Just like Trevor.
Breathe Emily, breathe.
I remain frozen, staring wide eyed in terror at Jake. Visions of Trevor beating me with the same cold eyes clouds my mind and I feel like a hand is closing in around my throat tightly. I gasp like a fish out of water and Jake's eyes soften considerably. He walks towards me and I shake my head further, unable to tell him to stop.
"What's wrong Emily?" I hear Jake ask distantly but Trevor's threats filled my eyes, taunting me. An arm wraps around my shivering body and I whimper, yanking it away from me. My head is pounding hard and my lungs are tightening further. I whimper in fear, feeling my head go hazy and disorientated.
"Emily?"
I began to push through the crowds, my legs wobbling underneath my weight.
"I need some air," I whisper, barely able to hear my own words. I use the bodies of others to keep myself standing but it isn't enough.
The inability to breathe finally catches up with me and I feel my eyes roll the back of my head.
Chapter Eleven - Exposed Secret.
"Emily? It's me, Jake."
Jake.
I blink away my blurred vision and begin to make sense of my surroundings. I'm lying on a double bed, the sheets crisp white and soft. The walls are painted a baby blue shade, the furnishings white to match the rest of the decor.
"Jake?" I say turning towards him, my voice shaking. I watch as he sighs heavily, his gaze dropping to the floor to avoid making eye contact with me.
Embarrassment fills my body and I sit up, stepping off the bed to leave the room.
"I have to go," I mumble, my mind disorientated and confused. My legs buckle underneath me weakly and I close my eyes, getting ready to meet the floor. Jake's hand flies out, circling around my waist. He guides me so I'm stuck between his legs, one on either side. I sigh and push on them in an attempt to be free but they don't move an inch.
"Stop struggling Emily, turn around."
His voice is quiet, smooth.
I turn around, my head hung low which caused my hair to fall over my face. I like it, it acts like a curtain to protect me. . . I think Jake knows my secret. Nobody else ever suspected a thing besides from Jake. I figured it out by the way he treats me, gentle and caring. He treats me this way because he knows my secret and he feels sorry for me.
The girl who's beaten by her stepdad.
Jake's hand reaches up, hovering near my face.
"I'm not going to hurt you, don't flinch," he whispers. I stop breathing from his words, my heart beating wildly against my chest. He slowly tilts my chin up until I'm looking directly into his eyes. They're soft and warm, completely opposite to the murderous look he was sporting before.
When Jake is like this, he's harmless. Yet with everyone else, he's as cold and dangerous as the first time I'd seen him in the classroom. His thumb strokes my jaw and I sigh, completely content with the slightest bit of affection. Jake chuckles at my reaction, his stomach vibrating and I blush in embarrassment.
"Stop laughing at me." I mutter, my cheeks flaming up in embarrassment. My heart is beating wildly against my chest.
"You're adorable, I can't help it." He gives me a cute, lopsided smile. I feel my heart somersault and I open my mouth to reply. The words I really wanted to say are lodged deep inside my throat. When I'm around him, I feel butterflies, constantly.
I push back away from his legs, building up the courage to let him know what's really on my mind. I walk around the room, stretching my legs as I examine it, my way of buying myself some time.
"Don't do that," Jake says suddenly, pushing himself off the bed and walking towards me. My eyebrows crease in confusion and I look back at him, frowning.
"Don't do what?" I ask innocently, my back hitting against the wall. Jake's eyes land directly on my lips, causing my heart to stop for a moment.
"Don't bite your lip like that."
"Sorry, it's a thing I do when I'm nervous." I explain, chuckling lightly.
Jake silently walks towards me, closing the space between us. His hand reaches up and combs back his dark hair, leaving me melting from the way his biceps tense.
"What do you really want to ask me?" Jake whispers, placing a hand on the walls on either side of me. He leans down so his face hovers in front of mine, inches away. I'm knocked back by his sudden question and I simply blink at him in return.
"N-nothing" I stutter, cursing myself silently. Whenever I'm around Jake, I lose the ability to act or talk like a normal human being.
"You're still doing it," Jake mutters, his eyes flickering between mine and my lips. As he speaks, his warm breath fans my face and I swear, my legs actually buckle underneath me.
"Don't stare at me and it won't bother you," I shot back, my confidence levels rising.
"Don't be so beautiful and maybe I won't stare," he smirks, barely hesitating with his response. I let out a small squeak at his words and immediately regret my decision.
Nice move Emily.
Jake's eyebrows shot up in amusement, blue eyes twinkling at me. I pull my lower lip into my mouth, biting down on it hard due to my nerves.
"Stop Emily."
"No Jake."
He glares at me and I glare back in response, daring him to break eye contact. The corners of
