Chapter 7: Familiarity

Nessie's POV

As I sat in the library later on that day I couldn't help but think about Jacob. I still had yet to call him and arrange a meeting to switch back our phones. Mostly because I was nervous.

I looked over at Marie and Eric going through the kids section of the library. Renee had called me earlier but since I didn't have my phone she walked over to the house and asked if I could watch her kids for the day. Apparently an emergency came up and she and Phil needed to leave for the day but couldn't bring the kids. She said she would be back tonight to pick them up. She hated "asking me to do this on such short notice but that she'd make it up to me somehow," I told her it was no big deal.

I decided the library was the best place to take them for a few hours that way I could get some research done for all the projects and essays that I had coming up. I'd found a few decent books on the civil war for my History essay but was struggling to find good material for my Biology project.

I was going through some books when suddenly Jacob's cellphone went off causing me to jump in fright. The people surrounding me looked at me in annoyance for my lack of "library etiquette,"

I got away as fast as I could to answer it. Though when I really thought about it I didn't know why. I mean it was Jacob's phone and I didn't know anyone on his contact list. When I looked at the number calling though I realized it was mine.

"Hello?"

"Oh hi Nessie. Sorry about the accidental phone switch. Want to go out somewhere so we can switch back?"

"I wish I could Jacob but I'm kind of stuck babysitting my neighbor's kids for the day,"

"That's okay. We could just hang out or something?"

I shook my head. Jacob certainly was a persistent guy I could see.

"I-"

"Look where are you right now?"

"The library,"

"Okay I'll meet you there in half an hour,"

"Sure, Yeah, Okay," What was it with me and using one sentence words?!

"Okay see you then," Jacob sounded happy.

I couldn't shake the familiarity I felt with him though. Did I know him before? But he didn't mention anything about the video. So maybe it wasn't the same Jacob.

Speaking of the video it had reached eleven and a half million views as of this morning. Eleven and a half million. Eric and Marie mentioned it this morning when they came over. Some of the workers here at the library mentioned it as well when they saw me.

My parents though, as far as I knew, were still clueless to the video's existence. I wasn't sure how much longer it would remain a mystery either.

"There you are Nessie!"

I jumped and felt my heart pop out of my chest.

"Jesus Christ Jacob are you trying to give me a heart attack?!"

"Will you two shut up over there this is a library after all!" someone else shouted.

"Let's go Jacob," I said urgent to escape the uncomfortable situation.

"Sorry about that Nessie I didn't mean to startle you,"

"That's putting it mildly," I stated. "You almost gave me a freaking heart attack,"

"Anyway here's your phone," he pressed my iPhone into the palm of my hand and I gave him his Samsung back.

"So Nessie why don't we go grab some lunch or something,"

"I can't. I told you I'm-"

"Babysitting I know. They can come to. I just want to hang out with you. That's all,"

Jacob's complete and utter honesty both shocked and silenced me.

"Are you okay?"

I wanted to slap myself for acting so stupid around him.

"Yeah I'm just not used to being so straightforward,"

"Alright let me just go find those kids so we can checkout our books and get out of here,"

Eric had no problem leaving but his sister on the other hand was a completely different story. She was a major bookworm and was nowhere near done exploring the library. I almost had to drag that girl away from the books.

"Marie Dwyer if you don't come with me this instant I'm going to tell your parents and they will not be happy at all,"

She reluctantly left with me after that. I hated using threats but they usually worked.

"Who is that?" She asked when we saw Jacob.

"That's Jacob. He's a friend of mine. Jacob this is Marie and Eric. They're my neighbors,"

"Nice to meet you kids," Jacob said in a warm voice and shook their hands,

"So where are we going to eat I'm starving," Jacob asked.

"Oh McDonald's!" Eric said a little too excitedly.

"Not McDonald's again," argued Marie. "We just had that yesterday. What about pizza?"

"This can go on for awhile Jacob," I whispered to him. "They love arguing about food,"

Jacob laughed.

In the end we chose Panda Express.

