Reading Between Lines || A TMF Henraisy Fanfic

16. Bonds of Friendship

Henry paced back and forth in his bedroom, his mind consumed with thoughts of the kiss and the whirlwind of emotions it had unleashed. He knew he couldn't keep these feelings bottled up any longer. With a deep breath, he reached for his phone and dialed Jake's number, hoping his friend would lend an ear.

The phone rang, each ring seeming to stretch out into an eternity until Jake's voice finally filled the line.

"Hey, Henry! What's up?" Jake greeted, his voice filled with warmth and curiosity.

"Hey, Jake," Henry replied, his voice betraying a mix of nerves and uncertainty. "I... I need to talk to you about something. Can we meet up?"

Jake picked up on the seriousness in Henry's tone. "Yeah, of course. Where do you want to meet?"

"How about our usual spot by the lake?" Henry suggested, his voice tinged with a hint of anticipation.

"Sounds good. I'll be there in ten," Jake agreed, sensing the importance of their impending conversation.

Henry hung up the phone and made his way to the lake, his heart pounding in his chest. When Jake arrived, their eyes met, and without exchanging a word, they found a quiet spot under the shade of a familiar tree.

"So, what's on your mind, Henry?" Jake asked, his voice gentle yet filled with curiosity.

Henry took a deep breath, his gaze fixed on the ripples of the lake. "Jake, I need to be honest with you. Remember when I told you there was nothing going on between me and Daisy? Well, that wasn't entirely true."

Jake's eyebrows shot up in surprise, his eyes widening. "Wait, are you saying...?"

"Yeah," Henry interrupted, his voice tinged with a mix of nervousness and vulnerability. "I think... I think I have feelings for her, Jake. More than just friendship."

Jake's expression softened, his features mirroring a mix of understanding and support. "Wow, Henry. I didn't see that coming. But hey, it's okay. Feelings can be complicated, and sometimes they sneak up on us when we least expect it."

Henry nodded, relief washing over him. "I'm glad you understand, Jake. I've been wrestling with these emotions, and I needed to tell someone. Daisy and I had a moment, and it made me realize that there's something more between us."

Jake's voice held a note of reassurance. "I'm here for you, buddy. You know that. And I'm glad you trusted me enough to share this with me. Now, the important question is, what are you going to do about it?"

Henry exhaled deeply, his gaze shifting to the shimmering waters of the lake. "I think I need to talk to Daisy, to figure out if she feels the same way. It's a risk, but I can't keep pretending these feelings don't exist. Our friendship means too much to me."

Jake placed a supportive hand on Henry's shoulder. "Go for it, Henry. Take that leap of faith. Whatever happens, know that I'm here for you every step of the way."

With a newfound determination, Henry nodded, gratitude welling up in his heart. "Thanks, Jake. Your support means the world to me. I'll see how things unfold with Daisy, and hopefully, we'll find our way through this together."

Jake watched Henry closely, his own feelings for Daisy still lingering in the depths of his heart. But in that moment, as he saw the sincerity and vulnerability in Henry's eyes, he knew what he needed to do. Swallowing his own desires, he mustered up a smile and spoke from the depths of his friendship.

"Henry, I want you to know that I care about Daisy deeply too," Jake began, his voice filled with a mixture of sincerity and resolve. "And while part of me wishes it was me in your position, I also want to see both of you happy. You're my friend, and I want what's best for you. So, please, take care of Daisy."

Henry's eyes widened, touched by Jake's selflessness. He nodded gratefully, his own appreciation for their friendship growing even stronger. "Thank you, Jake. Your support means a lot to me. I promise you, I'll do everything I can to make Daisy happy and cherish what we have."

Jake patted Henry on the back, a bittersweet smile playing on his lips. "I know you will, buddy. And remember, no matter what happens, I'll be here for both of you. You deserve happiness, and so does Daisy. If it's meant to be, it'll work out."

Henry nodded, a mix of determination and gratitude etched on his face. "I believe that too. And I'm grateful to have a friend like you by my side."

They sat there for a while longer, the weight of their unspoken feelings hanging in the air. But in that shared understanding and unspoken agreement, a bond between friends grew even stronger.

As they finally stood up, ready to face the uncertain path that lay ahead, Jake squeezed Henry's shoulder one more time. "Go and talk to Daisy, Henry. Be honest with her, and remember, sometimes taking risks is what leads us to our greatest joys."

As their conversation drew to a close, a bittersweet mix of emotions filled the air. Jake looked at Henry, his gaze filled with a combination of affection and longing. He took a step forward and pulled Henry into a tight embrace, their friendship solidified in that heartfelt moment.

Henry felt the warmth of Jake's embrace, a silent reassurance passing between them. The weight of unspoken words hung heavy in the air, their unrequited feelings dancing in the spaces between them. It was a moment of understanding and acceptance, a final plea from Jake to Henry.

"Take care of her, Henry. Please," Jake whispered, his voice filled with both vulnerability and genuine concern.

Henry's grip on Jake tightened, a mix of gratitude and sorrow flooding his heart. He nodded, his voice barely above a whisper. "I will, Jake. I promise."

They held onto each other for a moment longer, a silent acknowledgment of the unspoken complexities that defined their friendship. And with one final squeeze, they reluctantly let go, knowing that their paths would diverge for the night, but their bond would remain unbreakable.

As they parted ways, their footsteps echoing in different directions, they carried with them the weight of their shared history and the hope for a future where love, friendship, and happiness would intertwine in ways they couldn't yet foresee.

♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡

I mean it when I tell y'all that I SOBBED while writing this chapter. SOB. I FEEL SO BAD FOR JAKE

Welp, he'll get love from Luke in the other fic lol.