Latched.

chapter 14

It's been exactly one month since that night. Things felt different between us. The good kind. We talk to each other like we've known each other for years. It's so easy to talk to Jack sometimes. But other times, I want to strangle him. He's asked about my mom a few times, but I always cover it up with an excuse. Why don't I want him to meet her? I don't know. I don't know. My mom thinks that I've been spending all my time with Samantha. I'm so confused with myself. I want Jack to meet my mom, but not right now. I'm just afraid of what he'll think of me when he finds out.

I was at the mall with Samantha. I just wanted to get out of the house. I've been so stressed with Jack, my mom, college applications, and wondering what do do with the rest of my life. Samantha looked over at me when she noticed I wasn't paying attention to her.

"What?" I snapped getting back to reality.

"What about this one?" She asked holding up a dress. I smiled and nodded; it was gorgeous.

"It's pretty." Was all I said. I intended to seem more happy, but I coudn't. I love shopping, but right now all I wanted was my daddy. I havn't thought about him that much lately, which scares me. I don't want to forget about him. I feel that if I cry, I'll never forget him. That he'll always be with me. And I think, if I'm happy, then he'll slowly leave me mind, and I won't remember him anymore. It's better to be sad and remember him, than to be happy, and occasionally think of him.

"Just come with us tonight Blake. You'll have fun. You need to relax a little, you know? Just let lose and have fun." She was practically begging me to go to this party at Sam's tonight. His parents are out for the weekend, and well... you know how that goes.

"No thanks. I need to finish my college applications. And besides, I don't want to be a buzz kill." I lied to her. I just didn't want to go out tonight. Most of the time, I'm all for parties, but I just wasn't feeling anything. I just wanted to talk to my dad. Ugh.

I wish I knew what happened.

"Pleeeeease Blake. You'll be the bestest friend ever." She begged, sticking out her bottom lip.

"No Samantha. Not this time."

"Ugh. You're so grouchy." She laughed.

She bought the dress. A solid dark blue strapless. Simple. Nothing like her though. Samantha was anything but simple. She was everything to me though.

I bought some new Vans, the pastel kind with the floral print. I just had to get them, they were beautiful. When we got back to my house, Samantha got ready. When she was done, I couldn't stop looking at her. Oh how I envy her looks. She was so confident with herself. Why can't I be like that? I just feel so small when I'm around other people. Especially Samantha. She was tall, blonde, and fit. Her tan skin made the blue dress pop, along with the four inch heels she barrowed from me. I still can't believe I own heels to begin with. Sometimes I surprise myself.

"Are you sure you won't come?" She asked, making sure for the 50th time.

I groaned and threw my head back. "Yesssss Samantha. Go. Have fun. Get drunk for me." I giggled at the end.

"Okay. It really won't be that fun without you." She smiled seriously.

"Oh I know." I said flipping my hair back. Pretending to be confident is easier than actually being it.

An hour later, I was sitting on my bed. I was thinking about going to the party, but I really wanted to see Jack. I was contemplating on texting him. I decided to call him.

"Jack?" I asked when I heard the line pick up.

"Blake." He said. God. His voice.

"What are you doing tonight?"

"Absolutely nothing."

"Wanna come over for a little?" I asked with a shakey voice. I hate how he makes me nervous.

"Be there in ten."

"Okay." I said casually, but my mind was screaming in 1,000 different ways.