Best For Last || Jacob Elordi AU

the fall

       He'd gone off to school by car, and seeing as you'd been around for half a decade at that point, his parents agreed when he asked to let you tag along for the drop off. Their minivan that they'd kept from their kids' younger years had its back seat stuffed with Jacob's bags, and in the middle row you and him sat next to each other. You noticed that while your hands were intertwined the entire ride, his parents didn't touch once. You clung tight to his hand, but tried to stay looking out the window to distract yourself from the knowledge of where you were going. Blurs of yellow, red and brown passed as you all flew down the road, the trees and weather declaring that it was September. Jacob's thumb ran over the back of your hand, prompting you to look over at him.

"You okay?" he mouthed silently.

You nodded in response with a forced smile, and he returned a weak smile of his own followed by small kisses to your fingertips. You glanced to the front seat where his dad's GPS sat: 2 hours remained until you arrived at Jacob's dorm. 2 hours until your relationship changed forever. You were pissed. You guys were now almost to your twenties-- you were supposed to be getting engaged soon, not living eight hours away from each other and securing the scenario where you grew apart.

When you arrived, Jacob's parents helped him get his bags into the building that looked like an apartment complex made of cabin logs. Nobody was around but the four of you, and everyone besides you was talking, laughing, and interacting completely normally. As if it were a regular Tuesday. Here and there you felt as if you were acting like a selfish brat, but self-awareness couldn't stop you.

He ushered you and his parents into the tiny room he'd be staying in. Frankly, the interior looked like someone's first build playing Sims. Typical bamboo flooring, white walls, no decor, and minimal appliances: only the necessities. His mom asked you to take a few pictures of the three of them, and after you did, you were disappointed when no one offered to take a few of you two. They hugged him and wished him the best of luck, his dad even threw an 'I'm proud of you' in there at the end. Graciously, the two of them walked together back down the gravel path to the car to let you have a private goodbye. As soon as you were alone, you stopped holding it in. Your bottom lip quivered and your hands flew to your face to hide the embarrassment of crying.

"Hey, come on," strong arms enveloped you, and you were pulled to Jacob's chest where his familiar scent was just another reminder of what you'd be losing.

"How can you be so okay?" you looked up at him, mascara no doubt smeared below your eyes. "Has it not hit you yet?"

"No it... it has," though he was smiling, he used the knuckle of his index finger to wipe a tear from his own eye before it could fall.

You pressed your face to his chest again, squeezing your eyes closed and soaking in his warmth, "I was hoping it wasn't real, that maybe I'd dreamt up the whole thing."

"I know babe," he crooned. "But listen: I'm gonna come home so often, get a good degree here, and the time will fly. I'll be able to take care of us when I'm done."

You only sniffled in response, and he tilted your chin up to meet his gaze.

"Then we can go wherever you want," he kissed your nose. "We can do whatever you want," he kissed your forehead, then both cheeks, and hesitated only a few seconds before finally kissing your lips.

You ignored where you guys were, that you were saying goodbye, and that Jacob's parents were waiting for you in the car. You kissed him with all you had. Your hands pulled at each other and your heads tilted this way and that to get closer and closer. Gradually, the kisses got slower and died down, and you stood with your foreheads pressed together and your eyes closed, savoring the moment.

"You know I..." he spoke softly. You knew what he meant and exactly how he felt.

"I do," you replied in the same tone. "And I you."

And that was it. Before you were truly ready, you were back in the middle row of the Elordi's minivan. The now empty backseat behind you was cruel symbolism. There was cordial small talk here and there on the eight hour trip back home, but they knew you were in no mood for anything more. You shook silently in your seat as more tears fell, and you hoped Jacob's recent promises were true.

When you got home, your mother and Drew waited for you with gelato, a fuzzy new robe, and cheesy old comedy movies. You guys watched every last one your cousin had brought, and you ate the frozen treat in your comfy robe until your stomach hurt.

For the first month Jacob was gone, you two had a phone call every night. He texted you often: what his plans were for the week, selfies with small groups of guy friends he'd already made, or just a simple wish you were here. Some of your favorite calls were when you guys stayed on later than usual, and you'd tease him in your most seductive voice until he got desperately hard and let you listen or watch as he took care of himself.
By mid-October, your calls had decreased to an average of 4 a week, but you were still grateful for even that. You could tell he was stressed with classes and assignments and just generally navigating college life.

You were on break at work, still that same ice cream shop, when you felt some internal nudge to look through Jacob's tagged photos.
Your insecure heart dropped the moment you saw her face.
There was your beloved boyfriend in a small crowd with male faces you'd grown familiar with, and separated from him by only one person was a disturbingly gorgeous blond. Her bright blue eyes had flawlessly applied makeup, and a ruffled white crop top showed off her flat stomach. You slouched in your seat and tried to suppress your suspicions. That night on the phone, you found a way to innocently bring it up.

"Oh, Amelia? Yeah she's cool," he spoke impartially.

You tried not to let the jealousy seep into your voice, but failed miserably. "Oh."

He sucked his teeth, "What?"

"Nothing," you attempted nonchalance. "She's really pretty."

"Y/N, don't be like that."

"Like what?" your offense was clear then.

"It's not like that, she's just a friend... You're being paranoid."

You might've believed the first half if he didn't get to name-calling in the second. "I didn't even say anything! I'm sure she's fantastic. Tiny, perfect little crop-top-wearing eye candy."

"I don't have time for this," he sighed. "Believe me or don't. I have homework."

You exhaled bitterly through your nose and put on a cheerfully sarcastic voice, "Great. Have fun."

He gave an equally annoyed goodbye, but still assured you he'd call tomorrow. When you flopped back onto your bed, you wondered if you'd overreacted. Time would soon tell that you should've been harsher.