My Beloved//Jake Kiszka

Ch.16

The next day at school was a whirlwind of classes and catching up with friends. The hallways buzzed with chatter, and you did your best to focus on your lessons, but your mind kept drifting back to your upcoming study session with Zach.

In history class, Mr. Thompson droned on about the American Revolution, but you couldn't help but sneak a glance at Zach across the room. He caught your eye and gave you a quick wink, making you smile despite yourself.

At lunch, you sat with Izzy, Sam, and Josh, discussing plans for the weekend. Izzy kept bringing up the cheer team, trying to convince you to join, while Josh and Sam bantered about the latest band practice.

"Come on, Y/N, you'd be great at cheer," Izzy insisted, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"I'll think about it," you replied, still unsure but flattered by her enthusiasm.

After the final bell rang, you headed home, your thoughts a mix of cheerleading, history projects, and the upcoming evening with Zach.

❀ ❀ ❀ ❀ ❀

That afternoon, you welcomed Zach into your room, the sunlight casting a warm glow through the window. He glanced around with a playful smirk.

"Nice digs, Y/N. I see you're into collecting records?" Zach quipped, eyeing the neatly arranged vinyl collection along one wall.

"Yeah, I'm a bit of a music junkie," you admitted, closing the door behind him. "So, ready to dive back into our project?"

"Absolutely. Let's conquer this Civil Rights Movement," Zach replied, settling down with his notebook and laptop.

As you both delved into the details, Zach's witty comments and insightful observations kept the atmosphere lively. He effortlessly mixed humor with historical facts, making even the densest material engaging.

"You know, Y/N, if history class was always like this, I'd probably be a historian by now," Zach joked, nudging your shoulder lightly.

"You're not already?" you teased back, raising an eyebrow.

He grinned. "I dabble. But seriously, thanks for being such a great partner. This project would be a snooze-fest without you."

"Likewise," you admitted, feeling a warmth spread through you at his compliment.

Hours passed in a blur of research, writing, and occasional laughter. It felt natural, talking to Zach. His sarcasm and charm made the work enjoyable, and you found yourself opening up more than usual.

At one point, Zach leaned back in his chair, stretching. "You know, Y/N, I've learned more about you in these few hours than I have all semester. You're full of surprises."

"Is that a good thing?" you asked, half-joking.

He grinned mischievously. "Definitely. Keeps me on my toes."

Just then, movement caught your eye outside the window. Jake stood in his yard, glancing up toward your room. His expression was unreadable from this distance, but you felt a pang of guilt. Was he watching you and Zach? You quickly brushed the thought aside, focusing back on the project.

"So, about that sit-in at Greensboro," Zach continued, smoothly transitioning back to the topic at hand.

You nodded, grateful for the distraction. "Right, let's outline how it sparked similar protests across the South."

As the evening wore on, you and Zach made significant progress. Eventually, you both realized it was getting late.

"Time flies when you're having fun, huh?" Zach remarked, saving the latest version of your project.

"Yeah, definitely. Thanks for today, Zach. You're really good at this," you said sincerely.

He smiled warmly. "It's easy when you're working with someone as smart as you."

Before you could respond, there was a knock on your bedroom door. You turned to see Jake standing there, his expression guarded.

"Hey, can I talk to you for a minute?" Jake asked, his eyes flickering between you and Zach.

Zach raised an eyebrow, looking from Jake to you. "I should probably head out anyway. Catch you later, Y/N?"

"Yeah, definitely. Thanks again," you replied, grateful for his tact.

Zach nodded, giving you a knowing smile before excusing himself. As he passed Jake in the doorway, their eyes met briefly—a silent exchange that left you feeling oddly unsettled.

Once Zach had left, Jake stepped into your room, closing the door behind him. He looked at you intently, his usual easygoing demeanor replaced by a serious expression.

"What's going on, Jake?" you asked, unable to decipher his mood.

"I saw you with Zach," he said bluntly, his tone tinged with a hint of accusation.

"We were just working on our project," you replied defensively, unsure where this was heading.

Jake sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I know, I know. It's just... I saw the way he looks at you, Y/N. And the way you look at him."

You frowned, feeling a mix of frustration and guilt. "Jake, Zach is just a friend and a project partner. Nothing more."

"Are you sure about that?" Jake pressed, his gaze searching yours.

"Yes, I'm sure" you said with a smile.

Jake took a step closer, his expression softening. "Look, I'm not trying to tell you what to do. But just be careful, okay? Zach... he's smooth. And I've seen how he acts around girls."

You nodded slowly, absorbing his words. "Thanks, Jake. I'll keep that in mind."

He smiled gently, reaching out to squeeze your shoulder. "Good. I just... I care about you, Y/N. I don't want to see you get hurt."

"I know, Jake. And I appreciate it," you said softly, touched by his concern.

With a nod, Jake leaned in and kissed you, a gesture meant to reassure both of you. His lips were warm and familiar, and for a moment, you felt grounded. But even as you kissed him back, a small part of you couldn't help but think of Zach and the way he made you feel.

Jake pulled back, his eyes searching yours. "I just needed to know we're okay," he said softly.

"We are," you reassured him, though your heart was conflicted.

With a final smile, Jake headed for the door. Before leaving, he glanced back at you once more, his eyes filled with a mix of emotions you couldn't quite decipher.

Alone again, you sighed, sinking onto your bed. Thoughts of Zach and Jake swirled in your mind, each leaving a distinct impression. As you stared out the window, the night settling around you, you wondered what the future held—both for your project and for your relationships with these two very different boys.