Chapter 17

I looked up at the blue sky, trying to make sense of what had just happened. Had Jake always hated me? Was this a breaking point for him? Or had I just been so blind to what he truly felt that it had come to this—him yelling it out like it was something he'd been holding back for quite a while now?

I don't care what those cheerleaders said. I'm not trying to date Jake. He's too old for me. Or... he would be, if he had ever gotten the chance to grow older. Sixteen forever—that's where time stopped for him. That's where it will always stop if I dont do something.

I took a deep breath as the sun hit my eyes, the warmth doing nothing to ease the cold knot in my chest.

"You know..." Chris suddenly spoke up after a long stretch of silence between us. I glanced over at him, surprised by the serious tone in his voice. His usual teasing edge was gone, replaced by something heavier.

"One thing I've learned from being friends with Jake all these years..." He trailed off, his eyes drifting toward the field before slowly finding mine again. He held my gaze, his expression unreadable. "Just... give him time."

The words hit me harder than I expected. My eyes widened slightly. Was Chris really giving me advice right now? He sounded so genuine. Despite Jake's outburst, despite the way Jake had practically pushed me away, Chris was still here. Still talking to me.

I nodded slowly. "Time..."

I should listen to Chris. He knows Jake better than anyone. Maybe Jake just needs space. He might never speak to me again, but pushing myself back into his orbit right now would probably make things worse.

"Right..." I sighed, staring down at my shoes. Time might be what we both need. Or it might just pull us further apart. Either way, I'm not sure I have a choice.

"I know I can be a bit much sometimes..." I added quietly, my voice dropping. I didn't mean for the words to come out so broken, but they did anyway.

Chris's gaze sharpened. His lips parted slightly, as if he hadn't expected that. Then, slowly, a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Not at all, princess."

My head shot up, startled by the softness in his voice. He leaned back slightly, looking up at the sky. "I handle you just fine."

His eyes flicked back to mine, and there was a quiet sincerity beneath the usual playful glint. "You're perfect like this."

My ears burned. My cheeks, too. That was... random. He's usually quick with some kind of sly remark, but this—this was different.

"Shouldn't you be teasing me or something?" I muttered, trying to steady my voice.

His smile widened, almost amused. "Would it make you feel better if I did?"

"Maybe."

He chuckled under his breath and stood up, the sun casting a soft glow along the edges of his hair. My heart hammered in my chest. Chris isn't the type to comfort people. Not like this.

"Don't change and be boring." he said, looking down at me.

My throat tightened at the casual affection in his voice.

"I can keep up with you just fine, don't I?" He grinned before clearing his throat. "I'll see you later, then."

I nodded slowly, still caught off guard. I opened my mouth to say something—anything—but nothing came out.

"Y-yeah..." I mumbled as he walked away, not even sure if he heard me.

My eyes followed him as he descended the bleachers, the warmth of his words still lingering in my chest.

Suddenly, he stopped at the edge of the field. I sat up straighter, confused.

Chris turned toward the cheerleaders practicing nearby. They all froze in sync as his gaze swept over them. The silence stretched long and tense.

And then...

"She's way hotter than you." he said casually, gesturing toward me with a tilt of his head.

A collective gasp rippled through the group. My mouth fell open.

Did he... really just say that?

The cheerleaders' heads whipped toward me, their expressions shifting between shock and disbelief. My cheeks flamed. Chris didn't even bother to stick around to see the aftermath—he just walked away like he hadn't just caused a small social earthquake.

"What the—" I muttered under my breath. My heart thumped wildly in my chest.

A smile tugged at my lips before I could stop it. What was that? I wasn't even that bothered by the cheerleaders before—but somehow, Chris's offhand comment made my chest feel weirdly light. Warm, even.

"You goofball." I said out loud, laughing as I tilted my head back toward the sky.

A few people on the field glanced my way, but I didn't care. Chris is just...

"Such a maniac..." I whispered to myself, still smiling.

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I never went back to gym class after that. It's like my gym teacher felt too awkward to tell me to get back on the field after what happened. Maybe she figured I'd had enough embarrassment for one day.

I was secretly hoping to see Jake again, even though I knew I had to give him time. Just seeing him from a distance would've been enough. But I knew I should leave him alone for now. The thought made my chest ache, but I pushed it aside. This doesn't mean the end.

I walked down the steps at the front of the school, lost in thought, when I spotted her—Romy. My mom.

My heart jumped. I hadn't talked to her in a while, mostly because I'd been avoiding it. The idea of accidentally changing my mom's past terrified me, so I'd taken the coward's way out—ignoring her in the hallways, even in class. But now she was looking right at me. No escape this time.

Her eyes brightened as she waved. "Hi!"

I hesitated, feeling my stomach twist. I couldn't look away now; she'd definitely seen me. Awkwardly, I stepped toward her. "Hi..."

She was bent over a piece of paper, scribbling something down with unusual focus. The paper itself looked fancy, like the kind you'd save for something important. My curiosity flared.

"What are you doing?" I asked, tilting my head to peek at it.

She immediately pressed the paper to her chest, her cheeks flushing pink. "N-nothing!"

