It's been four days since Jack and I last talked and saw each other. That night, everything seemed like it was fine after we almost kissed. We texted for a while and said goodnight to each other, but it's been silent ever since. I know Jack is occupied with his job and practices, but I can't help doubting Emilie's belief that Jack likes me as more than just a friend.  What if he thought more about us almost kissing? What if it just scared him away?

I haven't had much time to think about the lack of Jack on my phone since I've been busy editing, filming, and planning my twelve-day bookmas series for my channel. From the moment I wake up, I get myself a glass of water and return to my room to get to work. Hours go by and the next thing I know my room is in utter darkness, the light from my computer being the only source of light. I have no clue if Emilie is still home seeing as she usually worries when I stay in my room for hours without leaving once other than the occasional bathroom break. 

Overworking myself is usually my response when I'm anxious or overthinking something. I like the feeling of keeping my mind busy. It stops me from thinking too much about what's worrying me.

 This morning, Emilie barges into my room to wake me up and have me get ready in an hour. She leaves no room for me to even question what's going on before dragging me out of our apartment and to her car. Once we're in the car and drive off I ask Emilie why she's acting so strange and where we're going, but her lips are sealed. Whenever Emilie is silent like this, it makes me nervous because you never know what to expect. She's an extreme extrovert who usually never knows when to shut up, so you can see why I'm a little nervous.

Pulling into a parking spot in front of a little coffee shop about ten minutes from our house, I'm led to a small table in the back corner of the coffee shop, Gabi greeting me with a bright smile, drink in hand. Confusion coats my face, having no clue why were at this coffee shop and meeting up with Gabi. Neither of the girls mentioned this in our group chat, so clearly this was something Gabi and Emilie talked about without me.

"Charlotte Mitchell, sit your ass in that chair and I'll go get you a hot chocolate." Em points her finger at me looking at me like a mother would look at her child when they want them to behave. She walks away towards the barista leaving me to take a seat across from a laughing Gabi across from me. If anyone saw how Emilie and I treated each other sometimes they'd think I was younger than Em when it's the other way around.

"Wait what's going on? Em hasn't told me anything." I shot a glance over to where Em stood waiting for our orders turning back to face Gabi. "I'm not sure. She just texted me asking if I was free to meet up here and I said I'd be more than happy to come." I slightly nod my head, not too convinced by what Gabi says.

Making her way back to the table, Emilie places a hot chocolate in front of me before sitting next to Gabi. "Charlotte, do you know why we're here?" I try to think of why Em dragged me out of bed to come here, but nothing seems to stick. Gabi and Em look at me, at each other, smiles slowly rising at their faces, then back at me with creepy smiles plastered on their faces. "No, why are you guys looking at me like that?" I was starting to squirm in my seat uncomfortably. Something was going on and I was being left out of the loop.

"Well the last few days you've been holed up in your room working like a madwoman and Gabi and I have an idea as to why this is happening, but we decided we wanted to hear it from you." Both girls lean in closer to me waiting for me to spill my guts. I hesitate, not sure if I should tell the girls why I've been holed up in my room often in the last few days. If I tell them, they might tell Nico, Luke, or even Jack himself. If they tell Jack, I don't know what he'd think and I would rather not know what he thinks if it's something I don't want to hear. It would feel like a stab to the heart if they did tell him and he just doesn't care, that's when I'd become a madwoman. The positive if I tell the girls, they might be able to help me shut down the nagging voice in the back of my mind that's been bothering me for the last four days.

After hesitating for a minute, I just decide to hope for the best and tell the girls. "It's Jack, well not really. Maybe? I don't know," I sigh frustrated because I can't seem to put into words what I'm feeling. Taking a breath, I decided to try again, "I've had this nagging voice in the back of my mind that has been working overtime trying to convince me that the kiss was a figment of my imagination, something that just happened in my head." Looking at both girls' reactions, I see apologetic looks on their faces. I hate telling people about how my mind works and having them look at me like I'm a wounded puppy. 

"It's also just been telling me that Jack probably doesn't want to talk to me again. I know he's busy and it's something I truly understand, but it's like my mind constantly forgets that and I get in the dumps since we haven't talked for so long." Looking down at my hands, I play with the rings on my fingers not wanting to look at the girls. I can feel their eyes pull away from me for a few seconds before their eyes come right back to me. 

