This chapter is dedicated to @soumyavk for fangirling my story. thank you so much for your beautiful comments and being my friend. love you

CHAPTER 4

"Nora, there is a call for you from Amy. She said you know her." Scarlett said handing me the receiver with a smile and I took it from her. She waved her hand and left the cafe since it was time to close, leaving I and the boss alone.

"Hello-" I said over the phone but she cut me off and I knew she was pissed off because I forgot to charge my phone in the morning.

"Nora, you are going to be dead soon." She threatened and then sighed as if it wasn't the right time to go all angry at me. "I was worried about you. I have some bad news." She mumbled and I frowned.

Bad news means something terrible for Amy. She seems sad and upset too. The last thing I was afraid is whether she fought with Scott or her parents. Amy was a peacemaker so she adjusted with everything and tried to make all the bad news to a little good one.

"Mr.Winfred called me some time ago and said he couldn't reach you. Something is wrong with the electricity in the building and everyone is asked to leave for two days..." She said and continued taking a deep breath. "You know that you are always welcome at my home, right? But my parents are here..." She trailed off not knowing what to say after.

"It's okay, Amy. I will sort something out." I assured her and hung up after promising that I will text her about my plans.

I cleaned the last table and sat down on the chair. Where am I going to stay today? I didn't want to go home, I mean where Kiara lives now. I heard from Amy that she was back with her friends and that's never an option. Apart from Amy, I didn't have any friends like I said so who was going to offer a shelter for me? I sighed and rested my head on the table.

I was a loner, a nobody. Sometime I was in the edge of ending my life thinking about all the disaster that happened in my life but then there would be smiling face of my parents, they wouldn't be proud if I did something like that and then there is Amy's grinning face.

"Hey angry bird, I know you love 'Love you a latte' so much but seriously, you planning to stay here?" He chuckled as he slung his backpack on the shoulder. I wasn't in the mood to bicker so I stayed silent.

"What happened, homeless?" He asked and my eyes grew wide. How on earth did he know but the amusement look on his face said he was just playing around. I stood up and walked to the locker grabbing my sling back. Tears welled up in my eyes at the thought of what Jake said. It was true, there was no place which will welcome me with open arms.

"You okay?"

"My apartment's electricity isn't working so everyone is asked to leave for two days." I mumbled what Amy told and his expression for the first time became serious.

"So, where are you going?" He asked by tapping his chin thoughtfully.

"I don't know, Jake. Amy's parents are there and they don't fancy guests. Then it leaves me to go to my house but I won't." I said and I appreciated that he didn't ask anything about it. "Maybe I will find a hotel room or something." I added and headed for the door.

"Hey, why don't you come to my home?" He asked and I had to check thrice if Jake Adams owned the voice. He was a stranger and there is a possibility something wrong will happen. "Come on, I won't kidnap or kill you because you know how much I love you, right?" He winked and continued "My family is there and you are safe." He softly said and then, next moment he dragged me out of the door and locked it.

"I will come soon." He said and disappeared to the parking lot. He came back in a Mercedes-Benz black car and signalled me to sit. I was expecting a motorcycle because isn't it something like all the popular and bad boys should ride one but Jake proved that he was different.

I got into the car and he roared the engine to life and drove the roads to his house. The radio began to play Shape of you by Ed Sheeran. I felt his gaze on me the whole time like how his brown eyes were on me while we were having lunch at Cinderella's two days ago with Amy and Scott.

It would be a lie if I said I didn't have a good time. For a moment, I was thrown back to the memories of my family dining together here three years ago and now without them it feels tough and hard. But Jake, Amy and Scott were able to take my mind off. Jake and Scott were best friends but with boys all are brothers. I didn't join in any conversation or there laughter when Jake revealed how dejected he felt when a red-head girl rejected him on a party.

"Seriously, she was standing there all alone and I thought I could give her a lift but dude, she said 'I am already booked for the night, maybe another day.' Girls are so dirty." He had said as if the first time he saw a women on a magazine. Scott laughed at him and the boys were rolling on their stomach soon.

"You better stop now, all girls are not like that." Amy had said shooting daggers at his direction.

Jake was a popular boy so the rumors are he had plenty of girlfriends and he was a player. But after the lunch I don't think he broke many hearts but it's none of business, I decided not to judge without knowing.

"We are here, Nora." Jake's velvety voice broke my trance and a two storeyed house was in front of me. A garden full of roses surrounded it and it had the feel of home. Jake like a gentleman came around and opened the door for me.

He rang the bell and footsteps came towards door and finally opened it. A little boy stood there who wore a black hoodie with confusion as his eyes darted from Jake to me, again.

"Mom, Jake brought his girlfriend home." He sang and ran to the kitchen. Jake shook his head and muttered something under his breath. Girlfriend?

He held my hand and walked, no practically ran to the kitchen where a mid thirties women stood there with a spatula in her hand. "Shut up, Chris." He snapped at his young brother before looking at his mother under his lashes. "Mom, this is Nora. Nora, meet my mom." He introduced and sat on the counter.

