Chapter 8 (Jasmine)

I walked home with my hand in his which has been our routine for the past weeks. Next week is the beginning of our final exam and I was the definition of worried and with the things that have been going on lately keeping calm was not easy.

Today I held his hand tighter. I still couldn't get what happened after school out of my head. We (Jared and I) were asked go home early since our exam started next week the teachers gave us time to revise. I stood at the gate and bid Priscilla goodbye as always just as I was about to walk back into the school someone held my hand and started to pull me towards a car across the road.

I tried to resist but I wasn't strong enough so I did the only thing that came into my mind. I screamed Jared's name and like magic he actually appeared. The man seeing Jared heading towards us let go of me and sat in the car and drove away. Jared calmed me down and that's how we ended up here walking home with my hand gripping his like my life depended on it.

When we got to my house he turned to me, "Don't be scared okay. He's gone he won't hurt you". He smiled and opened his arms for me to walk into the hug and I did I needed it right now. " Don't worry I'll always be there for you okay" he placed his chin on my head as I held in the urge to cry. After a while he pulled me back and looked into my eyes," Okay now go inside and prepare for our lesson later.

I want my teacher refreshed and calm when I come over. Can you do that for me princess?" I nodded not really sure if I actually could. Since the principal asked me to teach him some weeks ago, Jared always comes over at four pm I teach him until it's time for supper then we do another hour after that before he goes home.

Apparently Jared's parents are never at home so he kind of lives alone. My mom decided that since he didn't live so far he can always stay for supper which is what he has been doing for a while now.

I walked up to the door while Jared stood by watching me until I entered then he turned and walked in the direction of his house. I walked in and met my mom sitting on the kitchen stool but she didn't notice me. The whole of this week she seemed off. She gets startled by the least thing and she seemed more protective than usual and she kept zoning out. I walked to her and tapped her. She shook and after realizing it was me she calmed down.

"Oh, Jasmine how was school?" she asked trying to hide her worried look but I wasn't fooled, "It was good". She looked like she had a lot on her plate I didn't want to add more so I didn't tell her about what happened at school. I walked to my room and after resting for a while I took my bath and changed into a large shirt and shorts. The shorts were literally covered by the shirt but I just wore it to feel comfortable. I fell on my bed and woke up and hour later when my mom called me that Jared had come.

I immediately jumped off the bed and walked clumsily to the living room where Jared waited. "Hey" I said as I bounced in the couch. "Hello, I see you're better now" he smiled and ruffled my hair which I quickly slapped away, "Never do that again" I said and glared at him. Some might say I'm being too trusting with Jared and all but he hasn't given me a reason to doubt him and after today I feel indebted to him even more.

He looked at me with a shocked expression and I and I looked back at him with the same expression before we both burst out laughing. We calmed down a while later and I went into the kitchen to see if I could get some snacks before we began but I met her sitting at the counter again with her fist supporting her chin.

She was cooking something and I could smell it burning so I tapped her. She jumped again and looked at me with an angry expression. "What do you want this time Jasmine?" she yelled and I flinched. I was taken aback and a little scared this was the first time my mom acted like this. She was usually calm.

I cleared my throat and moved back a little before speaking, "Um..um... I just w.. wanted to tell you that the food is burning" I stuttered hoping she won't get mad at me. She immediately ran to the fire after realizing what I was saying. " Um..mom" I called again walking right behind her, " What!" she sounded irritated like I was bothering her but I still had to do this, "um..is everything okay? It's just that..." "I'm fine" she cut me off harshly, "Now would you leave me alone or do you have something else to say?" she said without even looking at me. I gripped the hem of my shirt as I tried to hold back my tears, "sorry" I whispered in a small voice and left.

Jared was on a call when I went back to the living room. I stood there and when he realized I was back he ended the call. "So where are the snacks?" he gave me a questioning look, "Forget it let's go", I said and headed for my room.

"Wait, Jasmine where are we going and why do you look like that" I held on tighter to the shirt and managed to raise my head to look him in the eyes," We'll learn in my room come on" I turned and walked to my room and he followed without any questions. I held the door for him and closed it a little too hard, I just couldn't get my mother's behavior out of my head. Why did she yell? Am I really that much of a nuisance? I didn't get it.

