The Bad Boy (Jack Gilinsky)

Chapter Five

It was the day I was dreading, it was Monday, the day Jack and I are meant to present our project. I hadn’t seen him since that night because we had no Science classes last week and I wasn’t in any other classes with him. Naturally there were rumours going around about what happened between us because everyone knew we were together all the time. I’m not going to lie and say I don’t miss him a little bit. As much as I hated to admit it, he was the only person I had, he was the only person I genuinely liked.

I walked into Science, avoiding looking at my desk knowing he would be there. I stared at my feet the entire time until I finally sat down. I could feel him staring at me as I faced forward. It took all my strength not to burst into tears right there and then. My heart stopped for a minute when he spoke. “How have you been?” He asked and I could sense the reluctancy in his voice. I paused for a moment thinking of an answer. A million ideas ran through my head. Sad, hurt, broken, embarrassed. None of which I was willing to say out loud. "I’m fine" was the answer I finally went with.

I could have asked him how he was but I didn’t want to know the answer because I knew whatever he said he was doing better than I was right now. "Mr Gilinsky are you and your partner ready to present your project?" Mr Harris asked us. Jack looked at me for approval and I nodded. We got up slowly as Jack trailed behind me. I could feel the awkward tension in the room as everyone stared up at us. I coughed awkwardly beginning to present the project. After that Jack and I took turns. When we finished Mr Harris began to clap.

"Wow that was really fantastic, congratulations, you two work really well together" He said. I scrunched up my face knowing that he was right. Jack and I walked back to our desks not saying a word. After class I grabbed my bags as quickly as possible trying to avoid Jack. "Sp- I mean Kendall" Jack said grabbing my wrist lightly. I turned around to face him. "We did pretty well on that huh?" He said rubbing his neck awkwardly.

"Look Jack the project’s over now. you don’t have to do senseless small talk with me anymore" I said expressionless. “I think we talked about a little more than small talk” He said looking hurt by my comment. I said nothing, just stood there looking at him. "I told you I was sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt you, but I’m just not good enough for you" He said standing up to face me. “Who gave you the right to decide who is and isn’t good enough for me? I’m not some fragile little girl” I said raising my voice slightly. “I know you’re not! you’re probably the strongest girls I know! You’re the only girl who puts me in my place and I love that about you” he said. My stomach fluttered slightly when he said love and I in the same sentence. 

I didn’t know what to say back, I glanced at the clock, realising I was late for my next class. I sighed loudly, “I have to go, I’ll see you around” I said half waving at him as I walked out.

It had been a few weeks since I talked to Jack last. He hadn’t even tried to start a conversation with me since we presented our project. I can’t believe he gave up like that. I’ll admit I do miss him, the long talks with had, the arguments we had, but I knew that I wouldn’t be able to just be friends with him anymore, I was gone so far past that.

I strolled into Science again and Jack wasn’t there but I wasn’t surprised, he hardly ever showed up anymore. I had gotten used to not seeing him too much, but it was probably for the best. I don’t think I would be able to see him everyday after what happened.

Later that day I was walking out of school by myself, like I always did lately. I had stopped making an effort with the few friends I did have. I just didn’t care anymore. As I walked with my books in my hands, an all too familiar car pulled up abruptly. I gasped quietly to myself as I watched him confidently get out of the car. He was so perfect, the way his hair just sat perfectly and the way when he walked his arms tensed slightly showing his muscles. And to top it all off he was wearing a white shirt and a leather jacket which just made me want to melt right then and there.

I was so lost in my own thoughts that I hadn’t realised Jack was making his way towards me. My heart began to race, unsure of what he was doing. He stood directly in front of me not saying anything as we stared each other in the eyes. "Hi.." He finally said. “Hi” I said back no changing my facial expression.

"I have to say something and i have to say it now because i know if I don’t say it now I never will" he said looking slightly flustered. I nodded in acknowledgement as I watched him pace back and forth running his fingers through his hair before coming to a halt in front of me again. "Okay here it goes..Look I’ve never done this before so I don’t know how to begin this so I’m just going to say what I’m thinking. I like you..I like you a lot and I’ve been spending the last few weeks trying to convince myself that I’d get over it but I haven’t and thats why am here" He said. I opened my mouth to say something but he continued.

"And I know I said that you deserve better than me and you still do but that’s not the reason I didn’t make a move. Honestly I was scared, I was scared because I’ve never cared about someone like I care like you and it terrifies me" He said

I began to talk again, “Jack..” “No please don’t say anything just hear me out” He said. “I know seeing me with that girl probably really hurt you but it meant nothing, I honestly just did that to get you off my mind but it didn’t work it just made me want you more. Look I’m no relationship expert so I’m not sure how this works but maybe could me try and see if there could maybe be an us?” He asked. I smiled to myself at everything he said looking at me feet.

"That was really sweet" I said looking up and him. "So does that mean we could maybe try us and see where it goes" He said smiling. I nodded while smiling. "Cool" He said rubbing his neck. “Come here” he said pulling me into his by my waist, pushing his lips to mine. Surprising it was a gentle kiss, I was expecting it to be more forceful knowing Jack’s past experience. I broke the kiss smiling.

"Can I ask you something?” I asked him. He nodded "Why do you call me Sparky?" I asked him. "Because the first time I saw you I felt Sparks" he said "Seriously?" I asked cringing."No I don’t know it just kind of felt right" He said laughing. "Thank God" I said leaning back in.