A Better Best Friend

4

The next morning I woke up and Jack wasn't in bed. I looked around and didn't see him around the room, I got up and went to the bathroom. He was staring at his bruise in the mirror.

"It hurts doesn't it." I asked. He looked at me and nodded. "Do you remember how it happened?" I asked.

"Kind of I know it happened during the game." He said looking back at the mirror, it was a huge purple bruiser that went from his temple to the bone of his brow.

"You passed to Zach under the basket and one of the other players jumped and knees you. You stood up all dizzy and when you left the other team just couldn't stop scoring." I said. He nodded slowly.

"All because I got hurt, that's why we lost." He said. He slammed his fist on his sink.

"Hey it's okay there's always next year." I said. I walked up and hugged him.

"Yeah, but I don't care about next year, I wanted to win this so bad. I was so ready." He said. He never hugged me back he just put his face in my shoulder. I wonder if he remembered last night. We just stood there together until we heard the doorbell ring. We started walking downstairs to open the door. The doorbell went off again, and again, and again.

"Alright alright, I'm coming." Jack yelled. He opened the door.

"Trick or treat." Finn said holding 2 boxes of pizza.

"Awe babe you shouldn't have." Jack said. He let Finn in, and Finn put the pizza on the table. Then he looked at me.

"Oh man." I looked down and realized that I was wearing a shirt and a pair of jacks boxers instead of pajama shorts.

"Uhh oops." I said smiling.

"Let's eat some pizza." Jack said rubbing his hands together. His head turned and Finn saw his bruise.

"Oh holy shit Jack!" Finn yelled. Jack covered his ears.

"Ow shut up. I have a headache." Jacks said. I felt so bad he's usually a tough guy so I'm sure his head must really hurt. I walked over to him and he put his free hand around my waist. Maybe he did remember last night.

"You okay?" I asked. He nodded his head slowly and took a bite of his pizza. I grabbed a piece and took a bite. It was pepperoni which is my favorite. I opened the other box and it was sausage and onion which was Jacks favorite. I turned around to Finn, "Did you know I'd be here?" I asked him. He looked up from his phone,

"Yeah I assumed so since Jack was hurt." He said.

"I can't believe you know our favorite kinds of pizza." I said. I took another bite, Finn kicked his shoes off and then came and got himself a piece.

"Of course I remembered, you guys are my best friends." He said putting his arms around our shoulders. Jack smiled and looked at him,

"Thanks Finn." They both smiled. I went over to the couch and sat down. These two were as close as me and Jack were its just that Finn knew some things that I didn't know, and I knew some things that Finn didn't know. Finn had also never cuddled with Jack. Jack came over and sat down right next to me, he scooted very close. He reached for the tv remote and I smacked it out of his hand.

"No tv for a week." I said. He looked at me like he wanted me to die.

"I'd rather have a concussion than die from boredom." He said. I smiled,

"How could you be bored you have me and Finn to keep you company?" I asked. Finn looked around,

"Uh I actually have to go. I just came to give you the pizza." He said. Jack squinted,

"Why did you-" He stopped mid question, "Where exactly do you need to be?" He asked.

"Im going to a girls house, don't ask me who because I'll tell you later." He grabbed his shoes and opened the door, "I'll see you guys later." He shut the door.

"What the hell is wrong with that kid?" Jack asked laughing. He grabbed the side of his head and grunted in pain. I hugged him.

"I'm so sorry you're in pain." I said. He put his arm around me.

"It's ok it's not your fault I'm hurt." I looked up and our faces were inches apart. I just stared into his eyes for what felt like forever, then I looked away.

"I need to go to the bathroom." I said standing up. I went into the bathroom and shut the door. I started jumping up and down and having a quiet freak out, I can't believe I almost kissed Jack. I ruined almost kissing Jack. God damnit. Wait. I can't date him, he's my best friend, If we break up we won't be able to be friends anymore. Uhhhh this is so frustrating. I decided to text Emily.

Lys-Emily I almost kissed Jack.
Em-Bitch no way
Lys-Yes but I got nervous and went to the bathroom
Em-Omg why
Lys-I got nervous and now idk if I want to be with him
Em-Wdym
Lys-Were best friends, and if we date and break up what will happen to our friendship
Em-damn good point
Lys- It sucks because ever since last night he's been different
Em-Define different
Lys-He seems softer and more gentle
Em-That's sweet
Lys-yeah it's cute
Lys-he's cute
Lys-uhhhh omg

He knocked on the door,

"Hey Elyssa you okay In there?" He asked. He's thinking of me,

"Yeah I'm fine." I said. I started texting Emma again.

Lys-He's knocking at the door
Em-you're on his mind go talk to him
Lys-You really think I should?
Em-Yes absolutely text me and tell me how it goes

I stood up and opened the door.

"Hey." I said. He scratched the back of his head.

"Hey." He said. He stood and stared at me not saying anything. "I just want to, um, it's just that-"

"Jack just say it." I said. He grabbed my hand, leaned in and kissed me. I kissed him back, I put my hands on his cheeks and he wrapped his arms around my waist. I pulled away, "Jack." I said looking at him.

"Lys what's wrong?" He asked. I looked down I couldn't tell him. "Hey don't worry, I like you. I'll do anything for you." He said.

"Jack, I cant do this." I said. I started to tear up.

"Hey what's wrong, is there somebody else?" He asked. I shook my head,

"No, no there isn't somebody else." I said, wiping my eyes.

"Then what's wrong?" He asked.

"Jack I can't date you. I don't want to ruin our friendship. What happens if we break up? Then what? I don't want to live a life where you aren't my best friend."  I said. I buried my face into his chest and started to silently cry. Jack put his chin on top of my head.

Note-Really got into my emotions writing this, I feel like how I did writing my book about Jacob. I can really relate to it.