Free My Soul Keeper by Ker Dukey

have fun.”
    “Okay. Call me later.” She uses her hand to make a phone signal and waves it at her ear. She’s so animated. Like I need her to confirm what she meant with the words call me later.
    “I will.” I laugh and wave to her and Liam.
    A warm peaceful feeling falls over me; I start to think it’s just the relief of not being in Jacob’s awkward presence anymore until I see Shamar coming out of Frankie’s Diner, and Leah standing behind him, pointing both hands at him, miming.
    OH. MY. GOD!
    I laugh at her dramatics and then my eyes lock with the tranquil bliss of Shamar's. He stops still. Leah disappears into the diner, leaving me and Shamar just to gaze at each other for what seems like forever. I feel the air crackle and I want to dart towards him and throw my arms around his neck, tasting the beauty of his lips.
    “Fuck you! You don’t even know her. I will knock you out,” Jacob’s voice echoes in my ears as he’s being pushed through the door of the diner by Liam. He leans over Liam’s head, pointing his closed fist at someone. When the door closes, he pushes Liam off and holds up his hands, nodding his head. I see Lucas appear in the window, smirking out at Jacob. Jacob notices and starts yelling at him through the glass. “Come outside, Lucas, you fucking pussy.”
    Lucas’s eyes find mine across the street and Jacob follows his eyes, turns, and sees me. He flips off Lucas and runs toward me, without thought. Straight into the road.

Knowing she’s in there on a date with her ex is painful. I shouldn’t be watching her anyway, but I’m across the street. That’s an improvement, right? Damn… it’s not. I’m becoming a stalker .
    I go to get some coffee, which is another human vice, but hey, it tastes good. As I exit the diner, I bump into Leah, Simone's friend. She gives me a knowing nod as she walks past me. Then I see her. Her blue eyes lock with mine. God, she’s breath-taking. I can feel her heartbeat spike with attraction, but she feels soothed by me. God, I want her so bad.
    A commotion beside me spills from the diner and I recognise the boy. It’s Simone's ex-boyfriend, screaming at someone. I turn to watch Simone as I feel her mood change. She’s upset and uncomfortable. The smell and sound of screeching tires fill the air; a heavy thud rings out and I see Jacob fly across the road.
    Simone screams as she runs to him, fear emanating from her. I am paralyzed for a few seconds before I can take in what’s happened. I run over and check his vitals. Simone drops to her knees in front of me and people file out from the shops surrounding us.
    “Call an ambulance,” I shout, slipping my jacket off and laying it under Jacob’s head. Sobs wrack Simone's chest and all I want to do is pull her to me and console her.
    “Oh my God, is he dead? He’s not moving,” she whispers.
    “I’ve already checked his vitals, he’s just unconscious.”
    I reach over and stroke away her tears. Minutes pass before the sound of sirens fills the street and come to a stop in front of us; paramedics come rushing at us and ask people to step back.
    “What happened?” The women medic directs her question to me.
    “He was hit by car, been unconscious since.”
    She nods. “Right. Please step back. Does anyone know his name?”
    “It’s Jacob,” Simone murmurs.
    I reach my hand to her, which she takes then steps into me. I feel the heat of her body curl into my side; her head rests on my chest and her tears soak my shirt. I stroke down her arm, holding her tighter against me. I feel her anxiety drain from her with each stroke.
    “Simone, you riding with him?” Liam asks, holding out his hand for her to take. Her eyes look up into mine; they have a glass sheen from her tears, making them shine like diamonds.
    “Yes,” she breathes, stepping from my grasp. I offer her a small smile and nod as she lets her friend direct her toward the ambulance. Her eyes don’t leave mine until the doors close.