A week passed.

A week since my parents left. A week that I had to live with three boys.

Yeah, that's right. Since Jake and Enzo are our bodyguards, they needed to settle at our place. And let me tell you, It's horrible.

First, being followed and watched by Jake all day at school was something. But him living under the same roof as me...

Ugh.

I don't have any private moments and I'm not kidding. If I took too long in the bathroom Jake or Enzo would be banging on the door asking if I needed help or if I was still alive. At night, I couldn't sleep because I knew that Jake or Enzo weren't, they stayed up all night every night just watching the house.

Indeed, they had a schedule or something and they would always switch off every couple of hours so that one of them could sleep while the other stays up.

But seriously? Like, was it really necessary? Gosh, I don't think someone would attack us while we sleep. I mean, I think.

Anyways, It's been only a week and I'm done. I miss my mom.

Like every night since a week, I play with the necklace around my neck. A dull noise sounds throughout the house. I look at my phone...

2:43 am.

I wonder if It's Jake or Enzo right now that is awake.

I sigh. I wonder where my parents are right now. If they're alright. If they're gonna come back soon. What if-

The sound of glass shattering catches my attention. I stop breathing.

What the hell?

I get up from my bed and make my way carefully to the kitchen. I let out a breath when I see Jake, who seems to curse under his breath, looking at the ground.

"Shit," he mutters.

I cough discreetly, not wanting to scare him. At the sound, he turns around quickly, ready to fight.

I raise my hands in surrender. "Woah, It's me. Chill."

He lets out a breath, looking at me.

"Sorry," he says, looking around him. "Did I wake you up?"

I nod before looking behind him.

He follows my gaze to the shattered glass of water that probably slipped from his hands or something.

He grimaces before getting out a broom.

"Yeah, sorry about that..." he whispers so he doesn't wake up the others. "I'm taking care of it."

And then, we stay silent as he takes care of the mess on the floor. I shift on my feet, a little bit uncomfortable. There's something not right. I look more closely at Jake. That's when it hits me.

He looks tired as hell.

Sighing, I step forward to him.

"Hey..." he looks up at me, surprised to still see me here. "Give it to me, I can do it."

"No, I'm fine," he argues before continuing his task. "It's my fault, I don't know what I was thinking but... anyway, you should go back to sleep."

"What about you?" I ask, uncertain.

"What about me?"

"You should sleep, too."

He laughs softly. "That's my turn to keep an eye on the house, Sunshine."

I try to ignore the nickname and focus on the subject.

"I still think that all of this is not necessary."

"Well, that's a part of our job," he answers, not looking away from the little pieces of glasses.

"Fine, then stop doing the job of a maid or something," I take forcefully the broom from his hands, making him look up at me. "And do your job."

He just stares at me for a moment before letting it go. I watch him go back to the living room, where he sits in an armchair close to the window. I shake my head and finish cleaning the floor.

When I finish, I take a glass from a cabinet and fill it with water. I go to the living room where Jake is. He's looking out the window, seeming lost in his thoughts.

I walk over to him.

"Here," I give him the glass of water and he looks a bit surprised. I am, too. I mean, It's not like I tried to be all friendly with him the past few days. "Don't drop this one," I add with a little smile.

He takes the glass and smiles back at me. "Yeah, thanks."

I watch him as he takes a sip. I probably look creepy.

After a few moments, I ask out of nowhere something I wanted to since the past twenty minutes, even though I didn't know why.

"Are you okay, Jake?"

I bite my lip when I realize how much concern can be heard in that little question. But I realize that I really want to know. I really... care. Even if he's just my bodyguard, he's human and he's probably gonna stay here for a while, following me 24/7.

He frowns a little bit, looking at me with curiosity.

"Yeah, I'm okay. Why wouldn't I be?"

"Well, I don't know," I shrug, playing with my necklace nervously. "I mean, I know that we're not, like, friends or anything but... I was just wondering. You look like you're about to fall asleep any moment now.

He stares at me, his green eyes shine brightly in the dark room.

"I'm fine, Elena," he says, his eyes locked on mine so I can see how honest he seems... and sounds. However, I can't help myself again.

"So you're never gonna have a complete night of sleep? Isn't it very unhealthy or-"

I stop talking when I see the strange look on his face. He looks at me with curiosity and something else I can't say.

"Why do you care that much?" he asks carefully, leaning towards me in his seat. "You're the one that said we're not friends or anything."

I blink a couple of time, realizing it.

Why did I care anyways? What's wrong with me and those questions? God, It's his job! 

Shaking my head, I head towards the hallway.

"Y-yeah, I'm sorry," I stutter before clearing my throat. "Goodnight."

