Meant To Be: A Jerika Story

Chapter Ten

Scott POV: Erika and I had been dating for two weeks, and I wanted to do something special for her. So I bought a bouquet, put on a suit, and decided to take her on a surprise date. I got to her house, and went to knock, only to notice that the door wasn't even locked.
"These kids are crazy," I think, letting myself inside. I walk down the foyer and to the living room, where I'm greeted with the sight of my girlfriend literally wrapped up in another guys arms. In Jake Paul's arms. I watch as they slowly sway together, while everyone else is crowded around them. Erika seems to literally be lost in Jake's eyes, while he looks at her in a way that makes my heart burn. By now, the rest of the group has noticed my presence and some of them awkwardly wave, but Erika and Jake seemed to be off in their own world. "Didn't the song end like five minutes ago," I hear Ivan whisper.
"Yeah, but I don't think they care," Tessa says with a giggle. Suddenly, Erika looked up and finally sees me. She quickly pushes Jake away. "I swear it's not what it looks like," she says, walking over to me.
"Yeah, it's literally just for my vlog," adds Jake. "Wow, you both seem to be amazing actors," I say sarcastically. Erika puts one hand on my shoulder.
"It's really not like that," she says.
"Then why is this dude always flirting with you?" I look over to Jake.
"Can you honestly tell me that you have no feelings for her? That everything you do is just "acting"? Because as far as I can tell, you seem to like her. A lot."
"We're just best friends," exclaims Erika. "Bullshit," I say with a bitter laugh. I take a deep breath.
"Listen Erika, I know our relationship is new, and we're still figuring it out. But you obviously have something going with him as well, and I can't be with you if half your heart is somewhere else. And I really don't want to play second fiddle to some other guy. I like you, but I need some time to think things over."
With that I leave the flowers on a table and walk out of the house. She doesn't even try to stop me.
"I guess I should have expected this drama from a bunch of social media kids," I think to myself as I get in my car to head back home. Tonight did not go as expected.

Jake POV: Well that was awkward, to say the least. Scott had just burst into our house and accused Erika and I of having feelings for each other. Not that the feelings part wasn't true on my end, but I still thought that he was a tad bit over dramatic. He had left after his rant, but no one else had moved.
"Damn, someone needs a chill pill," I say, attempting to break the tension. To my relief, everyone laughs, and soon they all go off to do whatever, forgetting about the drama that had just taken place. But I knew that Erika would still be siting in her room, unable to get her mind off of what happened.
"Heyyy," I say, cracking her bedroom door open. She groans.
"No. You're the last person I want to see. Leave. Now." she turns away from me. I walk in anyway, and take a seat next to her.
"Man, I wish I had gotten that drama on camera. Next level content," I say, earning myself a signature Erika eye roll.
"Think about the clickbait! "Her boyfriend caught us..." or maybe "I STOLE HIS GIRL (too savage)" What do you think?"
"Will you please shut up," she says as she punches my arm. She then takes a deep breath. "Listen Jake, I just want to make one thing clear. I don't have feelings for you. I don't want to be with you. And I definitely don't agree with anything Scott said."
I could almost feel my heart break. I didn't except her to be head over heels for me, but when we were dancing I could swear she felt something for me. Guess I was wrong.
"Damn Erika, you're going to make me cry," I say jokingly. She laughs.
"But ya, I feel the same way. Zero feelings. You're really hot and all but at the end of the day, we're just friends. I promise all the flirting is only for the vlogs." I hoped that she doesn't see through my fake smile.
"I'm so glad we're on the same page," she says. I can only sigh. It would be nice if we were on the same page. Too bad everything I had just said was a complete lie.

Erika POV: Jake had just left my room, leaving me alone with my thoughts. So much had happened in the last hour, and I really needed someone to talk to. But who?
"Duh," I think to myself, immediately heading to Tessa's room.
"Tessa?" I ask, knocking on her door. She opens the door after a few seconds; lets me in, then opens up her arms.
"I know that look, pickle," she says, and I let myself fall into her hug.
"Everything sucks right now," I say, my voice muffled into her shoulder.
"It'll be okay," she says, patting my back. We go to sit on her bed and she wraps me up in her blanket.
"Now, tell me everything," she says. I take a deep breath.
"So you saw how Scott basically went off at me for "having feelings" for Jake." She nods.
"Well obviously I felt like shit after my boyfriend yelled at me in front of everyone. Then Jake came into my room and I told him that I had absolutely no interest in being with him." I close my eyes, not sure if even I was ready to hear what I had to say next.
"But I lied. I lied to him, I lied to myself. So much of me wants to be with him, and I don't know why," I say, tears starting to form in my eyes. Tessa pulls me back into her arms. I wipe my eyes.
"Like he's such a douchebag. He doesn't understand girls at all. All he ever thinks about is views and fame," I cry into Tessa's shoulder. "But it doesn't stop me from wanting him. Tessa, I'm so fucking confused. So confused."
Tessa doesn't say anything for awhile, just holds me tight.
"Honestly, I did not at all expect you to feel this way," she finally says.
"I can hardly believe myself," I reply.
"Erika, you know how he is with relationships. How shitty he was to Alissa. How messed up they were together. He can't commit, and he's always busy with whatever." She sighs.
"But you already know all of this; you know this better than anyone."
"Exactly. But I still can't get him out of my head," I groan, then sit up.
"Do you know how hard it is for me to understand that I have feelings for Jake Paul, the guy who I have seen treat women like toys time and time again?" Tessa gives me a sympathetic smile.
"I love you, and I love Jake too. So I'm going to try to give you the best advice I can. Don't do it. There are so many reasons to not get involved with him. Just don't give into his advances. Keep your guard up. Think about how bad it would be if things went wrong, and knowing him, I'm pretty sure they would go wrong fast." She then grips my shoulders.
"And please don't try to do that "no strings attached" thing where you just hook up but don't actually date. It never works out. Never."
"Maybe fix things with Scott?" She suggests. I shake my head.
"We're over. Even if this drama didn't happen, I would have ended it. I don't feel a connection with him. Honestly, I think I'm going to try and be single for awhile." Tessa grins.
"That's my girl! Just think about all the froyo runs and shopping dates we can have," she says, and we both giggle.
"I love you," I say, leaning my head on her shoulder.
"I love you too," she replies, and she lets me snuggle in her arms for a little longer, patting my back and telling me everything would work out. Wow am I lucky to have her in my life.