Catherine's POV

The next day, I couldn't wait to see Jake. All day through home school, I was tapping my foot or some other part of my body. I couldn't stay still. I looked at the clock. It read 1:45. Ugh only 15 minutes left Catherine. I thought.

It felt like an hour until I was released. I almost ran the whole way to the tree house. I rushed in and climbed up the ladder to see him drawing on his couch. He didn't even look up when he said, "Hey."

"Hey. I have so many questions that you need to answer." I put my hand on my hip and looked at him intently.

He raised his head. His eyes looked tired and sad and his whole face almost sagged, like he was ten years older. He waved his hand in the air. "Ask away."

Jake looked to sad for me to ask my sensitive questions so I just asked him the ones that bugged me most. "Who was that man?"

He sighed. "My father." I looked at him with my mouth wide open. How could that be?

When I finally found words I asked, "Wh-why was he here?"

"To take me away." With that he looks down. He closes his eyes tight and rubs them.

I walk over to sit by him. I put my arms around his shoulders and squeeze. "What exactly did he say?" I asked softly after a few minutes.

He didn't answer for a bit. "First he told me he knew who I was and where I lived. Then he said he was my father. Then he told me he wanted me to come home with him."

"Is that it?"

"Yeah pretty much." We sat in silence for a little while.

How did Jake know it was his father? How did his dad find him? Why did he make me leave? I couldn't stop thinking, a million things ran through my head.

"Anything else you wanna tell me?" I ask.

"What do you mean? I told you everything about my father."

"I don't know. Anything. I think it would be better to set your mind on something else, I can tell this is really bothering you. And I just want you to know that wherever you choose to stay is fine."

He looks up and nods, cueing me to go do something. "Wanna go to the library?" I ask, exaggerating the question.

He shrugs. "Can't be seen in public, remember." He says sounding defeated.

I playfully glare at him. "Your no fun. I can just say your a cousin visiting or something. Besides, I know every inch of that library. I know a spot we can go."

He just shrugs, not saying anything. I almost drag him or of that tree house. He seems to be in another world right now, off in his own mind. It didn't bother me. I do that sometimes, I know how good it can feel to be off somewhere else for a bit.

I lead the way down the tight trail and up to the library. I turn to see Jake right in my heels, I've never been fast. I enclose my fingers into his and walk up to the grand front doors. I take a deep breath and open the door.

It is dead silent, everyone is busy reading or silently scoping the shelves. Every footstep and every page being turned makes a noise. I'm almost to afraid to break the silence. "Hello miss Catherine." I hear a familiar voice say.

"Hey Lindsey." I say. She looks surprised toward Jake. "Oh" I say, almost forgetting he was by my side. It felt so natural to have him by me. Like all the time everyday he should be by my side. "This is Jake." I say.

"Nice to meet you." Jake says emotionless. Even his face looks as if there is no emotion expressed on it. They shook hands.

"I think I'll just look around with Jake today." I say to Lindsey. "Maybe I'll come back tomorrow for another book. Just barely finished the book from a few days ago that you have me."

"Alright. I'll be at my desk if you need me." She smiles and turns away.

"Come on Jake, I've got a book to show you." For the second time, I almost drag him behind me. He stumbles behind me as I speed walk to my secret corner. When we finally get there, we squeeze in the small area. We are surrounded by book shelves on every side except for part of a corner is open for a doorway.

"I need to show you my favorite book." I say. He looks blankly past me, deep in his own thoughts. I leave and go on my search for that book. I finally find it and hurry back to the corner. I sit down beside Jake and open up the book. I find the page I was looking for and shove it in front of Jake's face. I point to the spot I want him to read.

He grabs the book out of my hands and starts to read. "We are all part of a cherry tree." He says, mono-toned. "Why did you want me to read that?" He asks.

"Because it's true. Some people are big bright cherries. Others are just plain leaves. Everybody has their place in the world. You need to find out if you want to be a cherry or a leaf." We sit in silence for awhile. Jake turned to the front of the book and has been reading for about a half an hour. I grabbed a book also.

We sat there, reading our books for what felt like a eternity. This was paradise. I thought. Being here in the library with the boy I love reading books was my kind of paradise. Just having him by my side felt amazing. I smiled as I thought of this. I snuggle up my head in his neck and continue reading.