FTRS Short Story

A Heart to Heart

Jax's P.O.V.

"Ok..." I say warily, still looking at my hands, "So, whenever she's around, I feel incredibly happy for some reason. I'm happy with all my other friends too, but it's different with her."

Raz nods understandingly, at least, I think it's understandingly.

"I don't know, I guess I just feel better when she's around. I want to spend all day with her," My face flushes as I realize how cheesy that sounds, I was supposed to be vague! Not sound like a lovesick idiot!

"Any other umm... symptoms?" Raz asks in a weirdly eager voice.

"Uhh..."

"Do you feel anything if she's with other people?" she presses.

"I... don't think so?" I respond, "I mean, she's not with me all the time,  she has the RLW stuff and is with others often too. I didn't see her for ages when we were getting ready for the ball, Kayla and Maxine wouldn't let her leave."

"Mhm, and as for boys?" 

I look at her, confused. "As for boys?"

Raz rolls her eyes at me and clarifies, "Do you feel the same with her around boys?"

"Well, I don't mind at all when she's around Ollie or our classmates - she doesn't really interact with our classmates and Ollie is Ollie,"

"Isn't there a kid named Jack that you guys hang around sometimes?" Raz questions.

"Jack? Yeah, there's Jack, but I don't like him,"

"Why is that?"

"Well, he lied to Gilly for one and helped Rumpelstiltskin," I state.

"Didn't you hate him before that?"

"Well, yeah, but that's because he was stealing Gilly away. I'm her best friend, not him,"

"Are you two on good terms now?"

"No. I still don't like him,"

"Ok.... well, do you know what a crush is?"

What in the world is this conversation turning to? Was I too specific with my answers? Did Raz figure out that I like Gilly? "Umm, yeah?"

"Well, have you ever thought that it might be a crush?"

Fiddlesticks, I'm doomed. "What? Of course not!" I lie, "Why would I think that? Besides, even if I did, I'm just her best friend, that's what she sees."

"That might be what she sees, but I'm asking about you."

"I see her as Gilly," I say dumbly, having absolutely no idea how to avoid this question.

"And what does that mean?" Raz pushes. I swear, she's going to be the end of me.

"It means what it sounds like, Gilly is Gilly, clever, smart, brave, Gilly."

That seems to silence Raz for a bit, her chin in her hands as if she were in deep thought.

"I think," Raz starts, "That you're in denial right now, so have a think about what I said and get back to me when you've got a conclusion alright? Oh, and one more thing, I will support your decision no matter what, especially if you realise that you do in fact..." she lets the sentence drag on, knowing that I know what she's implying.

I nod silently, Raz's words have a point. As much as I'd love for Gilly to be happy with whoever, I can't be sure who it is so I might as well test my luck. If she doesn't feel the same way, I'll know that I at least tried and can make sure she finds the right person for herself.

The carriage rolls to a stop.

"Well," Raz says loudly and cheerily, "Looks like we're here, I'll be off then. Have a good night!"

Her voice causes Gilly to stir, she lifts her head sleepily and blinks.

"We're here?" She asks no one in particular. I nod silently.

The door opens and the footman appears, holding his hand out. Raz makes her way out first, giving me a meaningful glance before heading off.

I keep a straight face and exit next, helping Gilly out before bidding her goodnight and making my way back to my room. 

Raz's words echo in my head, haunting me even after she's left.

Either I go with her advice and risk my friendship, or I don't and never know. It's a hard debate. I scream in frustration, smashing my face into my pillow. Why did feelings have to be so complicated? I almost wish Alva was back, it would make things so much easier. Or maybe even Rumpelstiltskin - wait, no. Not him. Gilly suffered way too much because of him.

I sigh and sit up, there's no point in stressing about this now, I should just get ready for bed. As I head towards the bathroom, a thought crosses my mind, Gilly still has my jacket. Well, I don't really need it anyway, she can probably keep it if she wants.

Sorry for the short chapter! I couldn't figure out how to continue it so today's is a short one. On the plus side, the previous chap had around 1500 words! I think that's the most I've ever written for a chapter. :DDD