There was silence for a moment, broken only by my own heavy breathing, which I feared would be audible to Jack and Georgia. I was half concealed by the doorframe, but feared they might hear the beat of my heart. Oh, the shame if they caught me eavesdropping but I was so mad at that moment that it took me all of my willpower not to burst in on them before Georgia made another move on Jack.
But to my surprise, it was not Georgia who made the next move. Jack adjusted himself on the sofa and pulled Georgia up so she was sitting next to him. My breath caught in my chest as I watched Jack wrap an arm around her shoulders and pull her against him.
The jealousy coursed through my veins like magma, waiting to erupt. Was that what this was? Jealousy? Did I really wish I was sitting with Jack? No. The feelings I had for Jack were that of a sister’s love for her brother. Weren’t they? I knew Georgia was bad news and did not wish to see Jack hurt. Yes, that was it.
But then I thought about all the times that Jack had held my hand – touched my back – or put an arm around my shoulders and my skin tingled.
I watched, concealed by darkness, as Georgia rested her head on Jack’s shoulder and he stroked her arm comfortingly.
‘What did you dream about?’ Jack asked.
‘It’s always the same dream,’ Georgia said softly. ‘Everything is blinding white and there is a lot of noise; people are shouting for help – but I can’t make out what they are saying. I can’t see anyone. I want to help them, but I’m frozen.’
Liar, I thought to myself. You didn’t have a nightmare.
‘I wish I could heal bad dreams,’ he said with a smile, looking down at Georgia. ‘I’d make them go away if I could.’
‘You can,’ Georgia said, meeting his gaze.
My mind screamed no, because at that moment Georgia put a petite hand upon Jack’s bare chest. What was worse, it was Jack who closed the distance between them and kissed Georgia on the mouth; his hand resting gently upon her waist.
I stared, watching the kiss that lasted an eternity. I prayed that Jack would come to his senses and put a stop to this, but he didn’t. Instead he pulled Georgia closer, his arms around her like a vice. She wrapped herself around him, melting into Jack as though he were the last man on earth.
It felt as though a part of my soul had died. Why was I still watching them? Why did I torture myself like this?
I turned away, intent on getting back to my room, but my vision was blurred. My eyes were misting up. I staggered and bumped into the wall. A picture frame fell to the floor with a crash and I heard Georgia gasp. I sped into my room before they spotted me in the hall. Closing the door quietly, I listened to their voices carry down the hall.
‘What was that?’ Jack asked.
Footsteps were outside my door. I backed onto my bed and quickly pulled the covers up to my chin. I would pretend to be asleep if Jack checked on me.
‘The picture,’ Georgia replied. ‘It must have fallen.’
I heard the sound of glass as they cleaned up the mess.
‘Well, um, I should get to sleep. Big day tomorrow,’ I heard Jack say, rather awkwardly. ‘Goodnight Georgia.’
‘Oh.’ Georgia seemed genuinely crestfallen. ‘You would be more comfortable if you stayed in my room.’
I had to resist the urge to send handfuls of fire at the door. I dug fingernails into my thigh and bit down on my knuckles.
Jack hesitated momentarily before declining, but his tone was unsure.
‘Uh, no, I don’t think I should,’ Jack said quietly.
‘Suit yourself,’ Georgia said, nonchalant. ‘Let me know if you change your mind.’
I heard her walk to her own bedroom and close the door with a loud bang. Clearly, rejection was not something she was used to.
I could sense Jack standing in the hall, unmoving. I knew he was wondering if he had made the right decision. I was not surprised when I heard him knock upon my own door. I was too angry to talk to Jack right now so I pretended to be asleep.
My brain was extremely alert as I heard Jack open the door and cross the room to stand by the bed. I kept my eyes shut and my mouth slightly open, breathing deeply to indicate that I was asleep. I don’t know how long Jack watched me feign sleep. He sat on the edge of my bed, his weight pressing the mattress down. I felt his eyes upon me. He said my name twice, but I did not stir. Instead, I smacked my lips and rolled over with my back to him.
Finally, he went back to bed in the sitting room.
When silence fell throughout the apartment once more, I let out a long breath I hadn’t realised I’d been holding. What had all of that been about?
My temper boiled as I remembered how Jack had kissed Georgia, his arms all over her as though he was a giant octopus. And Georgia, kissing him with the same enthusiasm.
I screwed my face up in anger and tried to eradicate the memory from my mind. Why had I followed Georgia down the hall? Why had I been so curious? I wished that I had not seen it. But what would have happened if I hadn’t knocked the frame from the wall? If they had not been disturbed, would they still be kissing at this very moment? Or worse? I punched my lumpy pillow furiously. I wanted to scream. Jealousy coursed through my veins.
~