promise | j.g

31.0 || it's not what it looks like

//Elena//

Jack and I walked hand in hand into the school building, escaping the cold breeze that was trying to infiltrate our body and rid it of its warmth. After our moment outside was rudely interrupted by the school bell, Jack muttered a few curse while wrapping his hand around mine, reluctantly walking toward the maroon double doors.

As the doors shut behind us we were instantly greeted with a crowd of bodies, pushing their way to first period, not wanting to be late. Absentmindedly I glanced up at Jack only to find him already looking at me with a smile that was making its way to his face.

When we reached my locker, which Jack insisted on walking me to even though his was on the other side of the hallway, he leaned closer to me causing my back to rest gently against my locker. Noticing now that there were very few students scattered in the hallway, my heart started to race. 

"Jack, we...um...we should get to class," I said more to myself than him as he started leaning in.

Even though I would gladly spend all day here with him, I knew that we both needed to keep out grades up and god knows what coach would do to him if he kept being late to practice because of me.

"Okay," he whispered, his forehead resting gently on mine, "Lets go then."

Neither of us made an attempt to move. Jack pulled back slightly, convincing me that he was actually going to take the initiative to go to class. But boy was I wrong. Instead of moving completely away from me, he did the exact opposite.

Jack moved his hands behind my head, pressing them flat on my locker to steady himself. Trapping me with his muscular figure, which no doubt came from lacrosse, he leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on my forehead.

"I love you," I whispered, fluttering my eyes closed while resting my hands on his chest.  

With a small sigh, Jack brought one of his hands down and traced his thumb over my cheekbone, "You have no idea how much I love you."

A child like grin tugged at his lips when his eyes trailed down to my hand where the promise ring he gave me on my birthday sat. Playing with it, he gently enclosed his hand around mine, running his thumb in soothing circles.

"How bout I walk you to class?" he smiled.

Before I could say anything, someone cleared their throat behind Jack. Peering over his shoulder, a sigh escaped my lips just as my eyes landed on an all too familiar mop of long black hair.

Jack immediately pulled away, letting go of my hand. His smile grew a bit wider, his eyes taking in her face. My smile vanished so quick, I couldn't even remember what I was smiling at before.

"There you are! Class starts in a few," she said grabbing his wrist, tugging him in her direction.

Without bothering to acknowledge me, she kept her eyes fixed on Jack, silently pleading him to join her. All I knew was that if she didn't move her hand soon, I'd be very tempted to wipe that smirk off her pretty little face with a chair.

Without much protest, Emery dragged Jack down the hallway. Jack gave me one last glance over his shoulder, throwing me an apologetic smile. Even though he's given me more than enough reassurance, I couldn't help but feel like I was loosing him slowly in that moment.

--

After enduring my first three torturous classes, lunch looked very promising as I shoved my philosophy book into my locker. The hour felt like years without Jack sitting next to me, nudging me to pay attention when I would start doodling. Not even five minutes into the class, Coach Boomer excused a few of the students to go practice for tomorrow's big game.