I felt uncomfortable in my seat as he settled in his seat, putting on his seat belt. He seemed so uncomfortable and out of place on our economy flight. He had the money, he could’ve flown first class. I knew I would’ve. Fuck my students! I swallowed a huge slob of saliva as I shifted closer to the window. Anymore and I would be flying outside with the plane.It wasn’t unseemly for us to be on the same rows. It was an airplane, no one would think twice. Plus, we’d all been scattered across the seats which made me think I was quite hated by the universe. The probability of being seated with him was almost zero but there he was, almost skin to skin with me. “Do you hate me that much?” I turned to check if he’d actually spoken and I hadn’t misheard him. “What?” I spoke as softly as I could because I was shocked that he’d spoken to me. “If the window was open, you’ll be outside right now.” His shoulders slumped, a pained expression on his face and I wondered why. I hadn’t said or done
Kyle cleared his throat. “Studying for the presentation.” He raised my laptop up, but his eyes narrowed on his second arm dangerously close to my leg, leaving me confused. ‘What was his problem?’ I thought to myself, remaining in my position and not saying a word. “I see.” Kyle was completely oblivious to Jared’s change in demeanour because he was usually hard edged, but when you got to know him, you’d know that was a storm brewing behind his amber coloured eyes. “Well, carry on. Don’t stop on my account.” His voice, slightly edgy. That was it? I’d expected him to say something. ‘What? Something like that’s my woman, keep your hands off her? She’s mine? Oh, please. I can’t believe you’re still this delusional. He doesn’t want you.’ My mind could be so harsh sometimes, but it was somewhat a wake-up call. “Where were we?” I patted Kyle’s thigh and turned my back to Jared. It took a few seconds before I heard his retreating steps, but during that time, I felt naked. Like he saw mor
I'd been alone all night, Penelope hadn't returned. I picked up my phone and checked the time. It was 7:40 am and I hadn't received any new messages either.Even after bathing and dressing up in nice clothes, I still looked a mess.I dragged my exhausted ass out the door and bumped into Professor Alma.“Mother of...Why do you look like this?” She asked, concerned.She was the only one available, it seemed.“I couldn’t sleep last night.” It wasn’t a lie. I couldn’t, not when I could think about was if Penelope hadn’t returned because she was Jared.She pulled into her room and got out her makeup box. “Nerves?” I nodded. Now that was a lie. She sighed and her expression turned sad.She used a little concealer to cover up my dark circles and made sure I looked presentable enough to represent my entire school.She grabbed my jaw, a look of seriousness in her eyes.“You’re one of the most brilliant minds I’ve ever come across, all my years on earth. You’ll crush this.”Words of encourage
The whispers from the audience caused by unrest didn’t fail to be noticed by the judges. I looked up and regretted it almost immediately. Someone was running across the hall with something in hand and stopped at the feet of the judges’ table. There were people looking at me, and I just wanted to run out of the hall. Instead, I remained glued to my seat, my eyes on the floor. I wasn’t sure when another person mounted the podium, but the moment the person started speaking, my head snapped up. Jared and Professor Alma, who were furiously whispering to each other, also stopped to watch. It was a judge. The one who’d been the first to give a standing ovation. “For over 30 years that I have judged paper contests, I’ve never met someone worthy of the John Nemsen and Scholar award. We stopped making it ever since the contests became trivial.” The man pushed up his glasses and looked straight ahead, almost as if he was looking at me. “However, today, there is a school worthy of that award
“Jared, we can’t keep doing this.” Jared’s hands were dangerously low on my waist while one eye remained watchful on the door.“Jared?” I shook him when he didn’t reply. He was fast asleep.Fuck! What was I going to do? There was only one thing I could do. Leave the room and call someone. Someone like Dr Ramon and tell him that he’d mistaken our room for his since he was drunk and hoped to God that he wouldn’t put two and two together.I peeled his hands off me and he fell to the bed in a dull thump. I was the only thing keeping him upright. I quickly dressed up as fast as I could and tried to calm my nerves with no luck.With a racing heart, I made it to his room and rapped on the door.When there came no answer, I knocked again. Was no one around? I returned to the room having no idea what I could do. Anyone could walk in at any point in time. Penelope could.I remained in the lobby, just in case anyone I knew walked in and I could explain what happened.I wasn’t sure what time b
It felt like I was taking two steps at a time even though I’d initially wanted to not go. Even the darks clouds gathering couldn't stop me.Jared’s house loomed in front of me as I raised my hand to knock, but the door opened, like he’d been expecting me.I swallowed as I took one look at him. I could act tough all I wanted, but standing right in front of him, within touching distance, had shivers run down my spine.He opened the door wider to let me in. The house still felt familiar to me. Like I could almost walk around with my eyes closed. “Would you like to eat something?” He asked as I stood by the side and pulled the hood of my hoodie down. “Jared, I came here to talk, nothing more.” Lies, lies, lies but he didn’t need to know that. I saw him cringe but he said nothing as he found somewhere to seat. Somewhere with a little distance from me.“I...” Jared opened his mouth and closed it but no words came out. He was speechless? It was almost amusing to watch.“What?” His brows
