Chapter 014

Jake Blackwood

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I couldn't tell you the exact part of the movie when I fell asleep but sleep welcomed me with open arms. I woke up to pitch blackness with the only exception of the television logo flashing on different corners of the television as the movie ended a while ago. I looked down to my side and saw Arielle snuggled to my side. I lifted my wrist and my watch glowed the time 2:47 AM. I did not look forward to driving home at this time. My body felt so tired and drained of any source of energy I may have had. Between school and working at my uncle's restaurant I've had no time to relax. But I wouldn't change one thing because I love where I am at this very second. I'm lying down and the world's most beautiful girl is cuddled up to my side. I grab the blanket and pull it further up so she doesn't cold while she sleeps. "Sleep well princess," I whispered as I pressed a light kiss on her head brought the other blanket I was using up to my neck, and allowed darkness to take me back. Just a few more hours that's all my body needs for a restart. I hope her mom doesn't mind me crashing on their couch. I mean it's unsafe to drive when you're lacking sleep right?

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I hear a few clicking sounds go off in the living room waking me. Through my closed eyelids, I can see a faint flash and a low voice saying "Shoot, shoot, shoot," and fumbling with something. I open my eyes to see Arielle's mom standing a few feet in front of us with a camera in her hand. "Good morning sweetie," her mom said with her cheeks growing red, "You two seemed so peaceful I needed to save the memory," she said smiling shyly. "It's no worries. But I do want a copy though," I said smiling back at her and moving my arm slowly not wanting to wake up Arielle. "I'm sorry for falling asleep. I guess I fell asleep mid-movie I honestly don't remember." I told her truthfully reaching for my shoes to put on and head out. "Don't worry honey I wouldn't want you to be driving out late at night if you're tired. I completely understand. Go freshen up in the bathroom there are some extra toothbrushes in the cabinet and come help me get breakfast started. We can all have breakfast." She told me pointing down the hall and telling me to the right. I smiled gratefully at her and chose to stay in just my socks as she said I could stay for breakfast.

The walls of the hallway had several different portraits and sayings on smaller frames. I opened the first door on the right and was instantly greeted with a white room with hints of black, light grey, and lots of white and light pink. She had a Polaroid photo wall with some posters in between the pictures and a whole wall holding her vinyl collection on another side. The room had a few plants by the window and had fairy lights hanging behind her bed frame. I could instantly tell this was her room, her signature scent she wore was still lingering around and her school bag sitting on her computer chair confirmed my answer.

I have never been to Arielle's room nor have I ever pictured this but this wasn't what I expected to see if I was honestly speaking. I didn't even know she liked the color pink, I also didn't know she was into plants and I mean being a plant mom. There were still things about her I had yet to discover and learn more about. "Looking for something?" I hear her voice say coming up from behind me. "I uh got lost, I didn't know which door was for the bathroom," I told her and she smiled sheepishly at me and walked in front of me placing the blanket she had brought out to the living room back onto her bed. Seeing that she didn't freak out about me being in her room I looked over her vinyl records looking over all the different artists and looked at her Polaroid photo wall, wanting to learn more about her and seeing who she was before the storm that changed her.

"Your taste in music is honestly all over the place Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift, Michael Jackson, Prince, Sabrina Carpenter, Metro Boomin, Rihanna," I said listing the vinyl on the top row. "I honestly did not know you were into some of these artists," I told her and she hummed in response. "Every day I spend with you, I discover something new that makes our friendship even more special Arielle. Getting to know you better is like unfolding a story I never want to end," I said looking back at her. She had now taken a seat on the edge of her bed. Her eyes studied my face but she did not say anything just smiled at me. "Come on fishy breath let's go brush our teeth, my mom said you're cooking," She got up from her bed walked out of her room, and led me to the bathroom her mom originally told me to go to. There were double sinks so she and I were able to brush our teeth at the same time. We kept sneaking glances at each other through the mirror when we thought the other person was not looking but each time we were caught.

And if you were to ask me why I can't stop looking at her, all I can say is that God must have taken His time with this one. She's not just beautiful—she's a masterpiece.

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Arielle Nelson

After breakfast, Jake headed home, and I still can't believe I'm saying this—he spent the night! I've never had a guy stay over before. My mom even showed me a picture she took of us sleeping on the couch. I was snuggled up against his side, looking so peaceful, like it was the most natural thing in the world. At first, I felt a wave of embarrassment when my mom showed me the picture, but when she mentioned that he'd asked for a copy, the embarrassment melted away. I thought something like that might scare him off, but it didn't.

The rest of the day, I treated myself to some much-needed self-care—showering, washing my hair, and getting lost in my Kindle. So many books had been waiting for me, and I finally had the time to dive in. I spent the entire day in bed, wrapped up in blankets, reading and pausing now and then to watch the storm rage outside. It was the perfect kind of cozy, where the world outside feels far away, and all that matters is the story in your hands.

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Our eyes locked, and the air between us was thick with unspoken desire as the space narrowed. His hand brushed my waist, and the heat of our closeness sent shivers down my spine, leaving us both hovering on the edge of a kiss we could barely resist. A kiss we have been craving and anticipating for too long. He leaned in towards me and I leaned in towards him wanting to feel his lips on mine already but before our lips can touch I can feel my body being nudged.

