Disclaimer: The Secret Circle is owned by L.J. Smith/C.W. I own nothing:( Enjoy the story below! :)

Chapter 21

I'm in Love with You Cassie...

I had to blink a few times to register what he had just said, I mean I understood everything! I closed my mouth, now realizing it was open. Jake searching my eyes, as I looked at his. Why did it seem like the world drifted away now?

" Cassie I love-" I placed my hand on his mouth from finishing.

" I heard you." I said I got up now, walking towards the mantle on the wall, I could hear his body shift off the bed, I wrapped my arms around me trying to look at everything but him. " I'm sorry," why was I apologizing? I could feel his body heat in back of me when I turned around to face him he still stood near the bed.

" I...I'm with Adam." I let my arms fall to the sides, " Jake you shouldn't of said that."

His eyebrows furrowed as if taken aback by my answer. " Adam I don't care about Adam!" He said walking towards me.

" I Do! Look I'm in a good place right now, I have a boyfriend, who actually cares about me!" I replied.

" Oh and I don't ?" He walked away from me to go sit on chair, I crossed my arms to stare at him now, I could tell we were both trying to keep are self calm from yelling. I went to go sit on the bed now with a huff, he put me on the spot and I just didn't know how to react. I saw him rub his temples as if he was already getting a headache.

" He does, he makes me happy he would never intentionally hurt me! He's never angry all the time he never just wants to be around me because, of my dark magic!"

" Oh and I'm only around you because of all those things?" He sat up now, placing his elbows on his knees, his left leg up and down.

" Yeah matter of fact you did!" I stood you now." You Always try to course me to use my magic for when am I'm angry and I can't be angry all the time. I can't be vengeful all the time what is the use in that? And when I found you sleeping with Faye!...That hurt me."

" I know I did," He got up now standing tall. " I was stupid and selfish I wish I could take that night back if I could. I've felt guilty ever since that happened. I've changed! I really have."

" No this is about you, always wanting something you can't have! I can't/nor won't fight destiny, Adam and I are Destiny Jacob regardless."

" Fuck Destiny Cassie!" Jake was getting upset now, " Excuse me?" I crossed my hands in front of my shoulders feeling my anger rising now.

" You heard me! Then why am I here? Why am I always the person you run to when you feel like you can't express anything to everybody else? Why the hell am I always putting my life at risk not caring if I get hurt , just so I know your breathing the next day? You and your friends!" He raised his eyebrows waiting for my answer. I looked away from him, not really knowing if I had the answers to give. There was another pause of silence, until Jake spoke again.

" Then why did you kiss me last night?" I stared at him, even more taken aback now I opened my mouth to speak, but I couldn't.

" You already know Cassie this isn't about wanting what I can't have. Nor is this about me only being around you for your power!" He came up to me now, he rested both of his hands on my either side of my face. " This Cassie is about me loving you flaws and all. And you trying to use every excuse that you can, to stop admitting to yourself that you may love me back. This is something that doesn't have to be prophecized but, something that is just natural that writes it's own fate. You just keep fighting it!"

He dropped his hands from my face now, He looked down at the ground. '' I can't make you go against destiny Cassie," He whispered." All I can say is just follow your heart, and if Adam is the one that makes happy I guess I'll just have to learn to stand out the way then." I looked up at him now to see if he was joking, he wasn't his face was so serious. To my amazement this shocked me because the Jake Armstrong to me was a fighter, he never gave up, this was a whole other side of him.

" I should probably kick my own ass for saying that last part." He smirked weakly, I laughed lightly until I stopped trying so hard not to cry. " Well we better get to bed." I nodded in agreement. He walked closer to me, bending down to kiss cheek.

" Goodnight Cassie." He then walked away I heard him shut the door to the other room. I walked to my light switch to turn it off closing my door as well, I guess there was no need to keep it open. I crawled in my bed curling myself into a ball. Why did that kiss on the cheek Jake give seem as if he was saying good bye?

