All Chapters of The Summer of Jake and Sarah: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

The woods were dead quiet. No birds. Just the wind dragging through black branches and mist sitting low on the ground like smoke.Rose stood in a black gown, the hem soaked from the wet grass. In front of her, a plain wooden coffin sat on the cold earth. She made the sign of the cross, slowly. Then she bent and laid a single white flower on top.She stepped back and stood with the rest of her friends.Bonnie’s hand came up and patted Rose’s back, gentle but comforting.Jake adjusted his tie, jaw tight. He stepped forward and with both hands, pushed the coffin into the open grave. The ropes creaked. Dirt shifted.Sarah didn’t wait. She grabbed the shovel and in split seconds the sound of dirt hitting wood filled the clearing. Until the grave was covered."She was a good woman," Bonnie said, heaving a deep sigh. "And she will be missed by all.""May her soul rest in peace," Sarah said quietly.Rose didn’t cry. Her eyes were dry and burning. "I will not stop," she said, voice flat. "Un

The house was quiet. Late afternoon sun filtered through the linen curtains in Rose’s living room, turning everything gold. It smelled like vanilla candles and the lavender laundry detergent she always used. A knit throw was draped over the back of the 3-seater sofa. Two mugs with half-drunk tea sat on the coffee table next to a stack of books and Rose’s messy notebook from summer school. Fairy lights were strung along the bookshelf, still on even though it wasn’t dark yet. The TV was on mute, some nature documentary playing low in the background.On the floor in front of the 3-seater sofa: a male shirt, a belt, and a female top were lying on the floor.Jake had Rose under him, one hand braced beside her head, the other sliding under the hem of her skirt. Her legs were hooked around his waist, pulling him closer. Her breathing was fast, uneven. His mouth was on her neck, then her collarbone. She arched up into him, fingers tangled in his hair. "When am I getting the bite?" Rose ask

Rose woke up quietly. No heartbeat. No breath in her chest. Just this strange, still hum under her skin, like the whole room was vibrating and she was the only one who could hear it. Her eyes opened. The ceiling was black. The walls were black. Even the light from under the door was a thin, dull line. It felt like waking up underwater.Sarah was standing in front of her shelf, back to the bed, flipping through a book."Uhh..." Sarah turned to look at her. "Oh, you are awake." Rose pushed herself up. The movement didn’t feel like her. No ache. No stiffness. Her body felt... light. Too light. Like if she thought about floating, she would. "How long was I out for?" Rose asked. Her voice came out lower than she remembered. "Hours," Sarah said. "It's morning." Rose frowned and looked around. "Why is the room so dark? I thought it was still night." "Should I open the curtain?" Sarah asked, moving to the window. "Yes," Rose said. "It's pretty dark here. I can barely see my own hand

"I’m cominggg!" Bonnie shouted as she descended down the stairs. Her hair was still damp from the shower. She stood in front of the living room door for a second to towel it and tug her oversized pajama shirt down over her shorts. Bonnie opened the door and froze. "Hi," Rose said, smiling at her from outside. Hoodie up. Umbrella in one hand even though the sky was clear. Bonnie couldn’t reply. "Can I come in?" Rose asked with a pitiful stare. Like a kid who’d been left out in the rain. Bonnie swallowed hard, then nodded. Rose chuckled. "You know I’m a vampire now, right?" Bonnie nodded again. Rose paused and shook her head. "You have to invite me properly." "Ohh, sorry," Bonnie said. "Come in." Rose took a step forward. Bonnie took a step backward. Rose stepped into the house. "Bonnie, what are you doing?" "What?" Bonnie asked. "I’m making way for you to pass." "No," Rose said. "You’re scared of me." Bonnie heaved a deep sigh. "Alright, yes. I’m scared of you." "That’

The grill was empty. Fluorescent lights hummed over the tables. The chairs were stacked. The smell of grease and cleaner hung in the air. Bonnie was wiping down a table in the corner. Rag in one hand, spray bottle in the other. The grill was closed. Late. Her eyes kept flickering to the door. Like she was expecting someone. One minute. Two. The street outside stayed dark. When it almost felt like ages and no one was coming, she almost gave up. She tossed the rag down and reached to flip the sign. The door was thrown open. A guy who looked like he was 19 walked in. Hoodie. Jeans. Eyes scanning the room, then landing on the girl. "We are closed," Bonnie said. She kept her voice even. "Are you?" the guy asked. "Yes," Bonnie said. "All drinks have been put away and can’t be brought out till morning tomorrow." "Don’t worry about that," the guy said. He took a step in. "I actually drink something else." Bonnie’s heart skipped. The guy was close to her now. Two tables between th