Stardust Chords || Greta Van Fleet

Chapter 29: I'll Catch You

I followed him closely as we made our way outside, shutting the door behind us. Going into his pocket, he pulled out his box of cigarettes, offering it to me first. I smirked back at him, placing one between my lips, and leaning forward as he lit it for me. He watched me, his eyes in a daze as I inhaled, staring back as I blew the smoke away.

"So, you got a little emotional in there." I said, flicking off the ash before handing the cigarette over to him. He bit down on his lip, trying his best to contain his embarrassed grin.
"Maybe I did." He shrugged, taking a long drag. "It's hard not to when someone says something like that to you."
"And to think, you were worried you'd disappoint them." I added, playfully nudging him. His smile grew as he held his stare on me again. I felt my heart beat faster the longer he stared, his eyes like two pools of amber I'd willingly drown in if I wasn't careful enough.

"You really were great though." I muttered, reaching out for the cigarette again. He passed it over willingly, shrugging again.
"I guess." He sighed. "Josh and Sam did most of it."
"I wish you could see the way that people look at you." I said softly, feeling my cheeks burn. He was quiet for a moment, his eyes lighting up.
"How do they look at me?" He asked, moving closer, leaning up against the building next to me as he took the cigarette from my hands.

I didn't know what to say, not without admitting how I couldn't help but stare every time he walked into a room, how he seemed to glow every time he smiled, and how I'd give anything for him to just keep looking at me.

I shrugged, avoiding his eyes, as I took the cigarette back, my heart jumping at the feeling of our fingers brushing against each other.
"Like you're the only one in the room." I muttered, keeping my eyes on the ground. I heard him giggle next to me, brushing his hand against mine.
"You know, you seemed to get a little emotional in there too." He said, now slowly sliding his hand into mine. My heart jumped, my body now feeling like it was on fire.

He was holding my hand?

I stayed quiet for a moment, unsure of what to say but instinctively intertwined my fingers within his, now peeking up at him. His smile grew.
"Maybe I did." I sighed, just wanting to appreciate this moment between us. His eyes fell into a daze once again.

"Jewel, w-what's going on here?" He finally asked. I wondered how long we'd let this go on before someone addressed it. What it was. But considering everything that was going on with Noah, I guess I thought I had more time.
"What do you mean?" I said, trying my best to stall. His smile grew as he motioned down to our hands, squeezing mine tighter. I tried my best to contain my smile, but it was no use.
"This." He sighed, leaning his head back against the building.

I knew what he meant.

"Jake, it's just that-" I saw his face instantly drop, his grip on my hand loosening, but still not letting go.
"Is it Noah?" He asked. I shook my head, to which I could then see the worry fade from his face.
"No." I said simply, squeezing his hand tighter. Another smirk escaped from his lips.
"So.. then what is it?" I shrugged again, feeling my cheeks burn as he gently started swinging our hands. He sensed my reluctance.

"Okay, then.. can we at least admit that.. there is something there?" He asked. I peeked back up at him, nodding.
"Yeah." I whispered. His smile grew into a toothy grin.
"Then that's enough for me right now."
"It's just.. Noah and I just broke up and.. I don't want to be that person that just.. jumps into the next thing. And I.. I don't want you to feel like that either." I finally managed. He nodded.
"I appreciate that." He muttered, my heart now jumping at the feeling of his thumb gently rubbing the inside of my palm.