake was in the background a beer in hand, he was smiling.

'Only if you meet me half way. Just getting ready'

I was excited, I wanted to see him, I wanted to be around him. Getting out of bed I flicked my light on.
Now I had to find something to wear. Sinking my teeth into my bottom lip I raked through my closet.
Was it bad that I wanted to look good, I wanted him to think I looked good.

Taking out my long chunky cardigan I searched for my cropped black top and ripped skinned jeans.
That would do and I'd still be warm. After changing into them I took out my black boots with the chunky
heel.

Fluffing out my hair I clocked my bobble hat and scarf on the end of my bedpost. Perfect. Pulling it onto
my head I slipped my feet into my boots and grabbed my bag. I was good to go. Quickly giving myself a
once over in my mirror I headed downstairs. Grabbing my keys I locked the door behind me.



Reading the last text Alanna sent the butterflies began in the pit of my stomach.

'Jakes coming to get you.Ax'


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