My Beloved//Jake Kiszka

Ch.20

The next morning, you woke up feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety. Friday had arrived, and the anticipation of the weekend's plans hung in the air. You had a full day of school ahead of you, but your thoughts kept drifting to the Kiszka house and the inevitable conversation with Jake.

As you got ready for school, Izzy's words from the previous day echoed in your mind. "Just follow your heart," she had said. You hoped that by the end of the day, you would have a clearer sense of what that meant.

On the way to school, you and Izzy chatted about your plans for the weekend. "I'm thinking we should have a movie night tomorrow," Izzy suggested. "Just us girls, with lots of popcorn and terrible rom-coms."

"That sounds perfect," you agreed, smiling. "We could use a low-key night."

As you walked through the school gates, you felt a familiar sense of routine wash over you. The hallways were bustling with students, and you exchanged greetings with friends as you made your way to your locker.

First period was English, and you found yourself zoning out during the lecture, your mind wandering to Jake and Zach. You had always enjoyed English, but today, it was hard to focus.

At lunch, you met up with your usual group. Josh, Jake, Sam, and Danny were already seated, and you and Izzy joined them with your trays of food.

"Hey, there she is," Josh greeted, flashing a smile. "How was class?"

"Good," you replied, taking a seat next to Jake. "Just the usual stuff."

As you settled in, you felt a gentle nudge from Jake. "You alright?" he asked, his eyes searching yours.

"Yeah, just a lot on my mind," you said, giving him a small smile.

"Well, don't worry. We'll have plenty of fun tonight," he assured you, wrapping his arm around your shoulder.

The rest of lunch was filled with easy conversation and laughter. You felt a sense of comfort being surrounded by your friends, and for a moment, you were able to forget about your internal dilemma.

After lunch, the school day seemed to drag on. You moved from class to class, trying to keep your mind occupied with assignments and lectures. Finally, the last bell rang, and you felt a surge of relief. The weekend had officially begun.

You met up with Izzy outside the school gates. "Ready to head to the Kiszka house?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Absolutely," you said, linking arms with her.

The walk to the Kiszka house was filled with chatter about the day's events and plans for the evening. When you arrived, you could already hear the sounds of the band practicing in the garage.

"They're in full swing," Izzy said, grinning.

You both made your way to the garage, where the boys were finishing up a song. Jake looked up and smiled when he saw you. "Hey, you made it," he said, setting his guitar aside.

"Wouldn't miss it," you replied, feeling a flutter in your chest.

Josh put down his microphone and walked over to give Izzy a hug. "Glad you ladies could join us."

"We wouldn't miss it," Izzy said, beaming.

As the boys wrapped up their practice, you all settled into the cozy garage, which had become a second home for the group. The walls were adorned with posters of famous bands, and the worn-out sofa was as comfortable as ever.

"So, what's the plan for tonight?" Sam asked, looking around.

"How about we order some pizza and just hang out?" Danny suggested. "We could use a chill night."

"Sounds good to me," Jake said, glancing at you with a smile.

You all agreed, and soon enough, the aroma of pizza filled the garage. The conversation flowed easily, ranging from school gossip to favorite songs. You found yourself laughing and enjoying the moment, grateful for the camaraderie of your friends.

As the evening wore on, the group started to wind down. Josh and Izzy were cuddled up on the sofa, and Danny and Sam were engaged in a heated debate about the best drum solos of all time.

Jake leaned over and whispered, "Hey, want to go somewhere a bit quieter?"

You nodded, your heart beating a little faster. "Sure."

He led you out of the garage and into the house, taking you up to his room. It was a space you had been in many times before, but tonight, it felt different.

Jake closed the door behind you and turned to face you. "Y/N, there's something I need to tell you."

Your heart raced as you looked into his eyes. "What is it, Jake?"

He took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. "I've been thinking a lot about us. About you and me. And I know things have been complicated lately, but I need you to know how I feel."

You felt your breath catch in your throat. "Go on," you said softly.

Jake stepped closer, his eyes never leaving yours. "Y/N, I like you. I have for a long time. And I know we've both got a lot going on, but I can't keep pretending that I don't have these feelings for you."

Tears welled up in your eyes as you listened to his words. "Jake, I like you too. I've been so confused."

He reached out and gently wiped away a tear that had escaped down your cheek. "I know. And I want us to figure this out together."

You felt a surge of emotion as you looked into his eyes. "I want that too, Jake."

He smiled, and you could see the relief in his expression. "So, what do you say? You and me?"

You gave a small laugh. "Yes. You and me."

Jake's smile grew wider, and he leaned in, capturing your lips in a tender kiss. You felt a rush of warmth and happiness as you kissed him back, all the confusion and uncertainty melting away.

The kiss deepened, and you wrapped your arms around his neck, losing yourself in the moment. When you finally pulled back, you were both breathless and smiling.

"I've miss you. I've missed us." Jake admitted, his forehead resting against yours.

"Me too," you whispered, feeling a sense of completeness you hadn't felt in a long time.

As you stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, you knew that this was just the beginning. There would be challenges and uncertainties ahead, but with Jake by your side, you felt ready to face them.

For now, you were content to savor the moment, knowing that you had made the right decision. And as you kissed Jake again, you felt a sense of peace and happiness that filled your heart.

The rest of the evening was spent in quiet conversation and stolen kisses. You talked about your hopes and dreams, your fears and uncertainties, and everything in between. It was a night you would always remember, a turning point in your relationship with Jake.

As the night drew to a close, you both reluctantly made your way back to the garage. The rest of the group was still there, engaged in various activities and conversations.

Izzy looked up and gave you a knowing smile. "Everything okay?" she asked, her eyes twinkling with curiosity.

You nodded, feeling a sense of contentment wash over you. "Yeah, everything's great."

She grinned, giving you a thumbs-up. "Good to hear."

You and Jake found a spot on the sofa, joining in the conversation and laughter. It felt like everything had fallen into place, and you couldn't help but feel grateful for the amazing friends who had supported you along the way.

As the night came to an end and you all said your goodbyes, you felt a sense of excitement for the future. There would be ups and downs, but with Jake by your side, you knew you could face anything.

And as you walked home with Izzy, your heart felt lighter than it had in weeks. You had made your decision, and you knew it was the right one.

The future was bright, and you were ready to embrace it with open arms.