"Hi, it's nice to meet you." I said with a small smile but she embraced me tightly.

"Finally, I get to meet the girl." She said looking over Jake and grinning at Chris.

"But she is just a friend, her apartment got some problems so she is going to stay here, hope it's okay." He said and she squealed.

"That's wonderful, I'm suffocated living with two boys. And seriously you think I will believe you, Jake. You don't bring just friends to home, boy." She laughed and I felt my cheeks heat.

"Actually, I work at the cafe and we are sort of friends. Thanks for letting me stay." I said and her brown eyes lost it's spark but it was back on her round face quickly. No wonder where the golden boy got his smile.

"Okay, whatever floats your boat kids. I guess that you both didn't have dinner, so come let's have it together." She rushed us to wash our hands and after that I sat on the chair with the lovely family.

Chris was stealing glances me and I looked at him finally. His cheeks painted pink and he looked cute but he had deep blue ocean eyes. "You are beautiful." He complimented.

"Thanks, Chris. You are also a handsome boy, not like your brother." I said and Chris grinned.

"You are hurting my feelings here, Angry bird." Jake commented as he took a spoonful of pasta into his mouth. "Not like me? Exactly I'm way more attractive than the little brat here." He said smirking and I smacked his arm lightly.

"A person with eyes can clearly say who is good looking." I rolled my eyes and I could see Annie, Jake's mom smiling at us.

"Then I would say you have to see a doctor soon, Nora. There is something wrong with your eyes." He said laughing and I glared at him.

"Sometime I wonder how can a person have so much ego and still have his head." I said smirking and that shut him up.

"Enough kids, let's finish the food." Annie said and we all gave our attention to the delicious, yummy pasta.

I helped Annie with the dishes while the boys started arguing about something again. They are so adorable and Jake looks like a little kid himself with Chris. When we were done, Annie retired to her room taking Chris with her because they have somewhere to go in the morning. Jake said that he would for my sake sleep with Chris and I can take his room. Aren't boys secretive and want privacy for their room?

We climbed the stair and Jake stopped in front of door and pushed it open. If I said his office in cafe was a mess than this is more than that. There were cans lying on the floor with pizza boxes, popcorns and so many chocolate wrappers.

"You eat a lot." I said examining the room once again. Just like some, he has tried painting his walls but ended making it abstract.

"I'm a growing boy." He whined. "But I'm sorry about the mess, let me clean it up." He smiled sheepishly before going down and coming back with a sweeping brush. I collected the papers and boxes and threw it in the dustbin. He cleaned the floor and made the bed.

Once everything was set, he stood up and said "Good night, Nora and like always don't break anything." He winked and I threw a pillow on him. "See, you started already." He laughed and walked out closing the door behind him.

I laid down on his bed and stared at the white ceiling. A month before I would have never thought I will be sleeping in Jake Adams' bed. I draped the cover around me and it smelled of his cologne. Chocolate and mint, he was always a chocolate boy. My phone buzzed and I took it to see many messages from Amy.

Where the hell are you? Text me soon or I'm going to the police. Are you kidnapped? Well, then it is the kidnapper who is reading, right? I tell you man or woman, leave her alone or else you will have to face the wrath of her best friend. I will kill you people and feed it to the dogs. Please, reply me idiot.

I laughed after reading it, I know Amy is crazy but never knew the girl was a psycho. She is so innocent that she won't even hurt a fly. Sometimes I wondered how she end up with me, the loner and heartless Nora Grace.

I'm safe, Amy. You don't need to go all ninja and I'm at Jake's house.

I replied back and the next second her message came.

How did you end up there? No need for me to play the cupid here. Tell me the details tomorrow.

I laughed again seeing her reply. She was so sweet and perfect person. Every parents wanted a daughter like her, every brothers wanted a sister like her, every boys want her as their girl friend and every girls wanted her as their best friend. I'm lucky that I got her.

"You should laugh more often." I was taken a back that I scrambled out of the bed quickly when I heard his voice. Jake leaned against the door with a smile.

"What are you doing here?" I asked but felt really stupid after asking. After all, it was his room and maybe he forgot to take something important.

"That little boy snores too much that I couldn't sleep. I tried pinching his nose and shutting it but you know how is it with people who snores." He said and lazily sat on the edge of the bed.

"So, where are you going to sleep?" I asked afraid that he will ask me to go out.

"Probably in the couch, are you tired?" He asked and I shook my head as my eyes are far away from being heavy and I don't want to see another night mare again. "Good, let's play a game." He said crossing his legs.

"Game?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, we get to ask each other questions and we will have to answer them. If we pass then the other one get to ask another one too." He said the rules but somewhere deep in my heart I knew that this game will change everything. But I was not a coward so I agreed.

"Great, I will go first." He said smiling and rubbed his hands together. We shared our favourite colours, his was black and mine red. His hobby was writing and he discovered that I'm terrible in singing. We got to know each other pretty well.

"What do you fear most?" He asked running a hand through his hair.

