Chapter 22: Chapter 22

Twenty Two - Alone.

"Hello? Emily, come home this instant! How dare you leave home so suddenly!"

I scoff, unable to believe her words. I silently wish I never answered the phone but the damn woman wouldn't take no for an answer. After ignoring her calls multiple times, I decided to answer before she blew my phone up. . . Literally.

"Leave me alone Mum."

"Where are you? I demand that you come home!" Mum screeches at the other end. Besides me Jake raises an eyebrow and I know he can hear her scream like a banshee.

"I'm safe, isn't that all that matters?" I argue back with her, desperately trying to make her see sense. I hear her pause on the other end before she inhales sharply. I wonder whether she finally understands but when she begins calling me selfish and an inconvenience, I slump my shoulders in defeat.

Why can she not see that I ran away for my own safety?

Would I always be the child blamed for all of the troubles in her life?

Raw tears sting the back of my eyes and I sniffle, reaching up to quickly wipe them away. A warm hand slips into my left one, intertwining our fingers together. The small contact surprises me because in the past, I'm all alone as the tears fall. I turn my head, eyes connecting with warm blue ones —

"You're okay." Jake murmurs, reaching over and plucking the phone from my hand. That's when I notice it shaking and I watch as Jake silently ends the calls, silencing Mum's voice.

"She has quite the voice on her, doesn't she?" Jake says, amusement and disbelief lining his voice.

"Yeah, that's my mum." I respond quietly. Moments of silence fall on us and I close my eyes, Jake's warm hand still in mine.

"Why didn't she stop Trevor?" He asks after a while, his tone dropping to almost a hushed whisper. I sigh and run a hand over my face, totally exhausted from the day.

I ask myself the same question over and over again, lying wide awake at night. I have a vague idea why Mum let Trevor do what he did. It's always been there in the back of my mind and I try to push it away but it just keeps eating away at me.

"I think she blames me for my Dad's death and it's her way of punishing me." I whisper, feeling physically sick from the thought.

I didn't know it was possible to feel pain in your heart but right now it felt like a glass bottle was stabbing through it continuously. The glass ripping away at me, tearing me apart. I miss him so much.

Jake silently pulls me me towards him and wraps an arm around my shoulder. I'm grateful for his support and lean against him, resting my head into the crook of his neck. He smells good.

"Do you really think that?" Jake asks quietly, his voice a murmur. I nod my head silently, feeling my eyes fill up with emotional tears. The door suddenly opens, ending the conversation between Jake and I.

Tobias and Ivory walk in, chatting quietly between themselves. I sniffle quickly, wiping away the tears before they can see the pain in my eyes.

"Another party?" I ask Ivory, noticing at her black skin tight dress. Her wild hair is curled around her shoulders and she's wearing sky high black heels. She looks amazing. Ivory nods, grinning widely at me.

"It's downtown, just a few friends that me and Tobias know."

I nod silently, shuffling away from Jake as I notice how close we're sitting next to each other. I don't feel comfortable under Tobias' dark stare.

"Anyone would think you two are dating."

Speaking of Tobias. . .

My head shoots up and I'm instantly sucked into his emotionless cold eyes. He's staring intensely at Jake's arm around my shoulders, his eyebrow raised high.

"So what if we are?"Jake says quietly, his voice low and threatening. I glance at Jake and frown deeply, utterly confused.

We're dating?

Since when?

Gee thanks Jake, it's so nice of you to tell me.

Jake avoids my burning gaze and I feel my heart speed up, thumping against my chest hard. Jake simply stares at Tobias coldly, blue eyes never blinking.

"Oh my god, you're dating!?" Ivory squeals, breaking the tension and silence in the room. I don't respond and glance at Jake again, unsure of what to say. Of course I want to date him . . . He's beautiful, caring and has the ability to make my heart stop with a simple flash of his smile. Until now he seemed unsure about making us official.

Is he saying this just to make Tobias jealous?

"You don't do relationships, right Jake?" Tobias adds lightly however there's a mocking tone to his words. His lips are curled up in a snarl and his eyes travel over me before glancing at Jake.

"Tobias, stop it." Ivory frowns, turning towards him. Tobias chuckles at her words and I stiffen in Jake's arms.

"Get out Tobias, now." Jake warns him, his jaw clenched tight. I stand up off the sofa to leave the room because I don't want to be on the end of Tobias' firing line.

