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Jennifer

Oh no. Grandma's bracelet is in my bag.

Mr. Reynolds caught up with my thoughts faster than expected as he grabbed my arm just in time when I was about to rush back to his car, “Where do you think you're going?” The front part of the car is catching flames but no one seems bothered by it, rather people are actually busy taking videos. Nooooooo.

“I need to get my things.” I cried out, harshly getting my hand out of his hold and threw the snake toy beside him. I put my Grandma's bracelet in the bag so it won't fall off my wrist. I need to retrieve it no matter what. I cannot lose it. The thought of it gone forever is terrifying.

That bracelet carries her love, makes me feel loved, even on days I couldn't bring me to love myself. Her unconditional love is alive in her bracelet.

“Are you crazy? It's not safe for you to go near—” Before he could finish, I practically ran towards his car. Once I was close to the car I covered my nose to avoid inhaling smoke. I could hear people screaming for me to move back but I ignored everyone.

The door handle was a little hot when I opened the back door, but to my dismay, everything was scattered so I threw away the stuffed toys out of the car first, then threw out snacks, clothes, jacket, his bag, before finally giving way for my bag which was crushed underneath it all. I threw it away at a safe distance before I pulled out the fire extinguisher next. I'm literally coughing from the smoke surrounding his car.

A bigger flame caught my attention on the other side of the car. I froze when I noticed Mr. Reynolds made his way towards me, barely reaching halfway, following me. He shouldn't come here. I signaled him to step back with my hand.

I did not waste any second in pulling out the pin of the fire extinguisher to unlock it, aim it straight at the fire, then squeeze the lever. Walter's teaching of how to property use it finally came in handy.

A few people had gathered to help me out with their fire extinguisher as well at the scene and I noticed a man trying to put down the flames on the other side of the car with the jacket.

My anxiety level went down along with the fire. When I was sure that everything was alright, my gaze immediately went to Mr. Reynolds who was hunched on the road breathing heavily. My eyes are in pain and his image is blurry.

“Jennifer,” he shouted to get my attention, which I believe he has been doing the entire time while I was too busy to dig out my bag from his burning car, “Come.” He called out pleadingly with his hand extended out in front for me to take. The pain is evident on his face. There must be internal injuries, I need to take him to the hospital.

I must be looking like a materialistic person to everyone who saw me getting my things out of the burning car.

Seriously, I should be taking him to the hospital first. However, I was stuck digging out the bracelet. I wonder if something is wrong with me. This can't be normal behaviour.

I said a quick thanks to the people who helped us before sprinting in his direction as fast as I could while shoving my bag protectively against my chest.

I instantly took his hand as soon as I was in front of him. He wrapped his fingers around my hand tightly as if to assure himself that I am still there.

As I looked back, I momentarily froze at the thought of what could have happened if I were even a second late to put out the flames or if people hadn't bothered to help me.

I made him stand up with difficulty, and took him far from his beloved car which is no longer in running condition. I really hope he has insurance.

I didn't dare look at him when we sat down on a bench at the side of the road. He seemed to have got the signal that I don't want to hear him nag about being such a careless human even though I proved to be a careless human not long ago.

For all I know, I have put his life in jeopardy as well. He followed me because I was stubborn enough to hold on to the memory of my dear Grandma. Now that I think about it, she must be mad at me right now for what I did without thinking about the consequences. Sorry, Grandma.

He opted to kill me with sarcasm, “Thank you for bringing out the expendable stuff toys and our bags safely.” I averted my eyes as I ignored his remarks, pulled open the bag and looked at the bracelet which was thankfully safe. But it makes my heart hurt more than him nagging me.

“‘You are impossible’, ‘You could've died’, ‘You have no survival instincts’, I know, I know. But I can't leave behind the last memory of my grandmother. I couldn't bring myself to lose the bracelet. All of that stuff was hindering me from reaching the bracelet so I threw them out.” I pulled out the bracelet from my bag and started to wear it on my wrist. He closed his eyes briefly trying to calm himself down.