I looked up at him and everything else fell away. I’d missed him so much and now that I was there, I didn’t know what to do with him. My eyes trailed over his every feature. His warm brown-almost golden eyes, his curly hair that he’d let over grow. I wanted to grab it and tangle my fingers in it. I bit my lower lip to restrain myself but Jared’s eyes snagged on them, his eyes darkening. WARNING: EXPLICIT CONTENT!“Can I kiss you?” His thumb released my bottom lip from the tight grip of my teeth and rubbed them, prying my lips open. I’d never heard a sexier sentence. I nodded. His hand trailed the back of my neck and gripped it, pulling me closer to his lips. I anticipated the feel of his lips and was not disappointed. I’d missed this. I grabbed his shirt by the side and opened my mouth to grant him entrance. I moaned into his mouth when I felt his hands roam the skin under my hoodie. I could bear the heat so I wrenched my lips free from his and pulled off my hoodie, leaving me in
Till the next day, I stayed naked under the sheets with Jared. He wouldn’t even let me go to pee, not until I threatened to leak all over him and even then, he just seemed nasty about it.“That’s very concerning.” I yelled at him after breaking free from his hold. His chuckle had me smiling though.Even I could tell I was glowing by the time I got back to my room.I was supposed to be at the Dean’s office by 10am sharp, looking well dressed too. I was suddenly curious about the last clause. What was going on?As I approached Alyssa’s office, she pulled me into a tight hug, making it difficult for me to breathe. I tapped her back continuously until she let me go.“I missed y... oh my! You’re glowing.” She whisper-yelled the last part out, briefly looking at her surroundings and then back at me. “What did you...” She trailed off and her eyes widened suddenly on realisation. She quickly pulled a chair closer and asked me to sit.“Tell me everything.”“Not right now, I need to see the De
Jared and Leah did become friends again but their interests lay somewhere else. They realised they were made for bigger things and they would do that outside the cave they once existed as lovers and even if something were to happen between them, it would take more time than expected for it to happen. Aly, Aarav, Jared, Jack and Leah remained friends but things would change over time. Work, family, life and ambition would force that circle to expand to others too. You may imagine that Leah and Jared ended up together or not. You are the author of that story, a work of fiction is a work of fiction. Author’s Note (I hope this doesn’t come off as offensive): I’ve seen some comments about therapy seeming like a bad thing. Therapy is not weakness, it is an admittance that you need help you may not be able to provide yourself. Mental health issues are not a joke and deserve audience. Some of us have been through traumatic experiences, loss of loved ones, accidents, bullying, harassmen
THIRD PERSON'S POVLeah looked different. There was something about her, like a light that surrounded her and her eyes looked burdenless. Maybe it was the Norway air, but she seemed ... better. Both she and Jared did."Mr Deric?" The secretary had her head cocked to the side, wondering why her guest was awe-struck, standing in the doorway."Sorry." Jared shook his head and walked in. Leah had a smile on her face as she watched him walk in. She recognised that air of confidence that usually surrounded him and couldn't stop watching him.Her attention was called by the men that surrounded her, as she spoke, she seemed to put everyone in a trance. Jared didn't hear a word she said, only observing how comfortable and right at home she felt."I have called this meeting here today because of a different kind of alliance about to be brokered between Norway and the US. Miss Leah Thomas has come as a financial representative of the BridgeStone Foundation, a company spearheaded by the governmen
Jared’s POVLetting Leah go was one of the hardest things I had ever had to do but I did it for her and myself. I was wrong to assume she’d come running back to my arms because I saved her. I smiled wryly to myself.I hadn’t seen her in quite a long while and our paths never crossed again. Aly was beyond pissed that she tried to leave without telling her but she quickly forgave her when she saw her condition. They talked all the time too and that was why I knew what she was up to most of the time.“Do you regret it?” I looked at the lady before me, she was seated behind her desk, peering down at me with curiosity. “What?” I’d zoned out for a minute and didn’t hear her.“Do you regret it? Letting her go.” I inhaled sharply. I’d been coming here for months. When Aarav asked me why I thought I needed a therapist, my reply was ‘who doesn’t?’“Not really. It was her decision but I got to understand much later. It would have been selfish of me to ask her to stay when she needed to go.” I f
