Learn To Trust (Sequel to Learn To Love)

Chapter 11

I pull away, cheeks flaming red and lips swollen. No, no, no, no, this can't be happening. I bite my lip hard and look up. There Jake is, blue eyes filled with hurt and sadness. I see him take in the scene, the glowing lanterns, the fragrant flowers, the checkered picnic blanket. He turns on his heel and runs. I've never seen him run that way. I get up, forgetting all about Josh, who tries to reach out and grab my wrist. I tear it out of Josh's grip and sprint as fast as I can. Wind cuts my face and stings my eyes but I don't care. I finally find him, punching a wall with his fist. He swears colourfully and I see the tears drip down his face. He grips his hand in the other and collapses against the wall. I take a small, tentative step closer.

"Jake?" I call out softly, quietly, as if he'd break if I spoke any louder.

"What do you want Carlie?" He asks. I hear the coldness, the venom, the hurt in his voice.

"C-can I talk to you?" I whisper.

"There's nothing to talk about." He replies sharply.

"Yes, there is." I take another hesitant step closer. He holds out his hurt hand, spread out and winces.

"Don't come any closer. I don't want to look at you." His words tears my heart out, shredding it into pieces. I take a deep breath and start,

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I kissed your brother. I'm sorry I went on a date with him. I'm sorry that you had to see it. I'm sorry I didn't tell you about the first kiss either-" He cuts me off.

"That wasn't the first time?" He asks, voice breaking. Tears sting my eyes and I nod, looking away. He takes 3 long strides and stops right in front of me, breathing heavily.

"Carlie, I loved you, I cared for you, I protected you as best as I could. Was I not good enough for you?" His voice breaks my heart.

"NO! Jake... You are good for me. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me." I whisper.

"Apparently not." He laughs bitterly and looks up at the once beautiful night sky that has now lost its beauty. He turns away from me.

"Goodbye, Carlie."

And just like that, he disappears. The boy who gave me the world is gone.

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The next day. A knock on the door. Josh. Staying in bed. Eating a slice of bread for breakfast. Sleeping. Eating one bowl of soup for lunch. Lying in bed. Another knock. Rose. Not answering. Sleeping. Eating nothing for dinner. Sleeping. The days continue the same. Every single day. I get up to no purpose. I get up everyday just to misery. Just to a nightmare called life.

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"Carlie?" Again, I hear Rose's quiet voice outside my door. I groan mentally. Please, just leave me alone.

"Carlie. You've been in there for a whole week. Come out and talk to us. We don't even know what's happening." I bite my lip and talk, for the first time in a week.

"I don't want to talk or come out. Go enjoy your life, Rose."

"I can't enjoy my life when one of my best friends is heartbroken and hiding in her room. Will you at least let me in?" She pleads, I can almost see her eyes begging me silently. I sigh,

"No."

"Please?"

"No." I repeat stubbornly, knitting my eyebrows together.

"Please?"

"Fine." I groan and get up, stumbling, half-blind and fumble for quite a while before I find the doorknob. I twist it and open the door to Rose's worried face.