Too Young (The Jewel Project #1)

Chapter 20.2 - The calm before the storm

Jessie bolted up, her heart beating wildly. She rushed to Jimmy, grabbed his wrists and heaved, trying to pull him out from under the burning branch. She could hardly keep her eyes open because of the heat. Sweat fell down the sides of her face. With an all-mighty tug, she managed to pull him out and fell to her back in the process.

She got back to her feet, stepped away from the flames, took a couple of deep breaths then returned to the scene. She flipped Jimmy over, locked her hands around his torso, under his arms and dragged him away from the fire.

Her heart thumped unevenly, her breaths came out ragged and sweat dripped from her forehead, but none of it mattered. She was more worried about him.

Once they reached a safe distance, Jessie let Jimmy go and dropped on the ground, breathing greedily. It was much colder away from the burning vegetation. She took his backpack off, and laid him on his back. She wished he wasn't unconscious.

She grabbed his wrist, trying to take his pulse, but he yanked his hand out of her grip. Jessie's heart jumped, thinking he was fine, but instead, he frowned and turned his head from side to side and moved his hands hectically, as though trying to beat off something invisible.

"Stand still, will you?" Jessie mumbled, trying to grab one of his hands. She couldn't hold on to him. "I'll knock you out, if you don't stop it!"

Jimmy sat up, panting. Jessie seized the opportunity and grabbed both his wrists. He fell to his back almost at once and let out a yelp.

Jessie pinned his wrists above his head. "That's much better. You had me worried there..." Her voice faltered. Jimmy had his eye opened, but seemed to be staring right through her. Crap! He'd probably hit his head really hard. She let go of his hands. "Um...Jimmy?"

He mumbled something unintelligible, his head lolling from side to side. Jessie sighed. He couldn't hear her. She waved her hand in front of his face. Couldn't see her either.

He suddenly grabbed the collar of her shirt and pulled her towards him. "Leave me. Save yourself."

Butterflies fluttered in Jessie's stomach. He'd never looked at her like that before, as if his gaze was boring into her very soul. She snapped her fingers in front of his face. Nothing happened. He still stared somewhere beyond her.

He let her go. "Jessie..." More mumbling followed.

Jessie sighed and stroked his cheek. "You're hopeless. You just hit your head. You'll snap out of it." She hoped. But since he was actually talking, the damage couldn't be too great. It was probably the heat that made him delirious.

He mumbled some more as his eyes seemed to be searching for something. Finally, they locked on her and he appeared to recognize her. A weak smile lifted the corner of his mouth. "I love you."

Jessie stared at him, her heart beating wildly. His eyes slid out of focus again and after a couple of confused blinks, they closed and his breathing became deeper.

Jessie clenched her teeth, trying to hold back the tears prickling the insides of her eyes. "Damn you." Her voice trembled. "Damn you for saying this." Her mind buzzed as thoughts swirled around her head.

He could've been talking to an imaginary Alice or to anyone else for that matter. And even if he wasn't, who cared? He's out of bounds. I'm out of bounds. She clutched her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. Why did he have to throw her into this haze? Why did he have to say the words she'd tried to avoid thinking for days? The words she longed him to say.

She shook her head. "I can't love you. I shouldn't..." Jessie's voice cracked as the truth sank in. "Damn it! You can't hear me, anyway. I love you, too. But you're delirious and have no idea what you're saying. You could've been talking to anyone. And it doesn't change anything. We could never be more than friends."