Always

I pulled my bag off my shoulder and sat on the bench, unzipping the side pocket in which my cell phone resides. I grabbed the brick of a phone as it buzzed, notifying me of a new message. The screen read –"New SMS – Kelly." I hit the centre button causing the screen to show the message from my younger brother's girlfriend.

"Hey, Trina! Could you tell Jakie to meet me behind a-block in five? I'll be there in a mo. Ciao xo."

Great, I have become a messenger, give me wings and I'll be a postal owl. Honestly I HATE that name, "Trina, how are you?", "Tri, how do I look?", "Trixie, where's Jakie?" Her stupid sweet voice makes me wanna barf. I wish Jake would slap some sense into her, Kelly; my name is Katharina, not Trina, Tri or Trixie. Well, I guess I should tell "Jakie" that his eighth grader girlfriend is bunking down to see him.

Shoving my phone back into the pocket, I see that girl, Ariana, that chick who used to date Jake. That was before he dumped her for the slut that we all know as Kelly, even Mom and Dad were a bit angry at him, because Kelly over Ariana seemed insane. My eyes followed her as she slumped against the wall and slid down as her soaking hair whipped through the wind. She hit the wet ground with a thud as her hair swung into her face, sticking to her wet cheeks.

The rain continued to fall, mingling with the tears that were flowing down her face. Her shoulders and chest jerked around erratically as her crying began to grow quicker, fresh tears brimming over, falling down her face. I zipped the small compartment shut, as a tall boy ran around the corner. Stumbling as he double-taked when he passed the sobbing figure of Ariana, he turned back. His face shone in the glare of the bright flood lights. It was Jake.

Jake crouched in front of Ariana, tucking her hair behind her ear. Their eyes meet, brown upon grey. Her wails grew louder and the tears ran faster as she jumped up, running towards the safe haven of the library, eager for escape. Nevertheless, after years of being a football stud, he was too quick; he grabbed her wrist as he caught up with her as she sped across the courtyard. He spun her round to face him, her long brown hair fanning out behind her as she turned. He began to reason with her, to find out the source of the tears, but she wouldn't listen. She snatched her hand away and turned to run again.

But this time Jake didn't bother with talking. He grabbed her shoulders, not a hint of questioning on his face; he leant down and kissed her. Brushing his lips against hers with a hope for her to stay, an attempt to stop her running and for once his wishes were met. Ariana did not run, instead her hands wove up to his neck, her fingers knotting into his silky, silvery blonde hair, whilst his hands looped around her waist pulling them closer together.

Jake began to deepen the kiss, so I looked away for their privacy. I noticed Kelly. I looked back at the tightly embraced pair, and then decided there was no need… Shit, Kelly! At the sight of another girl with her boyfriend, an outraged yell issued from her lips as the two figures sprang apart.

Kelly strode over to Ariana hand raised, ready to strike, as her hand swung down a loud slap echoed around the courtyard, but as Kelly pulled her hand back, the red mark was not on Ariana's face, but Jake's. Kelly gasped, her spikey, wet black hair falling into her face as she came to a complete stand still.

"J-J-Jake? J-Jakie Bear? W-Why?" Kelly stammered, attempting to lace their fingers tighter.

Jake pulled his own back, "Kelly, I'm sick of your immaturity, did you really not think that I would find out about the things you've done to Ariana? I know you've been hurting her, and it's not okay," He replied firmly, his hand tightening its grip on Ariana.

The tears still trickling down Ariana's face as she hid behind Jake, expecting the next swing to fall upon her soon.

"J-Jake, but, d-don't you love me?" Kelly began her voice escalating, turning from sadness to accusation, "I saw you kiss, you can't act like it never happened! You still love her, don't you? Was I just a place-filler? Did you even love me? I thought you did, you were the best thing I've ever had," Kelly's voice was too loud, her screamed thoughts echoed around the courtyard, making my breath catch in my throat. I began to descend the steps, hoping to appear in the doorway at the right moment, wishing to ease the tension.

"Kelly, I thought I did, I wish I hadn't loved you, because then none of this would've happened. Kelly, how could I love anybody that hurt someone that I care about? You knew she meant something to me, you knew very well, but you continued to hurt her. Did you not think I wouldn't hear about your little threats and tricks? I never stopped loving her, never! Anybody who hurts her will be stopped, no matter the consequences. She's my Ariana and if anyone wanted to cause her harm, they'd have to get through me first!" Jake told Kelly protectively, as Ariana stood there upset, yet touched sneaking peeks at Kelly's face, obviously wondering when she'd lash out again, seeing as her verbal battle was a lost cause.

Ariana's face shone as he ended in a strong tone, she looked as if she'd won the lottery, and she had, she'd won jakes heart, as he'd won hers.

Kelly turned away huffing as she stalked off, glaring as she passed me in the corridor, "Thanks a lot," she hissed, sarcasm dripping off her tongue, staining her words red with anger.

"Really, you meant all that?" Ariana asked, looking up shyly at Jake, her voice quivering.

"Yes, of course, it was all a giant mistake. I should never have treated you that way; I didn't think you'd take me back. I tried my best to forget you but you were too important, there wasn't a day I didn't think of you. I've always loved you." Jake admitted, turning away in hope to hide the red tinge spreading across his cheeks.

Ariana reached up and pressed her lips to his, whispering, "I love you." Jake wiped the tears slipping down her face, "I love you too, always have, always will," he murmured.

I ran over to my not-so-little brother and looked up to him, not knowing how to begin, until it all came rushing out, "Jake, I'm so so sorry, she texted me and told me to tell you to meet her, and I said I would and then I saw you two and I should have stopped her or something! It's all my fault!" my face drooping in sorrow.

"That's okay; it's actually alright that this happened otherwise I'd never have gotten this wonderful girl back." Jake replied, beaming back at me, a small smile creeping across my face.

"Let's go, I'll drive," I said glancing at the darkening sky, it threatening to send even more thundering rain our way.

"Okay, Thanks!" Jake said, bringing Ariana along behind him, her dazed face waking up as he pulled her closer. Laughing he hugged her tighter; a rare chuckle that I thought had been lost forever. We made idle chatter in our dash to the rain-proof cab of my car, as Jake opened the door for Ariana I pulled him back

"Still, after all this time?" I asked him.

"Always, Kat. Always," He replied, sliding into the car kissing Ariana on the cheek, pulling her into a hug that never broke the whole journey home.