Someone / Jack Gilinsky

02

Paige's POV

Jack fucking Gilinsky. Of all the people who could've talked to me today, it had to be him. I've had a crush on him since like 3rd grade, and now he wants me to sit at his lunch table because he pities me?

As I walked around the cafeteria looking for Jack and his friends, everyone was staring at me, like always. Thankfully Jack waved and yelled my name to get my attention. I slowly walked over towards the table. When I got there everyone at the table was smiling at me, but I could still see the look of pity in their eyes. I returned a smile and Jack introduced me to everyone. "Guys, this is Paige. She's gonna sit with us today. Paige, this is Jack Johnson, Emily, Mallory, Sam, Mike, Erin, Laine, Josh, Chelsea, and Monica." Everyone muttered "hi" or "hey" to me as their name was called, even though we all already knew each other's names. We have been going to school together since pre-school and I used to be best friends with all of them. "I really don't know why I just introduced you guys, you already know each other." Jack said, and we all laughed. "Anyway, did you bring your lunch or do you want to get in line with me?" Jack asked. Everyone else already had their food.

"I'll go up with you." It was weird how now that I was walking with Jack, people paid so much less attention to me, besides a few girls who were obviously jealous. We got our food after waiting in the ridiculously long line and headed back to Jack's table. Jack sat down and I took the open seat next to him. He and his friends jumped right into a conversation that I could barely keep up with, so I ate my lunch in silence. I was somewhat surprised when Emily started talking to me.

"So Paige, we haven't talked in forever! I've missed you! What's been going on with you?" she smiled. Well let's see, my best friend died, none of my other friends talk to me anymore, my parents think I'm a depressed, crazy mess, and my grades are slipping which has all my teachers worried.

"Um, nothing really. Just trying to make it through the school year."

"Aren't we all! Are you playing any sports this year? I know you used to play a bunch."

"I did volleyball in the fall, but I didn't do any winter sports. I probably won't do spring sports this year either."

"Why not?" Why is she asking me this?

"It was just too much to handle I guess." A knowing look crossed Emily's face and she gave me a look that said "I'm sorry." I gave her a weak smile as if to tell her it's okay. Her asking me questions that she really doesn't want to know the answer to is better than her not talking to me at all.

"Any boys you've got your eyes on?" Emily asked while wiggling her eyebrows up and down, and glancing at Jack, making the assumption that I still like him. She used to be one of my closest friends, so she knows that I used to like him, but I'm not admitting that I still do with him sitting right next to me.

"No, not really. We graduate in a few months so I don't really see the point in trying to start a relationship right now." I lied.

"Yeah, okay. Like I believe that." Emily laughed while rolling her eyes. I laughed and shook my head. I've missed her, since we used to be close in elementary and middle school. In a way, we're picking up right where we left off.

For the rest of lunch, I talked with everyone at the table, and I laughed more than I have in a long time. I caught Jack looking at me multiple times, which made me smile even more. The lunch bell soon rang, and I dreaded going back into the hallways just to have people stare at me again.

"What class do you have now?" Mallory asked me.

"Physics." I responded.

"I have astronomy, we can walk together!" she said excitedly. I smiled and we started walking together to the science hallway.

"So, I saw Jack looking at you during lunch. What's up with you guys?" she smirked.

"Nothing. We haven't even really talked, he just came up to me this morning and asked if I wanted to sit with you guys at lunch. That's it."

"With Jack that's never it. He probably thinks you're hot."

"He probably feels sorry for me, just like everyone else in this damn school."

"Just between you and me, Jack has had a crush on you since like pre-school. But since we all kinda lost touch he was too scared to talk to you and he thought you didn't like him."

"What about all those other girls he's dated?"

"I mean he liked them, but he's pretty much in love with you. He always has been, and as far as I can tell, he always will be." We got to the science hallway, and I said goodbye to Mallory.

I don't know if I believe that Jack actually likes me or not. He's never been shy so I feel like he would've just talked to me. I spent the rest of the day thinking about Jack and what Mallory said to me. As soon as the final bell rang, I practically ran outside to my car, ready to get out of this place. As soon as I got to the parking lot, I heard a voice calling my name. I turned around and saw that it was Jack.

"Paige, hey! I was just wondering how you liked lunch today?" Jack questioned.

"The food was so-so. Definitely could've been better."

"Same old Paige." Jack laughed. "That's not what I meant and you know it." He smiled.

"It was nice, for sure better than sitting alone. I've missed everyone, we all used to be such good friends."

"Yeah we were. I miss that too. Well if you want to, you can sit there for the rest of the school year. It'll be like old times." If it were old times, Brooke would be with us, I thought to myself.

"Yeah, I'd like that. Thanks."

"Of course. See you tomorrow." We both smiled at each other and Jack started to walk away.

"Jack!" He turned around and looked at me. "Thanks for talking to me today and letting me sit with you and all your friends. Today is the most anyone's talked to me since before..." I couldn't finish that sentence. "Thanks."

"They're your friends too." He told me, smiling at me and walking away.

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I know that this is pretty boring right now, but things will definitely pick up soon! Please tell me your opinions on the story, and if you like it please vote and tell your friends to read it! Thanks (: