I Volunteer | Jack Schlossberg | Friends to lovers

Golden hour

Jack and Annie were already seated across from each other at a hightop table when Alex and Michael walked in together. "Hi besties," Alex said as she hugged Annie and Jack respectively. "Long time no see, stranger," she said with a playful punch to Jack's arm.

"I know, I know, I'm sorry," he said. "But, I come with a peace offering," he said, scooting two beers toward them as they sat down—Alex next to Annie, and Michael next to Jack.

"Apology accepted," Alex said skeptically. "For now."

Jack nodded his chin toward Michael. "Hey man."

"Good to see you, man. Thanks for the beer," Michael said as he tipped his bottle toward Jack.

"Soooo, Jack," Alex said, smirking as she leaned forward with both hands on the table. "We have news."

"Oh yeah?"

She lifted her hand up from the side of the table to reveal that it was interlocked with Michael's. "Surprise!"

"O-M-G!" Jack said, making a less-than-convincing surprised face.

"Ugh, you told him?" Alex asked annoyedly as she turned to face Annie next to her. "I told you I wanted to tell him!"

Annie's brows lowered to the top of her eyelids. "No, you very much did not."

"Well no matter how I found out," Jack interrupted, "I'm happy for you guys. I think you fit perfectly." He looked back and forth between Alex and Michael as he smiled. "You're both awesome."

"Thanks man, we've missed you being around," Michael said. "How's New York?"

"Oh you know, busy and stressful. But perfect." He smiled. "And I've missed being around, too. Luckily I'll be back more often over the next few months, so I'll be sure to let you guys know when and we can link up."

"Sweet," Michael said. "And I don't know if Annie told you or not, but we'll be volunteering at the awards this year." Annie silently clapped her hands together. "It sucked missing last year, so I'm really looking forward to being back."

"Yeah, I'm sooooo excited. I know it's pretty stressful for you," Alex said as she nodded toward Jack, "but it's really fun for us."

"Speak for yourselves," Annie said with her palms raised. "It's equally as stressful for me now as it is for Jack."

"Probably more so for you, honestly," Jack said with a chuckle. "Susan gets... wound up." Annie nodded enthusiastically with her eyes closed. "But don't worry, we'll go do something after it's over to take your mind off of it." He nudged her with his leg under the table. "It'll be fun."

"As long as I end up with another breakfast sandwich delivery," she said with a sideways grin.

"Well duh," Jack said as he placed his hands on the table and leaned toward her. Then he pivoted toward Alex and Michael and said, "So, back to the happy couple. Tell me everything." He placed his elbow on the table, and leaned his chin in his hand.

"Well, it's pretty standard stuff," Michael started.

"Wow, what a way to start the story of our love," Alex said as she rolled her eyes.

Michael sighed jokingly. "What I mean is, it's a story we've all heard before. Boy has a crush on his friend... she doesn't think of him that way... until one day she does."

Alex turned to look at Jack. "I think Annie not being there with us on Saturdays anymore changed things a little bit. It was less of a friend group dynamic, which made me see him less as a pal and more as a cutie boy," she said, touching Michael's nose across the table. Jack made an ooooohh sound.