-RILEY’S POV-

I was sitting in my bed when I taped into Jenson’s feelings, I almost didn’t have to because they were so strong. She was terrified, and I knew exactly what was going on. She never was that scared, and she was only that scared fro one specific reason.

Bren was somewhere in her sight.

I wanted to go… but how would I go without looking suspicious? She would question why I was there, and how I knew… I couldn’t go.

But I didn’t have to be visible.

I was standing next to Jenson and Jake, Jenson’s eyes were locked with Bren’s and she looked like she had seen a ghost. Bren was rising from the couch, and I didn’t like that smug look on his face. Jake still hadn’t realized that Jenson was in danger, and I was going to need to step in.

I dodged around some people and stuck my foot out, sending Bren and his drink crashing to the ground.

He hit his head, hard, but I was happy, and I heard him grunt. People erupted into laughter, totally oblivious that it was my doing that made Bren crash to his face, but I didn’t mind.

I was simply protecting Jenson.

Jenson suppressed a giggle and Bren got up, wiping himself off and storming out of the house from embarrassment. I smiled, then looked at Jenson, her anxiety disappeared and when she turned to Jake… her emotions were running high.

I grimaced at the pain in my heart, I had prevented her from doing what she wanted… and I was guilty of that. She was mad at me, and I understood why. I had lied to her, but the past was the past and I couldn’t take it back.

***

I was back in my room, there was no need to stay there and watch her and Jake flirt and have fun… kissing and shit.

It actually annoyed me.

She was caught under his spell, and there was no pulling her out of it now. She obviously wasn’t going to listen to me now that she caught me lying but she didn’t understand… I was doing it for her…

Wasn’t I?

***

I woke up, did I fall asleep? Oh God was Jenson ok? Was she at home?

I tapped into her and was immediately looking at her, and Jake’s, still body lying in a bed at the house where the bonfire had been held. My heart ached, I wanted to wake her up and bring her home…

They were dressed, but they were curled up in each other’s arms, and it tore me apart.

I felt tears roll silently down my cheek and I wiped them away quickly, even though no one could see me. I leaned against the wall, feeling as if my heart was going to explode out of my chest. It hurt so bad… and I didn’t know how to get rid of it.

Then Jenson’s eyes fluttered, she turned over and I disappeared immediately, turning invisible. Her eyes were still gently closed, and her lips parted slightly, “Riley…”

My heart sped up, She was dreaming about me… I kneeled next to her face, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. I wanted to kiss her again… I just wanted to feel her lips one more time… they were just so inviting…

I stood quickly, not letting myself get carried away and take advantage of her… she didn’t deserve that.

***

It was Monday morning, I wasn’t planning on talking to Jenson and Jake today, it’s not like they would want to. I looked around my empty house once more before locking my door, the mid February air hitting my skin, sending a shiver down my back.

I turned, ready for my treacherous walk to school when I turned to Jenson’s car. My heart stopped in my chest.

I walked over to her window, and it was rolled down slowly, “Get in.”

I looked at her, the command was sudden, and it kind of intimidated me… but I complied. I climbed into the passenger seat, pulling my jacket tighter, either for protection from the cold… or Jenson wrath.

What she had said to me the other night… it hurt. It felt like she stabbed me in the heart… and if it was going to happen again… I would rather walk in the cold ass weather to be honest. I stuttered, “L-Look Jenson, if you’re going to chew me out again… I don’t want to hear it. I know what I did was wrong, I get it, but like you said… I don’t wanna smother you. I’ll walk to school from now on, it’s not a big deal.”

I went to pull on the car handle but her hand caught mine, “No, stop, I’m sorry Riley, for saying those things… I was just upset… I couldn’t believe that you, of all people, had lied to me.”

I leaned back in the seat, “Jenson… I know okay? You don’t have to apologize, I deserved it. It’s fine. Really.” She stared at me, not really knowing what to say, so I continued, “You and Jake are cool to date… I don’t care, and I won’t interfere, I promise.”

The promise was true, I wasn’t going to, because I knew exactly how it was going to end. Jenson had many problems, and Jake wasn’t going to stick around and solve them. He was lazy, and he wasn’t looking for a relationship… I could promise you that.

“Bren showed up at the party, it scared the shit out of me Riley… ands Jake doesn’t know about him, what he’s capable of. Jake didn’t even realize he was walking toward me when Bren tripped over his own feet and fell… then after he just stormed out the house like a mad-man.”

I nodded, “So tell Jake about your psycho ex-boyfriend.”

She pulled up to school and shook her head, “I don’t know if I should… what if Jake thinks I have to many problems…”

I rolled my eyes, Why, because you do…? “Then don’t?”

She looked at me, confusion on her features, “You’re not really helping me… you ok?”

I heard the bell ring for first hour and I nodded weakly, actually, I wasn’t ok. “Yea, fine, we gotta go to class.”

Jenson looked at me for a second, and then decided not to pester my about it. I slammed my door shut, walking around the car and seeing Jenson staring at Jake, who was talking to one of his baseball buddies.

Jenson wanted to talk about him to me, but figured I didn’t want to hear it, so she refused. Jake probably wouldn’t want to talk to me anyway, I was lucky with Jenson, but I knew why, she needed me, and she couldn’t deny that.

Jake looked up from his conversation and locked eyes with Jenson, not even acknowledging me and waving her over.

I sighed, “Well, I’ll see you in first hour.”

“Riley…” her voice sounded regretful, guilty, and sad…

I looked at her, “What?”

Her eyes searched mine, looking as if she wanted to ask me a million questions but she shrugged, “I’ll see you in a bit.”

I nodded, and escorted myself to class, leaving Jake and Jenson behind me.