Don't Let Go

Jack

As soon as Kendall walked away I felt guilt press onto my chest like a brick. We almost never fought and we were on vacation. So far this trip had been a complete disaster; I was ready to go home. College was looming closer and closer and the stress just kept getting worse. I pulled out my phone to quickly text Kendall an apology when someone almost knocked me over.

"I'm so sorry," a deep voice said and I stepped back, putting my phone back in my pocket. He was Asian with tan skin and dark hair styled so it was brushed up, the tips dyed blonde.

"It's no problem," I said, smiling. "Misty, by the way."

"I'm Jack. You a local?" he sounded comfortable and confident, his lips twisted into a smirking smile.

"No, I live in New York," I responded, rather flattered he'd asked.

"New York? It's pretty crowded out there."

"Yeah, are you from California?"

"Here for college. I'm starting my second year at UC San Diego. Originally moved here from Canada though so I've only been in the states for a few years." Jack ran his hands through his hair making it stand up a little bit more. "You an artist?" He gestured to the tables around us.

"Uh no, I like it but I can't make it. I was just here looking around for fun. What about you?"

He laughed. "Naw, art's too... artsy for me." He shrugged and smiled. "Not my style. My good friend's dad is here though representing him so I was going to stop by his booth."

"Oh." The only thing I could think of was Will and my stomach turned. Jack seemed nice enough but if they were friends I wouldn't be surprised. My phone dinged. "Sorry," I said and pulled it out. It was a text Will.

Hey, sorry we haven't been able to hang out...wanna meet up tonight at 7 for a movie?

I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face as I quickly texted a response. Ya. That sounds great!

"Later, Misty. We should, like, see each other again or something," Jack said, giving me one last cheeky smile.

I was too distracted to respond, my heart was beating and I suddenly felt like everything was alright again. Will was amazing, he was perfect. Caring, sweet, handsome--everything he had been at first. And we were going on a date. I wanted to call Kendall to tell her, but I remembered how upset she had been earlier and decided it was probably best to just give her a break. Besides, I needed all the time I could get to get ready.

I was feeling more and more nervous as seven approached. I'd stopped into a small boutique to get an outfit for my night out and after having bought it and changed I, naturally, started feeling self-conscious. Even though it was just a pair skinny jeans and a tank top, the jeans were more form-fitting than any I'd ever worn before and the tank seemed to show just a little too much skin. I felt awkward, like an imposter trying to be someone I so obviously wasn't. Whatever. Will had asked me out, I had said yes and it was going to be perfect.

It was 7:23 when Will finally arrived at the theater we were meeting at. My freshly curled haired had fallen flat and my make up was fading, I had been planning on him coming on time and then the dark of the theater would hide my face. Exasperated, I began to walk towards him when four other guys and two girls came out of the car along with him. I froze, my heart beat pulsing in my throat. I thought this was a date, not just a chance for him to have some bro time with his buddies. I felt a bit better when Will raised his hand to wave to me.

"Misty, hey," he said as he came up to me, his voice rough and causing shivers to run down my spine.

"It's good to see you," I gave him an awkward hug which he half-way returned. Better than last time I guessed.

"Guys, this is my date Misty," he said, waving over my body as his friends laughed and nudged each other. I recognized Jack but when I tried to catch his eye and smile he looked away. Weird.

"Hey, babe. I'm Neil," one of the other guys said, winking at me. I glanced at Will but he was too busy laughing with the other boys to notice.

"He's my boyfriend. My names Mia, if you care," the girl with the dip-dyed blue hair sneered, wrapping her arms around him possessively. God, were all California girls bitches?

"Um," I replied awkwardly.

"Misty, I got our tickets. Let's go in," Will said, grabbing my arm. I couldn't stop myself from staring at this toned arm muscles and broad shoulders.

"What are we watching?" I asked, moving my arm done slowly so we could hold hands. The guys all laughed.

"Did she really just say that?" one of them grinned and Jack rolled his eyes, running his hands so his black hair stuck up messily. God, guys. What were they expecting, we were seeing a movie, right?

"Don't mind them," Mia said, glaring. The other girl smirked, moving in to put her arms around Jack's waist. He shook her off.

"Goddamnit, Sophia. The hell was that?" He sounded really upset and I wondered why.

"Oh my god," Mia giggled and Sophia passed her into the theater, blushing. Neil walked over to Mia and lazily grabbed her around the waist, his lips brushing over her ear.

"Will?" I said, looking over my shoulder to make sure my 'date' was near by. He raised his eyebrows and gestured for me to go in first. I felt nervous and wasn't quite sure why. I was eighteen and had been on plenty of dates before so what was bothering me? I sat down awkwardly in the seat next to Neil who by this point was kissing Mia passionately.

Will slipped into the seat next to me and put his arm around my shoulder. I felt myself relax into him, my head falling to rest on his shoulder. His hand reached across to stroke my hair and gently pull my face closer. Nerves began to fill my stomach and I took a deep breath. "You alright?" he whispered, leaning in even closer.

"I don't know," I said honestly. Despite the smile he was wearing now, I could only see his cold expression in the coffee shop and the glare of his father. What was wrong with me? Will was perfect, interested, and still I could only focus on the negative. Forcing myself to swallow, I darted in quickly to kiss him. Heat rushed up my spine to face. I heard someone whistle and I closed my eyes. Don't think, just feel. And I did. Will's hands pulled my closer and as I ran out of oxygen, I opened my eyes to see his squeezed shut. Maybe he did care. I thought I hoped I did, but I really wasn't sure. I felt my eyes open and wander to where Jack was sitting in front of us, to my surprise he was glaring. My heart fluttering I went back to kissing Will, trying to ignore how hot and uncomfortable I was getting.