I narrowed my eyes, stepping closer with a teasing smile. My hands slipped behind my back as I leaned in. "Oh?"

"Stop it!" She shrank back, clutching the paper tighter.

I raised an eyebrow. "Is it a love letter?"

Her face practically caught fire. "No! Of course not!"

My eyes widened. That reaction already told me everything I needed to know. I smiled knowingly. "So... you like someone."

Her shoulders slumped in defeat as she sighed. Slowly, she lowered the note. "Maybe..."

I couldn't help but laugh softly. Seeing my mom like this—blushing and awkward—it was almost impossible to believe. My mom had always been so composed and sure of herself when I was growing up. But now... she was just a young girl in her teen years with a crush.

"What's that face for?" I teased.

She glanced up at me, squinting slightly against the sunlight.

"Having a crush is completely normal." I said, brushing it off like it was no big deal.

She bit her lip, fiddling with the edge of the paper. "Really?"

"Duh!" I said, smiling. "I've had plenty of crushes!"

I can't help but think how adorable and innocent she is. She can't possible be my mom.

Her expression softened, and for a second, I saw the same warmth in her eyes that I recognized from home. The same warmth she'd always given me when I needed comfort. It made my chest tighten.

"Are you going to confess with it?" I asked.

Her smile faded as panic crept into her expression. "I was... planning to. Is that bad?"

I shook my head, amused by how stressed she suddenly looked. "Not at all."

Her shoulders relaxed. "Okay..." She stared down at the note like it was suddenly heavier.

I didn't ask who she liked. It's not like I'd know him anyway—she hadn't met my dad yet at this point. And even if I could guess, some things were better left unknown.

"I'll do it then..." she said softly, the corners of her mouth lifting into a small smile.

She glanced up at me. "Thank you, Juno."

I blinked, taken off guard. My mom never spoke to me like that—so polite, so grateful.

"I didn't do anything." I said quickly. "Just... have confidence in yourself."

That was the best advice I could give. I didn't know how this would play out, but maybe it didn't matter. A few crushes before marriage was normal, right? Whether he said yes or no, it wouldn't change the bigger picture.

Her expression brightened with quiet determination. "Mhm. I will!"

My mom never talked much about her relationships before my dad, so even if I wanted to, I wouldn't be able to guess how this will turn out.

A soft smile pulled at my lips. All I wanted was for my mom to be happy. I mean, she's my mom—how could I want anything else? She seemed so sure of her feelings, so hopeful. And for now, that was enough.

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After that, I walked home—well, technically, Jake Lee's home. I moved slowly, as if stalling, trying to avoid the inevitable.

What if we bump into each other at his house? Will he be even more annoyed? That he can't even get rid of me in the comfort of his own space? I already feel like I'm suffocating him, like I'm a burden he can't shake off. I need to stay out of his way, give him the distance he clearly wants.

I realize I've been lost in thought, my mind racing, when I look up and find myself already standing on the porch of his house. I let out a shaky breath, my chest tightening. I glance down at the ground before finally forcing myself to open the door. So many thoughts are swirling in my head as the door creaks open slowly.

The silence is almost suffocating.

When the door swings fully open, I expect to hear the usual sounds of the house—maybe someone in the kitchen, or Mrs. Lee's voice calling from the living room. But to my surprise, the place is eerily quiet. It feels like a ghost town.

I step in cautiously, glancing around. Is anyone even home?

I put my bag on the couch, the familiar weight of it a small comfort, then head into the kitchen. I guess no one is here.

I open a cabinet and pull out a granola bar, tearing the wrapper open and popping it in my mouth as I chew slowly, letting the silence stretch around me.

There's usually at least someone home when I come back from school. But today, it's just me.

Maybe Mr. and Mrs. Lee are out for work or running errands. Maybe Eslie has an after-school activity... maybe Jake's out somewhere with Chris.

I guess that part is for the best. Part of me is relieved. I wasn't planning on running into him anyway.

As I walk past Jake's room, his door swings open. I freeze, just as I'm about to turn around, and that's when it happens.

We collide.

It's so sudden that I don't even have time to react before I'm falling backward. My heart skips a beat as I look up, and my eyes meet his. Jake's expression mirrors mine—shock and confusion. His hair is damp, water dripping down his white shirt, a towel hanging over his head.

And then, before either of us can move, we both hit the ground, him landing on top of me.

For a moment, everything goes still.

I'm too stunned to speak. Jake's eyes are wide, just as surprised as I am. His arms instinctively brace his weight, his palm hitting the floor beside my head, but he doesn't move.

We're both frozen, staring at each other, trapped in a moment that feels too surreal to be real.

I almost forget that just hours ago, he'd yelled at me. It feels like it didn't even happen—like I imagined it all.

All I wanted was to give him space, to respect his wishes and not crowd him. And now here I was, right beneath him, my heart pounding, my mind racing.

The whole situation feels like something straight out of a movie—awkward, unexpected, and painfully intimate.

But I feel even worse.

I was supposed to give him space. To give him time. And instead, I've gone and completely ignored everything I'd promised myself.

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