Stand by Me

Twenty

Breathtaking.

That was the only word that I could fathom as my eyes wander over the view below me.

Jay and I are standing at the zenith of the skyscraper as my eyes feast on the delicious view.

After the big mess at the party, Jay dragged me outside, brushing shoulders with strangers, fury at its pinnacle which lead our presence here, at the rooftop.

Unspoken silence lingers between us as I find Jay, pacing back and forth letting out heavy breaths, keeping his gaze fixed to nothing else but the floor.

"Okay, you're starting to scare me now.", I finally find my voice and the nerve to break the silence.

He stops, but he ensures that his vision remains on the floor of the rooftop. He then closes his eyes, takes a deep breath and slowly looks at me.

"I'm sorry", he says, a strong guilt suddenly building in the ocean of his eyes.

"For what?" I shake my head. " You didn't do anything wrong, Jay"

"This is not how I thought this evening would be. My dad's a dick and I-"

"Stop punishing yourself. And just let it go already. "

I move to sit on a little bench that has the perfect view. One could see everything from here. Just like Sheldon's spot. I mentally stifle giggle at the thought. I remind myself that I need to focus on the current situation.

"The view's amazing from up here. Isn't it?", I try to start a healthy conversation.

"It is", he nods. I don't look at him when he speaks, completely spellbound by the view.

"The most beautiful thing I've ever seen", I close my eyes as my lips tug up to a smile. I then look at Jay, who's rather staring at me.

"You have no idea", comes the husky voice accompanied by a notorious smirk. It then hits me that he was talking about me, the whole time. I immediately look away, breaking our piercing gaze.

"Why is that you get so nervous whenever I compliment you?" He deadpans. I sense him getting closer.

"What are you talking about?"

He gets even closer, covering the distance as he settles down beside me. I struggle hard to maintain my composure. Why did he have to make this awkward?

"See. This is exactly what I'm talking about!" He remarks.

I begin to realize that I've been portraying my emotions too loud. I straighten up, trying to look confident.

"Look. I know that you're used to all the girls throwing themselves at you. But I'm definitely not one of them. So if-"

I'm immediately cut off by Jay's gesture. He brings his hand close to my face as he tucks a strand of loose hair behind my ear.

"You look so cute when you're rambling." He smiles. Not smirk. But smile. A genuine seraphic smile that reached his eyes.

That one moment was everything. I could keep looking at him forever. I felt like the smile gave away so much. It gave away that there lies a thoughtful, caring and kind Jay underneath the smirking bad boy facade. This is the Jay I wish to know about.

Wow. One little smile could do so much? I had no idea.

"What are you thinking?" He asks, as he slowly tilts his face.

"You should smile more often." I blatantly state.

As if cue to my statement (note the sarcasm), he immediately smirks and ruins the moment.