I don't hear his answer so I start walking.

Until his voice stops me again.

"Thank you, though," I hear his voice that is more a whisper now. "I can't remember the last time someone actually cared about me or my health."

I turn my head to look at him. I have difficulty to understand the meaning of his words and when I do, I'm a bit surprised.

I don't waste any more time to think about it or to say something, afraid of what I would say. I just turn and leave the room.

I can't sleep for the rest of the night.

•  •  •

An annoying sound wakes me up the next morning and I grumble, putting my head under the blanket.

Five minutes. Just five more minutes.

"Hey. Sunshine," a deep voice makes its way through my sleepy mind. It sounds very familiar.

I hear him laugh softly. What's so funny? Can't we let me sleep goddammit?

"Wake up, you'll be late for school," I hear again that voice and-

Wait. School?

Oh crap!

I open my eyes quickly to come face to face with an amused Jake. I blink. Then check the time.

"Oh my god! Why didn't anyone wake me up?" I exclaim while I get up from the bed and run to my bathroom.

"I've been trying to do that for the past ten minutes," Jake smirks as I try to brush my teeth while brushing my hair.

I glare at him, realizing how handsome and awake he looks. While me, on the other side...

Geez, I look like I didn't sleep at all. How ironic.

"Shit, shit, shit," I mutter under my breath, grabbing clothes from my closet.

"Alex!" I suddenly say, thinking about my best friend that probably didn't wait for me. How will I go to school, now?

"I already told your friend that you're gonna be late and that she doesn't need to wait for you."

I snap my head to his direction, my eyes wide. "You what?"

He nods, heading towards the door. "Now get dressed so we can go. I don't want to be late."

I snort. "Like you give a crap."

He winks at me before leaving the room.

Ugh.

I take the first thing that I see, which happens to be a pair of black skinny jeans and an Adidas hoodie.

I skip putting on makeup and just finish brushing my hair. I look horrible, but oh well.

I sigh, grab my backpack and head downstairs where I meet Jake, who's eating a toast. I quickly steal the toast from his hand and take a huge bite out of it, ignoring his shocked but amused look.

"We have to go!" I say before almost running to the door.

I hear him chuckle behind me as he follows me outside.

I look around for his car. Every day, Alex gave me a lift to school. It's something that I argued with Jake and even Enzo about, and they finally agreed. However, they always followed closely behind in Enzo's car.

So I just wonder where Jake's car is since Enzo already left with my brother.

I frown when I see none.

"Jake?" I ask, frowning. "How will we go to-"

My mouth drop opens when I see the motorcycle beside Jake.

"How did I never notice that you have a... motorcycle?" I say in shock, walking carefully towards where he stands.

He laughs, shrugging.

"So are you getting on or-" he pauses, a grin appearing on his face. "Don't tell me you're like almost every girl on this planet and you're gonna tell me that you're afraid and there is no way you'll ride on this?"

I laugh in response. I always wanted to ride on one of these one day. I feel a huge grin form on my lips.

"No. So can we move on?" I point to the helmet and he gives it to me, but not without giving a long curious look before.

When It's on, I look at the motorcycle, wondering how I will climb on it without looking such a fool. It is big.

But before I can make any move, I feel myself being lifted off the ground and the next second, I'm placed onto the engine. I look up at Jake, surprised.

His hands are still around my waist and I stay still, not moving. He finally releases me and mounts onto the bike after me.

"I was okay without your help, you know?" I say, crossing my arms.

"Hmm," he just answers, but he doesn't sound convinced at all. I roll my eyes.

"Okay, Sunshine-"

"Elena is my name."

"...hold onto me tight," he says, ignoring me.

I narrow my eyes. "I'm fine, thank you."

He shrugs, looking at me over his shoulder. "Okay, then. Let's go!"

He starts the engine and I automatically smile. I'm so excited and I don't know why.

I grab onto the leather part of the seat on either side of me, as the vehicle takes speed and the adrenaline kicks in.

I quickly realize that my grip on the seat is not enough when Jake accelerates. I awkwardly wrap my arms around his torso, praying that he won't think something wrong about it. I feel his body tense a little bit before he relaxes again, and I let out a breath.

"I'm fine, thank you. That's what you said, right?" he says with, I'm pretty sure, a smirk.

"Shut up and drive faster, we're late!" I say and tighten my arms around him.

He laughs and I can feel the vibration of it. Our bodies are so close. Actually, my chest is just glued to his back. My legs are straddling him. I feel my cheeks burn at the sudden thought of all of this.

"As your wish, Sunshine!" and with that, he drives faster.

My hair flies behind me and I can't help but laugh, feeling the exhilaration. I actually forget that we're late for school. I just enjoy the ride.

