His // J.G.

lot.

I fixed Belle's too know and Emmetts sweater.

"You look so cuteee" I said. They groaned and I kissed their heads. Belle was wearing a white sweater dress with boots and her hair in a top knot. Emmett was wearing a white sweater, khakis and boots. My outfit was similar to Belles. A sweater dress with thigh highs. I straightened my hair and did my makeup. It was thanksgiving and we were headed to my moms.

"Are we ready?" I asked.

"Yes let's go to grandmas." Belle said. Scout came down and helped me load the kids and the desserts into the car.

"Ready to see your boyfriend?" I asked. She blushed and shrugged. She and Nate were official. And he was joining us at my moms. Scouts family didn't live near us. I drove up to my moms and we took everything inside.

"Hi moooom" I sang kissing her cheek.

"Hi Lai. We're about to start serving and there's a few people outside, bring them in?" She asked. I nodded and made my way outside. My brothers, dad, a few of his friends and kids running around and a familiar figure were outside.

"Uh guys?" I said. They all turned. The familiar figure faced me.

It was jack.

I hadn't seen him since the park. His mom had been picking up belle, and I knew my mom had invited her over today. I didn't know he was coming.

"Mom said to come inside" I said. I turned and walked to the kitchen, helping my mom serve.

"Hi Lai!" Ms. Finnegan said.

"Hiiii" I replied hugging her. She continued to help us serve and I got countless questions from family and friends about my job. How was teaching. Did I like it. How was I still single. I handed jack his plate and he held onto my hand.

"Hi." He said. I looked up at him

"Hi.." I replied.

"You look great" he said. I smiled at him and moved my hand.

"Thank you.." I replied. I served Scout and Nate and the rest of Jacks friends. I got my plate and sat with my cousins who I hadn't seen in forever.

"So that boyfriend of yours is something" she said. I rolled my eyes.

"Not my boyfriend" I said.

"He's starring at you.. he's hot" she said laughing. I ignored her and continued to eat. After we ate we began cleaning up. The guys made their way outside to play football, a family tradition. The kids watched from the side and I watched from the window. I watched as my family interacted with jack. They loved him. They never liked Mason.

"Honey?" I heard my mom say. She had just shut the yard door, letting the last guest out to the yard.

"Yeah?" I asked facing her.

"Let's talk" she said. I sighed.

Here it comes.

"You like him don't you?" She said.

"Mom.." I started. She held her hand up. I closed my mouth and rolled my eyes, crossing my arms and starring at her. I felt like a teenager again.

"You look at him.. different.. you never looked at Mason like that. You seem.. happier since you've met him.. why are you holding back?" She asked

"Because he doesn't want me mom.. he likes someone else.. mom I'm not gonna get my hopes up okay?" I said. She placed her dish towel down and faced me.

"Lai.. maybe you need to put yourself out there." She said. I scoffed, then caught myself. I hated being a bitch to my mom.

"And get rejected mom? I think I'll pass" I whispered.

"Lai. I see the way he looks at you.. stop finding excuses.." she said.

"I'm not finding excuses mom. He's a father to one of my students, who happens to be my kids best friend. I teach her every single day. And if it doesn't work out? How awkward is that. My daughter and son will lose their best friend because I wanted to be selfish. I'll get over it. I need to get over it. He is attracted to someone else. I'm not gonna set myself up for that rejection mom. Besides I'm damaged goods, no one wants that kind of baggage " I said. Tears had begun welding in my eyes because I had finally said those words allowed. Her face softened and she shook her head.

"Honey.. oh honey.. if only you saw what I saw..." she said. We heard the yard door slide open, and jack came inside. I looked at the sink, blinking tears away quickly. She gave me a look, and made her way to the yard.

"I need to use the bathroom.. where is it?" He asked. I motioned for him to follow me and led him upstairs. He made his way into the bathroom, And I made my way to my old room. It was exactly the same. My mom left it for when the kids and I stood over. I didn't bother to shut the door behind me because everyone was outside. I made my way to my balcony and crossed my arms. We had a perfect view of my neighbors lake. The sun was beginning to set, and my dad had lit the fire pit. I heard my family laughing and talking loudly. Perks of being Puerto Rican. There was music playing and they were having a blast. I saw the girls playing with my cousins, and Emmett playing with my brothers. I stared off at the lake again. My mind began to wander and I heard someone clear their throat. I turned and saw jack standing in the door way. He had shut my room door and had his hands in his pockets.

"What's up?" I asked.

"Can we talk?" He asked. I slowly nodded and he came onto the balcony, shutting the screen door behind him.

"What's up?" I asked.

"Why are you acting so distant?" He whispered.

"I'm not.." I said.

"You are.. ever since the date and the day at the park.. " he said.

"Talk to me." He whispered. I laughed a little bit, shaking my head

"I'm okay, just have a lot on my plate that's all.. there's a lot going on.. we're okay" I said. He had worry in his eyes

"I'm here if you ever need to talk.." he said. I nodded

"Thanks jack.." I said. He slowly nodded, and we walked back downstairs where my family was.
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-Xhalegilinsky