Liar Liar

Eighteen.

7:30 am.

A heavy pounding on the door woke up the four. They ran down the stairs in their still asleep condition and Colton opened the door making the girls gasp.

Lana swallowed hard the lump that had formed in her throat.

"Jake." She sighed. "What are you doing here?"

"We have to talk." He said with a determined tone in his voice.

He looked like he hadn't showered in a week, his eyes were swollen and red, and he had this killer look in his eyes.

"I don't think that's such a good idea." Colton said putting a hand around Lana's waist.

Jake raised an eyebrow and let out a chuckle.

"Leave Jake. We don't want trouble." Liam said.

"Neither do I. Which is why I need to talk to Lana." He said.

"I said-"

"Fine." Lana interrupted her boyfriend.

"What? Babe no." Colton argued.

"Yes. I'm gonna go get dressed. Keep an eye on him." She said and disappeared going up the stairs.

The three remained downstairs and they let Jake in.

"I know I just got out of jail, but you don't have to treat me like a criminal. You and I both know I didn't do anything." Jake said.

"When did you get out exactly?" Bethany asked.

"On the day of Keegan's trial."

"Wow, that's suspicious."

"How exactly?!"

"You and Adam?" Liam asked.

"Yes." He responded.

"Where is he?"

"I don't know, we're not exactly friends and just because we shared a jail cell doesn't mean we're suddenly besties." Jake said.

"Where were you for the past two days then? Why come now?" Colton asked.

"I needed some time to get back to normal you know?"

"Hmm." Colton nodded his head.

"Let's go." Lana said walking to the door.

Jake stood up and followed her. Lana let him walk in front of her and just when she was stepping out the door, Colton stopped her.

"Be careful." He said.

"I got this. We're going to the coffee shop. Just in case." She gave him a kiss and left.

***

Lana stared at Jake as he played with his cup of coffee. His hands were shaking and it was obvious he was enjoying the warmth of it.

She couldn't help but wonder how he got to this state, how he got himself into this mess, how they all got into this mess. All they did was help a girl in need.

Lana couldn't help but notice how Jake was changed, he was in a fragile state, she couldn't wrap the idea around her head that that was the guy she used to be with, that that was the guy who did everything to make her happy, the sweet, funny, caring, kind, and friendly guy. Now he was the guy who just got out of jail for something he didn't even do. No one did.

Instead of being the greatest guy, Jake was now seen as a cheating, betraying jerk, in Lana's eyes. But deep down there was a part of her that felt bad for him. It was obvious how he was still scared, whatever happened to him in that place, he didn't deserve it.