"Emily, wait." Jake pleads, tugging at my wrist. I turn towards Tobias, a confused expression written across my features. He simply smirks back at me smugly.

"What's your problem?" I ask him quietly, my eyes narrowing at him. Okay it is official, I severely dislike him.

"Don't get too comfortable here Emily. Once he sleeps with you, you'll be ancient history."

My heart immediately stops and I pause, frozen in place as I register his words.

"What did you just say?" I whisper in shock, not sure I'd heard him right. Tobias rolls his eyes at me, amused by the entire situation.

"Why do you think he hasn't asked you to be his girlfriend? Because he doesn't have any intentions to. Jake Melvin isn't the dating type." Tobias said bluntly, sounding bored. I frown further, tugging my wrist out of Jake's grasp.

"You know that isn't true Tobias!" Jake yells, lunging for Tobias but he's too quick for him. Both of them are the exact same weight but Tobias has the advantage of height. He dodges out of Jake's way and skilfully spins around, landing a quick punch to Jake's jaw. My eyes widen as Jake falls backwards from the force, landing on the floor.

Tobias simply smirks, dark eyes shining brightly with amusement. He turns to face me, intending to stab my heart once again with his words.

"Ask him about Violet, that's the reason he doesn't date."

"Violet?" I question, my voice quiet and timid. The name really doesn't ring a bell and I turn toward Jake, a questioning look on my face.

"Stop it Tobias! You sick bastard." Jake hisses, his eyes burning dark as he springs to his feet. Tobias keeps his eyes locked onto mine and I don't dare breathe.

"Why do I have reason to lie?"

And with that he turns and walks straight out of the room. I hear the front door slam and Ivory runs to Jake's side. He gingerly touches his jaw and hisses from the pain. His breaths are shaky and his fists are still clenched tightly as he struggles to remain calm.

"I hate him! I hate him for what he's done to me." Jake yells out, telling Ivory. She mumbles a response under her voice, too quiet for me to hear. I simply stare at him intensely, my face contorted in pain as Tobias' words ring round and round my head.

"Emily, he's lying. I can explain!"

I force myself to breathe deeply . . . give him a chance Emily.

"Is he lying? Who is Violet?" I ask him, my voice wavering. The silence in the room begins to increase until it became almost suffocating. I stare intently at Jake, never blinking. My eyes are covered in a glossy sheen as he remains silent, his face twisted and contorted with difficulty.

"Jake." I plead with him, my voice desperate.

I don't want it to be true.

He opens his mouth to reply and I see pain flash through his features before he masks it over. I know this is it, the conversation is over. I shake my head at him and leave the room, walking out of the house. Tears prick my eyes as I think of everything that has happened these past few weeks.

My life is a complete mess. I don't have control over anything. Everything good slips away from my fingertips before I have a chance to keep hold of it forever. After spending years living in fear and unable to love or trust, I want it to end so I can be happy.

I don't stop walk until my chest and legs burn from the pain and I glance around, finding myself in the cemetery. I breathe in deeply, letting oxygen into my lungs and make my way along the route I have memorised.

I stop when I get to his grave and fall onto my knees, wiping the tears away. I don't want him to know I've been crying. I silently push away the branches and leaves, feeling guilty for abandoning him, Once I'm done, my fingers stroke over the carving - loving father. I let out a small sob, unable to control the pain anymore. It's taking over my chest, becoming unbearable.

If he was here, he'd tell me what to do. He always had a reasonable solution to everything. When he was alive, my life was full of love and happiness. It's crazy how one accident has the ability to change your entire life, rip away your happiness in seconds.

I sniffle, wiping away the tears on my cheeks. The wind whips around me harshly but I'm numb to the cold, numb to everything. Loneliness is a feeling I've

grown accustomed to but right now, it's hitting me harder than ever before.

"I just want you back Dad." I whisper, pulling my knees into my chest.

*****

It's been hours.

Darkness surrounds me and everything is eerily quiet. I lay weak next to my fathers grave and feel comforted, almost as if his presence is around me. I feel my phone vibrate again and I pull it out of my back pockets, squinting at the brightness of the screen. Jake has messaged and rang me multiple times.

I quickly scan over his text, each one becoming more frantic.

Emily, please tell me where you are.

I turn my phone off.

I don't want to talk to anyone. Right now all I want is to be left alone.

