Chapter Nine - The return of the creep.

My safe haven, let me tell you about it.

A cafe located down small side streets that's only a ten minute walk from where I live. It's a small building, possi- bly too small but that's what I like about it. The moment I enter the warmth and scent ravels around me, making me feel safe.

My father and I are the only people to know of it's existence which means Trevor has no idea that it's my favourite place to hide. I love to sit by the window when it's raining and watch as the droplets of rain slide down the glass. The entire building holds a special place in my heart along with fond memories of me and my father.

After ordering a hot chocolate and a cheese toastie, I scan the dining area and make my way towards a seat in the corner that's out of view.

Lulu's cafe is designed like the inside of a cabin. Dark wooden booths line one corner and chocolate leather sofas are along the other. Pictures of assorted pastries, cakes and coffee covers the walls. 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.

"There you go dear, enjoy." 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 —

You shouldn't be skipping college. . . I'm watching you Emily.

Who is this person? Why are they watching me? That's not creepy at all...

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 for the cheese toastie.

*****

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 landing on a substitute teacher sat at the desk instead of Mrs Wilkins.

"Sorry I'm late, dentist appointment." I explain briefly before taking a seat next to Trish. I still feel terrible, my body is weak and constantly in pain.

I've managed to hide the bruises forming on my skin underneath a grey turtle neck jumper. I ignore the stares around me and instead pull out a text book from my bag, placing it onto the desk. Beside me, Trish watches be- fore leaning closer —

"You look terrible Em, shouldn't you be at home resting?"

Gee, thanks Trish. I shake my head, giving her a small smile. "I feel fine." I lie effortlessly.

"Is it the flu? What if it's Ebola?" Trish grimaces and I notice her not so subtle way of creating distance between us. I immediately splutter with laughter and curse myself for doing so as pain shoots through my side. I grip onto it tightly, waiting for the pain to subside.

"It's not Ebola," I explain, breathing in and exhaling out slowly.

"It's always best to be safe than sorry. Ebola kills pretty fast Em." Trish continues, her eyes wide as she inspects me from head to toe.

"I'm fine Trish. Let me copy your notes that I've missed." I mumble, reaching for her book. She nods and pushes it further in my direction. As I'm halfway through writing, Trish leans closer and bumps her shoulder with mine.

"I have so much to tell you!"

It's a completely innocent interaction but the force of the impact against my bruised muscles causes me to hiss in pain.

I suck in a breath and yelp, jumping backwards. Her eyes widen and she stills, watching me squirm beside her. I close my eyes and silently pray the tears building up inside my eyes will disappear.

"Excuse me," I mutter, my jaw clenched from the pain. I quickly stand up and head straight for the door, ignoring the murmurs of my classmates behind me. I don't care anymore, all I want is the pain to stop. I run through the empty hallway, pushing past the double doors and heading straight for the girls bathroom. Painful tears roll down my cheeks and I wipe them away quickly.

I'm strong, I can do this.

I clutched my arm desperately and let the tears slide down my cheek willingly knowing I'm not strong at all. . . I'm lying to myself. I hear the door push open and I hide my face behind my hands, hoping whoever it is would leave me alone.

"Emily?"

His voice is low and lined with concern.

"Leave me alone Jake." I respond, my words muffled behind my hand. I glance up through my blurred vision to find Jake stood against the doorway, a worried expression on his face. Upon noticing the tears in my eyes, he walks towards me and crouches down.

I immediately feel my stomach twist in nerves and I want to shuffle backwards but for some reason, I don't. His blue eyes watch me intensely for a moment, scanning over my features. Eventually he looks directly at me, blue eyes darkening —

"I think it's time you tell me what's going on with you."

I remain silent, unable to let him into my thoughts. I couldn't tell anyone, the thought terrifies me. Jake sighs at my silence and instead reaches up, wiping away a tear with his fingers. I immediately freeze, sucking in a deep breath from the way his fingers feel against my cheeks. He places one hand under my chin, tilting my head up so that I'm holding eye contact with him.

"The teacher wouldn't allow Trish to leave." He mumbles apologetically. "What about you?" I ask him quietly.

"I'm not going to let a teacher stop me." He responds, giving me a small smile. I can't help but notice how soft his voice is, completely opposite to the way he speaks to everyone else around him.

"Please talk to me," Jake pleads, his words taking me by surprise. I close my eyes and shake my head, leaning back against the wall. The words that I want to tell him are at the tip of my tongue but no matter how hard I try, I can't speak the truth.

"My life is completely messed up." I eventually mumble which isn't the complete truth but not a lie either. I feel his arms wrap around me and he pulls me into his chest without hesitation. His body feels warm and for the first time since my dad died, I feel safe.

The feeling of safety is one that I haven't felt for years. I'm surprised that someone like Jake Melvin is the first person to make me experience it. I want to remain here forever, the one place I truly feel safe. I can hear the soft thumping of his heart through his shirt and I sniffle, burying my head closer to him.

"Whatever it is, it's going to be okay." Jake tells me, not pressuring me into opening up. I relax against him and we both remain in the same position for a while. A comfortable silence falls upon us until Jake gently pushes backwards, his eyes meeting mine again. I feel embarrassed and reach up, wiping away the last of my tears.

"Sorry, I must look a mess right now." I mumble, a red tint covering my cheeks. Jake doesn't respond and looksat me intensely, almost as if he wants to say something. Before he can, his phone begins to beep inside his pock- et. He reaches for it but doesn't break eye contact with me and his stare makes me feel vulnerable and exposed.

I clear my throat and look away, focusing on a small piece of rubbish on the floor instead. From the corner of my eye, I see Jake smile before glancing down at his phone. The smile on his face vanishes as his eyes scan over the message —

"I have to go."

I nod quickly but couldn't help feeling a little dis-heartened. Jake must have noticed my disappointment and he sighs, running a hand though his hair. He pushes it back away from his eyes and stands up off the floor, holding out a hand for me to take. I reach out, placing my hand in his and I'm not surprised that his hands radiate warmth just like his body.

"Thank you," I say quietly, noticing how close our bodies are. I could see his chest in front of me, rising and falling as he takes slow breaths.

"Anytime," Jake whispers. He inches forward, raising his hand to tuck a piece of stray hair behind my ear. I flinch automatically but don't realise that I'm doing it.

"Why do you do that?" He asks suddenly, looking at me with his head slightly tilted to the side. I glance to the right, unable to keep eye contact with him as I'm afraid he'll be able to see right through my lies.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Jake raises an eyebrow and opens his mouth to respond then his phone beeps again, multiple times.

"Fuck," He mutters under his breath, clearly annoyed at the person on the other end. He answers the call, holding his phone up to his ear. As he listens to the call on the other end, his blue piercing eyes never leave mine. I find myself staring back, getting lost inside the swirls of blue and his thick dark lashes.

"Don't let him leave, I'll be there in twenty," he eventually speaks, his tone low and lined with a danger I haven't heard before. His voice snaps me out of my daze and I blink, taking a step back. It's my turn to raise my eyebrow at him questioningly and he shrugs in response, pocketing his phone.

"I'll see you later," he says quietly. The only thing I can respond with is a simple nod of my head. Jake takes a step back, his eyes flickering over me one last time. He sighs unhappily before disappearing out of the bathroom. I watch him go, replaying the last half hour in my head over and over again.