I woke up the next morning, I got out the bed stretching opening my bed room door. I was about to head down stairs and cook breakfast when I saw the door to the guest bed room was cracked open. I wonder if Jake was up and I could ask him what he wanted. I knocked on the door. " Hey are you awake, I wanted what you wanted for breakfast?" I didn't hear a sound, so I knocked on the door again opening it. The sun shined through the room as I looked towards the bed to see it made. I walked downstairs.

" Jake?" I ran down the stairs to walk towards the living his wasn't there, then I walked towards kitchen he wasn't there. I ran to open the front door walking off the porch towards the sidewalk to see truck not parked. I had no idea why I was acting kind of on the edge about this? I looked down to see what I was wearing, then ran back in the house. I sprinted up the stairs, to throw on some yoga pants. When I noticed a piece of paper on my opposite pillow, along with a white rose. How could I miss that when I woke up?

I brought the rose up to my nostrils to smell it's fresh scent. I then opened the letter as I read it, I stood up reading it word per word only to see the note slip from my hands to fall on the floor. I ran to my window to pull open the curtains to look towards Jake window. I shook my head pulling on my pants, and a running to my dresser drawer to pull on a sweater. I dropped the rose, running down stairs back outside. I ran towards the house next door to mine, I opened the door. Skipping some steps, to Jake's room. I opened the door to see his room looked the same. I walked over to his his closet to see it empty...Everything was gone except his leather jacket. I pulled the jacket from the hanger holding it up hugging it close that was all that was left.

" So he just left, he took off not letting you know where he was going?" Melissa set her tea mug down leaning over the arm chair rest. I was slumped back in the other chair just looking at the commotion around me. I was in the coffee house and I didn't even need to work today, I really had to talk to somebody about what has happened so I called Melissa.

" I felt so bad but, something felt so right." I looked at Melissa. She nodded,

" The Armstrong's can do that to you. Why would he leave after all that's happened? If those witch hunters are still here the circle isn't going to be so strong again. Odd how he just up and left." I looked at her I shook my head, indicating what she might have meant.

" He's not working with them if that's what your indicating." I said.

" No Cass I never meant that, I meant how it's so odd..." She stopped what she was about to say.

" Do you care for him?" She asked.

" I do care for him, strange after everything that's happen." I implied. Melissa grabbed my hand now, holding it in hers.

" I think that was the easy question the thing is, I guess what I'm asking is are you love with him?" I stared at her, " Why would you ask a question like that?" I said now, feeling dumbfounded.

" I'm not trying to put pressure on you, but it is a yes or no question if you don't you love him, then you should have nothing to worry about, but if you do. I think you should talk with Adam, it wouldn't be right not to say anything to him about this." Melissa got up from chair throwing her purse strap on her shoulder. I followed her lead as we both headed outside, she put her arm in mine.

" What if I can't bring myself to tell Adam?" I looked at Melissa who gave me an assured smile.

" Cassie he does have the right know, if you think you need to end things with Adam then do what is best. If Adam is someone you love, and want to be with I'm sure you'll both get past this. Just follow your heart Cassie."

We both halted our steps, that's the same thing Jake said before he left.

" If you need anything just call me I'm always here. Okay." I pulled her into hug as she hugged me back. " Thanks Melissa." We pulled apart, she turned on her heel and I watched her walk away towards her car. I pulled out my phone, and began dialing Adam's number, the phone just rang on the other line. I breathed out when I heard his voice mail.

'Hey you Adam I'm not here to pick up my phone leave a message and I'll get back with you.' Beep...

I paused fighting myself if I should hang up or not. I exhaled slowly, " hey Adam it's me um.. I'm sure your at work when your done can you meet me at the abandoned house I'll be there the rest of the day." I hung up the phone. I put the phone in my purse getting into my grandmothers car getting ready to drive off. I had tons of thinking to do.

I waited at the house, pacing back and forth as some made men, I looked through the cracks of the window as the sunlight dimmed now into the light sky. I began lighting candles here and there listening for the sound of Adam's footsteps. The only sound I heard was thunder clapping in the distance and rain beginning to fall on the rooftop. I looked down at my twirled fingers," Hey Cassie." I looked up to see Adam pulling off his hood, I put my hand on my sides. " Hi." He came to me , " Why couldn't we just talk at your place?" He smiled confused. The truth was I couldn't go back at the moment. " Um I just needed to talk to you here." I said I could tell he was reading my face. " What's wrong?" I turned around I just couldn't face him.