I watch the road ahead and I feel myself smiling. Everything seems to blur with the speed, but so beautiful at the same time, with the sun above us and the wind all over my face and hair.

I almost feel free.

As we approach our school, I suddenly feel sad about it. I wish the ride was longer. We stop at a red light. I see some students from the school walking and looking at us. I wonder if they recognize me or us.

The light turns green and minutes later, we're in the school's parking lot. My hands fall to my side as Jake cuts off the engine. There are not a lot of students around since the bell is about to ring soon, but still, some of them are and the motorcycle caught their attention.

Jake doesn't seem to notice as he gets off of the seat and turns to face me. He takes off my helmet without me having time to think and I finally forget the students and focus on what I just experienced.

"That was amazing!" I exclaim, still feeling a little bit of adrenaline in my veins.

Jake smiles, shaking his head.

"You surprised me," he says, lifting me again without me having time to move. I glare at him but he ignores it.

"And why's that?"

"I didn't think you would actually enjoy this that much. I really thought you would be afraid," he grins at me and I smirk.

"Huh, my parents are-"

When I realize what I was about to say, I close my mouth and look around. There's nobody now. I start walking quickly towards the entrance with Jake by my side.

"Got it," he says with a smile.

I laugh awkwardly. Yeah, I have other things to be afraid of at the moment.

We step in exactly when the bell rings. I sigh, exhaling. I don't like to be late. Not because I love school or anything-god, no. But because when you're late, you have to walk into your class and everyone looks at you and this, I hate it.

I walk to my locker without realizing that Jake is still following me.

"Go get your things, now," I quickly take my math books.

Ugh, math.

He shrugs. "I can wait for you."

I roll my eyes but shut my locker, following him to his own before we quickly run to our class.

We arrive just in time. I collapse on my chair, sighing theatrically. I really need to train. Yeah, I think I'll go running or something.

I decide to tie my hair into a bun. My hair probably looks like a mess but I couldn't care less right now.

I feel like someone is staring at me and I turn my head. Not surprising at all to find Jake staring at me.

"What?" I ask him, shifting into my seat.

A smile appears on his face and he shakes his head. "Nothing."

I narrow my eyes but don't insist.

•  •  •

As I change my books for my other class, I feel someone's eyes on me. Not the emerald green ones from my dear bodyguard at his locker not so far from mine.

But from a girl with red hair, cute freckles all over her face and big blue-gray eyes.

I look up to my right. Yep, my best friend is actually right there. And she doesn't look very happy.

I frown. "What did I do, now?"

She scowls, looking at me with a serious look.

I just wait there, clueless about what I did wrong. It could be anything with Alex, honestly.

"Well, someone preferred to go to school with someone else this morning," she watches me carefully as I try to understand her words. "Seriously, El? Did you ride with that sexy boy this morning? Okay, he is hot but you can't let me down for him! Or at least you could have told me!"

I stay silent, listening to her. She doesn't really like when we cut her off in moments like that.

"And what surprise did I get this morning?" she says as if she wants me to answer. I open my mouth, but she's already talking. "To see pretty boy shirtless at your house! Now you've got to explain yourself, young lady."

She crosses her arms, waiting for an explanation. I sigh, trying to find the right words.

"First of all, I woke up late this morning, that's why I went to school with him. Secondly, he is... a friend of the family. So... that's why he's staying at our house, for a while."

I wanna punch myself for my inability to lie. Obviously, she doesn't seem to believe me. Well, except for the morning part.

"Huh uh, at first you didn't know him, then he was your cousin and now this?" she raises a perfect eyebrow and I sigh.

Ugh. I'm such a bad liar.

"It's complicated," I say and this is, at least, true. I cannot really tell her ; Oh, he's just my bodyguard. Yeah, you know, in case some people wanna kill me or I don't know...

She frowns and somehow she looks cute, trying to figure out this whole complicated situation.

"So who is he?" she concludes with a clueless look.

"A friend," a deep voice that I'm used to hearing by now says before he puts his arm around my shoulders. "A very close friend," he adds with a perfect grin.

Excuse me?

Alex looks at Jake's arm around me and seems about to scream or something. I roll my eyes, trying to ignore the warmth his embrace gives me.

"Uh yeah, not close friends at all," I scowl and put his arm away from me.

Alex totally ignores that last statement and turns towards Jake.

"So," she starts with a bright-flirty smile, "we haven't been properly introduced. Alex Pierce."

Jake chuckles, somehow amused by my best friend and takes her hand to shake it. "Yes, I know. Jake Hamilton."

I resist the urge to roll my eyes at his lie and focus on the other fact. He knows?

