7. TURBULENCE

"You what?" She asked.

"I don't know Alex, everything about him just pulls me in. He has always been so sweet and kind to me, the way he helped at my most vulnerable moment, and carried me back to bed, every single thing reminds me of him, of all those little moments we have spent with each other. Every single touch, every single conversation, and for the first time, he is not with me, at the place where I usually spend time with him and I am missing him so much." I said, with a deep, sad sigh.

"Wow...if you love him so much, then why don't you go and meet him, sort this out?" She asked.

"I don't think I deserve someone like him, Alex, he is way too good for me." I said.

"I think the both of you deserve each other, he loves you too, you know. Just please talk this out and get married." She said.

I started laughing and it felt good.

"And tomorrow after school is booked for us. And, please go and meet him after school today?" She asked.

"Okay, I will try." I said.

After school, I directly went over to Jake's house, he opened the door, his hair was messy, and he wasn't wearing a shirt.

"Jake?" I said, looking at him.

"Look who decided to show up." He said, looking at me angrily.

"Jake, I am sorry, I wasn't in my right mind when I said all that, please give me a chance to explain myself." I said.

"Just come inside first." He said.

I step in and look at him, "Can you wear a shirt, please?"

"Just say whatever you came to say Hannah." He said.

"Can you stop using that tone with me?" I asked.

"No, I mean, what do you want me to do Hannah?" He said, angrily.

"Nothing, don't do anything. I am the idiot who did the mistake of coming here and say that I love you..." I said, my voice a whisper.

I walked out slamming the door behind me, with a long bang. I walked straight home after that. I took out my books and started studying, I didn't want to think about him right now. I think we both need a break from each other.

When I looked after doing my homework and making notes, it was already night, I heard the door unlock and it was my Mom.

"You brought cake?" I asked.

"Don't get all greedy, you are not allowed to cut it until midnight. Now come and help me with dinner."

"Sure mom." I said, ready to do anything to distract myself.

After cutting the cake at midnight, I went to sleep in my room, while quietly crying to myself. I woke up, feeling exhausted. I change into a the new dress that my Mom had gifted me, It was yellow in color and was just a little above my knee, the sleeves were till my elbow. I did a little make-up and kept my hair open.

Then I step out and saw Jake and Alex, my eyes shifted back to Jake, he kept on looking at me as he descended down the stairs. I forgot all about my anger on him, he was looking at me, with his favorite smile.

Alex hugged me tightly as she whispered, "A very happy birthday my dear bestie. I love you lots."

Then Jake came and looked at me, we just stood there, in silence looking at each other, Alex and my Mom decided to give us some privacy.

"Happy birthday Hannah. I am sorry for yesterday, I love you...I have always been in love with you. You are so strong despite of everything, at that point of time you allowed yourself to be vulnerable in front of me." He said as he steps closer to me, and kissed my forehead.

I closed my eyes as soon as his lips touched my forehead, and then he leaned forward kissed my lips gently, as both of his hands cupped my face, and I melted in his kiss.

"You look so beautiful." He said, as he gently pats the side of my head.

"Let's go before we are late." I said, blushing.

After reaching school, I saw that my classmates and some friends have decorated my locker. with a few balloons and a big birthday card, with everyone's wishes, and love. I opened the locker with tears in my eyes, and I saw so many chocolates and small gifts lying there. I wipe my tears and turn to thank them. They were standing in a circle and they started singing the birthday song to me, I was so touched honestly, and then They gave me a group hug.

"You all planned this down, didn't you?" I asked.

"Of course...you don't turn eighteen everyday." Alex said.

I noticed that for some reason Jake was very silent, he looked as if something was eating him up. But I choose to ignore it and maybe talk about to him, regarding this when we were alone. During lunch the three of us sat together and were enjoying our food, and Alex was fighting, in a joking manner, that Jake cannot come because it's a girl thing.

I heard someone clear their throat, it was Nancy Waters. We weren't that close to each other, but often smiled at each other whenever our paths crossed.

"Can I talk to you, Hannah, please?" She said, looking anxious.

"No, we are busy." Jake said, before I could reply.

"I want to talk to her, not you." She said, getting angry.

"How dare you talk to me, like that?" He asked.

"Jake, stop. What's going on Nancy?" I asked.

"Jake didn't tell you, did he?" She asked, her eyes getting teary.

"Can you-" Jake started saying, but I interrupted.

"Jake, can you shut up for a minute?" I half-shouted.

Everyone in the cafeteria became quite, and was looking at our table.

"Jake and I slept together, that's why he was not picking up your call." She said.

"No, you're lying, she is lying right, Jake?" I asked, my voice shaking.

Jake stands up and hold my hand, he looked guilty.

"Hannah, it was a mistake..." He said.

I pulled my hand and slapped him, gritting my teeth, to stop myself from crying. I didn't like to cry in front of people, but this time my tears betrayed as they just started feeling.

Nancy said, "It was a mistake, he thought I was you, he even repeated your name so many times."

I scoffed, and replied, "SO WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO? FORGIVE HIM, BECAUSE HE SAID NAME WHILE HE WAS TOUCHING YOU?"

She stepped back scared, and Jake looked at me, with guilt written all over his face. I took the juice glass and threw all the juice on him.

"Thank you for such an excellent birthday gift Jake. This is the best birthday I have gotten in years. You made my birthday a thousand times better, you asshole." I said, loud enough for everyone to hear.