Chapter 27 || It Was You
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* * Nicole's POV * *

The feeling of the freezing water washed over me caused me to scream.

"Stay with me Nicole" I hear Jake pant, "Don't you dare leave me."

The wind was blowing against my face and my body was shaking in Jake's arms, not because I was cold - no I was way past that, I was numb - but because Jake was running while holding me in his arms.

I looked up to Jake who was soaking wet and shirtless, I looked down at myself wrapped in his coat and clothes.

"J-J-Jake..." I tried to say as I faded in and out of consciousness.

"Shhh... save your energy" He said as he pulled me closer to his chest, sharing his body heat with me.

I felt paralyzed and helpless to do anything.

"You're going to be okay Nicole, I promise" Jake reassures "I'll never let anything happen to you again. I promise!"

And then I blacked out.

My heart raced as I tossed and turned.

I began to sweat as fear washed over me. The memory of falling into the water haunted me.

The cold dark water surrounding every inch of me and two hands grabbing me out of no where, the feeling of being on the brink of death...

My eyes shot open as Jake shook me out of my nightmare, "Nicole wake up!"

I coughed as my body felt like it had just been drowned.

My mind kept replaying the nightmare as I put my hand to my head and Jake pulled me into a hug - his strong, warm arms wrapping around me.

"It was just a bad dream" He says as he rubs my back.

Just a bad dream... Just a bad dream... Just a....

I furrowed my eyes in confusion, it wasn't a dream... I burrow my head into his chest, "but it was real!!"

Jake only sighs as he comforts me.

But those hands coming out of no where... I don't remember them...

I pull my back from against his head, "Jake..."

"mhmm" he whispers.

"It was you..." Is all I say.

"What are you talking about?" Jake questions, "I know your mind is kinda scattered everywhere, usually I can put the pieces together but I am so lost right now Princess."

"It was YOU" Is all I can say, "You..." I say with deep breaths "You saved me when I fell through the ice.

Jake looks back at me with a blank stare - he doesn't blink except his lip gives a small twitch.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I ask.

Jake brushes his hand through his hair, "Because..." he paused to think "I don't know."

I pull Jake into a hug and start to cry, not from fear or sadness but from happiness.

"Thank you Jake" I say through sobs, "Thank you"

Jake holds me tightly as I cry. He holds the back of my head as if he might lose me. I felt so safe in his arms, I never wanted to let go.

Jake casually lies down with me holding onto him and that's how I fell asleep again.

• • •

"Here let me help you" Jake says with that devilish smirk that makes me want to slap his face.

"No. I-I got it" I protest as I struggle to get off of his motorcycle.

Jake just shrugs as he takes my helmet and walks back to 'get a better view', "Let me know when you give up."

I grunt as giving up is never an option.

"You break it you bought it! Remember that Princess!" He shouts as he laughs.

"Stop calling me that!" I say with annoyance. Truth is I actually have grown fond of the nickname.... the way he says it just makes me melt on the inside.

Jake laughs as I swing my leg over his bike causing myself to fall right to the ground in the most clumsiest manner, Jake of course breaks out in an uncontrollable laughter causing people to stare.

Once he sobers up he decided to help me to my feet, "That was amazing baby cakes!"

I roll my eyes "Can you please just pick a nickname and stick to it?"

He shrugs as we walk towards the entrance, "Nope."

Jake wraps his arms around my back and pulls me closer to his side as we walk, "It all depends on my mood... and what you are doing" he states with a wink.

My heart flutters, I don't know why it just does.

I look up ahead only to find several people.... correction the entire school watching me as Jake and I enter the school. I could hear several whispers going on about me.

I pull my hood over my head and look down at the ground trying to hide from their gazes. I felt Jake pull me closer. I look up at him and he is giving several people his death glare that I once feared, that look could kill a small army, but the thing is... I'm not so scared of it anymore.

I felt a small blush creep onto my cheeks as I looked at Jake when I realized he was giving people his glare because they were making me uncomfortable.

Jake looks down at me and gives me a reassuring smile and rubs the small of my back, "No one messes with my princess."

I could quickly feel my small blush turn into a deep blush, I could tell my face was as red as a tomatoe the second Jake chuckles. He pulls down my hood and rubs my head, "You don't need that on. I like seeing your pretty little face."

There it goes... my heart basically stops and I can feel myself melt away.

