Stupidly Hot || Jackie Taylor || No crash AU || Present Time AU ||

Chapter Nine || Stolen Glances

Jackie's brows knit together, clearly intrigued by my earlier escapade. "You went swimming?" Her voice carries a mix of surprise and curiosity, prompting me to hastily pull on my clothes before confirming, "Yeah, with Jessie." The name seems to hang in the air, unfamiliar to her. Shifting in the bed, Jackie's expression hints at a subtle shift in her mood. "Who's Jessie?" Her question is laced with a mixture of suspicion and interest.

As I tug at my shirt, trying to alleviate the awkwardness that has settled into the room, I explain, "She works here as a waitress." My fingers instinctively reach for my pocket, retrieving my phone to serve as a momentary distraction from the mounting tension. Jackie's response is a simple, "Right," leaving me to wonder if she's processing the information or if her thoughts are wandering elsewhere.

Sensing an opportunity to engage in conversation, I raise an eyebrow and ask, "Something wrong?" Jackie's response is swift, her words a quick dismissal, "No." But her eyes tell a different story, hinting at a myriad of unspoken thoughts. My phone's screen illuminates with the time, 6pm, and I seize the chance to change the subject. "You hungry?" I inquire, hoping to shift the focus away from Jessie and onto something more mundane. Jackie's reply is guarded, "Why?" I'm undeterred by her skepticism and press on, "Are you?"

A flicker of uncertainty passes across her features before she concedes, "Yeah." A small victory, and I'm determined to build upon it. "Come on then, let's get something to eat. I'll pay." Her lips curl into a genuine smile, and I feel a sense of accomplishment as she climbs out of bed, ready to join me on this small adventure.

Together, we make our way downstairs to the restaurant. The atmosphere is casual, the subdued lighting and soft chatter of other diners creating an ambiance of comfort. We settle into our seats, menus in hand, and just as we're about to peruse our options, a familiar voice breaks through the quiet hum, "Can I take your order?" I look up, and there stands Jessie, a playful hint of a smile playing on her lips. "Oh hey," I greet her warmly, momentarily transported back to the poolside encounter. "Hey," she responds, her gaze meeting mine with a mixture of familiarity and curiosity.

Jackie, however, remains an observer, her expression unreadable as she takes the opportunity to place her order. I follow suit, my attention returning to the menu as Jessie leaves our table. The air feels charged with anticipation, both of us seemingly caught in the unspoken tension that has woven itself into our interactions. Jackie seizes the moment, her voice cutting through the silence, "That her?" I nod in response, my gaze fixed on the tablecloth.

"Yeah," I confirm, aware that my acknowledgment might fuel further questions. The weight of her curiosity hangs between us, almost tangible, as we await our food, unsure of where the conversation might lead next.

As I sense an array of eyes on me, a flicker of self-consciousness pricks at my awareness, compelling me to raise my gaze and take in the group of familiar faces. Mari, Akilah, Melissa, Gen, and Crystal all appear to have been caught in the act, their gazes locked onto me like a spotlight. The tension in the air is palpable, their collective attention sending a ripple of curiosity through my thoughts.

Caught between the desire to maintain my composure and the urge to decipher their intentions, I find myself momentarily frozen. The brief silence that hangs heavy between us is broken as their eyes dart away in a synchronized retreat, each pretending to be absorbed in their own world. It's a scene that borders on absurdity, the way they scatter like leaves in the wind, and yet it's unmistakably clear that their focus had been on me.

Except for Mari.

In the midst of the sudden shift, Mari stands out as the outlier, a subtle smile gracing her lips. A small wave follows, a gesture that manages to convey warmth despite the awkwardness of the situation. Caught off guard, I respond with a return wave, the corners of my mouth involuntarily curling into a reciprocal smile. There's a certain comfort in Mari's acknowledgment, a lifeline of familiarity amidst the sea of puzzled expressions.