My gaze swept instantly to Jake. I found him leaned on Lucas' white SUV, he's already staring at me. He looked like he's been standing there all morning waiting for my bus to arrive while Lucas stood casually beside him, having blight conversation with Caitlyn who's looking up at him very much in love. Other students walked around them, some outright gawked, others even shook their heads in disgust. But despite all the attention they were getting, Jake's attention were solely focused on me. He stalked away from the SUV, no hesitation in his steps, the glare on his face told me he already made up his mind. Mine! Mine! Mate! Mine! Mate! The words came beating inside my head like an angry rhythm that quickly managed to make its way to my chest. Jake has the uncanny ability to make my stomach twist with so much butterflies. "Grace." He breathed as soon as he reached me. "Jake." My weak smile lifted the corner of my lips. I was lost at how to respond to him. He's a boy who can't seem to determine what he wanted. I forced myself to retreat just in case he unleashed another one of his heart splitting rejection and to be honest, I'm not sure how am I going to take it. "I'm sorry." He spoke sincerely. I was taken by surprise by his sudden apology. I was certain it is going to be the other way around. "I thought it would be safer." He paused. "I didn't want to drag you into my world. I thought it's better if you didn't know, but clearly that wasn't the case." "It's been driving me crazy." I told him honestly. He exhaled a long deep breath. I sensed the tightness in his chest, the agony and the regret. He's been losing his mind the whole time the same way as I have. "I need to have you. It's driving me nuts!" My entire body shook. The way his spoken words were so bold, so honest and so forward. He gave me no room to tell him no. "Jake..."