It's not just a sweatshirt

Part 5

I jumped off the couch and slapped Dylan on the arm.

"You can't kid like that Dilli."

He stands up and walks until he is right in front of me. I have to look up to even see his face; he is a lot taller than me. He grabs my hand and intertwines our fingers together, causing my heart to flutter.

"I wasn't kidding Jem, I want you to come to set with me."

"But Dyl, you don't want me with all your friends."

"Jemmy, I would rather just be with you then all of them."

I looked down at our hands as I felt a blush creep across my face. Maybe he wasn't lying about the whole sweatshirt thing. Maybe he really did like me. No that's not true, I'm just not thinking straight.

"Dylan, that's not true. You know that's not true. Stop pitying me Dylan. Remember I'm grownup too. I can handle myself!"

I stepped away from him and walked to the kitchen. I heard him running behind me but I didn't slow down. He doesn't mean any of what he's saying, he does this a lot. He makes stupid decisions too quickly because he feels bad for me. I hate when he does this, it's like he doesn't think I can take care of myself. I don't need him. I swing open the door to my car and collapse inside. The tears can't stay back any longer, so I let them escape. I think about how much I miss him, how long he will be gone for. Maybe it's best if we're not friends. Of course it would be hard for me but it would be easier for him. My shoulders shake as my head falls into my hands. The tears won't stop, but I'm not making them. I stayed like this for a while, crying about who knows what. I probably would have stayed like this longer if I hadn't felt a hand rub my back.

"Jem, I'm not making this up."

I look up from my hands to see Dylan. He starts to wipe away the tears from my face with his sleeve. He pushed up the arm rest and slithers in next to me. I rest my head on his shoulder as he runs his fingers through my hair.

"Jem, I would rather stay here with you then go back to filming. I don't know why you think that I like the cast better than you. I mean, what is not to like about you? You're super smart, you're funny without ever being mean, you're kind, and I mean look at you! You're insanely attractive."

"I'm what?"

I look over at Dylan to see that he turned ghost white. It took all my will power not to laugh.

"I um I uh... I said that you're kind."

I just couldn't hold the laugh in anymore. I laughed so hard I ended up falling into Dylan's lap. I looked up at Dylan, when I finally stopped laughing, to see he was scratching the back of his neck. He's nervous. Around me? Why?

"Feel free to call me that whenever you like."

"Oh so you liked it?"

"I like it when anyone calls me attractive. I mean, I know I am, but it's nice to hear."

"There we go! That's my Jem! I'm glad I made you laugh again. You know I really missed your smile."

"Well thank you O'Brien I missed you too."

"So, will you come to set with me?"

"If that's what you really want..."

"More than anything."

"Then I would love to."