He shook his head and I know that because I was focussing on his shadow on the ground while I struggled to clasp the bracelet in place. He pulled the bracelet out my hands and clasped it in place.

“We need to go to the hospital to get your check ups done. I'll ask someone to book a cab for us.”

He stood up from the bench, then sat down in front of me making my heart jump in my chest—as this moment seemed eerily similar to the one that happened back at the Adventure Park—not knowing what to do.

However I maintained a neutral expression and let him take hold of my hands, “Are you okay? How's your fever?” He gently squeezed my hands which made tears pool in my eyes.

I looked at the night sky to stop the tears from falling down. “Look at me.” I did after a few heartbeats. His eyes softened as he made circles on the back of my hands.

I started crying, I couldn't hold in my tears again. I could have lost him forever. The thought of never looking in those eyes makes me go insane. I never dreamt that someone could become so vital in my life that the thought of losing them would suffocate me more than the smoke.

I was fine with not crossing the line not long ago but now it seems like I have already crossed the line and I can't even see it anymore. Whatever it is, it feels right.

“I'm so sorry.” Now that I look back I realized that I might be the reason this happened as he was constantly checking up if I was okay & gave in to my demand to have a coffee here.

“Don't cry. It breaks my heart to see you like this.” He wiped away my tears with his thumbs, “It's not your fault. If it's anyone's fault then it's that reckless driver. I'm really thankful to the heavens that you weren't in the car with me. The thought of it makes me…” He didn't say anything, rather put his hand in his pants pocket to look for something.

Mr. Reynolds held out his hand with a keychain of a pink blushing octopus, “I wanted to give this to you earlier but your mood was not quite right so I pushed the timing of giving it to you,

“Actually, after the accident, I don't believe in handing gifts at the right time or speaking words at the perfect moment. So here,” he put the keychain in my palm, “I thought of you when I saw this keychain. I hope you like it.” His ears looked a little red or maybe I am imagining things after the accident.

I looked at it for a while. He gave me a present because he thought of me when he looked at it.

An octopus keychain?

Was I blushing when we were together?

Does he think that I look like an octopus?

Does he like me? Sure, as a student.

Why pink octopus though? Does he think that I would like pink since I am a girl? What a stereotypical thing to do. I don't like pink that much.

I clearly remember telling him that I like black. He doesn't remember that now, does he? Maybe they didn't have it in black. Oh wait, octopus do spill black ink when they are cornered and are in danger. Does that even mean something? Why would I be in danger? But I was in danger a few minutes ago.

My brain cells must have gone out for a few drinks, probably lost count of it and should be completely wasted by now. Clearly, I have lost it. I am being ridiculous.

My fever has officially taken over my thought process.

How should I react?

“If you don't like it then you know, you are not bound to accept it. You can throw it away. Trust me, I won't mind. After all, it's just a keychain anyway.” He looked a bit nervous but he covered it up with a smile.

I held his gaze, “It's cute, I love it.” Then I bent down so I was at a dangerously close proximity to him. He didn't mind though as he made no efforts to back away. I gently pushed his hair back from his forehead while he was looking at me intently. I pulled out my handkerchief from my skirt pocket to clean up his wound. He flinched a little but nodded for me to continue.

He noticed my bleeding hand and the concern was evident on his face. He pulled out his handkerchief and wrapped it around my hand.

“Are you okay?” I whispered, looking at his wound.

“Are you okay?” He repeated my words so I looked into his eyes only to find him looking at me with a look in his eyes which made my throat go dry. I nodded slowly as a result of being speechless.

It felt like he confessed something without even uttering a single word. He was the one who was in a car accident not me, he shouldn't be worrying about me at the moment.

“In that case, I'm okay as well.” He sighed and looked relieved. Then something happened which made me dumbstruck, he pulled me to him and wrapped his arms around me. I thought he would step away as soon as I finished cleaning his wound but here we are, he is hugging me.

Mr. Reynolds is holding me close to him in an EMBRACE. I hope it's not a dream.

A/N: What are your thoughts on this chapter? Let me know in the comments!

Do I smell love in the air?

Do you have something you'll risk your life for?

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Love,
Shizbliss