Torn in Two ❉ j.j

Ch 29 // Forgiveness + Decisions

-Jesy POV-

Before I could stop Gilinsky, his face burst into anger and he lunged for Jack. I was pushed aside as Gilinsky swung a punch at Jack and knocked him backwards.

I cried out as Jack stumbled but Gilinsky kept throwing punch after punch. Jack tried to regain his balance and hit Gilinsky but he was already bleeding.

"How could you do this to me!?" Gilinsky roared and shoved Jack along the wall, Jack groaned. "You're supposed to be my brother!"

I was too afraid to move. What if Gilinsky would hit me if I tried to get in the way. Tears were rolling down my face as I looked at an almost unconscious Jack.

"I'm s-sorry." Jack spat out, blood falling down his face onto his shirt. It broke my heart to see him this way.

Gilinsky let Jack go, who slid to the floor and gasped for air. He looked broken down and it hurt me. Gilinsky turned to me now, his face was red and flecked with blood.

"I'm so sorry." I whispered but didn't take a step towards him.

Despite what I did, Gilinsky's face had softened. He didn't look angry or full of rage anymore. He just looked sad and hurt.

Gilinsky opened his mouth to say something but he closed it again as if rethinking. Then he shook his head and walked out of the library with his hands running through his hair. He pushed pass a group of people who were watching this scene.

"Jack." I said shaking his shoulders a bit, his eyes drooping. "Come on, let's get you to the nurse."

When I looked into his blue eyes, all I could see was regret.

-

Jack had gotten a couple of bad hits from Gilinsky. He was too upset to stay at school so he decided to drive home after the school nurse checked him out.

"I'm taking off." Jack walked out of the principals office. "I don't wanna be here right now."

"Are you okay?" I asked him but it seemed stupid of me. Gilinsky was still in there talking to the principal about the scene.

Jack shrugged. "I just need to be alone Jesy." And then he just walked away leaving me alone in the empty hall.

I swallowed back a feeling of dread that Jack didn't want anything to do with me. I mean I wasn't pregnant anymore so there wasn't much reason for him to stay.

Jack could just as well apologize to Gilinsky and swear he wouldn't talk to me anymore. They would go back to being normal. And I was the one losing everyone.

Just as I was about to head to class, the principals door opened and Gilinsky came out. He almost reeled back when he saw me. I just stared at him and didn't say a word.

We stood there for a few seconds and stared at each other. I couldn't really bring myself to talk to him, I mean now I knew what guilt Jack was talking about, it was too heavy.

"I'm sorry." I began. "I know I was wrong for not telling you - "

Gilinsky laughed. But it was shrill and more cold. "The two most important people to me went behind my back like that? I thought you two would care enough to say something."

"We wanted to! Jack, we really didn't wanna hurt you like this." I tried to be sincere.

"But you didn't." Gilinsky shook his head in pain. "All this time you two have been making me a fool..."

"I'm sorry!" I pleaded.

He held up a hand. "I can't - I can't look at you right now Jes. It hurts too much."

Then he walked away too.

-Jack POV-

I thought on it for a day. I couldn't do this to my best friend. I mean we've been family since we were kids and only met Jesy in highschool.

Where did my loyalties lie?

I couldn't be some chump who doesn't at least try to work his friendship out with a day one. What did that say to Gilinsky? That I didn't care.

Well I did.

But the thought of losing Jesy scared me so much. It hurt like hell. I wanted nothing more than to be with here right now. But that wouldn't make things better between Gilinsky and I.

As much as I'd love to be it Jesy and still have my best friend in my life, it wasn't going to work out that way and I knew it. I'd have to make a choice at some point.

And I'd pick Gilinsky. I mean did I really have a choice? I had to choose my best friend because that was just the code we both had. We wouldn't let a girl come between us.

I already betrayed him. Who's to say G would even forgive me. But I had to try and I had to make some kind of sacrifice to show him I was being honest and sincere.

Even if it means losing the one girl I really did love.

-

That night, I pulled up at Gilinsky's house. Better do this now before I actually change mind. 

Jesy had tried to call me several times today but I put her to voicemail. Just seeing her again would really make this harder for me. I needed some severe separation for this to actually work.

She even tried to visit but I made sure my mom said I was out. I mean that's lame and nasty but...it worked because she gave up after a few hours. Anyways, I got out of the car and walked to the front door. Before I reached the door, it opened slowly revealing Gilinsky.

"Hey man, I was just - " I began as I walked up the porch steps.

"Heard your car pull up." Gilinsky walked out. He didn't seem so angry anymore, which was good.

"We should talk." I said leaning against the wooden rail. Gilinsky hung back.

He nodded. "Yeah, I think we should."

"Look man...what happened was really unplanned." I began. "I didn't mean to fall for Jesy - "

"Can you not mention her and the whole love thing?" Gilinsky cut in with an edgy voice. "Makes this a whole lot harder."

"What do you mean?" I asked, a little confused.

"Me forgiving you Johnson." Gilinsky said slowly.

"W-what?" I almost laughed but raised a brow instead.

Gilinsky nodded. "You're a good guy Jack, and the best I know. I know you wouldn't do that to me purposely."

I was in shock. Here I thought he may actually start throwing more punches and write me out of his life for good. I was really surprised.

"You know I'm really sorry." I said quietly. "It won't happen again."

Maybe he would be more open to Jesy and I. Maybe I didn't have to give up both of them. This could work out for all of us.

Gilinsky shrugged. "It better not."

I frowned again.

"I just mean..." Gilinsky began. "I just don't want you with Jesy, ever."

"What?" I choked on air.

"I don't want you and Jesy together, at all." Gilinsky said again.

No hint of sarcasm or humor. He was dead serious.

I stared at him for what seemed like five years. I didn't even know what to say. A part of me was hopeful that if Gilinsky didn't accept my apology I could have Jesy.

"What?" I asked again.

Okay I came here thinking it would be easy to give Jesy up but now I'm rethinking that ever since Gilinsky said it out loud.

"I can only know you're serious if you stop seeing Jesy." Gilinsky said. "And I mean it man."

I took a breath then exhaled slowly. I didn't think he would respond this way actually.

I shrugged. "If that makes it okay, I guess I won't....I won't see Jesy."

I couldn't believe I had actually said.