Once we checked in to the hotel, the hot shower really made me feel better. I stood there for what seemed like an eternity, just letting the steaming water cascade down my back, hoping it would wash all of my cares away.

Once I finished, I wiped the now fogged mirror with my towel. It was time to get ready. After the day I had, going out to dinner with Jake was the perfect distraction I so desperately needed. Not thinking about the situation at home for a while sounded like a breath of fresh air.

Looking in the mirror, I was glad that I spent an entire afternoon with Jenny, deciding what I should bring for the weekend. She let me borrow an amazing outfit and I was excited to show it off to Jake. The dress was black, looked like a man's dress shirt, and I felt gorgeous in it. It had buttons all the way down the front and with the two top buttons undone; it showed just enough without giving it all away. Here in the South, we have a saying, "Leave a little to the imagination," and those are words to live by.

The sleeves rolled until they rested midway between my wrists and elbows. Off white peekaboo heels with ankle straps finished the outfit nicely. I decided to just let my hair hang loose and keep my make-up natural with a little glow on my cheeks. With a spray of perfume, I exited the bathroom, fully aware that Jake was probably tired of waiting on me. When I walked out, he just stared for a moment and finally let out what can only I can only describe as a "cat-call".

I gave him a little spin, and from the smile on his face, he approved. It wasn't long before he was taking my hand and leading me out of the hotel room. We exited right on River Street and I took a moment to breathe in the sights and sounds. The streets were full of party-goers and music spilled out from every bar we passed.

Jake led me to a restaurant that had two levels and was full of people. We made our way upstairs and in true Jake fashion; we passed the people waiting in line as they escorted us to a private table in the corner. He really had put some thought into our weekend. There was soft Jazz music playing, and it really created an intimate atmosphere. The food was delicious, and after we finished, Jake ordered a dessert for us to share. While we were waiting for it, he reached into his pocket and my heart stopped beating for a few seconds.

"Sky, I am so proud of you and everything you have accomplished, I just wanted to give you something to mark this moment," he said as he placed a box on the table. It was too big for a ring box. That made me breathe a little easier. It was silly to even let myself think it might be a ring, but what is a girl to think when a guy pulls a jewelry box out of his pocket?

"Go ahead, open it," he said.

Still nervous, I picked the box up and slowly opened it. No-one had ever bought me jewelry, not even my parents. I was holding in my hand not only jewelry but jewelry from Neil Lane. I slowly opened it to reveal what was hiding inside. A platinum necklace was in the box, with a heart dangling from it. This was no plain heart. It was hanging on its side with diamonds set in it. My mouth fell open, and I was struggling to find words.

Jake got up from his chair, walking around the table, and put the necklace on me while I lifted my hair for him. I remained silent during this entire exchange. When Jake returned to his seat, he looked at me for a moment and said, "It's beautiful but not as beautiful as you!"

"Thank you, it's gorgeous, no one has ever given me jewelry before."

Jake did not miss a beat, "Just another one of our first's," he said with a wink.

After dinner, we walked hand in hand down River Street, exploring every shop and spending a little too long in the candy shop. Who could blame us? That candy store was amazing, people were making taffy, there was ice cream and bin after bin of any candy you could imagine. You couldn't help but feel like a kid the moment you walked in the door.

When we left the store Jake pulled me toward the band. They were playing in the open air, right beside the river, their sound filling the air to the delight of drunken college kids everywhere. We literally danced for an hour straight, slow songs, fast songs, whatever they played, we danced. Eventually, we wore ourselves out and headed back to the hotel room. I loved that Jake snuck a kiss in the elevator but was a perfect gentleman when we went to sleep. He had the self-control of Superman and he was definitely my hero.

On the way home, we had plenty of time to talk. Jake asked me a million questions about college and my long-term plans. I told him about how I had applied for a position in the college office for spending money. It would be great because I would still have nights and weekends available and gain some real-world work experience at the same time. After he grilled me for a while I thought it was time to turn the tables.

"Jake, have you decided what you are doing for college?" He let out a sigh. I could tell that while he was content talking about my plans, he preferred to keep his closely guarded. That wasn't flying with me, if he got to dig so did I. "You literally know EVERYTHING about me, tell me what is going on with you." More hesitation followed and then he finally opened up.

