"Hi Jake."
"Are you okay?" Jake asks. I notice his voice is deeper than usual with a hint of raspiness.
"Yeah, I'm probably coming down with the flu or something. Have you been sleeping?" I ask him, sounding amused.
"You got me."
I laugh quietly, pulling the duvet up to my chin. My body sinks into the covers and I sigh, shoulders slumping in relief.
"Do you want me to come round and keep you company? I can bring medicine." Jake responds, his voice raspy.
"At half eleven? It's dark outside." I respond, ignoring the flutter in my stomach. I can't believe Jake Melvin just offered to keep me company and bring me medicine.
"I'm a night person," Jake responds back, humour lining his voice.
"Like a vampire?"
"Yeah, I'm pretty good at the whole blood sucking thing as well."
"Gross Jake," I giggle, his voice washing away any feeling of loneliness. Instead a warm sensation grows inside my chest and a smile stretches across my face.
"I thought all girls love vampires?" Jake jokes. I roll my eyes at his stereotypical thought —
"Not this girl. Besides are you trying to make me love you?"
My words are risky, directed to be a joke. Once they leave my lips, I instantly regret them. Jake pauses for a moment on the other end, silence falling between us.
"I don't need to try," he eventually replies and I immediately scoff, the conversation turning light hearted once again.
"You're so big headed. Not every girl wants you Jake."
"That's where you're wrong Muffin. No-one can resist my handsome face and bright bubbly personality." His tone of voice is sarcastic, causing me to giggle once again.
"Are we still describing you? Because that sounds nothing like you Jake." I respond.
"Ouch, that hurt Wentworth."
"Do you want me to kiss it better?" I tease, feelings my cheek ache from the grin on my face. Jake chuckles on the other end and I imagine him smirking, a cheeky glint in his eyes.
Gorgeous blue eyes that resemble the ocean.
"I'd love for you to kiss it better." Jake responds without hesitation. I pause, noticing the playfulness right his voice has disappeared. I swallow the lump in my throat nervously, unsure of how to respond.
"I'll hold you to that." I say quietly, a slight shiver running down my spine. Jake pauses on the other line for a brief second —
"Make sure you do Muffin."
We end up chatting on the phone for the next hour, talking about all the silly things in life. The conversation never turns deep but I prefer it that way. One thing I notice is that I couldn't stop smiling and giggling the entire conversation.
After the call, I turn my phone off, putting it underneath my pillow. Jake made me feel better. I don't quite feel like I've just done ten rounds with Mike Tyson and obviously lost.
I close my eyes, drifting off into one of the most peaceful sleeps I've had in a long time. My dreams are focused around the people in my life that make me happy. The people who make me smile and cause a warm feeling to settle inside my stomach from the thought of them.
Dad, Trish, Grandad, Ivory, Jake. . .
Yes, even I'm surprised at the last one.
Chapter Nine - Return of the creep.
Before I enter the little cafe ten minutes away from home, I check the surrounding area for any sign of Trevor. I can't risk him ever finding out about this place, I treat it like my save haven. I enter the warmth and exhale deeply, feeling my shoulders relax.
I love to sit by the window when it's raining and watch as droplets of rain slide down the glass. The cafe holds a special place in my heart and reminds me of my father.
After ordering a hot chocolate and a toasted cheese sandwich, I scan the dining area and make my way towards a booth in the far back.
The delicious scent of warm chocolate, coffee beans and pastry permanently lingers in the air. My stomach grumbles loudly in protest, screaming out for something to ravish.
I can't remember the last time I ate.
"Here you go, sweetheart." The owner smiles, placing the plate down onto the table. The smell of toasted bread and cheese hits me and my stomach rumbles embarrassingly.
"Thank you," I respond, smiling at her in return. As she begins to walk away, my phone buzzes inside my pocket. I smile immediately as I pull it out, hoping to see Jake's contact flash up on the screen.
It isn't Jake.
My palms begin to sweat and I look around, the paranoia building up inside me. My hands begin to tremble as I scan over the text a second time —
Stranger: You shouldn't be skipping college. . . I'm watching you Emily.
Who is this person? Why are they watching me?
That's so incredibly creepy!
Emily: Who are you? Leave me alone!
I quickly send the text, slamming my phone down onto the table. I blow out the breath I'm holding and lean back against the chair, closing my eyes.
Suddenly I don't have much of an appetite.
*****
After finishing up at Lulu's, I decide the safest place for me to be is college. It's supervised by teachers and somewhat safe. I've already missed two hours but showing my face is better than not attending at all. On the way there I can't help shake the feeling that I'm being followed, my every move watched.
I knock on my classroom door and enter. My eyes land on a substitute teacher sat behind the desk instead of Mrs Wilkins.
"Sorry I'm late, I had a dentist appointment." I explain briefly before taking a seat next to Trish. I feel terrible, my body is weak and constantly in
