One In A Million

17: So Close But So Far

Third person's POV

The two childhood friends sat next to each other, conversing amongst themselves as the free period was going on. Blake, as always, was surrounded by his many admirers and flocked with many queries; the sense of malaise and grimace was clear in his features.

Jake's POV

It was a free period and there wasn't much to do besides talk about an interesting fact in the textbook Charlotte was reading and thinking of things to add in my drawing. It was quite a boring day indeed.

Blake was crowded as usual while Mark and Lucy were having their own conversation. I sighed and stopped drawing on my paper.

I looked over to Charlotte who was engrossed in her textbook. I began to drift into deep thought as I looked out the window with my chin rested on the palm of my hand.

"If I ever confessed to her... Will she return my feelings? Or will she reject me? I've come this far to being her best childhood friend but should I take another step?" I hung my head low.

"Why do I feel so far away from her when I'm just close beside her? Love is so complicated." I shook my head and snapped back to reality.

"You alright?" Charlotte stopped reading and looked at me. "I'm fine, princess. Why?" I smiled at her reassuringly.

"You look troubled. Is anything bothering you? You can always tell me." "I'm fine. Don't worry about it." I scratched the back of my head. "If you say so." she said and hesitantly went back to her reading.

Charlotte's POV

There's definitely something wrong with Jake. It's very unlike him to not tell me what's his problem.

"He's being adamant with it so it's best to give him some space and wait until he's ready to talk about it, I guess..." I sighed as I turned to another page.

"You weren't like this before, Jake... You can always tell me what's wrong, you know..." I couldn't concentrate at all so I stopped with my reading and put my book down.

"You can always tell me... Jake..." I mumbled. "I'm fine, really. You don't have to worry about me, princess." he smiled a fake smile.

"This isn't like you..." I frowned at him. "You're not alone, you know... I'm always here for you, Jake. You don't have to keep the pain all to yourself." I told him the words that Blake once told me.

"I know. It's just not the right time for me to say." he put on a sad smile as he held my hand tightly. I didn't say anything but give him a sad smile, nod, and return the tight hold on his hand.

Blake's POV

I slouched on my seat as these girls kept talking about non sense. I smiled and nodded to what they were saying; clearly not paying attention to them at all.

I looked over at Charlotte and Jake and they were holding hands and smiling at each other. I sighed inwardly, "They're so close with each other. It's expected from people who have a history together."

"Blake~ Why won't you pay attention to me?" one of the girls whined. "How annoying." my eye twitched in annoyance.

Lucy's POV

I looked over to Jake and Charlotte then to Blake. "They all seem troubled on what to do, Mark. Should we help them?" I looked back at Mark who was thinking the same thing.

"Who knows... If they want something to happen they gotta make it happen themselves." he shrugged.

"Love solves all the problems, right?" "Yeah. But there's also an opposite effect. Love can make it worse, too." I frowned and looked up when I felt him ruffling my hair.

"You're really bitter, did you know that?" I pouted playfully. "Shut up. They just keep thinking too much about it." he sighed. I narrowed my eyes at him and he continued ruffling my hair.

"Don't worry about it. It's just not the right time for them yet. We just wait and see what happens, okay?" he grinned and I nodded with a smile.

Third person's POV

The free period soon ended and Arts class was about to start. Students began to return to their proper seats and waited for their teacher to arrive.

"Okay class..." the teacher entered and announced, "With permission from the school principal, each class is to perform a play to help raise funds for the St. Louis Orphanage. This class will be performing a play on Beauty and the Beast." he finished and posted a flyer for auditions.

"A play?" the five friends thought, sweatdropping.

"There will be a limited number of characters in the play with their respective understudy. Those not chosen will be helping out with the costumes, props, background and all." the teacher finished.

"Would anyone like to suggest some characters? Oh, and please be serious about it. I don't want someone suggesting a person who can't act." the teacher put on a glare. "Anyone?" "Can the prince be Blake?" one raised her hand as others agreed.

"Can you act, Mr. Parker?" the teacher sighed as he rubbed his temples, hoping it wasn't a joke.

"To be honest, I've always been chosen to act as the lead character back in my old school." Blake admitted while his fangirls were struck in awe.

"So, would you do the honor of being the lead? I'll have you audition later, of course." he sighed. "Um, I guess so. Why not?" Blake grinned.

~Time skip: Lunch time~

"Are you gonna act in the play, Char?" Lucy asked as she drank her lemonade.

"Not really. I'd rather do the background sceneries than act." Charlotte sweatdropped. "It could be fun, you know!" Lucy persisted. "Then you do it." Charlotte retorted as she finished her lunch. "But I'm in the background committee too!" she whined.

Jake's POV

"I'm not really into acting anyway." Charlotte finished as Lucy sighed in defeat.

"What about you, Jake?" Mark asked, lying down on the cold concrete floor of the rooftop.

"I'd rather paint the background than act on stage. Besides, memorizing lines are too troublesome. You?" I looked up at the clear, blue skies as I leaned on the cold wall.

"Same. I'm leaving the acting to Blake." he chuckled. "Hey! That's just mean, you guys leaving me on stage while you're backstage." Blake sulked.

"It's your fault for volunteering." Mark mocked. "There are gonna be a lot of girls auditioning for Beauty." the latter teased as Blake faked his crying.

"Good luck, Blake." Charlotte cheered. "Thanks." his mood soon changed to a cheery one. "Hmph..." I pouted, looking away.

"Don't be jealous, Jake. There's still hope during the play, ya know." Mark whispered. "What? How'd you--" before I finished, he put his index finger on his lip and smirked, "It's a secret."