Once Upon A Bet

/41/ Greatest disappointment

Dedicated to kindredSprits101, thanks for the support <33

The moment Jake parked the car before the front of the state I'd grown to know so much, I wasn't ready at all. Not with all the mental preparation. Not with the long way here, or the detour to grab some coffee. I was still and anxious wreck just thinking of what was there to come.

It didn't matter that we were laughing about some stupid nonsense minutes ago, the moment my childhood place -the place I called home until recently- came to sight it was like a physical sickness came over me.

"Here we are." Jake slowed the car as we reached the high fence. I could feel the loud beats of my heart like an earthquake on my chest. "At last."

I hummed, intimidated at the large front entrance even from the distance. My stomach was in a tight knot. "I'm gonna throw up."

"Oh, then do you mind getting out first?" I glared at him and he chuckled. "Kidding. You'll be fine." I almost jumped out of my skin when his hand covered mine over  the cookie box on my lap. "Hey, easy, okay?"

"It's not that easy, you know?" I hated how my throat closed an my voice trembled, but Jake waved it off.

"I know, princess, but at the end of the day, they're your family. They love you."

That's debatable, I thought, but today I wasn't here for emotional drama. Today's mission was entirely different.

"I just want to be over with it already." I muttered, glancing at the high fence through the car's window, using Meryl's breathing techniques to calm my ragging chest.

"My offer still stands, you know? I can stay if you want me to." he speaks easily and I gave him a brief smile -all I could muster at the moment. It was so sweet of him to offer, but I wasn't even sure my parent would accept to see me at all. If Jake tagged along that would be a big no-no. So I gently shook my head. "Alright, no problem. My shift starts in an hour, and you know when I finish. Eh, call me when you're done if you want a lift." he continued to explain but it was hard to hear him when a buzzing interrumpted his voice.

Breath, Nova. I brushed my hand against the fabric of my skirt, awfully familiar with this growing ache in my lungs. Just breath.

"Okay." I prepared myself to face this moment, but everything was spinning. All the ways in which this could go wrong flashing behind my eyes at once. "It won't get better by waiting here." I sucked in a harsh breath, gathering my courage. Let's go.

"Hey, wait, wait" Jake stopped me with a frown and reached out to cup face so I looked away from the intimidating state towards his deep blue eyes and suddenly breathing was easier.

"What?"

"There's some..." his thumb brushed my cheek, making me freak out all the more.

"What is it? Is there something on my face?" I nervously brought my hand there, but find nothing.

"It's just..."

"What?"

And he suddenly leaned claiming my lips in an ardent short kiss, unexpectedly erasing my growing anxiety as I realized he'd only been teasing me. "There."

"You're an idiot." I couldn't help the stupid smile, melting from inside as a side effect of his kisses. The new but familiar feeling was enough to sweep me out my feet and I didn't know if that was pathetic on my part or impressive on his.