The Great War

🍂 Jump Then Fall 🍂

The song in the title is "Jump Then Fall" by Taylor Swift.

Jake's POV

I like the way you sound in the morning
We're on the phone and without a warning
I realize your laugh is the best sound
I have ever heard

I like the way I can't keep my focus
I watch you talk you didn't notice
I hear the words but all I can think is
I can't live without you, princess

Every time you smile, I smile
And every time you shine, I'll shine for you
I'm feeling you, Princess
Don't be afraid to jump then fall
Jump then fall into me

Princess, I'm never gonna leave you
Say that you wanna be with me too
'Cause I'ma stay through it all
So jump then fall

Well, I like the way your hair falls in your face
You got the keys to me
I love each strand of your teal hair,
I've never been so wrapped up, Princess

I like the way you're everything I ever wanted
I had time to think it o-over
And all I can say is come closer
Take a deep breath and jump then fall into me

'Cause every time you smile, I smile
And every time you shine, I'll shine for you
I'm feeling you, Princess
Don't be afraid to jump then fall

Jump then fall into me
Princess, I'm never gonna leave you
Say that you wanna be with me too
'Cause I'ma stay through it all
So jump then fall

The bottom's gonna drop out from under our feet
I'll catch you, I'll catch you
When people say things that bring you to your knees
I'll catch you

The time is gonna come when you're so mad you could cry
But I'll hold you through the night until you smile
I need you, Princess
Don't be afraid, please

Jump then fall
Jump then fall into me
Princess, I'm never gonna leave you
Say that you wanna be with me too
'Cause I'ma stay through it all

3rd Person POV

Milly chuckles and turns towards Jake. "Your girlfriend almost died a while ago and this is what you're gonna talk to her about?"

Jake shoots Milly a sheepish smile. "Just trying to keep things light, you know? Can't have this one sinking into a depression vortex." He points at Hailey with his thumb.

Hailey rolls her dark grey eyes. "I wasn't the one crying back in the basement while saying 'Princess, please wake up', ya know?" She does the dramatic hand-air quotes.

Zander snorts, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips. "Oh, burn."

Jake shoots Hailey a mock-glare, trying to maintain his playful banter. "Hey, I was going through an emotional moment, alright? Cut me some slack."

"Aww, was the big bad bully unable to handle his feelings because his little girlfriend was passed out on the cold, hard floor?" Sarcasm pours from her, her eyes filled with playful teasing.

Jake feigns hurt. "Wow, no need to be so harsh. I was genuinely worried about you, you know? Can't a tough guy express some concern without being ridiculed?" He puts a hand to his heart with mock melodrama.

"Oh, you were 'concerned', huh?" Hailey retorts, raising a skeptical eyebrow. "I seem to recall a certain someone blubbering like a baby and begging me to wake up. Doesn't sound very 'tough' to me."

"I was not blubbering," Jake protests, his cheeks slightly tinted with embarrassment. "It was... a manly demonstration of concern. Totally different."

The others were barely holding back their laughter at the banter.

"Manly demonstration, huh?" Hailey repeats, her lips tugging up into a smirk. "Is that what you call it? Looked a lot like crying to me. But hey, semantics, right?"

"Yeah, yeah, laugh it up," Jake grumbles, trying to appear grumpy but struggling to keep a straight face. "You're enjoying this, aren't you? Rubbing my emotional moment in my face."

Hailey looks into his eyes, her playful gaze turning serious. "Jokes aside... You'd miss me that much if I died?"

Jake's expression mirrors her seriousness, his smirk fading. "More than you imagine," he admits softly. "I'd miss that smartass mouth of yours more than anything. Hell, I'd even miss your endless supply of snarky comments."

Hailey's eyes soften, her smile gentle. "Even the ones where I call you a dork?" she teases softly.

Jake laughs softly, a mixture of affection and amusement. "Especially those ones," he retorts, a warm gleam in his eyes. "I wouldn't know how to function without your daily dose of insults."

Hailey grins, her expression becoming playful again. "Well, lucky for you, I'm not planning on going anywhere just yet. Gotta keep you entertained, right? Gotta do my 'job'?"

"You're doing a pretty damn good job," Jake declares, taking her hand. "Honestly, you should get an award for 'Most Insulting Girlfriend' or something like that."

"Gee, thanks," Hailey mock-grins, feigning pride. "I'll put that on my resume, under 'Special Skills': Ability to verbally abuse my boyfriend mercilessly and still be loved."

"Yeah, and under 'Special Skills', I'd list mine as 'Unbelievable Patience to Endure Daily Insults while Remaining a Lovestruck Idiot,'" he counters, grinning back at her.

"Oh yeah, you do deserve some credit for that one," Hailey concedes, a wicked glint in her eyes. "I mean, not everyone can handle a mouth as sharp as mine without breaking down into tears."

"Eh, what can I say?" Jake replies, shrugging. "I'm a glutton for punishment. Plus, your insults are like a special kind of music-annoying as hell, but oddly enjoyable."

As their banter continues, the others observe, amused but also enjoying the lighter moment. But suddenly, Zander clears his throat. "Hey, while this lovey-dovey banter is adorable," he begins, a hint of seriousness in his tone, "there's something we need to discuss."

Not Zander ruining our jailey moment 🙄😒