My Best Friend's Boyfriend - Leezy Mike (best books for 8th graders .txt) 📗

Jenna. I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings." I felt his strong arms held me as I cried unashamedly against his shirt. He apologized again and again and I cried some more. Why did I have to be such a crybaby? He helped me but I treated him like a trash. I shouted at him.

If my poor heart didn't break like this, I would have treat him nicely. But being in this town hurt and seeing him again hurt even more. Why oh why did I have a crush on Jake? We were only twelve when I had that stupid crush. He was really cute, with charming dimples and tousled dark hair. He'd been like a big brother although we're the same age. He would punch and kick whoever bullied me at school. Then senior year rolled in and I found out he was dating Nadine. My fragile heart crashed to thousand pieces. Every time I saw them embraced and kissed, I felt like I'm dying day after day. I distanced myself, too hurt and too distress to watch their acts of passion. Tears and loneliness had become my faithful companions as I detached myself from society and hid in my bedroom, drowning in my sorrow.

Then prom night came and it was a night I would never forget as long as I breathed. Peter was supposed to be my date that night but he was too busy ogling Nadine that he deserted me. I sat at the table like an idiot and trying hard not to cry. The night was a disaster and I felt miserable. "Dance with me." I looked up and saw Jake standing in front of me, offering his hand. I hesitated because I didn't want Nadine to be upset with me. He smiled and assured me that she wouldn't mind. So I accepted his hand and he led me to the dance floor. The fast number ended and Shania Twain's love song filled the hall. I hesitated again and stared at Nadine who was busy talking to Peter. I looked back at Jake. Again, he smiled. Then he took my hands and put them on his shoulders. Slowly and gently, he put his hands on my waist. I felt heat crept up my neck and cheeks. We danced and gazed at each other. There was something I couldn't put my finger on as he gazed at me. Something flashed in his eyes but I couldn't guess what it was. I fought back tears as I looked up at him. Knowing he'll never knows about what I really feel about him choked me and at that exact moment, I knew I had fallen in love with Jake Wilson. Then he started to lean forward as if wanted to say something when the song suddenly ended. He raised his head and his face went red. I didn't need to turn around to guess what he was seeing. I knew Nadine was staring at us. Maybe even fuming at him for daring to ask me to dance with him. I excused myself and left the dance floor. After I went out the hall, I took off my strappy high heels and ran all the way home as tears rolled down my cheeks.

My feet ached when I got home. Luckily, Aunt May and Uncle Bill were visiting relatives for a few days. I certainly didn't want them to see how miserable I was. I unlocked the front door and ran into my room. I threw myself on the bed, crying my heart out. I promised to leave this town after graduation. I couldn't possibly smiled at Nadine or Jake and acted as if nothing was wrong because everything was wrong and my heart was breaking more and more each day. A day after graduation, I left and didn't look back. Nadine called often but I made a lot of excuses not to talk longer because talking to her depressed me. I didn't want her to tell me about her happily ever after with Jake. After graduated from college, I became a journalist and traveled a lot. I was constantly moving from state to state covering stories and eventually forgotten about the small town where I grew up. Until one day Aunt May called and told me about Uncle Bill's death.

CHAPTER 6: JAKE

I held Jenna as long as I could. I never saw her cry before. Except maybe when we're kids. But growing up, I never ever saw her shed a tear before until tonight. Maybe she wasn't as tough as I believe. Listening to her cries tore at my heart. She was a vulnerable woman. Losing her mother and father at a young age enough to break anyone but she remained strong. I thought I would never see her again until the early morning Charlie crashed into her in the park. Then a few hours ago at the diner and now here. I must have done something right because God delivered her right next door to my house.

I heard her sniffed then she raised her head. "Sorry," she mumbled. I shrugged and smiled. "That's okay," I said as I ran my right hand through my hair. Why did I feel nervous all of a sudden? "Thank you for coming so fast," she murmured and I shrugged again. Why did I keep shrugging like an idiot? This is Jenna for God sake! An old friend and the woman that could make me tremble for no reason at all. "I heard your loud scream and came to investigate," I answered. She nodded then, "You must live nearby to be able to heard my scream." I looked at her and noticed that she was talking gently to me. Was she trying to be nice to me now? "I live right next door," I told her. "It's closer to the diner too so I wouldn't have to drive there every day." I got up and Charlie stood next to me. "Well...we'd better get going." She stared at me and smiled. My heart slammed hard against my ribcage. Damn! "Thank you, Jake," she said and I nodded. "Come on, Charlie. Let's go."

