Strings Attached • JIARA•

16

JJ's POV:

So I really just fucked up. It's no secret that I'm in love with Kie. I never planned on falling in love with her. It just happened and I tried not to love her because she is my best friend. We were having sex in her car and I almost told her that I loved her but I just couldn't do it.

Those words have never come out of my mouth before. I've never told another human being that I love them before. I've never been loved by anyone romantically before. I didn't really know what it was like. So I panicked and didn't tell her. Honestly, it's probably for the best.

She seemed pissed at me and once she was in her room, Pope looked at me.

"Dude, what did you do to piss her off"

I took a breath and I said, "This needs to stay a secret. Like major bro code here"

"My lips are sealed"

I told Pope about what happened and he told me that I should tell her how I feel. I told him that I couldn't because of the rules we made up. He told me rules are stupid which made me laugh because usually, Pope loved rules.

I walked to the spare bedroom door and it was locked. I was just going to wait until tomorrow to talk to her. I fell asleep and the next morning, I got up and Kie was already gone. She was coming over later to say goodbye before she flew back to Florida.

She came earlier than I expected and we went outside to talk. She looked at me and said, "JJ, these past few months with you have been super fun. I'll never regret this arrangement but things are getting too complicated. We keep breaking the rules and we're just going to end up hurt so I'm ending the whole arrangement so we can just go back to being friends"

Shit. She just ended it. I wasn't expecting that. She looked at me said, "I should give this back to you"

She went to take the neckalce that I gave her off and I said, "No, you keep it. The reason I gave it to you is still true. Please"

She agreed to keep it and she was trying not to cry. I was doing the same thing. She had to leave as she had a plane to catch. We went back inside and Kie started goodbye to everyone. She hugged everyone goodbye and she got to me and her eyes were filled with tears.

I wrapped my arms around her super tight. I wanted to tell her right now but it was too late.

"Kie, you should kiss him goodbye" John B said

"Yeah, please" Sarah said

"I agree" Pope said and all eyes were on us

"You don't want to see us mack" I said to them

Kie looked at me and she kissed me. I melted into the kiss and it was perfect. However, it felt like more of a goodbye kiss. We broke apart and Pope said, "Damn, I need to find a girlfriend"

Everyone laughed and I looked at Kie and I noticed a tear on her cheek. I wiped it away with my thumb and said, "Have a safe trip back to Florida"

She left and everyone looked at me.

"Dude, don't let her go. Tell her how you feel" John B said

"I feel nothing" I lied

"Bullshit" Sarah said

"You have no idea what you're even talking about" I said back

I was annoyed with everyone so I left the chateau. I was walking home to my dad's house and he wasn't there. I went into my room and I slammed my door shut as I broke down crying. I know we made up this whole arrangement for a reason but I broke every single rule. Especially the one that said not to fall in love.

The next few days, I just worked out and went to work. My friends all went back to school. I was alone again and holy shit, I missed Kie like crazy. Our arrangement was over and I hooked up with this girl about a month later.

It was fine. It was just like any other girl before Kie. I thought maybe it would help but it didn't. I tried again with another girl and it didn't help me at all. In fact, it probably made things worse.

The girl literally just left the bedroom at the chateau and suddenly I saw my phone was ringing. It was Kie.

I didn't know if I should answer it or not. I picked up and Kie said, "Hey"

"Hey" I replied

"So, a lot happened and we haven't talked since. Just because our arrengement is over doesn't mean I want our friendship to be over" She said starting the conversation

"And I still want you to come visit me for spring break" She added

"Really?" I asked

"Yeah, you're my best friend and I don't want to lose you" She said and she sounded like she was crying

I hit the facetime button and she answered and sure enough she was crying. I was laying in my bed under the covers, naked. She noticed right away and said, "Oh, I'm sorry.. I didn't realize you were busy"

"No, I'm not. Yeah, I slept with a girl earlier but it meant nothing"

"I don't care... Our arrangement is over. You can sleep with whoever you want to" She said calmly

I wanted to tell her I only wanted to sleep with her.

"For what it's worth, it's the not the same anymore" I admitted to her

We talked about the past month. Mainly about work and school and it was pretty late and Kie said she had to go shower and then go to bed as she had an early class.

I was happy she called. We were going to remain friends, just like before. I fell asleep and the next few days everything felt normal again. Kie and I were back to being friends.

The others found out I was going to visit Kie and they decided to join. Kie didn't seem to mind and they all got plane tickets.

We were all so excited to go to Florida. It was just two months away. I hoped it went by fast because I couldn't wait for a vacation.