Jake returned quickly, “My brother’s not in his
room and won’t answer his phone.”
I showed him my phone, “Is this his number?”
Jake glanced at it, softly humming, his mood
visibly down.
I asked, “When did you give him my number?”
“I didn’t.”
“Then how did he get it?”
He frowned, lost in thought.
I said, “I guess Jason didn’t want to bother
us, so he left early. After all, you and I share a
room; it would be awkward.”
Changing the subject, I asked, “So, Jake, can I be your girlfriend now?”
Expecting rejection, he readily agreed,
“Okay.”
Surprised and joyful, “You promised! No
L
take–backs!”
Embarrassed, he cleared his throat, “I’ve seen
everything; I have to be responsible.”
Confirming he wasn’t joking, I smiled,
extending my hand, “Hi, boyfriend.”
His eyes were deep; he took my hand. “Hi, girlfriend.”
The difference with Jake was that I could
freely hug and kiss him.
Then smile at his blushing helplessness.
9
On our first weekend together, I received a
call from Jason.
“Sarah, are you free for dinner?”
“Sorry, Jake and I have plans. Unless you
want to join?”
He hesitated, “But didn’t you have dinner
Join the bookshelf
く
yesterday?”
Yesterday, Jake posted a picture of us having
dinner, announcing our relationship.
Everyone knew we were dating, but Jason
pretended not to.
I said, “Yes, but isn’t that what couples do?
Spend time together?”
Jason’s breathing changed, “You’re really
with Jake?”
“Yes! Jason, I’m your sister–in–law now.
Pleased to meet you.”
“You can’t be together.”
“Why?”
He didn’t answer.
Before I could speak, he hung up.
That evening, at our meeting place, Jake
wasn’t there.
<
He was unreachable.
At his dorm, I ran into his roommate.
He was surprised, “Jake’s in the hospital.
Didn’t you know?”
“Wh…what?”
I rushed to the hospital, replaying his words.
He said, “Jason came, beat him up, and Jake didn’t fight back. He ended up in the hospital.”
“Jason was brutal… go see for yourself.”
Jason was also at the hospital.
Before I could enter, Jason’s voice preceded
me:
“She was after me, but you stole her first. Is that how you treat your brother?”
“I’ll give you a day to break up with her, or else…”
Join the bookshelf
<
Jake spoke after a long pause, “Know why I
didn’t fight back? Because getting beaten up
settles the debt.”
“Bro, I won’t break up with her.”
Jason’s face was grim, “Then let her choose;
don’t regret it later.”
He turned to leave; I hid in the next room.
After he left, I entered Jake’s room.
Seeing me, he instinctively cowered, his guilt
evident, “What are you doing here?”
I snapped, “How else would I know you’re this
beat up?”
Seeing Jake, I understood his roommate’s
words.
Jake had a bandaged left hand, a head wrap,
and bruises around his eyes and mouth.
I had overestimated Jason’s affection for
Iako
<
Jake.
“Call the police,” I said, “Get a medical report,
press charges!”
