Journal entry 8

Yesterday was one of the best days of my life. I've never felt someone love me so much. We ate our fancy picnic and talked about our lives and school, making lots of jokes. We kissed a lot, and ran around the field. I've never felt so alive, I just want to see him again, soon.

Catherine's POV

The next day, I take my usual route to Jakes treehouse, but with a huge grin on my face. I walk straight up to the usual fence and just slip right through. I almost run down the trail to where he lives.

When I arrive I gasp. A man in a fancy suit is talking to Jake. I stare in shock, unsure of what to do. Is he Jakes supplier? Is he here to get rid of Jakes home? Is he a friend I've never heard of before? A million thoughts are overwhelming my mind.

All I know is that something doesn't look right. The man has his back turned to me and Jake is facing the direction of me. I can tell their arguing by their posture and face expressions, but it's a hushed argument.

Jake looks up from the man and sees me, wide eyed. Jake says one thing to the man, and they start heading up into the treehouse. He has the man go first so that he can gesture me to leave. He brushes his hands forward, almost shooing me away.

I decide that he will have to tell me later, so I shrug and leave. I'm still left with a million questions in my mind. That man didn't look very nice. I have a very bad feeling about this.

I head home, even though I really badly want to see what's going on. I decide to get some homework done but I can't concentrate. I sigh and lay on my bed for a nap. The darkness engulfs me in minutes as I fall into a deep sleep...

Jakes POV

I wake up feeling fresh and a wide smile on my face. Today is going to be AMAZING! I think to myself.

I take my normal trip to the store. Steal, and buy a few things. As I leave, I see a man in a sharp suit. He looks important, so I try and avoid him. I hope he didn't see me.

Right when I'm about to turn a corner, he pops right in front of my face. "Wait! I need to speak to you sir." He says in a very low voice. I already don't like this guy.

I turn to give him my attention. "All ears." I say, pointing to my ears.

He sighs, "This is going to be really hard to explain. But, you look REALLY familiar." I shift uncomfortably. "Are, no. Ugh!" He seems to be having an argument with himself.

I raise my eyebrows, "Well, if you have nothing to say, I better go."

"No, no, no! Don't go. I know your name, where you live."

I stare wide eyed and decide to try and play it cool. "Um, that sounds kind of stalkerish to me. I better b-"

"Your my son Jake." He blurts out. I stand there, unable to move. I feel like a statue, unable to control myself. He notices my expression and quickly tries to make up for it. "I mean, um, do you have anywhere private to go? Such as your treehouse?"

I'm still just standing still. I feel like a dork. I finally gain the courage to walk. But when he tries to speak to me, I just ignore him.

I gain back my voice when we arrive the chainlink fence. "We're here. You go first."

"How do I know you aren't going to runaway?" He asks.

"Like you did?" That made him go silent. He crawled through, and I followed suite. He tried his hardest not to get himself all dirty, but it was no use.

"Here we are. My treehouse. Now tell me why you stranded us to die."

"Woah there son-"

"Don't call me son." I say cutting in.

"Jake, I didn't leave you guys to die. I was in trouble."

"Enough trouble to leave your family behind without any warning?" I say in a mean type of sarcasm.

"Yes Jake, it was. I like how you accepted me as your dad so quickly." I could tell it was him. He looks a lot like me and I still remember him from a child.

"Not like I had a choice."

"Well anyways, I know you are stranded out here to live your own. I want you to come move in with me."

"No." I say without hesitation.

He squeezes his lips together in disappointment. "You know, people think your dead. Would you like anyone to know you're still alive?"

"Are you threatening me?" I say, raising my voice. It was just then that I saw Catherine standing at the edge of the clearing. My dad was about to say something but I interrupted him. "I have these groceries to bring inside. How about we talk there?"

"Oh I barely even noticed. Let's go up then."

We turn and I make him go first. I look back at Catherine and wave my hands, not knowing another gesture to have her leave. I don't want my father to ask anymore questions. I will tell Catherine everything later. I trust her.

"So Jake, this is where you live then." He says very unimpressed.

"Yeah I built it myself."

"You take after me then."

"What?" I say confused.

"I work for the company, Bills Buildings. And, I'm the boss."

That's why he has such a fancy suit. "Anyways, why are you threatening your own son?"

He looks down sadly. "I just want you to be safe, and have a father."

"Well then where were you father when I needed you most?"

"Is this going to come up every sentence! Son, I want to take care of you. I don't want you to go broke and not have enough food to live. I love you son."

I sigh, turning away and staring at the floor. "Too bad I don't love you." I mumble.

"Son, please consider it. I could give you your dream life. Here's a phone, it already has my contact in it."

I don't accept, but I also don't reject. I just stand still, staring are the floor. I hear him open the door and leave. What am I supposed to do?