I frown a little bit, looking at him. He just winks at me. Alex notices it and her smile widens.

Oh, dear god...

When Alex leaves us alone, saying that she really needs to pee – such an excuse, huh, I turn to face Jake.

"How did you know?" I ask as he pulls away his phone to look at me.

He laughs, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, you obviously don't have other friends than her and the brown haired guy, so when you talked about an Alex, it was obviously her."

"Hey!" I slap his arm, frowning. "I do have other friends, okay?" It is a total lie but who cares? Plus, what is wrong with having only two friends? At least they're real.

He smirks at me, shrugging. "You're right, Sunshine. You have me."

I snort, which makes him laugh.

"Whatever," he says, brushing a hand over his black hair, "I obviously did my researches."

I snap my head towards him. "You what?!"

"Don't look so surprised and offended," he says, shrugging. "It's my job. I needed to know if she was a danger or something."

I scowl at him, crossing my arms.

"You're not actually serious, right? We're talking about my best friend! She's not a danger."

Excuse myself, but I feel the right to defend my best friend. Seriously! He is crossing a line.

Jake now looks at me with a serious face, his eyes darkened a bit and my heart skips a beat at the sudden change of mood.

"You never know, Elena. You never know who you can really trust," he pauses, his eyes locked on mine. "People can have a mask, hiding their true face."

•  •  •

The end of the day is finally here. I step outside with Alex, Xander, Enzo, and Jake. Yep, Alex also met Enzo and she couldn't stop talking to him now. I don't know if he's bothered by her blah-blah, but if so he doesn't show it.

I hear him laugh at something she just said. Oh well.

Looking around, I see a familiar brown head and I smile.

"Wren, over here!" I yell for my second best friend, that turns to grin at me.

He walks to me and ruffles my hair.

"Sup, El," he greets me as I tie my messy hair in a proper bun.

I realize that someone else is still beside me and I turn to see Jake standing there. Oh right, they've never really talked before. There's an awkward silence when I don't answer Wren and his gaze meets my bodyguard. He raises an eyebrow.

"Wren, this is Jake. Jake... Wren," I say as they look at each other. I really feel uncomfortable for some reason.

"Finally I can meet Elena's... friend," Wren states, gazing at me with a smirk. I narrow my eyes.

Jake laughs softly.

"She likes to keep me secret and I don't blame her. Right, Sunshine?" he says with a smirk, pulling me by his side.

I do a pinched smile. Yeah, I guess you don't blame me, Mr. Hamilton, dear bodyguard.

Wren watches us curiously before patting my shoulder.

"Right, I have to go now," he announces and I pull away from Jake. "It was nice meeting you, Jake."

Jake nods, still gazing him. I wave at Wren as he goes to his car after saying goodbye to Alex.

I turn to face Jake.

"And I guess that you also made your researches on him?" I say bitterly.

He raises an eyebrow, a look saying 'what do you think?'

I roll my eyes.

I'm about to go say goodbye to Alex when something stops me in my track. Not a something, just... a feeling.

The feeling of being watched.

I turn around to look at Jake. He's texting on his phone, not looking at me. I look at the crowd of students but still don't find who's watching me.

I know that someone is. I just feel it!

"Hey, you're alright?" Jake asks me, now by my side.

I look at him straight in the eyes. I see the concern in his eyes and... understanding?

"You feel it too, right?"

Wait, what? So I'm not crazy?

"Wait, you too?" I say, unsure.

"Hmm. Keep talking and smile Sunshine."

He smiles at me, before laughing like I say some joke or something. I frown, looking at him as if he has two heads.

"Jake," I ask carefully, "what the hell are you doing?"

"Don't let them know," he says with another smile and I can't help but cringe.

It seems too fake, but he's good. I start laughing, but because he really looks ridiculous at the moment with that huge grin on his face.

"You guys are ready or what?" Enzo asks behind me and I turn to look at him.

"Yeah," answers Jake, bursting out laughing and I can't help but laugh too. He's ridiculous.

Enzo glances alternatively between the two of us before nodding.

"Huh uh. Glad to know you guys finally get along," he winks before walking away.

~

Bonjour!
So, that was chapter 5. Did you like it? I found that last part pretty cute and funny, I don't know why, haha!
I'm sorry there's not a lot of action right now! 🙈
BUUUT ACTION IS COMING... soon *wink wink*

Anyways, I hope you're ready.
Also! Please if you find mistakes in my story, tell me so I can correct. Just, don't be rude of course. Just a reminder that my first language isn't English! :)

I was thinking also to enter the Wattys... but idk. 🙈

Don't forget to follow me, comment, and vote by clicking that little cute star. And voila! You made me happy. ❣️