[ UNDER WORK ] 𝒊𝒏 𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒏 , jack champion

- ❛ SIXTEEN ❜ : 𝙨𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙧𝙚𝙟𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣

IN BETWEEN — chapter sixteen
I was only ever scared of his rejection

    I HAD DAVID's COMPANY. He was over for some screen press we had to start for The Summer I turned Pretty season two. With the New Year rolling around we were ready to start our press for the upcoming season and I was very excited. Although I'd be leaving school for a few months to head back to North Carolina, I didn't mind. What I didn't want to do was leave Bailey and Raine—especially since Bailey had only gotten back a few weeks ago.

   Raine on the other hand needed to head to La for tour rehearsals. It still wasn't hitting me how she was opening for Taylor, extremely beyond proud. She had mentioned how she wanted to drop a song in the middle of her tour and that it would be very special to me.

   Bailey was sad that I was leaving, New Years would only be with David and the cast—and not Bailey, Raine, Jack, Matt, and Jamie. Although I asked Bailey if she wanted to come to North Carolina with me she kindly declined as she wanted to spend time with her family.

   David was all set and packed. We would be leaving tomorrow in the morning. I was happy enough to spend Christmas with my friends and I was grateful for that.

    "Are you upset that we aren't spending it with Bailey and Raine?" David asks me, as he helps me pack. He was in my closet as he pulled out three of my hoodies.

   "I am" I say, folding the clothes into my suitcase. "Bailey, Raine, Jack, Matt, Jamie too".

   "And Louis?".

   "No no he went back to London already" I laughed. "It was probably for the best...I don't want you guys having bad terms with Louis, and I like Louis a lot".

   "Ooooo" David teases. "So you agree with me? When I say I ship you guys?".

   This makes me look up at David. "You're insane! You already know who I like, David".

    I see him roll his eyes at me. "Okay I know. Jack, but none of you guys make a move and it's taking a long time. Clearly, Louis likes you".

   He was right. But that's because I was too scared to make a move on Jack. I mean, he was just so amazing, and he didn't show any signs of liking me back. If I had seen any of those signs then maybe I would have made a move on Jack. But, Louis on the other hand, he had shown signs of liking me and I knew because it was obvious even though I told everyone he was just a friend. I had to admit, he was cute, but I was more head over heels for Jack than I was for Louis.

   "There goes your new years kiss" David motions a thumbs down.

    "That doesn't mean anything" I frown. Of course it meant something! That's literally what every girl dreams of and just sharing that moment with someone special was amazing. "You aren't getting one either".

   "Did you forget the fact that me and Rain have been talking". Right. As much as I don't keep up with Rain, my costar, I forgot her and David were talking for a bit—so he had his chance at it.

    Way to go David! Thanks for reminding me!

BAIBAI'S FAVORITE PEOPLE 🎉

blair 💒
david just reminded me
that i will not be getting a
new years kiss this year.
that was actually so foul of him

rainey 🍓
WHY WOULD HE DO THAT
THATS CRUEL

bailey 💐
DAVID WHY WOULD
YOU SAY THAT... WHAT
WERE YALL TALKING ABOUT

blair 💒
this is-
oh this isn't our chat
hey groupchat..

david 🧌
im sorry im just
trying to make her pick

jack c ☺️
Pick?? Oohhh what's
going on, I want, in-tell

jamie f 🫧
is Blair the only
single one here ?

blair 💒
im not sure

jack c ☺️
no
im a sad single lonely boy

rainey 🍓
LMFAO LOSER
idk jack go ask someone out
oh my god why don't you hang with
our little blair for new years

blair 💒
seriously
Raine stop it
That's enough
Oh my god

bailey 💐
Oh!

jack c ☺️
Um I don't think I can
Kind of busy

matt 😎
Blair do u want me to go with
you to nc so you don't feel
lonely?

Blair 💒
Nope nope.
I'm good.
I'll have tons of fun
in North Carolina.

jack c ☺️
Blair?
Did I make you upset?
I'm really sorry if I did
I just think my mother
wants me home for the holiday

blair 💒
no jack you didn't
that's totally okay
you enjoy your holidays !!
and thank you again for the gift
I absolutely loved it you're the sweetest

jack c ☺️
You're welcome.
And next time I see you
You'll get your other gift.

I THREW MY PHONE across the room out of embarrassment. I immediately laid on my bed face flat and started thinking of his message. I mean, I wasn't the one who asked him but I was still utterly embarrassed by it. David sat next to me and patted my back. "Look on the bright side...you have another gift from him that's coming soon".

"Why would Raine do that though?" I asked him. I was now laying on my back as I looked up at the ceiling. "She put him on the spot and if he had said yes than it probably would have just been by the peer pressure he was put on".

"But he said no.."

"Exactly!" I sigh. "That makes it even worse! This is so awful".

David nodded his head as he understood the situation. "You're going to have to tell Jack you like him eventually, right?".

"No no no!" I repeat. "That's absolutely crazy! I could never tell him that".

"But why?" he asks again. "Blair, you've liked him for what? A year now? And all he sees you as is Baileys friend if you don't make a move. It's like he doesn't know the real you. He just knows the you that hangs with Bailey".

Oh my god. He was right. Jack and I only hung out when Bailey was around, minus the fact that he came early on Christmas. Though, I never got to hang with him outside the group. It was truly my fault because I was only ever scared of his rejection—and I may be for a long time.

CHAT WITH ME
i love a good slowburn !
they're just so adorable and jack is so clueless