21

                                    

                                          
Sarah pov
                          
- I've had enough of you! All you do is complain all the time, you only want me to buy you something and you don't understand that I have no money because Brendon fired me! - Jake yells at me and a terrified Killua hides behind the couch.
- I understand, but you're not giving me the luxury I deserve. I miss my weekly spa with friends, new shoes, handbags, dresses.... Life doesn't just revolve around you, Jake! - I say.
- Yeah, right! If you want to live in luxury, go to work and earn money for yourself! I still have Killua to support. Besides, I want to go back to my girlfriend in Portland when I make more money. - he adds.
- What?! She's still your girlfriend?! - I get up off the couch.
- Yes, I love her and we're planning to get married after I finish shooting Ryan's video. - he says it like nothing happened.
- But... But... What about us, Jake? Don't tell me this was all about sex! - I look him straight in the eye.
I have sadness mixed with anger.
- Sorry Sarah, but yes. Which normal guy could go that long without sex, being a few hundred miles away from his chosen one? I beg you, a good cat will not die with one hole. - He answers.
- I hate you Jake! - I grab the phone from the coffee table and run out of the house.
Crying, I run ahead without even looking where. At some point I hear a loud horn, so I stop.
- Watch out or you'll get hit! - yells a man leaning out of his luxury car, which has stopped just a meter in front of me.
- Sorry! - I say and want to move on, but my heel breaks and I fall down.
The man gets out of the car and helps me up.
- Are you all right? - he asks, taking off my shoe.
- No, but I think it's just a sprained ankle. - I answer, pointing to my swollen ankle.
- Let me help you. - He takes out a first aid kit from the car and stabilizes my leg. - Do you need a lift somewhere? No problem...
- I'll be fine, thank you. - I try to get up and walk by myself, but my leg hurts like hell.
- Maybe you need it? - the man grabs me around the waist so that I don't fall down.
- All right. - I smile at him and get in the car. Although it seems irresponsible to get into a car with a strange man, I give him the address to Kala and we set off.
- Here - he hands me a tissue. I glance at him confused. - Your make-up is smudged. - He adds after a moment.
- Right, thanks. - I open the mirror and wipe the mascara smudges off my cheeks.
- The fight with your boyfriend? - he asks.
- None of your business. - I retort and look at my phone.
No message from Jake. So it's true after all. He never loved me.
- Maybe not mine business, but a beautiful lady like that shouldn't be sad... - he says.
- Really, it's nothing. Just a bad day. - I glance at my phone again.
- I'm Dan, by the way. - He says and turns to face me.
- Sarah - I reply, forcing a slight smile. - You better focus on the road.
- I'm supposed to focus on the road? Who almost got run over just a while ago? - he says back.
I am ashamed. I'm a total idiot. I could've ruined this guy's life because of my problems.
The fact that Jake cheated on me shouldn't reflect on others, especially strangers. I remember when it all started...
                          
It was another autumn day. Jake came over to Brendon's for the 24 hour charity livestream. It was late and Chams was tired. I suggested he can sleep over at our place, because why should he go somewhere to spend the night and then come again for the livestream. Knowing that Brendon would be spending all night playing Fortnite at Urielectric, I shared the bed to Jake. Once we were lying face to face, Chams started talking. I told him that Bren didn't have time for me and that he still had feelings for Ryan and was probably seeing him and everything. And suddenly Jake kissed me. Just that... Then we pretended like nothing happened. Chams would come over sometimes just to talk and it wasn't until after a few of those meetings that we went any further. B was at Josh and Debby's and we drank too much that night and ended up in bed together. We decided that morning that we both needed it - me being neglected by my husband, him being alone in California. We hid our affair and it worked out pretty well. Jake got himself a small apartment, opened an ad agency with his buddies, and partnered with some bigger brands. He'd give me the missing feeling, I'd sponsor him with new skins and weapons for Fortnite or some new clothes with Bden's money. It all came out when Brendon unannounced visited Jake. It's a fact, I was careless opening the door at Jake's apartment, wrapped only in a sheet, but I didn't expect him there. We made the decision to divorce then. I spent two weeks at my parents' house and when my father became unbearable, I moved to Chams and things were going well, at least I thought so. Jake was grabbing every job he could to provide me with a life in luxury, but his frustration was becoming unbearable. We started arguing more and more. Then I found out he had become a photographer for Ryan Ross. I thought things would work out in the end, but because of Ryan there were even more arguments. I tried to fix it somehow, but as it turned out this morning, Jake never cared about me. I was disappointed once again. These guys are all the same. Cheeky, emotionless and selfish. And there's only one thing on their minds. Failure!
                          
- - -
                          
- Thanks for the ride! - I say and get out of Dan's car.
- Here, this is my number. If you ever need anything, just call me. - hands me a card.
- Thanks! - I thanks again and close the car door.
As I walk onto the Hall's property, I can feel his gaze on me the whole time. It's not until Kala opens the door for me that Dan drives away.
- Oh, Sarah! I wasn't expecting you! - she hugs me and lets me in.
- If it's a problem, I can come over later... - I say, putting my shoes down at the entrance. Actually one and the other in pieces.
- No problem at all. Zack went on tour with Panic! yesterday, so I'm alone and it's nice to have your company now. Yoga, home spa... A girls' day out? - Kala suggests.
- Why not, but I'll skip the yoga. I'm not feeling well today and I think I twisted my ankle. - I say, limping to the couch.
- Poor you... But I know what will help you! - She claps her hands and after a while comes back with a cold compress. - Give me your leg, put it higher here, and oh... - she applies the compress and the pleasant coldness immediately begins to ease the pain.
- Thank you - I smile sincerely at her.
- You're welcome. What are you doing in California anyway? I thought you were in Detroit with your parents... - she looks at me.
- I was and I just got back. I still have a few things to do. Besides, how could I live away from my best friend...? - I explain.
- It's great that you're here. Are you staying long? - she asks.
- I think permanently. I am looking for a cheap apartment in the neighborhood. - I answer truthfully.
- That would be great. - Kala claps her hands. - I'll make some herbal tea and you can tell me what kind of a handsome man brought you here today... - starts the subject.
- It is Dan. I met him recently. - I answer. That's all I can tell her.
- Better than Jake, huh? - she asks.
Just thinking about Jake makes me sad.
- Me and Jake had a fight. He's going back to Portland. - I confess.
- Is that why you're looking for an apartment? - she says, limping into the kitchen.
- Yeah. - I admit. - But don't worry about me. I'll be fine. - I send her another smile.
                          
- - -
                          
I return to Chams' apartment late at night. In front of the door I find my suitcases and a piece of paper. I pick it up, unfold it and begin to read it.
                          
Sarah, this couldn't have worked.
I'm sorry that I lied to you and gave you false hope.
I put out your luggage because I don't feel ready to meet you face to face. I hope you will understand.
Please don't hold a grudge against me. Let's just move forward, but each in their own way.
I wish you the best,
Jake
                          
I take a deep breath and sit down on the stairs. I think I walked too much with my sprained ankle, because it hurts even more than before.
I pull out my phone and wonder who to call. I remind myself of a business card from Dan. I hesitate a moment before I take it out of my pocket and dial the number. A moment later I hear his voice in the receiver.
- 'I knew you'd call, Sarah...'