I waited for him to clear his bed and offer me a seat before I sat. I shook my head internally. How did it get to this? I asked myself.‘You did it.’ I exhaled loudly and watched him perch himself on his work chair. He turned to me and rose his brows as if to say ‘what did you want to talk about?’ I cleared my throat and rubbed my clammy hands against my gown. I’d resorted to wearing gowns due to the fact that it was less constricting than most and easier to pull off, I just had to undo the zip and let the dress fall to my legs.“Yeah… uhm…” He continued looking at me and I couldn’t bear it anymore, so I found interest in the bedsheet. It was a fine looking colour, regal and plush looking. It felt so soft to touch, almost like you’d sink into it and be enveloped in a word of threads and fabrics.“Leah?” I hitched a breath when I heard his voice. No matter how many years I’d known him, no matter how many times he called me, I’d always feel the fluttering in my stomach whenever my name l
“I injured my spleen, not my legs. I can walk for myself.” I smacked Jack’s hands away from me. “It’s so you don’t try to run away again.” I rolled my eyes at him even though I felt a stabbing pain in my chest.“Pretty sure I can’t move past this house without falling over.” I’d been recuperating for the past week and Jack was coming over once in a while to check on me. Let’s just say he is more overbearing than most, and I thought Jared was worse.Speaking of Jared, he’d been avoiding me. The only reason I was sure he was even around the house was the fact that food and my pills were always made available. The pills I took made me drowsy for most of the day, so I spent most of it sleeping.“Have you seen Jared today?” I asked Jack as I swallowed my pills and washed them down with water.“Nope.” Jack said and turned the T.V on. If I was being honest, I feared speaking to him. No doubt, my accident had changed the dynamics of our relationship and I wasn’t sure if it had become worse o
Most of the time, situations arise, things happen and we are inclined to judge of the situation. It is easier that way because, sometimes, it makes us feel better about ourselves.When the tides turn and we become recipients of judgment, we understand the situation better. It takes a human to realise his mistake, but it takes a humble human to admit it. How many times have we judged a situation wrongly and admitted our error?We’re all guilty of hurting someone, friend, foe, lover… not intentionally but we seek forgiveness. Forgiveness isn’t just feeling sorry, it’s also a way of cleansing our souls, freeing ourselves from the guilt.Jared never told Leah that he forgave her and she couldn’t forgive herself, she couldn't free herself from the guilt.***JARED’S POV “What’s going on?” I asked the doctor who’d just come out of the operating room Leah had been moved to. 14 hours was the longest time I’d had to wait for a report from a doctor and the expression on his face wasn’t looking
I ran my fingers through my hair, walking to and fro like a sojourner who had lost his compass, I’d probably lost mine. The ambulance had arrived shortly after but the Leah was already… I shook my head. ‘No, she can’t be.’ I couldn’t focus on any other thing than the fact that there were many doctors running with Leah’s gurney, one was on top of her, doing chest compressions. The sweat beaded on the doctor’s face told me they’d been doing it since she was in the ambulance.I was slowly losing my mind and Aarav wasn’t here. He was busy trying to sort everything out while I went with Leah. I didn’t want to leave her side, if only I could have followed her into the OR.“She has lost too much blood, especially with the damage to her spleen and hypothermia already seeped in…” I didn’t want to know all the negatives, I didn’t want to know what was wrong.“Can someone tell me, is she going to be okay?” I yelled at the people who had brought Leah in, who seemed to be conversing with a doctor
JARED’S POV“What are you going to do?” I flipped the documents that Leah had sent. I hadn’t had the chance to look at it because I didn’t want to, not initially. Anything involving her work place kind of pissed me off but when I finally did, I could stop the fear that ran through my bones that Leah could be in danger because of it and I needed to act fast.I looked up at Aarav whose facial expression mirrored mine. He too was very conflicted and while he trusted Leah, it would be a big move to change banks, disastrous if it was the wrong move. We had been using Marque and Co. for so long and the previous leadership had proved capable of handling our assets.This new guy, this Ryan Fisher, from the moment I first saw him, I knew something wasn’t right with him. What Leah had sent hadn’t pointed to him as the culprit but with just enough evidence to let us know that something shady was going on and we needed to act fast or we’d lose more than just money.“We should involve the cops.” I
I felt a kick to my head and I groaned, my head feeling like it was split open. I blinked my eyes to get accustomed to the light before trying to sit up, something I found difficult and almost impossible to do.I tried to move my body and realised I was bound hand and feet. This slowly entered my consciousness and my drug-induced haze cleared up, I was face to face with a horrid looking mask and I scrambled backwards, bumping into something that felt horribly cold to my skin, metal.The person in front of me moved back, giving me room to at least breathe.“What the hell is going on?” I looked around to see not one, like I had imagined, but four people, armed with guns. My heart started to beat faster than normal at gauging my situation and my throat felt dry. It was dark outside and I realised I must’ve been asleep for hours.I was going to miss my flight, if I even made it out alive in the first place. No one replied me and I couldn’t even make out anything with the ridiculous outfit