DIE ➳ JACK JOHNSON

XXXII. OH, YOU DON'T EVEN

chapter thirty two - july 23

The past week has been ideal. Jack had been back to the person he once was. He was happy and carefree. His eyes were full of life again. He has surprised her with a new date each day. Whether it was just a cuddle session in his room or an extravagant dinner, she was happy. As long as she had him, and as long as he was there.

The past week for him was hard. He had a difficult time keeping up this facade of being back to his old self when in reality, he was still scared of what might happen. He's surprised that he had fooled her this long. Of course, he hadn't been pretending on the dates with her. He loves her, and he's happy with every moment he gets to spend with her. There's still a voice at the back of his mind saying that no matter what, it won't last.

He finished the surprise he had worked all week for her. He had help from Aqua and Gray. It was annoying to hear Aqua gushing about how cute this was, and Gray telling her to shut up all the time. He knew this would make her super happy, and that's all he's told himself while dealing with them. Especially on the days that Aqua dragged Molly into helping us. 

"With this romantic stunt, I'd think you're proposing to her or something," Gray commented looking back at their final step of Jack's elaborate plan. Then he stopped and turned to look at Jack like a deer stuck in headlights. "Wait, you're not proposing to her, are you?"

"No," he replied. "I just want to show her how happy she makes me. She deserves this. Out of all the things I do, this has to prove that."

I look of confusion flashed through Gray's eyes for split second. "You know you don't have to prove anything to her. She loves you, and accepts you for who you are. You don't need to prove anything to her. You already got her. You don't need to worry.

"Yeah," he answered back quietly when he was feeling the complete opposite on the inside. He knew that he has her now, but what's to say that he'll lose her. He wanted to profess his love until the day that inevitable day comes. He knew that she loves him as well, but even the love that she has for him won't stop her from leaving him. He's not worth it.

"Oh! I'm so happy for her!" Aqua said excitedly, practically hopping to join them after she finished setting the scene.

"Thanks for helping me," he said, smiling genuinely. He just couldn't wait to see her face when she saw this. He knew she'd be happy.

Aqua gave him a smile - a smile as if she approved him to be her best friend's boyfriend. She could see it in the eyes. She could see how much he loved her, and this just proved it. She knew that without the doubt he would do anything to make her happy. She trusted him, and she trusted that he wouldn't want her to be in pain as much as she did. 

"It's no problem," she said. "You guys are my OTP after all."

Gray looked at his sister like she was some crazy chick. "What are you going on about now?"

She didn't seem unfazed by his attitude towards her. "One true pairing," she explained happily.

Jack's reaction was different than Gray's. He looked at her with a grateful glint in his eyes. All along, he's been told by people, even by his friends, that she wasn't meant for him and he shouldn't hurt her in any way. But here was a girl he just meant, and she believed all he wanted to believe. Maybe it was because she didn't know him as well as his friends or maybe it was something else. He didn't know, but all he knew was that it felt nice.

"One true pairing," he commented with a grin, repeating as if to taste the term on his lips. "I like that."

"Aw," she swooned, bring her hands together. "You guys are like those couples int eh movie. So in love and so cute. I'm so glad I get to be here to witness a real life love story like this."