In celebration of almost reaching 39.7 THOUSAND followers I wanted to double update for you all! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sticking with me and making me so happy! 

"What the fuck," Jesse whispers to himself. Or he thinks he whispers it. Maybe he yells it because the man holding his girlfriend looks up to meet Jesse's stare.

He's a large man. Taller than Jesse and definitely stronger. He looks like he belongs in a biker gang, with tattoos covering his body and steel toed boots and a stare that could put Medusa to shame. How the hell does India know this guy? And why is he holding her?

The worst scenarios run through Jesse's mind. They all make him want to throw up.

The man steps away from India, letting his arms recede into a defensive stance against his chest. His pointed glare must catch India's attention because she turns around to face Jesse.

"What are you doing here," she croaks. It's obvious she's been crying. Jesse wants to feel bad for her, but he can't get over his anger.

"Sorry to interrupt," he growls, clenching his fists at his side. "I just wanted to come comfort my girlfriend, but apparently someone beat me to it." Jesse's eyes burn with hatred at the man standing behind India. He's never wanted to kill someone and run away at the same time before.

"Jesse," India sighs, shaking her head. "This is my friend's boyfriend, Bash. Bash this is my boyfriend Jesse."

'Bash?' Jesse thinks to himself. 'Hmm, suits him.'

Bash's only offer of acknowledgement in a nod of his head. Jesse continues to glare at him, not being able to wake from his daze.

"Alright," Bash says. "I'm gonna go home and let Sadie know you're not dying."

"Thanks," India speaks softly. They don't hug goodbye. They don't wave goodbye. They don't even look in each other's direction as Bash walks past Jesse to the staircase.

Once the heavy door closes behind him Jesse is left alone with India. He doesn't know where to direct his anger.

"Friend's boyfriend huh," he questions, folding his arms.

India rolls her eyes. She leans against the wall and slides down to her butt. Jesse doesn't know if he should go sit with her. She doesn't look angry or sad anymore, just defeated.

"India," he presses, wanting a legitimate answer. Something more than just 'friend's boyfriend'.

She closes her eyes and leans her head back against the wall. "I made a friend in British Literature. Her name is Sadie and Bash is her boyfriend. That's all there is too know."

"Really," he cackles. He stalks his prey, slowly moving closer to her. "Than how does that explain why he was here hugging you. If he's your friend's boyfriend, where is she? Does she know he was here? Or are you both just lying to us?"

India opens her eyes to shoot a deadly glare towards Jesse. "She was the one who sent him smartass. I texted her after I hung up with you and she sent him. Apparently he's had a shitty home life so he knows how to deal with stuff like this."

Jesse unfolds his arms, feeling his walls tumble down. He slowly approaches India, afraid she might jump out and bite him. He sits against the wall a foot away from her. Both of their gazes focused on the door in front of them as they each try to navigate through the maze of their thoughts.

"If you wanted someone to comfort you then why didn't you stay on the phone with me," he asks, softly and defeated. "I want to be the one you go to India. Not your new friend and especially not a guy like that."

India looks over at Jesse, sharing a small smirk. "You mean any guy?'

Jesse rolls his eyes but nods in agreement. India chuckles a bit and that simple sound makes Jesse lips spread into a smile.

"You can always count on me babe." He reaches out and takes India's hand.

There's a silent moment where India's hand rests limp in Jesse's hold. His heartbeat picks up, afraid of her response. She takes a deep breath and squeezes back. That simple action makes him want to pull him into his arms and never let go.

"You're the only thing that makes sense to me," India whispers, staring off into an abyss. Tears wet her eyes, making them sparkle underneath the dimmed dorm lights. Jesse is reminded of how beautiful she is once again.

"What do you mean," he prods. He can tell by how she's acting that she won't say much if he isn't asking the questions. He doesn't want her to be quiet. He wants to see the fire in her again.

India licks her lips, then bites them, as if preparing to let out a rant but then changing her mind. Jesse scoots closer to her and squeezes her hand. "India," he whispers. "Talk to me."

Those simple words sends tear rolling down India's face as she tries to control her wild thoughts. "I'm scared," she cries. "I'm really scared Jesse."

Jesse doesn't think twice and pulls her into his arms, holding tight as she sobs into his chest. He runs his fingers through her hair. She's scared? Well he's fuckinng freaked right now. The past forty five minutes have been a whirlwind of emotions for them both.

"Why are you scared?"

India clenches Jesse's sweatshirt in her arms, as if it's her only tether to this world. "I hate school Jesse. I hate it. It's not what I thought it would be. It's not what I want." She pulls away from him, meeting his stare with a tear soaked eyes. "I'm scared that I've dedicated so many years of my life for someone else's dream. Someone who doesn't even love me. I don't know him Jesse. I thought I knew him, I thought he was getting better, but . . . he's not. I promised myself when I was younger that if he ever turned back to who he was before then I would walk out that door and never turn back. I just didn't think it would be so hard to do. He's my father and I love him, but . . ."

"Just because they're your parents doesnt give you any obligation to still be in their lives," Jesse answers, stroking her cheek. "This is your life India. Do what you want. Be with whoever you want."

India looks down into her lap, not able to meet Jesse's stare. "I don't know what to do."

Jesse leans in to kiss her head softly. "I can't tell you what to do."

She takes a deep breath and looks up. India looks up into Jesse's clear blue eyes. They've always made her feel better. "I want to drop out of school." She waits for his reaction, scared of what it will be. Will he be ashamed? Will he be mad?

No. It's Jesse.

"I'll support you no matter what. You have a place to stay with me."

India smiles and recedes into his arms. It's starting to become her safe place. A bubble from the outside world where nothing can hurt her. But there's one more thing on her mind that she's too afraid to tell Jesse. She can't be afraid forever though. She owes it to herself to speak up and do something.

In the confines of her safety net she whispers, "Most of all I'm afraid you don't love me as much as I love you."

Jesse pulls away from India, giving her a bewildered look. "How could you think that?"

She rolls her eyes and scoffs. "Jesse you've never once said you love me. I say it and say it and never once do I get a response. Instead you just do something to change the subject."

"India," he growls. His eyes turn a dark stormy blue showing his anger. "Of course I love you. I never try to change the subject, that's me trying to show you. Words are just words," he whispers. "But actions . . . they're proof."

"So you . .." India asks hesitantly.

Jesse stands up, holding his hand out to India. "I do love you. Now let me show you."