I closed the door behind me. My legs suddenly felt wobbly and my heart hammered wildly against my ribcage. That prom night, I felt the same thing. What the hell happened to me? Why do I have to felt like this toward my own friend? I remembered the electrical shivers that traveled all over my body as I cradled her in my arms just a few hours ago. I'd never felt like this before, not even with Nadine. Why was it different with Jenna? She made me confused for years. I sat down on the couch and put my elbows on my knees with a heavy sigh.

Nadine and I broke up that prom night. We parted ways nicely of course. I remembered she walked up to me after Jenna excused herself to go to the ladies' room. I prepared myself for the attack. Instead she glared at me and shook her head. "You're a fool, Jake Wilson!" she scolded. "What's that supposed to mean?" I asked, clearly confused. "Why in the world did you date me when it's clearly Jenna that you always wanted?" I froze. I expected her to be mad, maybe even screaming at me for dancing with Jenna but not this. "She's my best friend, Nadine," I said frowning. "I love her like a sister." Nadine planted her hands on her hips and glared at me. "Bull and you know that! Your head maybe stupid but your heart knows better. You don't love her like a sister. And I know Jenna loves you too even though she never said a word about it," she said as she jabbed at my chest with her finger. "She does?" I asked stupidly. She rolled her eyes and groaned. "Are you that blind, Jake? Why do you think she distanced herself? Why did she avoided you in the school hallway?"

She let out a heavy sigh and looked up at me. "Do you know what I saw on the dance floor a few minutes ago?" she asked softly. I shook my head. "You and Jenna gazing into each other's eyes as you two moved to the music together. I saw a stunning pair that are in love with each other but didn't know about it. You and Jenna looked perfect together. I know you never love me, Jake. I can see it in your eyes. Why did you waste your time dating the girl you didn't love is beyond me."

I pondered over her words. "You're not mad at me?" I asked and she giggled in amusement. "Hell no! I don't love you too. I agreed to date you because you're the hottest boy in school and it could help with my reputation," she answered. "Go find her, Jake. And Mr. Wilson? As of tonight, you're a free boy." I finally smiled and patted her hand. "Thank you," I murmured then made my way toward the ladies' room. I waited right outside the door when the door suddenly open and Gina stepped out. "Jenna?" she asked in confusion when I asked her to call Jenna for me. "She's not inside, Jake. I saw her left the hall just a few minutes ago. What's going on? She looked terribly upset." I wanted to banged my head against the wall. She left? "Where did she go?" I asked. She shook her head gently. "I honestly don't know, Jake," she replied. With my heart slamming so hard against my ribcage like a jackhammer, I thanked Gina and sprinted toward the front door.

"Jenna!" I shouted as I ran outside. I searched all over the place with no luck. I almost went crazy with panic. Finally I reached the big tree where I always waited for Jenna and slumped on the ground. Where the hell was she? Why did she left? As I sat there feeling helpless and confused, something caught my eyes. I got up and walked toward the parking lot. I picked it up and stared at it when a realization hit me. It was one of Jenna's strappy high heel shoes. Where was the other one? I swung around but saw nothing. I stared at the shoe again. Trying hard as I could, I failed to stop the tears from falling down my cheeks. Who said boys don't cry?

The next day, I went to her house. "Good morning Aunt May," I greeted Jenna's aunt as she watered the flowers. "Why good morning young Jake! What can I do for you?" she greeted back and smiled. "Is Jenna home? I want to see her," I said. She suddenly frowned and shook her head gently. "Not today dear. Jenna was acting weird. She locked herself in her room and she sure looked like hell. Her feet are badly blistered too. What in God's name happened to that girl, Jake?" I flinched slightly. "I wish I knew," I murmured. She offered to make me a mug of hot chocolate but I declined, telling her my dad wanted me to help him wash his car. I walked toward my car, slid inside and sighed heavily. I stared at