A/N: If you haven't already, you should really read my authors note.

Chapter 8

It was actually really simple when I thought about. I'd know, if not consciously, what I would do from the first day I met Jacob Parker. Form the first day he began teasing me, when he started talking to me, how he never disclaimed any of the rumors we were dating. How he went into the forest even though he was sure there was nothing there. The look in his eyes when he said he loved. All the facts were there, and the decision was already made.

I was completely and utterly in love with him.

"Are you okay?" We were on the road now, driving to the hospital. No matter what my revelation maybe, my ankle was still throbbing. In fact, as we walked up to the car, my ankle began to throb. The pain was awful; by the middle of the walk Jake was almost carrying me.

"I'm okay, my ankle just hurts." I replied, trying to keep the pain out of my voice. The effort was useless; everything about my voice was strained. Mostly, I was glad I could keep from crying as we drove on.

"I'm so sorry, Jess. We never should have gone into the forest."

"I was the one that asked you to go."

"But I knew there was nothing there." The entire time he was speaking his eyes were fixed on the road. However, I knew that he could tell I thought that was the wrong thing to say.

"So you're saying I was just making it all up?"

He sighed. "Can this please wait? I just want you to be okay before we talk about everything." This shut me up. His concern for me was actually really admirable; plus, I had a feeling everything meant more than just the yellow eyes in the forest.

The rest of the ride was utterly silent. I almost dozed off, but tried not to. If I had a concussion, which I doubted but still, I couldn't sleep. Finally after another twenty minutes Jake pulled up to the hospital. He swerved into the front with a quick stop, forcing me forward. My ankle hit the side and I couldn't help the loud gasp of pain that erupted from my lips.

"Oh shit; I'm so sorry, Jess. Just stay right there; I'll get help." I nodded, not allowing myself to speak; I was fairly certain if I spoke there would be tears.

Jake was back after only a few seconds, wheelchair in his hands and a nurse next to him. He gracefully swooped me into his arms, careful not to hit my damaged leg. The nurse muttered soothing words, but I didn't really process any of them; I didn't need to. It was the weirdest feeling; if Jake was there, I didn't need anyone to tell me I was going to be okay. I just knew I was.

It was odd also, because he didn't say one word to me until I was in the hospital room. The nurse had just left, and the doctor was coming before he said anything at all. Finally he added, "I don't like that every time I'm seeing you now it seems like you're in the hospital."

I shot him a look. "I'm completely overjoyed. Especially since my ankle feels like it's on freaking fire." He looked amused so I replied back in a hard tone, "What!"

"Wow, chill Jess. I was just going to say it's weird that a fifteen year old girl doesn't swear. No need to go ape woman on me."

"Ape woman?" I asked.

He looked away. "Your difficult, you know that."

"But you love me anyway." I meant the words to be slightly sarcastic and friendly. And I think they would have been if Jake hadn't just told me he really loved me not an hour ago. He continued to look away, so I started, "Jake..." I would have gone on but a nurse came into the room.

I waited for her to talk to me, but instead she turned to Jake. "I'm going to have to ask you to leave so Miss Parker can have her ankle x-rayed. We have to make sure she didn't break it."

Jake nodded at the nurse then turned to me, "I'll be waiting outside, okay."

"Thanks, and can you call my dad?" I asked nicely. Jake winced, I'm sure not wanting to call my dad, but nodded.

When he left the nurse smiled at me. "What a nice young man. He's a real keeper darling."

I smiled at her southern twang and wasn't afraid to admit she was right. "I think so."

The next hour or so was a blur. At some point a doctor came in to test my ankle. After about a half-hour of testing my reflexes and downing pain medicine, I had begun to feel better and honestly just wanted to talk to Jake again. But the doctor kept me in, having x-rays and talking to my dad on the phone.

After the hour was up, I found out that thankfully, my ankle wasn't broken. But it was sprained in two different places and I would have to wear crutches for the next week or two. Honestly, that sucked, but it was better than haven broken ankle all together.

The southern twang nurse came back in, her name was Annabel which I think suited her. "That boy is still out there; he's good to his word. Do you want me to let him in?"

"Yes please." I said too eagerly.

Annabel just smiled. "You're head over heels, girl. It's absolutely adorable." My cheeks flamed up and I tried to deny the fact, but I couldn't find the words. She was right; I was completely head over heels in love with him.

It was at that perfect moment that Jake walked in and I couldn't but admire him. He really was gorgeous. Tall, but not too ridiculously tall. With his messy dark blonde hair and glowing dark eyes, it was amazing that I'd ever had to consider if I loved him. That's really conceded; it's more than his looks, I thought to myself. Of course that was true; I wasn't the kind of girl to fall for someone purely on looks. No, it was that he could make me laugh when I was upset. He was always showing up at the right time and he could take care of me when he needed to.

Not to mention that he loved me too. "I wasn't sure if you liked Coke or Sprite, so I got both." I gazed at the Sprite bottle in his hand, looking for the Coke. "Except I kind of got thirsty and drank the Coke myself."

I didn't really like soda at all, but I certainly didn't like Coke. Except Jake didn't have to know that. "I only drink Coke."

He started to babble off apologizes, "I'll get you one; I'll be right back..."

"Jake, I was kidding; give me the soda." I said, gesturing to the unopened can of Sprite.

He mumbled something that closely resembled "itch" mockingly while handing me the soda. We sat in silence for a moment before I knew it was time. "Jake..."

At the same time I heard a girl's angry voice say, "Why do I keep finding you here with her?"

So... I'd love some comments or even some messages! It would seriously make my day!