Chapter 13:
I don't know why, but there is something that intrigues me about Matt. He suddenly changed.
It's pure curiosity.
He does things that don't match his quiet nature, and just when I want to ask him why, my very jealous boyfriend somehow appears, always at the worst possible moment, catching us in situations that look far more intimate than they are.
After what happened in the nurse's office, the bell rang, the nurse finally showed up, and Jack, Matt, and I were sent back to our respective classes like nothing had happened.
Nothing… except it had.
Lily barely spoke during the next period. Her worried stare followed me the entire time. But the face I couldn't shake was the girl who had tripped me earlier.
Her name, I learned, was Lisa Bell.
Jack unknow fanclub. Scary. Powerful.
Apparently, she and her little group had unspoken "rights" over new transfer students. Announcing a relationship without her approval? A huge mistake. According to Lily, this wasn't over.
From that moment on, I was officially not allowed to be alone at school.
After class, Lily stayed with me during my volunteer work, and I told her everything.
Halfway through, she suddenly said,
"That's interesting. I dont't think that Faye girl is mean. But more importantly, you have two love interests."
"What? No. He was just helping, that's all." I replied immediately.
"I don't know, Lea," she said carefully. "It feels like you're unconsciously attracted to Matt. That's why you don't feel awkward when you're close to him."
"That's not it," I protested. "He's just… calm. Mysterious. When he does something unexpected, it makes me curious. Like, since when does it act like that, you know. That's all."
She sighed. "You don't even realize it. They say curiosity kills the cat. I think you should talk to him less. Have you talked to Jack?"
"No. He has a club meeting. He joined the basketball team," I said. "But why should I stop talking to Matt? I am not allowed to have a friend who is a boy? I just got his number so he can explain his drawings. You know how much I love that."
Lily shook her head. "I'll just watch out for you. And support you."
I still didn't fully understand her concern.
In my head, Jack didn't need to be jealous. Matt didn't want that kind of relationship with me, at least, I didn't think so. And even if he did, I already had someone who gave me butterflies just by hugging me.
I was happy. Satisfied. Someone is thinking of me and wants to be with me.
Matt was just another opening in this new chapter of my life that was just beginning for the better.
That's when Jack suddenly appeared and wrapped his arms around me from behind.
"Guess who?" he said.
Lily smiled knowingly. "I think this is my cue to leave. I'll talk to you later, Lea. Jack, always a pleasure."
When she walked away, I stood there, face burning, pressed against Jack's arm, and somehow loving it.
"You're getting more comfortable with my touch," he murmured. "You shouldn't be. I can be unpredictable."
I immediately jumped away and raised my hands.
"Don't say things like that at school!"
He burst out laughing, running a hand through his hair.
"Sorry. When I see you, I just want to hold you. I say whatever comes to mind. That's how comfortable I am with you."
I looked at him and thought, how did I get this lucky?
If luck were limited, I'd already used all of mine.
Still… something inside me pushed me to speak.
Jack… Matt is a very kind and mysterious person that I happened to talk to, and we have things in common that I want his advice on, so I saved his number. I say this because of your reaction the other time, and now you are here just teasing me without any reaction and even last time you didn't really say anything about it. So I just want to know if you want me to cut him off completely or just small talk only. I don't know how relationships work, but I can tell you are not comfortable with him around me since I cherish you and your existence in my life. I want to know what you want me to do."
I finally looked up at him.
He seemed surprised. Then he smiled softly.
"You talk really fast when you're nervous. For someone usually so quiet… you're really getting comfortable with me."
He paused.
"I don't know what to think about Matt. He sounds nice, but because of this, it just feels like our relationship is more me that forces it on you. I don't want to put restrictions just because of that insecurity."
My chest tightened.
Force?
He never forced me.
"You didn't force me into anything, Jack. I feel things for you that I never felt before. I.. I can't put it into sweet words like you yet." I replied honestly.
He turned away before I could respond.
"I think it's getting pretty late. We should go home. We'll talk later."
He hugged me tightly, but his eyes were sad. I could tell that what he said was really something serious that he meant and felt, and I truly don't know how to react or say to make everything better.
That night, as I lay in bed staring at the ceiling, my heart felt heavy.
He ended the conversation before it could finish.
And he still hadn't told me what to do about Matt.
I guess relationships aren't all sunshine and butterflies after all.