*****

Jake's POV-

I tug hard at my hair, staring down at my phone as I wait for her reply. I check everywhere I can think of but she's nowhere to be found. My fists clench as I remember how Tobias made her feel. Overtime my feelings for her are becoming indescribable and I don't know what to tell her.

The truth is I'm scared.

I don't have the best experience when it comes to girlfriends.

I remember Violet, the pain she and Tobias bought my way. I vowed to myself I'd never get close to a girl again, never let her into my heart but slowly Emily is breaking that vow. The pain in her eyes flashes through my mind at Tobias' words and I yell out in frustration at the sky.

It's been hours.

My phone rings and I quickly pull it out of my jacket, frowning at the name on the screen.

"Hello?" I answer.

"She's at the cemetery."

Amil's smooth voice answers me.

How does he know that?

"Are you following her?" I ask him, a deep frown on my face. He shouldn't have done that without asking me first.

"Of course I am Jake. Do you think I wouldn't follow her after you bought her to me?"

"You should have asked me!" I respond back harshly. Amil pauses on the other end before breathing in harshly.

"I am making sure she doesn't go running to the police! You should be thanking me."

His voice became more threatening and I remember my place within the gang. Amil is leader which means I have to respect him, no matter what. If I dislike something Amil does, I have to keep my mouth shut. Those are the rules.

I take a deep breath, thinking about my next words carefully.

"She doesn't trust the police." " I say quietly, making my way in the direction of the cemetery.

"You know I'm more careful than that. I can't simply take your word for it. She will be followed until I feel necessary." Amil says firmly before hanging up on me.

I sigh and put my phone back into my pocket. I want to help Emily and get Trevor myself however I know Amil would never allow it. The gang made a vow to never get into any trouble unless it's one of Amil's orders. It's his way of keeping us all in line and avoided unnecessary trouble with rival gang members.

I think back to our conversation regarding Emily and her safety. Amil remained silent the entire time before slowly nodding, letting me know he'll help. I didn't need his help, I needed his approval. I wanted to kill Trevor for what he'd done to Emily but I also have a duty to the gang and I can't give that up for a girl.

Even if that girl is Emily.

So why is my heart protesting?

*****

Emily's POV -

The wind whips sharply around me and the trees sway with their branches. It's completely dark but darkness feels comforting tonight.

"Emily."

My head snaps up and I see Jake's silhouette stood a few feet away from me. I swallow the lump in my throat and stand up, walking away from him quickly.

"Emily, wait!" Jake yells, running after me.

He's faster than me and it didn't take long for his grip to circle around my arm and for him to pull me back into him. I struggle against him and clench my teeth tightly.

"Let go of me, I want to be alone." I tell him, my voice thick with emotion. Jake releases his grip and takes a step back. When I turn around, his eyes are apologetic and desperate as they search mine.

"Please let me explain."

"I already gave you the chance Jake! What makes you think you can mess with my feelings?"

His winces at my words.

"I'm a jerk, I know. I don't deserve another chance to explain. I don't mean to hurt you Emily, I've never wanted to hurt you!" Jake responds, his voice desperate. I remain silent, the cold wind whipping harshly around us. Despite the icy temperature, I don't feel anything.

"God, you're freezing, take my jacket."

I shake my head and clench my fists tightly, remembering Tobias' hurtful words.

"Are you using me? Trying to take advantage? Will you sleep with me and drop me straight afterwards?" I ask him, feeling my eyes fill with fresh tears.

"I'm not using you."

"But Tobias said — "

"I don't care what Tobias said, he's wrong!" Jake yells out in frustration, his beautiful features twisted.

"Please take my jacket, I can see you shaking."

I shake my head in protest, my eyes drifting over to my fathers grave. I want to stay beside him, ask him for advice. I knew he can't answer me but I'm desperate. My chest fills with pain once again and I stumble, reaching out to hold onto something.

"Emily, what's wrong? Talk to me."

I don't want him close to me but when his skin makes contact with mine, I can't seem to let go. I hold onto him tightly, the pounding in my head increasing until it becomes unbearable.

That's when I really feel the cold hit me. It invades every muscle of my body like an ice blast, shocking me into a frozen state. I open my mouth to breathe in sharply but my lungs tighten making it impossible.

"We need to get you out of the cold," Jake breathes into my neck but I don't register his words. I feel my legs weaken underneath me and I fall into him, broken. I don't have the strength to fight anymore and as I fall to the floor, I question whether I ever had any strength at all.