"Char you know that's not true right? Jack cares about you and although he's busy he's probably eager to talk to you. Just ask Gabi." Gabi nods her head rapidly before speaking up, "Charlotte she's right. Nico and Jack are like brothers and Jack is almost always an open book with Nico. From what Nicos told me, Jack seems very smitten with you. He never shuts up about you." My heart begins to flutter at the thought, a slight smile on my face. Hearing her say that, I take my eyes off my fingers and rings and look back up at Gabi.

Taking hold of my hand squeezing lightly Gabi speaks again, "Look I know it's hard not talking to someone for a while, but I've been with Nico for three years and the first time I experienced what you're feeling I felt the same. Please trust me when I say he cares and the first chance he gets to talk to you he will." Giving one last squeeze to my hand, Gabi sends me a reassuring smile.

"Char, we love you and you need to give yourself time to rest. We are gonna have a girls' day and I'm keeping you as far from your cameras and laptop as possible." The three of us get up and head over to the mall. We spend a few hours looking around and buying things in every few stores. It feels nice to just decompress and be away from work for once. Gabi excuses herself mouthing "Nico" and picking up her phone, while Em is in the dressing room trying on a few shirts. I sit patiently waiting for her to come out and check my phone. Zero messages. God, I'm hoping that Emilie and Gabi are right and that Jack will reach out once he can.

To top off girl's day, we head over to an Italian restaurant not too far from where we met earlier today. Gabi orders a fettuccine alfredo, Em orders spaghetti and meatballs, while I stick to my usual chicken parmesan with fettuccine. We have a nice and peaceful conversation before my phone buzzes. I contemplate checking my phone now since the girls and I are having a nice conversation and getting ready to head home. "Check if it's a lover boy, we won't mind." The girls both giggle and watch, waiting for me to check my phone.

I pretend to contemplate if I should check or not, but I know exactly what I'm going to do. Taking my phone out of my pocket, the screen lights up revealing a text message from Jack. Reading the message, heat rises to my cheeks making my face flush with a pink tint. "From the way you're blushing, I'm gonna guess that it's lover boy." From the blush on my cheeks and the smile on my face, Gabi and Emilie have the answer to their question.

iMessage

jacky boy🏒 hey lotte I'm so sorry I haven't talked to you in a while. coach has been having us practicing non-stop for these next few games

jacky boy🏒 we actually just finished here in Detroit not too long ago and I wanted to talk to you

lotte💫 hey jack. literally no worries I figured that you were probably swamped with practices and games

jacky boy🏒 don't lie lotte, a little birdie told me you were working yourself dry, barely even leaving your room

jacky boy🏒 why didn't you shoot me a text? I would've replied even if I was swamped

lotte💫 I just didn't want to bother you, it wasn't that important

jacky boy🏒 charlotte it is important. I worry about you when you overwork yourself. you forget to take care of yourself and that's not good. if I had been back home, I would've made sure you were okay myself, but thankfully I have gabi and emilie to fill me in

lotte💫 I know I know. I'm sorry if I worried you. gabi and em talked to me this morning

jacky boy🏒 when I get back at the first chance I get a free day just know we're spending it together and you get to pick what we do, okay?

jacky boy🏒 you have free rein to choose anything you'd like

lotte💫 no jack it's okay I don't want you to waste your free days on me

jacky boy🏒 lotte I wouldn't call any days I get to spend with you a waste of time. 

jacky boy🏒 I gotta go since I need to pack up my stuff before we catch the flight back to Jersey. just start thinking up somethings you want us to do. I'll text you when we land

lotte💫 well then I'll start planning. have a safe flight ♡

I can't help, but feel giddy at Jack admitting that he likes spending time with me, and contrary to what my brain thinks, he doesn't feel like us spending time together is a waste of time. I fill the girls in on what Jack said, and they let out cheers, happy that I'm happy and at the possibility that Jack and I will get to spend the day together again. I guess I better start planning what we could do to make sure we both end up having a great time. 

Edited: 11/23/24