Chapter 12: Meeting

Running upstairs in a frantic panic and into the bathroom I knew what I needed to do.

As I ran the shower, I stripped off and then stepped into the hot water, shuddering at the warmth and intensity of the water.

I needed to get rid of every bit of him, clean anywhere that horrid person had touched.

I sat down in the bath and let the shower wash over me which felt like for hours, I sat there thinking about the day and cried quietly so no-one would hear.

After the shower I changed into some fresh clothes and headed off downstairs where I was greeted by Rufie who was laid out on the bottom step.

He followed me into the kitchen where Gramps and Lydia were sitting oddly silent, as I walked in you could cut the atmosphere with a knife.

Picking up Rufies bowl, I filled it with some biscuits and then set it down by my chair. Sitting down I just stared at Gramps blankly.

" Ness we need to talk" He said after a short time.

Still looking at him I just nodded.

" Lydia tells me that you and this boy were bit of an item. . . . Now is there anything, anything at all that you want to talk about?" He asked quizzically.

"Charlie don't pester the girl" Lydia spoke up

"You mean did me and Adam have sex don't you?!" I replied

"Well…Yes. I mean if he forced you sweetheart its ok you can tell me"

"We didn't do anything and for your information I'm still a virgin!" I shouted out.

"Ok, Enough you too" Lydia spoke again "Come on I'll serve some dinner up ok?"

"Whatever, I need some air"

" Ness " they both chanted.

"I'll be fine ok. I just need some air!" I said as I got up from the table.

I stepped outside into the cool air and sat on the porch step looking out on to the quiet neighborhood.

Looking up the sky above the clouds had formed a thick blanket of grey, the sun was gone and the half moon could faintly be seen just over the woods.

I then thought about my meeting with Jacob I needed to talk to someone and I knew that he would listen.

After a few deep breaths to calm myself, I eventually went back into the house.

Gramps was sitting at the table tucking into some pasta and Lydia was pouring some Ice tea out into cups.

I sat back down at the quiet table and started to eat the pasta, it was delicious and warm just what I needed.

Catching Gramps eye at the table, He smiled at me and then mouthed sorry. All I could do was nod.

- - - - - - - -

After dinner I excused myself and headed off to my room to do some homework. Sitting on the bed I tried to concentrate on some trig questions but my mind kept on wandering on the subject of Rachel and how she must be feeling.

It was 11pm when I eventually finished half of the trig homework that was set.

I could hear Gramps coming up the stairs to bed muttering about nearly falling over Rufie at the bottom of the stairs.

As soon as I heard their bedroom door close, I rushed to the closet to find some warm clothes.

Creeping out of my bedroom, I headed down the stairs carefully passing Rufie as he slept soundly on the bottom step.

Slipping my feet into the wellies quietly I grabbed my coat and the flashlight and hurried out before anyone noticed the downstairs light was on.

I Stepped out into the cold air and shuddered as I made my way up the drive and did a little run as I headed for the dirt road to the woods.

The light from the torch bounced off the ground as I ran, it was eerily quiet and the only noise I could hear were my own steps beating hard against the slippery pavement.

Reaching the entrance to the woods, I slowed down and caught my breath. I froze for a few moments as I peered into the dark looking for the pathway.

Walking forwards into the darkness, I suddenly felt stupid wandering into the unknown at 11pm night!

Eventually with the help of the torch I found the path, and a few moments later I was at my usual spot where I walk Rufie.

Sitting down on the tree stump, I kept the torch on for comfort using it to search the woods for Jacob.

"Hey your not gunna interrogate me are you" a mans voice called out.

I let out a little laugh

"Where are you? I can't see you?"

"I'm here" He said as he jumped out from behind a nearby tree.

As he walked towards me, I scooted over on tree stump so he could sit.

I sat there looking at his familiar face; he was quite handsome up close. His dark hair was pulled back into a ponytail. And he was wearing what I could only make out as some scruffy shorts and a t-shirt.

"Aren't you cold" I said gesturing towards his bare legs.

"Nope" he said as he sat beside me.

"Its freezing out here" I said shuddering.

"Here" he said pulling out a black anorak from his bag. He wrapped the black anorak round me with both arms and then rubbed my arms to keep me warm.

I breathed in his scent as he came in close which smelt unusually familiar.

"So, what did you wanna talk about? He said pulling his hands away suddenly.

Taken aback by the smell I sighed gently as if for some reason it felt comforting.

"Everything . . . my life's a mess. And It seems stupid talking to you about all this, its just I feel so alone and I feel you kind of understand me, if that makes sense" I was starting to get abit hysterical as my eyes filled with tears.

"Hey" he said soothingly as he wrapped and arm around me.

"It's not stupid, I'm your friend you can trust me Ness "

My heart sank as I heard his kind words.

"I just can't seem to keep my life in order, I feel like there is a chunk of my life that is missing, I can't remember anything from before 4 years ago. It's like a giant black hole! That has swallowed up all my memories!"

"You can't remember anything?"

"Only that weird memory of my mother that I remembered the last time we were here" I answered.

"Do you see your mother . . . or father at all?" he asked quizzically.

"Nope, it's like they don't even wanna know me" I sighed "My Grandfather Carlisle died last week and I found out in a bloody letter! No phone call or visit nothing just a stupid letter"

"Maybe that's the only way they can reach you" he said in a reassuring tone.

"The harsh thing is I don't even remember him! I don't remember any of them!" I said as I cried into the anorak.

I could feel Jacobs hand gently comforting me.

"And this entire thing with Adam, I just don't know what to do?!" I said through the tears.

"Yeah I heard about that fucking animal! He should be locked up or worse" I could see the hatred in eyes as he spoke. "He didn't hurt you did he? Because if he even looked at you wrong I would go mad crazy at him!" he said clenching his fist.

"I'm fine" I whispered as I took the clenched fist into my hand. I gently stroked it until he looked calm.

He then looked at me with his dark eyes and took my hand in his.

He breathed heavily as he looked at me and then suddenly by surprise he leant in closer to me, I froze with anticipation as I kept my gaze with his.

Edging closer to me I could feel his warm breath on me as his lip drawed closer to mine.

And then gently I felt the kiss that I was secretly longing for.