3 11:34

We eventually stopped at a 24 hour Panda Express, where the crowds were less dense. We got ourselves two orders of fried rice and black pepper chicken and two cans of Dr. Pepper to go with it. Jacob suggested we eat in the car where it was warmer.

"So what are you going to do now?"

I turn to Jacob, my face covered with confusion. There's rice on my chin and Jacob eyes it weirdly. I blush slightly before turning away and brushing them off. Then I give my attention to him.

"Pardon?"

"I mean, where are you going to go now, what are your plans?"

"My plans. . ." I trail off, realizing I have no plans. I don't even have anywhere to go right now.

My head starts racing. I can't go back home, I left right after my mother and I had a huge argument. We were standing in the kitchen, my dad had just gotten home and found my mother and I glaring at each other.

"What's going on here?" Your dad asked, furrowing his eyebrows.

Your chest was heaving up and down. You were begging yourself not to shed your tears again. Your hair was a mess, the bags under your eyes were prominent, these days you haven't been getting much sleep.

"Talk to your child, she makes everything about her!" Your mother's voice booms across the kitchen.

"Jane, calm do-"

"Me?!" You protest, "How can I make everything about me, when it's all already about you! You're the only one who's in pain, you're the only one who lost someone you loved! I can't live like this anymore, Mom!"

"Then don't live here anymore. Leave, Layla." She seethes and I back away.

"Now Jane, don't say something you'll regret later." Your dad tries to play mediator but you've already made up your mind.

"No Dad, it's okay." You say, "I'll leave."

"No, Layla, you're staying. Layla!"

Your dad yells after you, pleading for you to stay, but you're already out the door and you don't look back. You're breathing hard but that only makes you run faster.

"Y/N?" Jacob's hand is waving in front of your face, bringing you back to reality. My vision blurs up a bit so I blink multiple times, getting it back slowly.

Jacob rests his hand on my shoulder. "Are you okay? You spaced out for a bit."

Concern is written on his face, making me feel guilty for letting him feel like this. A rugged breath escapes my lips and my hand slightly shakes the takeaway in my hand.

"Uh, I-," I lick my lips, "I don't have anywhere to go, I can't go back home. I didn't even think that I'd have to find a place to stay, you know, since I was going to-"

"Yeah." He breathes, "I know."

"But," Jacob continues, grabbing the cup of noodles from my shaky hand and placing it in the cup holder. "It's going to be okay. You can stay at my place-"

"What? No, Jacob I-"

"There's a guest bedroom and we can always buy-"

"Jacob."

"Y/N"

His voice comes out stern and his eyes locked with mine, harden. This is the same Jacob that stopped me from jumping, this side of him is more commanding, even a little cold. His hands cups my jaw, bringing his face closer to mine.

I can feel his breath on my lips. It's spicy from the chicken, his lips are so close to mine. They're inviting.

"You have no one and no where to go, Y/N. I'm not going to leave you on the streets alone. You're staying with me." He says.

"But-" I begin but he cuts me off.

"But what?" He asks, his eyes widen and eyebrows shoot up, like he's challenging me to protest. We stare off for about twenty five long seconds, before my eyes give up on me and blink.

Jacob laughs in victory.

"I win." He says in excitement and starts up the car. Not giving me time to process what happened.

"What? No." I boom.

"Yes, you blinked."

"I didn't even know that's how this thing works."

"Too bad."

"Jacob!"

"Hush, darling." He says in a soothing soft voice, pushing his index finger onto my lips. Stopping me from saying another word, he come closer once again. My cheeks light up pink and he smirks obviously noticing my reaction.

"You blinked, you lose. We're going to my apartment. That's final." He says, turning back in his seat and starting up the engine.

The rumble of the engine vibrates through the car. Sending a tingle up my spine, as I relax back in my own seat. I take my hair out of the messy bun that it's in. My locks slide down my back and I rake a hand through it. A lock fall in front of my eyes and before I can blow it away, Jacob pushes it gently behind my ear.

"It's going to be a long ride, so safety first." He says.

He reaches over. His face is so close to mine, my breath hitches and I hope he doesn't hear. He takes the seat belt and clicks it in for me.

"Thank you." I whisper, looking down finding my shoes interesting.

"Your welcome."

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