I already have a lot of stories that are essentially interconnected for me, so I decided to create a separate folder for all of them connected with this one: https://www.deviantart.com/green-tg/gallery/94756072/why-am-i-so-afraid-to-say-it-
Part 5-12 + add. materials: https://www.patreon.com/collection/815616?view=expanded
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Part 4
— Whoa, easy, Jake, — Stephanie raised her eyebrows and took a step back, though the smirk still played in her eyes. — You’re getting really emotional, you know? Just like...
— Don’t you dare say it! — his voice cracked, and he felt his eyes begin to well up. He quickly turned away, not wanting to show any weakness in front of her. Now that his emotions were starting to take over, it was hard to control them.
— You don’t understand... — he said quietly, staring at his reflection in the mirror. The shoulders were too slender, the facial features too delicate, the hair too long—it annoyed him more than anything. 'This isn’t me,' the thought flashed again.
Stephanie took another step closer, her expression softening, but the sarcasm never left. She knew Jake too well, knew exactly where his vulnerabilities lay.
— Come on, you wanted this, remember? Ha-ha, you’re a stunner, — Stephanie grinned, as if it were just another harmless joke, though there was always a bit of truth in her words.
Jake bit his lip, struggling to hold back his frustration. Yes, he had spoken the wish, but not like this, and definitely not for several months.
— Steph, enough, seriously. I can’t live like this. Who am I even? Officially, I don’t exist anymore, — he blurted out, feeling the irritation rise again. — I’m Jake! Or... I was Jake! And now what? This... this woman in the mirror, that’s not me!
Stephanie smirked, but there was a glimmer of something like sympathy in her eyes. She crossed the room unhurriedly and leaned against the sink beside him.
— Hey, Jake, maybe you should find a guy? — Stephanie leaned on the sink, her eyes twinkling with a mix of mockery and something almost serious. — You know, to figure it all out. You’re quite the looker now, — she widened her eyes playfully, giving him a teasing smile.
Jake spun toward her, feeling the anger boiling up inside. That comment was the last straw.
— Steph, are you out of your mind? I’m not looking for any guys! — He threw his hands up, barely resisting the urge to throw something at her.
Stephanie just shrugged, her expression perfectly calm.
— Why not? You’ve got problems with your ID, and you’re still using your old credit cards, — she snorted, pursing her lips playfully as her eyes sparkled with clear amusement. — And, you know, guys can help with that sometimes. Maybe you’ll find a nice one to help you out?
Jake clenched his teeth, refusing to look away from her smiling face. She always knew how to hit him where it hurt the most, and she did it with such grace that getting mad at her seemed pointless. But this time, he was barely holding back the urge to kick her out of the apartment. After all, she’d always been that kind of manipulator, using her "feminine charm" to press Jake when they were together, playing on the whole "a man should" thing. It’s part of the reason they broke up in the first place. Now she occasionally came over to help, but she’d been living with another guy for a while. Of course, Stephanie had her own life—a kid, a teenage daughter who was already in high school. And despite everything, Jake was glad to see her, even though she drove him crazy from time to time.
— You know, Steph, sometimes I think you only come over just to see me like this, — Jake said, nervously brushing his hair out of his face.
— Oh, finally figured it out, huh? — Stephanie exclaimed with mock excitement, laughing loudly. — So, what about a boyfriend, hmm? I’ve got a friend, you know, from the department... he could help you out.