one and the same || shawn mendes

jack.

5:38
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It was really hot as I walked through the neighbourhood to my grandmas house, and there was a happy feeling to the world. As I passed the houses on the streets, I came across one that was blasting music. I stopped in my tracks and decided to see what was going on. I could see a lot of familiar faces from my school all in the backyard and I could tell they were having a party. I could see sammy wilkinson, the most popular boy in school with his group of friends in the corner laughing and talking to one another. There was Nash and Hayes Grier, Cameron Dallas, Taylor Caniff, Jack Gilinksy and Jack Johnson.

I began to continue my journey when suddenly I heard someone shout out my name. I turned around to see Jack Gilinksy walking towards me smiling. In the yard, all of his friends were staring at us with confused and amused facial expressions.

"Where are you going? There's a party over here, you should stay for a bit. Summers just started and we are having a little celebration for it." he said, motioning over to sam's house.

Once again, I couldn't seem to get my words out without a fight. "I'm sorry Jack, I can't stay. I have all my school stuff with me and I'm not really dressed for it. And as well, my parents are probably already questioning where I am, I got held up at school" I responded nervously.

"You look great, better then most of the girls here actually." He said with a wink, "And you can put your stuff in the house if you want, I'm sure Sam wouldn't mind, and I think your parents wouldn't mind you just coming for a bit either, it is summer after all" he continued with a polite smile.

I had some doubts in my mind, and I spent several moments mentally debating whether to go or not. I figured it's summer and I should just let loose for a bit.

"Well I guess an hour or so won't hurt" I said to Jack, smiling.

"Great, come on in" he smirked at me, motioning me towards the backyard.

As we approached, I could see his friends still staring at us smirking. Jack seemed to be confident and smirking back at them. I had a weird, scared feeling.

"Hey lai, I can call you that right?" Sammy questioned.

Not going to lie, it felt a bit weird having the popular group of boys who had never made any contact with me before asking to give me a nickname. I was hesitant to answer, but I didn't feel like I could say no.

"Sure" I quietly responded. My inner monologue was going wild at this point. My head was all over the place. None of the cool kids in my school ever acknowledged my existence, let alone ask me to come to their party and give me a friendly nickname.

"How about we go upstairs lai?" Jack G suggested to me. I didn't know what to say, but I looked around at the rest of the boys to see them smirking still and giving me the look as if to say; "go with him."

"I guess so" I mumbled slowly.

He took my hand and led me upstairs, placing my stuff on sam's kitchen counter. When we reached a room, which I assumed was the guest room as it was quite simple, with a bed and a wardrobe, Jack sat down on the edge of the bed and patted the spot next to him, for me to sit down.

I slumped onto the bed next to Jack and he began making conversation.

"So why were you back late at school?" he questioned.

"I met a new boy who is joining our school next semester called Shawn, and we kinda just chatted for a bit" I said, stuttering on my words.

"Oh, what did you talk about?" he asked.

"We just talked about what we both enjoy and stuff, we actually have a lot in common and I got his number so" I explained to Jack, his face dropping slightly at the last part.

"oh cool, so I guess you get along pretty well then?" he said worryingly.

"yeah, he's really nice and sweet and he helped me pick my stuff up when I dropped it on the floor" I smiled, remembering the events that had occurred previously.

Jacks facial expression looked kind of disappointed, and he nervously stared down at the floor. I wasn't sure what was wrong, he had never took notice of me until this very afternoon, so why did he care? He looked a bit jealous, but I shook it off because I was probably just assuming wrong.

"That's nice then I guess."

I could suddenly feel the awkwardness between us, and I decided I should probably leave now. I was thinking of what to say to get out of here, I just settled with;

"It's getting late and my parents still don't know where I am, I need to go" I said, standing up from the bed and making my way downstairs. Jack followed behind me slowly, dragging his feet as he walked and glaring at the ground deep in thought.

I grabbed my stuff off sam's counter and began to leave. As I passed Sam's group, he shouted out at me; "hey, where are you going so fast? You just got here!"

"I have to go, I have stuff to do" I called out, walking towards the exit of the yard.

"Whatever, bye then" he said, turning back around to his friends, continuing their previous conversation.

As I restarted my journey home down the street, I felt a tap on my shoulder and I suddenly turned around to see Jack stood behind me.

"Hey lai, I just wanted to say, if that shawn guy ever hurts you I'll kick his ass. I really like you and I care about you a lot" he said to me. I was incredibly shocked at his words.

Jack Gilinksy, the guy in our school that gets all the girls he wants and whom has never spoke to me before just said he cares about me and likes me. Of course I don't believe him, he never payed attention to me before, so I ignored him.

"Yeah, thanks, bye Jack" I said, turning around and walking away, leaving Jack stood there alone.

I couldn't help but think about it a bit. Why did Jack seem so upset when I mentioned shawn? And why did he come to me to tell me that he cared about me? Do you think...? No it couldn't be. But maybe? Does Jack Gilinksy have feelings for me?

I left those thoughts in the back of my mind and continued home to text shawn.