"Arielle," no I wanted to scream let me finish my dream but whoever was nudging me did not stop and soon enough my dream started fading away. I will never know if Jake and I got our kiss or not. I open my eyes to see my mom standing over me smiling widely. "We have a package in the living room! It's big!" She ruined my dream for a darn package. She pulled the covers off of me and I saw my Kindle tumble across the bed, all these books triggered my imagination to go wild. Did Jake and I almost share a kiss? That's insane that would not happen, even if I knew deep down I would not mind sharing a few kisses with him.

As the days pass I continue to think more and more about Jake. Jake has consumed my brain and all of my thoughts evolved around him. It was like a quiet realization crept into my heart, growing stronger with every kind word he spoke, every kind gesture, and every moment we spent together. Jake wasn't just helping me through the darkness- he was becoming the light to help guide me out of the dark tunnel I had thought I was stuck in.

But with that light came a shadow a shadow of doubt. I could not shake the fear that I was not enough for him. I knew my feelings for Jake were real, and were growing deeper than anything I ever felt before. But the voice in the back of my head never failed to remind me I was far too broken, too flawed to be worthy of someone great like him. And I worried that one day he might see me the way I saw myself- imperfect and undeserving of any type of love.

Every time he looked at me with those warm, caring eyes, my heart ached with both love and fear. I wanted to believe that I was enough, that Jake saw something in me that was worth loving. But after years of battling my reflection, it was hard to let go of the insecurity that had taken root in my soul. Yet, in Jake's presence, there was also a flicker of hope. When he was close to me, I felt safe. When he told me I was beautiful, I almost believed it. And when he promised to be there for me, I dared to imagine a future where I didn't have to fight alone.

Maybe it was too soon but I can firmly say I Arielle Nelson was falling for Jake Blackwood, and I knew it was genuine. But as much as I wanted to love his heart fully, I couldn't help but wonder—could he truly love someone like me? Would I ever be enough for him?

Still, despite the fear, I couldn't deny the way my heart fluttered every time he smiled at me. Maybe, just maybe, Jake saw something in me that I was still learning to see in myself. And that tiny spark of belief was enough to keep me hoping, enough to keep me falling.

I followed my mom into the living room and grabbed a pair of scissors and cut along the edge to open the box. Wow, this lady worked quickly with her team to make all the adjustments to the dress. I could hear my mom squealing as she was so excited, but I was excited too. I remember a few months back I did not feel comfortable wearing a dress to that wedding and here I am going to try on my adjusted dress for prom, for prom how crazy does that sound?

I pulled the dress out of the box and took the dress out of the plastic covering revealing the beautiful pink dress that I had chosen. "Come on sweetie go try it on, I can not wait to see how this dress is going to look." My mom said urging me up and shooing me off to the try on the dress. I hurried back to my room and slipped out of the comfy clothes and shimmied into the dress and walked to my door when I had a hanging mirror. The dress was beautiful, and for the first time in a long time I was excited to wear this dress out and a part of me couldn't wait to see Jake's reaction.

I stepped out of my room after another two minutes of admiring myself in the dress. The look on my mom's face was priceless. "Sweetie you look so beautiful," I saw tears starting to fill up in her eyes "it's moments like this I wish your father was still here to see it at first hand. I just know how happy he is seeing you grow into a beautiful woman. I miss him more and more everyday." My mom said smiling at me sadly. She never really spoke about my dad's passing much, it was still a sensitive topic. I couldn't blame her though, from childhood friends in elementary school to high school lovers, it was a love story. They both went to the same university and supported each other through all the ups and downs life threw at them, they over came everything, especially after marriage the few years it took for them to get pregnant I was their miracle baby after three hard miscarriages. "I miss him a lot mom, but I know he's watching and rooting for us in everything we do," I told her hugging her tightly.

I was wondered if mom would ever find another partner but she wasn't ready even though it has been a few years already. But the memories and love you have for someone doesn't just go away once they leave your life, you just have to live your life without having their physical presence by you. And no matter how many friends you have around you, no one fills that empty space. No one understands you better than your other half, no one lifts you up like your other half, your sense of humor isn't understood completely by others, and no one notices when your hurting and putting up a fake front. I know my mom needs to continue to heal and I hope she finds to closure on his passing for her sake. I don't want her to continue putting up this strong motherly act for me and for the other people in town. But I know she will find that peace within herself to know she is okay and will continue to be okay. That she doesn't have to feel regretful for having a good time when he is no longer on earth but instead living peacefully in the clouds.

Authors Note

Hey y'all! Another update for you guys! I hope y'all enjoyed this chapter! Stay tuned for upcoming chapters!

Life got a little hectic but I finally graduated college! FINALLY! Crazy to believe I started writing on here for fun back when I was in 7th grade!!
It's insane how fast time goes, I was just a baby and now I'm an adult with responsibilities that I didn't even ask for...
But I'm back in school since my bachelors wasn't enough for me lol!

Happy holidays everyone! Happy new year! Wishing you all an amazing year ahead with many blessings and good health!
How do you guys feel about Arielle and Jake? Do you like where this relationship is heading towards?

Please don't forget to vote, comment, and give me a follow!