"You know Nessie it would be such a shame to let the day end so early," Jacob said after sealing a mouthful of noodles. "Why don't we all go see a movie afterwards,"

"Yes!" The kids shouted at the same time in excitement. "Let's go see a movie please Nessie!"

"How can I say no when all three of you are ganged up against me?"

I laughed when Jacob high-fived they both afterwards. "Well there is a theater across the street. I don't even know what times the movies are playing at though,"

"Well luckily," Jake said as he pulled out his phone. "Smartphones exist,"

I rolled my eyes at his remarks. Then I laughed. Looking at Jacob as he looked at his phone I felt it again. That sense of familiarity. It was there in my subconscious brain somewhere. Floating just beneath the surface. Just out of reach barely.

Maybe I should just flat out ask him. But what if I'm wrong and I just end up looking stupid? God these questions are just going to drive me crazy. No matter what though I liked Jacob. We'd only known each other for a day but I felt happy with him around.

So we went to go see the next showing of Hotel Transylvania 3 since it was the only kid friendly movie that we could find.

After that Jacob still wanted hang out with us so decided to go to the park. We went home to pick up Lucky and a few other things. Lucky took an instant liking to Jacob. Which I found a little odd because he was normally only did that with other dogs. People he usually took a little longer to warm up to.

We went to the park and just played for a few hours. Mostly I just sat with Jacob while the kids played with Lucky.

"God it's so hot here," Jacob complained.

"Well this is Florida. One of the hottest and most humid states in the United States,"

"So you've lived here all your life?"

"What I can remember of my life anyway,"

"What do you mean?" he asked curiously.

"I was adopted when I was about five years old in Washington state. I don't remember my life prior to that,"

"At all?"

"Nope," I said. "I woke up in a hospital with amnesia. Doctor said I might regain my memories some day but as more time passes I'm starting to doubt it,"

So maybe Jacob hadn't seen the video then. If not he wouldn't have been so surprised when I said I was adopted.

"Hey Nessie why don't we go to my place for dinner?"

"You have a place already?"

"Well not exactly. My friend that called you earlier, Bella, well her family owns some property out here. Property that I've been allowed to use with their permission. So why don't you come over? Just for a little while?"

"Okay,"

"Really?"

"Yeah I mean it,"

I didn't know why I was agreeing to go to his place when I barely knew him but something deep down told me that Jacob was safe. That he wouldn't hurt me. Maybe it's stupid to think that. After all I've been assaulted by Michael King twice now and he practically insinuated that if we'd been somewhere more private last night that he would've raped me. Yet with Jacob I was going to willingly go somewhere private with him and kids?

I shuddered just thinking about Michael King. All of his remarks about how women are "for men's pleasure only," and how "they belong in the kitchen only," and just the general way he treated women. Like with all the catcalling and stuff. Or the way he's grabbed me twice in inappropriate places. I wouldn't doubt his capability of raping a woman.

Jacob was different. I felt certain about that. I could feel it in my bones that he was different.

I was left gobsmacked by the size of the house when we arrived. It was huge like a mansion and private. I would've never known it was there if Jacob hadn't shown me the way.

Jacob barbecued steak for all of us as we sat outside watching night beginning to fall. He even barbecued a piece of steak for Lucky. We just continued talking for I don't know how long until suddenly the doorbell rang.

"Sorry I forgot they were coming over. My friend and her family that is,"

"Oh they won't mind us being here will they?"

"Trust me Nessie they won't,"

I got up and followed Jacob in. I stood there in shock when several extremely beautiful people walked in. All with gold eyes and pale skin.

God eyes and pale skin...Just like what I mentioned in the video.

There was one girl in particular who looked at me like she was about to cry. The bronze haired boy next to her had a comforting arm around her. Though he too looked emotional.

There was something familiar about them both. Something extremely familiar. I could feel it. Bubbling beneath the surface.

Then just like that it hit me. Crashed down upon me like a ton of bricks.

"Mom? Dad?" My voice was shaky.

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