" I sure not sure anymore?" I could hear his footsteps get closer, " Is something is the Witch Hunters, You Father?"

'That one would be easy.' I thought sarcastically. " No." I sighed, I turned around getting ready to face music. " It's...It's about us,"

" What about us?" He asked. " And Jake." I finished. I saw his face harden some what at Jake's name. " What about him?" He asked flatly. " I just want to know are we together because, of Destiny? Or are we together because we want to be?" Not sure I where I was taking this? " It's something that's written in the stars." He said. I felt that lump form in my throat. " If-if you were Destined to be with Diana even if that wasn't with me, would you still be with me or her?"

" I felt something strong for you the day I met you." He said, shaking his head still confused. " Where are you getting at?"

" Sometimes Adam I keep questioning myself what else is out there besides what's already set in stone?..." I licked my lips getting ready for the doozie. " After you came from the Hospital on Valentine's day night when your dad gave me ride home. I snuck into Jake's house and waited for him. We got into a huge argument one thing led to another and..He kissed me." I said. Adam jaw line tensed up, " He kissed." he said in a low voice. " I tried to fight him off, but then I started kissing him back." my eyes were watering now. " Some things led to another, then I stopped and felt so guilty but then I couldn't help but think that I didn't feel all that guilty like I should have." He stared at the ceiling bringing his hands to his eyes, then looking at me.

" After that I felt like I've been hiding things from you, I didn't tell you that before my father came witch hunters sneak into my house, Jake was there to find out.''

" Of course he was." Adam said bitterly, I shook my head. " I let him stay the night after what happened with my father and he told me that he loved me."

" Cassie listen to me, Jake will say anything and everything to make sure he gets what he wants that's what he does." Adam came closer putting his hands gently on my shoulders. The tears began to fall now he wiped them away. " It doesn't matter now, because he's gone he left. I've seen parts of him that no one else wanted to see, or cared to."

" He only made you think he cared for you." I shook his head, swiping his hands now off my shoulders. " He did he cared for me, like he cared for this circle he didn't he would've killed us a long time ago. I care for Adam and him leaving made me realize that I was in love with him." I saw Adam blink, his shoulders slump he looked like he slapped across his face.

" I'm so sorry Adam I should've told you sooner."

" You felt something for me!" He said a tear running down his face, " I know you still do."

" Not the way you want me to."

Adam walked passed me. " I can't deal with this, you lied to me like you always seem to do." I opened my mouth to say something. " Adam.." I whispered. " Don't I guess you and Jake are not so different all you deserve each other." With that he walked out slamming the door I flinched. After a few moments I collected myself together I decided it was best if I went home. I walked to the car by the time I got in I was drenched. I put the key in the ignition, it wouldn't start.

'Don't do this.' " Come on!" I said loudly. It still wouldn't budge, I tried using magic and that didn't work either. I laid my head on the steering wheel, then I pulled out my phone, dialing Diana and Melissa. I got a weird signal, I looked at my phone seeing the battery was low.

" GREAT!'' I yelled. I didn't want to stay at this house, I'll just have to walk home on foot I wasn't scared of anything at the moment. I pulled Jake's leather jacket from the passengers seat putting it on then slamming the door shut. It was a good distance walking home, no gas station was near, no phone booth' some town.' I was soaked to the bone, my teeth chattering lightly the jacket was pretty big so I wasn't too cold. Thank goodness I wasn't wearing any eye makeup, this was the perfect time to cry anyways.

Adam was made at me, Jake was gone. Though I didn't want to admit, there was always something between us. Something not even the stars could decipher, now maybe I would get nothing at the end. I wrapped my arms around myself trying to block the wind now that was now blowing rain harshly at me.

'Cassie,' I gazed up, continued walking then stopped turning around. There was nothing but a blank road, tree's and rain. I turned around to continue on my journey now thinking about Jake's letter.