I didn't realize I was crying until Jared came to me, "What happened princess? Tell me" I shook my head. He tried prying my hands from my shirt but I flinched and went back. My back hit the door. " D.. don't come near me" I was literally panicking at the moment. What if my mom didn't love me anymore or she just got tired of me being so scared of everything?

Jared walked up to me again and lifted my head. "Jasmine what happened? Why are you crying?" he tried to make me look at him but I just couldn't. What if he got tired of me too? I don't know what came over me. I immediately hugged him and held on tight, "Please don't get angry at me. I promise I'll try to be strong" I cried as he hugged me and lightly ran his hand through my hair, "I won't get angry at you princess. How can I when you've done nothing wrong?" he said I raised my head and looked at him.

"Do you promise?", "I promise" he said immediately "Please stop crying" he said with a pout and I smiled at his cute face, "You're cute you know" I said after I calmed down he frowned and looked at me, "Not cute princess, handsome. I'm hot and handsome not cute". "Whatever" I moved to my study desk to grab my books and glasses and tissue to wipe my tears. "Nice attitude" he replied and opened his bag to take his books.

I sat on the my bed and we continued as if nothing happened. He didn't ask me about it and I was not ready to talk about it. We continued learning till my mom called us to eat then I became scared again. What if she gets mad at me and yells again? Jared seemed to have noticed how stiff I had got when my mum called. He has a very sharp eye. "Don't worry I'll be there with you everything will be fine. Let's go" I looked up from my book and his smiley face calmed me down. I nodded and got up and we went to eat.

My mom called me to the kitchen when we got to the dining room. She wanted to apologize she cupped my cheeks, "Jasmine baby I'm very sorry. I didn't mean to yell at you. I just have a lot going on right now I can't really think straight" she said and kissed my forehead, "Do you forgive me?" She looked into my eyes and I nodded. "No I want to hear you say it" she said, "I forgive you. I'm also sorry for being too demanding" I apologized but she stopped me.

"I'm here to fulfill your demands. You're my daughter who else would you ask?" she asked and I hugged her. I'm glad she's not mad at me. " Okay now let's not keep your friend waiting. Help me carry the food to the table. I was all smiles as I sat beside Jared after placing the food down, "Everything good?" I smiled and nodded "Yeah" I said.

We were still smiling at each other when my mom came in with the rest of the food. She looked between the two of us and smiled before sitting to eat. We ate in a comfortable silence since my mom was strict with her 'no talking at the table' rule. I washed the dishes with Jared afterwards and we decided to go back to learning. I was done with what I was to teach in no time and we had about half an hour before he left. Jared was a very smart student almost like he already knew what I was teaching him.

I took off my glasses and walked to the window to make sure it was locked. This became my new routine after the dream I had of him coming in through the window. "Don't you feel hot why not leave it opened then close it when you're about to sleep?" Jared suggested from behind me.

"No I like it this way and I don't want to forget" I answered a little too quickly. I turned around and went to lie beside him on my bed. "So what should we do now?" I asked I didn't want him to leave yet. "You could massage me" he said and I sat up, "Okay" I responded. He looked at me as if I had grown and extra head. I sat on my knees and hit his stomach which was weirdly strong like he worked out a lot.

"Turn over lazy" I said and he did. "You know I was joking right?" "So do you want me to stop?" I asked and he shook his head, "Don't let me stop you princess" he said with a laugh. While I massaged his shoulder he kept teasing me on how small my hands felt on his back. " Princess" he called I guess I've kind of grown accustomed to the name he refused to stop calling me.

"Hmm" I responded a little too engrossed in the massage I was giving, "Did you tell your mom about what happened at school today?" I went silent immediately and he turned to look at me" I shook my head. " Why?" He asked again " I just didn't want to disturb her" I said without looking at him. " Now stay still let me finish" I said trying to change the subject and he did after I hit his head. He laughed and lay back down as I repositioned myself and continued with his massage. Today had been a really bad day for me if you think about it but Jared being there made it bearable and even a little happy I guess.

I'm still worried about my mum though why did she act the way she did and what's making her so worried?