Secrets [Trans Jake AU, Juke Fanfic]

~ Chapter 6: "Did you say Zander?" ~

Wednesday

The sounds of muffled speaking surrounded the blonde boy. The loud chattering in the room was suffocating. He rubbed his face and sighed deeply. Why can't I just go home and hide in my room forever? He thought. The class dragged on longer than he wished. The class was separated into partners and he knew that this was something Drew couldn't do on his own, so he did his best to focus on the assignment at hand.

But, a gentle and familiar sigh alerted Jake. He looked over to the chestnut-haired boy diagonal of him to see the boy rubbing his arm and looking upset. A wave of concern washed over the blonde boy when he saw Luke seeming sad. A groan came from beside Jake as he turned to see Drew cupping his head as his elbows rested on the workbench. "What's Luke sighing about?" He questioned. "Oh, I think-" Before Jake continued, he thought of something snarky to say, that would make it seem like he wasn't upset, "I think he's just having some trouble in the love department, y'know?" Drew nodded. "Ouch. That's tough," Drew pushed off the desk and smirked. "Shame I can't relate." 

"I feel for him," Henry whined from beside Drew. "Lia still hasn't responded to my texts. I can't seem to catch a break with her!" 

"I told you, stop sending her My Hero Academia memes!" Liam growled, crossing his arms. 

Jake gazed back to the tallboy. Whoever he likes must really be getting him down. I guess we're sinking in the same boat, huh? Jake smiled faintly at his own joke. I wonder who it is.. Ahg, no, Jake, that'll just tear your mood down even more. But.. There's a 50% chance of.. No, no. Don't get your hopes up. I'm sure whoever it is, she's beautiful and kind, and deserves him more then you do, anyway. Jake cupped his face in his hands as the words he had just told himself flooded his senses. Good job, Jake. He mentally kicked himself. 

After another minute or so of staring at Luke and thinking, curiosity took the cake. Jake pushed himself off the table and turned to Hailey. "Psst. Hailey," He whispered. "Luke's been looking really upset since rehearsals. I remember him saying something about a crush? And, I know you two are kind of close so, do you know who it is?" 

Hailey just smirked at him. "Why? Are you interested?" She joked. Jake flushed pink and rubbed the back of his neck. "N-No.. I just want to try to.. Help out. Maybe give him some advice?" He responded. "Well, if you say so," Hailey shrugs, leaning onto her table. Jake's heartbeat paced up as he mentally crossed his fingers. 

"It's Zander." 

Jake's heart stopped. Why? It was obvious anyway. Why is he shocked? Why is he hurt? Why is he tempted to run out of this room and cry? Why does he wish he never even asked? "D-Did.. did you say.. Zander..?" Jake spoke softly, fighting back tears. "Are you okay?" Hailey took a step closer to Jake. "Y-Yeah.. I'm fine. I just uh.." Jake quickly raised his hand. "Yes, Jake?" The teacher groaned. "May I go to the bathroom, please?" He answered quickly. 

"Make it quick."

And with that, Jake exited the room as fast as he could, hanging up the science coat to the door and replacing it with his own. As he finally made it to the bathroom, he leaned onto the sink and let the tears fall out of his eyes one by one. 

Once calmer, he rubbed his eyes violently with the sleeve of his jacket. "Well.. I should hold on to what I said.." He mumbled. "I told Hailey that I'd help Luke, so that's what I'm gonna do. Besides. This is probably just a simple crush. It'll brush over with time, I know it." 

Jake then left the bathroom to find the student he began looking for. 

---

Luke threw his red bag over his shoulder and slammed the yellow locker in front of him shut. As he began his way to leave the school, he heard a familiar voice calling his name, "Luke!" 

The chestnut-haired boy turned around to see none other than his crush in front of him, winded. "O-Oh, hey, Jake," He smiled. "Yeah, hi- Uh.. I've been thinking about you all day-" Both boys flushed pink as Jake cut himself off. "I-I mean! I-I've been thinking about what you said all day! A-And I thought that maybe I could help you..?"

Luke stared at Jake in shock. "Help me?" He asked, tilting his head. "What do you mean?" 

"Well, I remember you saying something about your crush not liking you.."

"Oh.. Yeah.."

"Well, I thought that maybe I could, I dunno, try to get you two together..?"

"I-I.. I don't think-"

"Just give me a shot, okay?"

Luke sighed. "Okay. What do you have in mind?"

"Well, I was thinking. You're always talking so politely and using such a fancy manner when you speak, so, maybe you could write them a poem? Get your feelings out onto paper? You could add a new line every day after school, and when you're ready, give it to them," 

Luke's heart fluttered at the idea. That could work.. I suppose.. I won't be able to give it to him though. He thought. "I like that idea! Thank you so much, Jake!" Without thinking of what he was doing, Luke quickly wrapped his arms around Jake in a tight hug. The smaller boy's face turned a bright shade of pink at the other's touch. When Luke realized what he was doing, he pulled away quickly; turning a shade of pink as well. "S-Sorry," He apologized, rubbing the back of his neck. "Anyway, I better get going. I'll see you tomorrow!" 

"See you..!" Jake waved. His arm then drooped to his side as he limply made his way to his own locker. 

---

"Well, well, well," The teal-haired girl smirked. "Someone's happy. Spill the tea." the boy in front of her groaned with a flustered smile. "Okay. I'm just going to come right out and say it." He spoke, leaning his back onto a nearby tree as the two waited for Zander to walk over. "I like Jake. And, he just gave me a great idea on how to actually control my feelings," He confessed. Hailey's eyes widened as she let out an audible gasp. 

"Is something wrong..?" 

"I.. Nevermind. Hey, look! It's Zander. Let's get going."

The two met up with Zander and greeted him quickly before the small trio began their walk home together. But, Hailey couldn't stop thinking about what Luke had said. "I like Jake." Is what he said. "It's Zander." That is what she told Jake. 

Did she just ruin their possible relationship? She made everything harder for them, didn't she? I seriously messed up.. She told herself. She had to fix this. But how? She can't just go up to Jake and say, "By the way, Luke doesn't like Zander he likes you!" Hailey mentally kicked herself, annoyed at what she had done. Maybe she should just let it go? Let love heal itself? But what if something goes south? Hailey groaned quietly and pressed her face into her hands. Why must love be so confusing? She thought. 

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Word count: 1234