Dear Cassie,

This is going to sound really crummy but I'll be gone. You were right I'm angry. I'm angry for things that go far beyond my control. I'm not a bad person... There have been changes that have came into my life that changed me for better. I still have some growing to do. I don't want to put too much stress on you, that's not what I want. I want you to be happy 'genuinely' happy, like I said before if that is with Adam then I won't stand in your way. I can't make you love me if just don't, you deserve everything good that comes into your life. Your one of the most best things that ever came into mine, I'm not sure when we'll see each other again? But just know when you least expect it I will not be far away.

Yours Always,

Jake

I made it into the neighborhood after an hour long walk, my legs hurt and I just wanted to go to crawl in my covers and let this day end. All the lights were out in the other houses, when I made it to the side walk, I saw a soft glow from the windows of my house. I froze my steps, should I be on guard? Then I turned my head to see a black truck. I rushed towards my front door almost slipping as I made my way on my porch. I placed my hands on my door knob twisting it open I felt a gust of warm air surround me as I walked inside shutting the door behind me. I looked in the hall to see candles everywhere, soon there was a male figure who rushed around the corner. He stopped in his tracks, he looked wet just like me though I think I took more of the cake. I wanted to slap him again, I wanted to yell, I wanted to...

" Cassie I'm so sorry I know, I was selfish, stupid and-" I ran jumping into his arms, not caring as long as I was with him. He held me close my feet were dangling off the ground, as I caressed the nape of his neck. I pulled away to look at him, " I thought you were gone." I cried now because, I was just so overjoyed to see him.

He shook his head from side to side slowly. " No Cassie, I couldn't leave you.. not like that." He set me down now my feet touching the floor, our arms still were wrapped around each other. I wanted to tell him about earlier, but that could always wait.

" I thought about what you said Jake, the truth is I can't fight you anymore, the feelings I have for you."

" What about Ad-" I shushed him with my finger tip.

"I chose my own fate and I chose you!" His arms encircled me under his jacket pulling me closer. " So do we still have chance?"

" Why do you think I rushed back into to town for you Blake?" He said jokingly. We both laughed, he caressed his thumb on my cheek, I closed my eyes leaning into his touch.

" I love you Cassie." He spoke softly. I opened eyes, then smiled. " I love you too Jake." He brought his other hand on the side of my face, our noses touched. I could feel his breath on my face. He leaned down to kiss my lips, they molded together softly. His hands wrapped around my waist, as my arms went around his neck. There was something about this kiss that different, it wasn't as hot nor feverish, lustful. It was still sensual, yet loving. The butterflies were flying away in my stomach I wanted him, and needed him. I pulled away breaking our kiss. Jake never looked so hot his plump kissable lips begging me to kiss them again. How the candle light casted over, his features made him look like a clothed Greek god! I took off his leather jacket letting it fall slowly over my off my shoulders. I saw him raise an eyebrow, still standing over me, reaching over sliding it off of my body as it hit the floor with a thud. We captured each others eyes, completely silent but saying everything we needed to. I raised my hands to run up his body feeling the toned muscle underneath, then resting on his chest. Jake's then slid around my waist, making small circles.

Before I knew it, he picked up using all his strength, only holding me with one arm under my rear,while the other one eased up my back. I gasped at his actions , but on the inside I was feeling mischievous. I bent down capturing his lips again, when I felt us was taking us up the stairs as fast as he could, he was careful not to rush or we would both probably be tumbling down. I nibbled on his ear, sucking on it lightly I felt this hold on me tighten, as I heard a low sound come from his throat.

We finally made it to my bed room Jake kicked the door closed behind us.

AN: Okay that's only the semi love scene! Chapter 22 is in progress Hehe. Anyway Shout out time! Kats02980416, nolaye, anon, Catlover10808, norwegiangirl96, luisa mendoza, harryherminefan, and gonebananas36! Thank you all for your current reviews in the last chapters. I have something planned for everyone in the next chapter is going to get pretty steamy. So maybe the rating needs to change in that chap. I'm a little nervous because, that will be my first mature love scene that I have written, I don't want it to be too raunchy, but I want it to be hot! lol

Thank you guys for reading! Love you all3

Orchidxxx