It's Not You, It's Me (Book Two) #Wattys2018

Midnight

POV GUS

"Did she say what she wanted?" Ace asks, putting on shoes.

"No, she just made it clear it's super important." I say, checking my eyebrows in the mirror.

"What time is it?" He asks.

I look down at my phone. "It's 10:52." I tell him.

"I have to do something before that, I'll meet you at the diner at twelve." He tells me, putting on his jacket.

"What are you going to do?"

He looks at me in a hurry. "I'll see you there at twelve." He said, and opened the front door. Standing in our doorway, however, was Jack— holding a container of chicken soup.

"Uh—" Jack said, awkwardly. "Soup for Augustus. I'm sorry, I know it's late—"

"I don't have time for this, get in." Ace tells him, pulling Jack into our house by his collar. Ace then looks at me, "Don't be late." He says, and then storms out.

Jack stares at me, confused. "Is everything okay?" He asks. I go to him.

"We're kind of busy tonight. If this is for dinner, I don't think I have time—"

"No, it's for you." He says, handing the soup to me. "For you to feel better."

"Feel better?"

"Yeah... You weren't feeling well this afternoon?"

"OH! Yeah! Oh, yeah, I'm so sick! Ugh!" I groan. "This soup will do wonders, thank you." I bring the soup to the kitchen and Jack follows me.

"So, what are your plans for tonight?"

"Uh, just something with Toby."

"Horacio seemed quite urgent."

"Oh, he's just over-dramatic. Always worried, you know Ace."

"Is everything okay?"

"What? Yes! Never better!" I chuckle nervously.

"You're a terrible liar." He says, and when I look at him I realize the small distance between us and step away from him immediately.

"You know, now really isn't a great time. You should go. We can talk tomorrow. Or not." I tell him, walking towards the main door to make him leave.

"Augustus, I just— I know you still don't like me and I just really wanted us to be friends."

I scoff to myself, thinking how wrong he is, "Jack, we can talk about this tomorrow." I open the door for him.

"When?"

"Whenever, Jack, just not now." I push him gently out of the house.

"In the morning?" He asks.

"Fine, just stop by."

"I have something in the afternoon, I'll stop by early tomorrow."

"Fine, Jack! Stop by early tomorrow! I have to go now." He opens his mouth to speak, "By, now!" I interrupt, and slam the door.