affair II ; jack gilinsky

thirty-four

savannah's pov

i sat on the couch beside lauren, watching multiple episodes of the office like we have been for the entire day.

lately, i've just found no willpower to leave the house and actually do something exciting. it just seems like everything i touch or do, crashes and burns any ways.

"so, i heard that derek and the guys are throwing a welcome home party for jack tomorrow" lauren spoke up as i kept my eyes on the irrelevant commercial for toothpaste. "i'm going and they said that you should come too".

i scoffed with chuckle, "yeah, right"

"i'm serious, savannah".

i turned to her, "me? as in the woman who stupidly didn't believe that the love of her life was innocent of a crime".

lauren somewhat nodded her head, "jack's obviously been through a lot, but he'll still want you there".

"no, he won't" i placed a pillow on my lap, focusing back on the ads. "you should just go, i'll be fine on my own".

"but if you go, it could give you the opportunity to talk to him".

"no, thanks" i yawned. "i'd rather not be rejected".

"you won't get rejected" she assured. "come on, it won't be the same without you".

"lauren, please stop trying to make me go, because it's been a week since jack got released and i'm going crazy from being so tempted to call or text him, but i know that that won't fix anything - not this time".

i closed my eyes, exhaling after my hostile tone as lauren looked at me.

"look, i get that, but avoiding him won't solve anything either. let's just go there and at least give jack the option to try and talk to you" she advised.

i stared at my best friend, then at the continuing commercials and sighed lightly.

"i'll think about it" i finalised and she thankfully left the topic at that, before the episode of the office eventually returned.

+

the next day, lauren actually managed to convince me to get my ass off the couch and we were now walking up the steps towards derek's front door, and patiently ringing the bell.

i quickly glanced down at my white, casual dress and brushed it off, before the door opened and i think, one of jack's colleagues answered. 

lauren and i entered the house and soon enough, i felt all eyes on me and muttered conversations following after.

"this is such a bad idea, everyone's staring at me" i whispered to her.

she comfortingly stroked my arm, "it's all in head. now come on, the guys are there with jack".

lauren started tugging at my hand, but i resisted and remained standing still by the living room entrance.

"yeah, you go ahead, i'll just stay here" i said, holding my hands in front of me and keeping my distance.

"no, let's at least go and say hi" she insisted and pulled on my arm much forcefully now, then dragged me towards the other side of the room.