He Came to Get Me - Bruiseshipping AU

I'm Sorry I'm in Love with You

Well, this chapter sure did make it out! Hoo, can't believe it! Thought I'd have to delay it a bit because of my family's trip to Canada. Enjoy!

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Jay wanted to scream at himself for hours.

The second Cole had dropped him off at home, he sprinted to his room and buried his face in his pillow, holding out a loud scream.

It was safe to say that their carpool home from the bookstore… was awful.

Cole had tried to fill in the silence by turning up the radio, but as he did that, Jay only got more anxious, fidgeting constantly in his seat. Jay knew that his friend had learned about his crush on him, alright. The thing was, none of them had the guts to tell each other about it. They kept it inside and instead only continued to grow more awkward around each other.

"Jay, dear, are you alright?" He heard his mother ask from the other side of his closed door. Jay immediately stopped his muffled screaming and jolted up in bed, turning sharply to the door.

"Yes, Mom! I'm fine!" He lied. I messed up. Really bad.

"Oh, are you sure, honey? You've been screamin' for a while now."

Jay bit his lip. He wanted to cry. He wanted his mom to leave.

"I'm fine, Mom! Really! Just go do your quilting or whatever!"

"Alright, dear. I'll only be a few rooms away if ya ever need something."

"Thanks, Mom."

When the footsteps of his mother were fading away, Jay threw himself back in bed, throwing his hands over his eyes.

He knew he messed up.

Why did he have to open that sketchbook? Why was he so nosy? There was a thing called personal space!

Now things between him and Cole were… weird! And it had only been one day!

Jay rolled to his side and groaned.

He pried his fingers apart and peeked through the gap, eyes landing on Cole's sketchbook - which he had completely forgotten was even with him in the first place.

He remembered when Cole had given him strict rules not to touch his sketchbook. Cole had been very specific and sounded dead serious when telling him. At the same time, he remembered Cole getting so worked up about a single question that it had sparked a surge of curious within him.

"Rule number one," Cole started, holding his sketchbook in his hands. "Never touch my sketchbook. Ya got it?"

"Why not? You got a little secret you're hiding in there?" Jay teased. He hasn't actually expected Cole to respond. And even better, Cole responded by his cheeks burning up!

"It's not a secret," he stuttered. Jay could tell he was trying to remain calm.

"Someone's getting a little flustered. What are you hiding, Dirtclod?"

Cole hesitated, desperate to come up with something. "I'm just not so confident about my art at the moment…" he lied.

Jay's stomach dropped. Cole? Not confident in his own art? That man had talent!

He bumped Cole's arm playfully and grinned. "Dude! You're literally an inspiration! Don't feel bad!"

Cole chuckled, accepting his lie. "Just promise me you won't ever look?"