One Shots

The Other Side

I'm standing side stage, watching the movement of the crowd as they dance and scream to the words pouring out of her mouth. I hadn't seen her in years and the funny thing is.. the day we said goodbye was when it finally clicked that the feelings I had for my best friend were anything but platonic. She was the love of my life and I left her. The boys may have gotten my hopes up, but it was worth the chance of getting her back in my life. Their set was coming to an end and I watched her eyes light up. Those eyes I got lost in constantly. "God I fucking love coming home.." She laughed and ran her fingers through her long neon green hair. Jake looked over at me and nodded. "Well, this is our last song of the night. I want to hear you all screaming your lungs out, alright?" Her question was met by a roar of the crowd. She smiled, but I could see the shimmer of sadness in her eyes. This is the song she wrote about me.. about us. "This song is called The Other Side." The song started and she went back to hopping around and owning the stage. I smiled, knowing that this was what she had wanted to do all her life. I got lost in her, which is usually the case, and almost missed the end. "If you're wondering, I'm great." I began slowly walking towards her. She continued, and I saw the boys encourage me forward. The crowd went silent as they followed me with their eyes, "I'm stronger now, but still the same." She turned, feeling my presence. She set the microphone in the stand as she sang the last words, staring directly at me as tears streamed down her face, "My love for you it will remain.. my friend.." She looked at the boys and glanced at the crowd before running out as fast as her legs would carry her. The boys stood, jaws dropped and eyes wide, watching her go. It took all the courage I had in me, but I ran after her. Soon, I caught up to her, doubled over and breathing heavy in the dark alley behind the theatre they were performing in. "What the hell are you doing here, (Y/N)?" She stood straight and stared at me. "I.. The boys.. They found me and told me to come see you.." She shook her head and took a step closer. "Why do you answer them, huh?" The tears started to come again as she made her way forward with every word. "It's been years! No calls, texts, not even a fucking note! All you did was leave. You left me after I gave my all to you. You were my best friend." She shook her head and glared down at me. "I fucking loved you for god's sakes." I backed up slightly and looked up at her. "Jen.. You don't understand how much I didn't want to leave. It's not like I had a choice!"

"You were sixteen! My parents would've had no problem taking you in. You knew that! I cared for you more than I cared for anyone else in the world. I knew you hated the rain and thunderstorms. I knew they scared you. So every fucking time it rained I ran to your house. It was me and you against the world. And then we went from as close as ever to you being in a different fucking country!"

"I tried, Jenna. I called you as soon as I got there. You were the only person I would go with to the station." I began crying silently. I could feel the wetness pouring down my cheeks as I remembered that last goodbye.

"Jen.." I looked over at her. She gripped the steering wheel so hard her knuckles turned a pale white. "(Y/N) just don't, okay? You can't pretend like we're gonna be fine after this." She opened the door and slammed it behind her, grabbing my bags out of her trunk before leading me to the bus that would take me to the airport. I looked at her and bit my lip, "Jen. We can do this. We're gonna be okay." I took her hand and laced my fingers with hers as we walked. She relaxed into my touch and I smiled for the first time in weeks. When we arrived at the bus, she turned to me. "(Y/N). No matter what promise me we'll keep in touch," I saw the tears begin to fill her steel blue eyes, "You're my best friend. I can't lose you." I pulled her into a tight hug, burying my face in her shoulder due to our height difference, "I promise. Goodbye, Jen." She placed a gentle kiss on my forehead before I got on the bus. I sat on the side facing her and stared at her through the window. She cried, tears pouring down her face. I saw the small wave and soft smile she gave me and in that moment I felt something different. I.. I'm think I'm falling for her. Days later I arrived at my parent's new house. I unpacked in silence, hanging up all of the pictures of Jenna and I as careful as I could. None of our phone were working, so I walked around to try and find a payphone. When I found one I quickly dialed Jenna's number, waiting impatiently for her to answer. After a couple rings I heard a yawn followed by a, "Hello?"

"Hey, Jen.." I ran my fingers through my hair and closed my eyes to listen to her voice, "(Y/N)? Is that you?" I heard the smile creep into her voice, "Yeah.. Did I wake you up?"

"Yeah.. but it's fine.. what's up?"

"Finally in America. Just missing you like crazy. No homo." She laughed, causing me to laugh as well before yelling, "All the homo." I heard rustling on the other side of the phone before a muffled, "Shit. Ow."

"Be careful, stupid." I rolled my eyes. "Whatever, dumbass. I might head back to sleep though. Call me soon, alright?"

"Promise. I love you.."

"I love you too.." I heard the click of the phone and smiled as I made my way back home. I couldn't wait to be able to talk to her again.

I hadn't talked to her in years and here she stood before me, waiting for an explanation I desperately wished I could give to her. "Goddamn it, Jenna. I love you! Are you happy now? I've loved you. Always. I just didn't realize it until that day you said goodbye. I didn't realize it until I thought every night about how I would probably never get to see you again. How much I missed your smile and your laugh and your stupid fucking everything."

"Prove it." She growled softly, challenging me. I grabbed the collar of the checkered flannel she was wearing and pulled her down to me, trying to put all the love I had into one kiss. Her hands went to my hips and she pulled me against her. "Wow," I heard a few whistles from behind us, making my eyes shoot open, "You two make up fast." Whak laughed. Jake patted Jenna on the back. "So, what's the verdict? Has the ship sailed?" Jenna raised an eyebrow at him and the other boys laughed, "I want it to.." I mumbled, causing Jenna to blush. "Me too.." We stared at each other for awhile and once again, I find myself lost in the vastness of her steel blue eyes.