"I submitted applications to all the Ivy League schools my parents insist I attend."

"And, have you received any acceptance letters yet?"

"Yeah," he said, just staring straight ahead. He seemed about as excited as he does when he is brushing his teeth in the morning.

"Well, don't keep me in suspense, which one did you get in?"

"Harvard," he replied.

I was in shock. Not that I didn't think he could do it, but he was acting like getting into Harvard is about as important as taking out the trash.

"Jake, you got into Harvard, are you kidding me?"

"I am also still being recruited by Georgia and I have to give them an answer soon or I will lose my opportunity," he revealed.

"Have you told your parents yet?"

"No, I have tried but each time I do, I just chicken out," he honestly admitted.

"You will have to tell them if you have any chance of going to UGA and playing ball."

"Easier said than done, Sky," was all he said.

After Jake dropped me off, I headed inside. I dropped my bag off in my bedroom and headed to the kitchen for a drink. When I entered the kitchen, I couldn't help but notice the stack of bills on the table. I picked them up to look through them and saw that each had a PAST DUE or FINAL NOTICE stamped on it. These weren't just doctor bills or credit cards, they were the light bill, the phone bill, necessities. I heard dad walking toward the kitchen and put them back down, pretending like I wasn't looking at them.

"Sky" I heard him call out as he entered the room.

"Yeah dad," I replied, turning to look at him. His eyes glanced at my hand, and the visible bandages, and then he spoke.

"Look, I just want you to know that I called her and told her to never come back here," he said to my shock. Dad had never acknowledged or spoke of what went on in our house and I wasn't sure why he had a sudden change of heart.

"Do you think she will listen to you?"

"I told her if she did I would have her arrested," he replied. And with that, he left the kitchen and headed to his room. I was not sure what was happening, but it felt kind of good that he finally stuck up for me, even if it was after she beat the crap out of me.

I spent the rest of the afternoon thinking about my amazing weekend with Jake. I had to call Jenny and tell her everything, and she literally squealed when I told her about the necklace.

The next morning Jenny and I headed to school and soon fell into our new normal. Tag was waiting for us at the lockers with Jake in tow. Jake was standing behind him, trying his best to look uninterested and keep his eyes off of me. 
I was finding this game we were playing amusing. It was getting harder and harder for him to hide his feelings and I was secretly enjoying it.

Jenny and Tag began chatting about the weekend as we headed to our first classes. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her approaching. Jasmine Davidson was one of the "beautiful ones." She was tall, blond, and gorgeous. Every guy in school tripped over themselves to be next to her, but as far as I knew she had never set her sights on Jake. They were casual friends, and no doubt interacted at parties, but that was all I was aware of. She strolled right up to our entire group, stopping just in front of us.

"Jake, where have you been, I haven't seen you in ages," she said as she gave him a hug. It did not escape me she kept her hand on his arm after she released him. Jake looked at me and then back at her nervously.

"I've been around," he flatly replied.

I couldn't peel my eyes off of them. How could I? She was standing right in front of me, with her hands all over my man. Jake saw my eyes glued to her hand resting on his arm and looked at me with pleading eyes. He was pleading with me without saying a word, asking me to be patient with this situation, with our entire relationship that was being put to the test at that very moment. Jasmine noticed the way we were looking at each other and wasted no time digging in.

"What are you looking at THAT girl for? I mean really Jake, she is a nobody," she said with disdain in her voice.

She looked at me as if I had a third head or something. Jake shot me a quick glance, and then stared at the floor, not responding to her. She read that clue loud and clear.

"Are you kidding me? You're actually into this girl, aren't you? I mean really Jake, there are hot girls everywhere, no need to go slumming," she spewed.

Jake rubbed his forehead, the strain of what was unfolding written all over his face. I stared directly at him, waiting for him to say the right thing, to say anything, but he didn't. The entire group waited in anticipation, but I was tired of waiting. I had seen all that I needed to see.

I started walking down the hall, as fast as my legs would carry me. I told him I would be his secret if that was the only way I could have him, but this was more than I could take. He had fought for me and saved me, but couldn't do something as simple as acknowledge me in front of his so-called friends. I was done.




*****

A/N

So what do you think? Is Sky really done? Thanks for reading and please remember to vote if you enjoyed this chapter.