Before They Hide

Blaney?

*Laney's POV*

"That one," I say pointing to the bottle of light purple nail polish. "Lavender's my favorite color."

"Oh getting fancy with color names are we?" Jenna jokes as she unscrews the top and prepares to paint my toenails. 

"Maybe!"

After the exquisite dinner, I'll admit, I ate two helpings, Nathan and Blake left to head to their homes while Jenna and I decided to hang out in her room. We were currently giving each other mani-pedis before both staying in Jenna's room for the night. I had already painted Jenna's nails a "bubble gum pink" and now it was my turn to be pampered.

"Hey Laney?" I hear, stopping me from thinking about my love-hate realitionship with my second plate of chicken.

"Yeah?"

"I think Blake likes you."

I nearly choked on my own spit, causing me to lose my balance and fall off the bed, landing on my butt with a thump.

"Oh my god! Laney! Are you okay?!" Within a matter of seconds, Jenna was by my side, pulling me off the floor.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I say meaning it. I really was fine, the height from bed to floor wasn't really that much.

"Are you sure?"

"I'm positive. Now, umm-" I cleared some of the extra spit out of my throat, "did you say that Blake likes me?"

Jenna shook her head in quick little nods. "Yeah, I think he does."

"Do you think he likes me or likes me?" I ask, putting extra emphasis on the second like. 

"I think he like likes you!" Jenna squeals.

Oh shit, this is NOT good. Wait, Laney, just calm down, maybe Jenna's wrong. Maybe she's just so lovey dovey with her own relationship that she's trying to play matchmaker? Just take deep breathes and chill out.

"Laney? Is something wrong?" Jenna's face looks worried as she notes the terrified expression on mine.

"Yes!" I blurt out before I can stop myself.

Shit.

"Tell me what's wrong," Jenna states, grabbing my hand and squeezing it for comfort.

Now I'm in full on panick mode. What do I do?! I can't tell her that Jacob might still be alive and that's why I can't date Blake, but I don't think I could live with myself if I did date Blake and accidentally began to have feelings for him. Isn't that what always happens in the books?!

"Well, ummm, uhh-"

"Laney, I promise I won't tell anyone, what's wrong with Blake liking you?"

As if by magic, and idea popped into my head almost instantly. An idea so obvious, I'm still shocked at how I missed it before. 

"I just, I don't think I'm ready to..." cue the waterworks, "I don't think I'm ready to move on from Jacob!" Cry mode activated! I burst into fake and hopefully realistic sobs as I cupped my face with my hands. 

"Oh no! Laney, don't cry! Don't cry hun!" I hear Laney gasp as she wraps me up in a huge hug. I continue to force tears out of my eyes as Jenna rubs her and on my back to "soothe" me. After a few minutes of staying in the hug, Jenna let me go and I let out a few sniffles as if I had actually finished crying.

"Thanks Jenna," I say, thankful for my decent acting skills.

"No problem. We don't have to talk about Blake, let's talk about something else like" Jenna pauses to let out a HUGE yawn.