"Losing someone close to me." I mumbled and he looked at me with tight line. "My chance, how many hearts did you break?" I asked to change the subject.

"Two, did you really think I was a heartbreaker?" He asked amused and laughed. I thought at least I could see five fingers raised but only two.

"Well, you are the popular boy and girls were all over you. So, I'm not at fault." I said and he rolled his eyes. "But who are the two girls?" I asked being curious.

"Feeling jealous? I know right. So first girl was my neighbor. I was curious wondering how the dating works and all. So, I agreed to be her boyfriend but I really regreted that and I was more than glad to leave that house. She was annoying and cares only about food." He said and I laughed imagining his situation.

"Second was two years back, I was an edge away from thinking she was the one but she cheated on me and backstabbed by linking with my rival." He said and continued "It only took a couple of drinks to get over her and from then I stayed away from girls. But now I feel like there is someone right for me." He said and I bite my cheek stopping myself from asking who the girl was.

"My turn, most embrassing moment?" He asked smirking and I thought for some time until the memory came back.

"Okay there was this time when I really got into an argument with Kiara and my anger took control over me. Like always I took the glasses from the display and smashed it but only after the damage was done I realized that I was in a grocery store. People stared at me and I had to pay the money too. God, the looks and shoutings I heard from the owner was something." I said thinking about it, it was horrible.

"Aww, poor glasses." He said and acted as wiping his tears. "But Kiara, the annoying girl of our school?" He asked and trust me, I mentally danced in my mind knowing he secretly didn't have a crush on her.

"Unfortunately, my sister." I said lowering my gaze to the floor.

"The person whom you love most?" I asked when it was my chance and his body stiffened. This night was going good, I don't think I need to take her name again to ruin it.

"My dad."

"I wondering where was he? Is he working away?" I asked thinking about it. I never saw a single photo frame of him with the family. The smile on his face dropped and he stared at the floor for a moment before his brown eyes lifted to meet mine.

"He is no more. He worked in the army and after a war there was no information about him. We tried to locate him but we couldn't. I tried to keep the hope and trust that he will return to see Chris, I and mom but he never did. The news spread he died but we didn't believe it. I tried to be strong but eventually gave up. It's been seven years and there is nothing worth in waiting. But it breaks to see my mom still believing that he will come back one day." He said and I saw tears in his eyes. I took his hand in mine and squeezed it. But he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into his chest taking me by surprise.

I can feel him shaking in my arms and a tear slipped from my eyes. I wiped it off quickly and patted his back hoping that it comforted him. It was always the other way around, while I broke in Amy's arms and she comforts me. He took a deep breath and pulled away. I don't know but there was this weird feeling how our bodies together felt complete, it was peace.

I have always thought that Jake Adams' life was perfect. He was happy and loved by everyone. He have friends who are there for him and have got his back. He has Annie, a sweet mother and Chris, adorable brother. It was complete and content that I thought he didn't have a single thing to complain about. He has good grades and even after all the pranks he pulled, teachers still love him. But all I see now is the shattered Jake missing his father.

I realised something in this. I realized that it our choice how to make our life. Jake decided to look at the bright side and live his life forgetting his sorrows but I, on the other hand decided to be whiny kid thinking how unfair and cruel the world is. He enjoyed seeing people being happy but I was jealous and angry that how could they live like that when I was living a terrible life here. It's all about our choice and today I choose to change my choice in past. I decided to let go and smile.

"You are smiling." Jake said looking at me and I smiled, again. "Not bad but seriously only if my tears will make you smile, I guess I will have to buy glycerin." He said and I laughed seeing his pouting lips and puppy eyes, something which always worked on me. He looked me again as a small smile played on his lips.

"Girl, you should laugh more like I said." He said and I stopped, realizing that Jake Adams was sitting in front of me. We were sprawled in his bed mattress playing a game that revealed so much, feeling comfortable with each other and joking at three in the morning. I guess we built a friendship which I hope don't sink tonight. I think there is only a few metres away from him and my walls and at any time he may break through it or I may let him in.

"Come on Nora, just laugh and don't hold back. Laughter is a cheaper medicine, it will be able to cure you no matter how worse the disease is. Trust me, it helped me a lot. There were days when I used to feel lonely and all that shit. But then I found a meme page and whenever I felt like I'm drowning again I used to return to that page again and laugh until mom comes knocking at me door asking whether I was mad. The admin was lit and you should do too." He said laughing and continued "You know Life is better and happier when you're laughing. Maybe some people will be there who will ask you to be hard on life and be numb but they are just envious." He said and all this little piece of words are amazing me day by day.

"Thank you for sharing your story and words with me, Jake." I smiled and he returned his which always made my heart beat furiously.

"Good night, Angry bird." He whispered and leaned surprising me by pressing his soft lips to my fore head. He ruffled my hair and went out leaving me alone as I touched the spot and felt my cheeks hurt after smiling so wide.

Thank you so much but I would really appreciate if you guys vote and comment. It means a lot to me and remember only six more chapters to go. Thanks a ton and don't forget to laugh, loosen up a little friend. Love you, hugs ✨