I hear his light chuckle as we enter the school. Hearing his laughter makes me feel... safe.

If you told me that I would become friends with Jake a few months ago, I would have never believed you. I would have thought you were completely insane.

"What goes on in that cute little head of yours?" He questions as he notices my face in deep thought.

I shrug, "What goes on in my mind is my business and my business only."

He grins.

I raise my eyebrow, "What?"

He just stands there grinning at me, his eyes locked on mine.

"What's with that look?" I question with a light chuckle.

"You were totally thinking of me" he says nonchalantly as he brushes his hand through his hair.

My eyes widen "I... Was... Not."

He laughs a whole hearted laugh, "You totally were."

I grunt, "Was not."

He pulls me closer into him, "Don't deny it princess. I can read you like a book."

"Oh yeah... what am I thinking of now."

He looks me dead in the eye. Blush falls over my face when his forehead touches mine.

"Guinea Pigs"

My eyes widen, "WHAT THE..."

He grins, "I was right wasn't I?"

I push myself away from him, "How in the world did you get that?"

He grins with satisfaction as he crossed his arms, "I rest my case."

I scoff, "Well if you must know I was thinking about you but not in that kinda way..."

"Sure...."

I stop in my tracks and face him with my hands on my hips, "I was thinking about how a few months ago I was deathly afraid of you.... and now look at us."

His condescending looks quickly fades at my words. He rubs his hand through his hair and sighs, "look I'm really sorry abou-"

I put my hand on his shoulder, "Jake, it's okay" I look him square in the eye, "Forgiven. Forgotten."

He smiles a genuine smile causing me to smile back at him.

He straightens his posture and stretches his arms, causing his muscles to flex.... I just died inside. He grins as he catches me gawking at him.

"C'mon, let's get you to class" he states as he casually wraps his arm around me and walks me to class.

We walk in silence the rest of the way and I make eye contact with a bunch of people... great I'll be the talk of the day.

Right before I walk into my classroom Jake lowers his head right next to mine. His lip grazes my ear as he says, "Don't let any one bother you. Got it?"

All I could do was nod. My body was frozen stiff except my heart was racing.

He smirked "Good" and he kissed the top of my forehead and left.

What was that?!? Jake kissed my forehead?

At this point I am mentally dying!

I realize I have just been staring off into space in the middle of the hallway outside my class looking like a total freak. I blink my eyes and notice every single girl staring at me.

I reach for my hood but stop myself. I told Jake no one would bother me.... sorry hood I can't wear you today.

I straightened my posture and strutted into class.

People would talk throughout the day but I would just ignore them. I made a promise to Jake and I intend to keep it.

"Hey! There's my girl!" Dan shouted across the cafeteria from the table where Jake, Dylan and Dan sat. Dan gets up and wraps his arm around my shoulders clearly making Jake jealous. Jake narrows his eyes at Dan which only antagonizes him more, "How's my favorite person doing?" He leads me to the table and kisses my cheek. That's when Jake stands up and grabs my wrist swiftly pulling me away from Dan and into his arms.

Dan laughs, "You got it bad" and Dylan joins along.

My face is beat red now only to realize everyone in the cafe is watching us.

I shift awkwardly in Jake's grasp and he notices my awkwardness. He smirks and looks me in the eyes.

He comes down to my level so that his forehead is resting against mine. He wraps his arm around the small of my back pushing me into him so that our chests touch. He brushes his nose against mine causing my heart to beat insanely fast. His breath grazed my lips and he smelled of mint.

I could feel the eyes of everyone in the cafe burning in on me, I could feel every girl's envy and I could even hear the awes escape their mouths.

Jake's face slowly inches forward and my heart skips a beat. He gently turns my head to the side and kisses my cheek.

When he pulls back he looks at me with a smug look while I just stand there in complete shock. I couldn't even comprehend what was happening... I was frozen stiff.

Jake chuckles as he guides me to a seat.

"You might want to shut your mouth before flys fly into it" he chuckles as he gently places his hand on the bottom of my chin.

I close my mouth and blink back into reality.

My face turns an even deeper shade of red.

I begin to eat my food when a tap on my shoulder causes me to stop.

"Nicole?" Jake says.

"Mm hmm" I say back.

Jake brushes his lips against my ear, "You're my girl and don't forget that."

• • •

AWEEEE

Romance is brewing

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Alyssa Rose