Chapter 16.

Title: The Game Is Not Over

POV: Jake

I had crafted and deleted the text at least 50 times. Why was I nervous to text her? She is my imprint. I do not think I should be nervous to text her. I crafted the text again. 'Good morning' instantly deleted it. I tried again 'Good morning Carlie'. Again deleted it.

I finished eating my breakfast. Placing the phone on the table screen up. Maybe she will text me. I waited. The phone did not go off. She might be running late. Her phone might be dead. Okay Jake you are going crazy.

Tossing my dishes in the dishwasher I grabbed my keys. If waiting for school to start at home was going to make me crazy then I will go to school early. Clicking the elevator button in my apartment I smelled a bitter scent. Great, just the person I needed to share and elevator with this morning.

"Hello Jake," Catherine said. She walked up to me standing unnecessarily close.

"Hi" I responded. I was not raised to be mean. Simply did not want to talk to her.

The elevator opened and we both walked in. She pressed the button that would bring the elevator to the parking in the basement.

"So Jake. I know we have been playing hard to get." Catherine stated.

"Oh are we?" I asked. My mind was not on this conversation with this girl. Instead I was deciding on if I should drive to pick Carlie up or not.

"We are Jake," She said hitting the elevator stop button "I am done waiting."

I was standing in the corner. Catherine walked closer to me. She pulled my face down to hers. I was so distracted thinking about yesterday and Carlie. That I did not notice what she was trying to do. Until I felt her tongue down my throat. I jumped back slamming my head into the elevator wall. It was a hard hit. Water sprung to my eyes.

"What are you doing?" I yelled.

"Come on Jake this is not a surprise to you. We have done more than just a kiss before" she giggled.

"That was then. This is now. Now I do not want to kiss you." I told her.

"Don't be silly Jake. You know you want to kiss me." She leaned into me. Pulling her shirt lower.

"No I do not. I am asking you to understand that this is not consensual. Please wait for my consent before you try to kiss me again" my voice remained strong. Flashes of Edward asking me to wait until Bella asked me to kiss her entered my mind. These unwelcome thoughts caused me to spiral for a moment. This is not the first time I tried to start a relationship with a girl. What if Carlie is the same as Bella. What if she chooses someone else.

"The game is not over yet Jake" she winked at me. Hitting the button to start the elevator again.

It stopped on the parking floor. I did not wait for her to go first. I needed to get out of that situation. Running over to my car. I started driving as fast as I could. Needed to see Carlie. The second I see her all will be right. All night I dreamt of her being scared and alone. I have never needed to see another person as much as I needed to see her right now.

The traffic started to frustrate me. If I just got out I could run faster then the cars ahead of me are currently moving. Just breath Jake you will see Carlie soon enough.

I arrived at the school earlier than I have ever shown up before. Scanning the parking lot I did not see her car yet. I will surprise her by waiting in the classroom. Remembering the disapproval on her face the first day I saw her. I smiled when the new pretty girl in class refused to look at me when I arrived late.

Finding my seat I kicked back on my desk and relaxed. Knowing Carlie she will be arriving in the classroom soon enough. The creepy teacher arrived and the classroom began to fill up with students. Maybe Carlie is running late today. I did not panic. She could just have got caught up in the same traffic that I was caught up in on my way in today.

The teacher started class. The classroom door shut. I smiled, it looks like Carlie will have to do the walk of shame when she arrives. She never did arrive though.

Maybe she slept in. I did not pay attention to my next class. Walking to the cafeteria I found Mike and Beth sitting together holding hands. Carlie was not with them.

I ran out to my car. Climbing in I started driving as fast as I was able. I just needed to know she was okay. If she was sick or taking a day off I just needed to know she was safe.

When I was this focused on her I could feel my leg throb in pain. Ouch. That actually really hurt.

Ugh why does traffic have to be so intense today! Pulling my phone out of my pocket I called her. I was hesitant to call her today because I did not want to come off as controlling. She was her own person. If she did not want to talk to me I would not force her to. I have lived through watching a controlling relationship. He even stayed up and watched her sleep. I promised myself that I would never be that controlling in a relationship. I thought all this through as the dial tone sounded through the phone. She did not answer… I drove faster.

Finally making it to her house I banged on the door. No one answered.

"Carlie! Carlie! Open up!" I yelled. Putting my ear to the door I heard no movement in the house.

Jumping over the fence I ran to the back glass door. Peering though I saw a blanket strewed across the couch. At least it appeared to be moved from the position I saw last night. Or was it always like that? Hope over road my thoughts. I decided that the blanket must have moved. This meant that she had been here last night. I needed to get into the house. Just needing to see her. If she did not want to see me that is fine. I just need to see and make sure she is safe.

Jumping back over the fence I walked to the garage door. This was the easiest way to break into the house. I lifted the garage door. That's when I saw that her sports car was still missing. I froze holding the garage door above my head. Panic shot through me leaving my body feeling numb. Everywhere but my leg. My leg felt like someone had gnawed on it, fire shooting through it.

I let the garage door fall to the floor.