The Walter Boys Assistant

Chapter 20: A Roommates Discovery

AUTHOR'S NOTE
I may have been writing the wrong age for Alex and (Y/n)! To correct, they are both 16 years old; Not 15!

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You've never moved faster to shut a door. Jackie remains still, her eyes having been on you for so long that it began to burn into your soul.

"Where did you find that?" You ask. She probably didn't even look inside it. Maybe she found it and was wanting to give it back to you or see if it was yours to begin with. You don't know for sure-

"It was lodged between the drawer and the wall of my nightstand." Jackie unfolds, a finger caressing the binding of the journal. "It fell out when I went to put some stuff away."

"I can explain what you saw in there Jackie..." You fumble for words.

"You mean this?" Her brow raises as she flips open the books content, panning through until coming to the page she was looking for. Your roommate holds it in the air and flips it around for you to see.

Sure enough, there was one of your sketches of Alex on proud display before your very eyes. A few scribbles over different writings, hearts bedazzled at random.

"Right... That... That's a... It was a class project back in Florida. You know- for art class. Yeah. My teacher assigned us projects of drawing friends and family-"

"Did your teacher also assign for you to write poems and love notes?" She pushes and your throat clamps up. This was it. This was the day you were going to die from embarrassment. Jackie was going to tell Alex everything and ruin your life.

The fear on your face is evident. You're too overwrought to make a step forward. There's no indication you will speak anytime soon.

Jackie looses a breath before setting the journal down on her nightstand. "You've been in love with him for a long time. Why not tell him?"

"You're going to tell him now... Aren't you?" You drawl the question, eyes stinging from holding back the oncoming tears.

"Why would I do that?" She asks out of concern and you pause, meeting her eyes. "(Y/n), I didn't sift through your diary on purpose. It fell. And I accidentally saw those entries-"

"Then why have Cole seek me out to come speak with you?"

"Because I know what it's like to hide what your heart wants." Jackie gives an urgent answer. "The longer you keep this hidden, the worse the outcome when he finds out."

"You don't know me." You bark at her before lurching forward and snatching the book out from her reach. She watches you, calm and silent. You shuffle aside and place the book beneath your pillow.

"I know I just met you... I just want to make sure you're okay."

What the hell? You want to hate this girl so much. To despise everything she said or did and know you were in the right - but she's not giving you any ammunition. No, she's giving you every reason to like her.

"I'm fine." Your words are hoarse. It gives away how much of a lie that is.

"I want to be your friend, (Y/n). Please, let me help you-"

"You're his ex-girlfriend! How could I open up to you about these things when I know you've been with him?!" You snap, hands visibly shaking at your sides. She has yet to show any interest in backing down on the subject.

Who did she think she was? She doesn't know you. Doesn't know of the countless nights you've cried yourself to sleep over this boy. She doesn't know about the pain you've felt watching Alex talk about her like she's some angel walking the Earth. That you loathed her from the moment you learned about her.