The Risk of Falling in Love: A Jonah vs. Daniel Fanfiction

Chapter 12

After dinner the boys and I disperse around the house. I decide to sit on the porch and read ahead on my summer reading list for high school.
Im submerged in my page when I feel a tap on my shoulder. I turn to see Daniel smiling down at me.
"Can we talk?" He says sitting down next to me.
"Of course," I say putting my book down to face him fully.
"I think we should set a limit on how long we will pretend to date. My girlfriend is getting worried the longer this goes on, and I really don't want to loose her." My face falls and I feel so selfish.
"Oh Daniel," I say regretfully. "I haven't even thought about how this would affect you! I'm so sorry," I say burying my head in my hands.
"How about another week," Daniel suggests. "Then you have to tell J we aren't actually together." I sigh hesitantly, but I agree.
That's when I hear the front door squeak open. My breath hitches and I turn my head slowly- afraid- as my eyes land on Jonah's hurt face. He's silent for a few counts, standing completely still. Daniel and I exchange a worried glance, when Jonah says,
"Wait a second," as he steps out onto the porch. "You two aren't actually dating?" He stops to run his hands through his hair. "You've been pretending to, for what reason exactly?"
Daniel and I exchange another glance and stay silent, unsure what to say.
"You mean to say that you have been playing with my feelings- making me miserable- and the other guys too? To what, feel better about yourselves?" Jonah continues.
I take a small breath and reply, "You're right about the fake relationship Jonah, we're so sorry."
"We shouldn't have done it," Daniel adds, ashamed.
Jonah shakes his head and says, "Who's idea was this?"
"It was mi..." Daniel starts to say, trying to take the blame for me, but I shake my head at him.
"No, it was my idea."
Jonah doesn't respond at first, he just stares at me with wounded eyes.
He finally says, "Why did you do it?"
Daniel looks to me.
"I... I wanted... to make you... jealous..." I pause to take another deep breath, and then I continue. "I wanted you to understand what it felt like to be someones last choice. To be overlooked even though the thing you want the most is to be noticed. To feel... special."
Jonah's sad eyes met mine, as he stands up towards the door. Jonah doesn't turn around, but my heart still shatters into a million pieces when he says, "You were always my first choice."

                                         ~
I spend the rest of the week hiding in my room. I only come downstairs when I need something to drink, or at meal times.
Jonah and I haven't directly spoken since he overheard Daniel and my conversation. He's still mad at me, but I'm still mad at him. He played me around just as much as I played him. How was I supposed to know his distance was showing affection?
"Em?" I hear from behind me, wrenching me out of my thought.
"Hey, Daniel," I say as he sits beside me.
"How are you doing? With all of this..."
I wince at the memory and I reply, "I've been better, to be honest." I laugh bitterly and Daniel places his hand over mine.
"I should have asked you that earlier," he says shamefully.
"You've shown me more kindness than I deserve, Daniel." I sigh slowly, digging my sandal into the dirt below me.
"You deserve to be happy," Daniel says with a smile. "Emma, I know you're mad right now, but I see the way you look at him. Jonah, he makes you happy."
I lay my head in my hands, knowing Daniel, as usual, is correct.
As much as he drives me absolutely insane, I'll always love Jonah Marais.
But unfortunately, our time has come and gone. If he truly cared about me he wouldn't have suddenly lost all his feelings in one day. Who even does that?
"Em?" Daniel says, bringing me back into the moment.
"I just spoke from my very heart and you haven't said anything," he says with a laugh.
"Dani," I say turning to him. "Jonah and I will never work. It's time I just let go and move on."
I stare at the dirt again, afraid to say what I really need to.
"I think... I... I should move in with Harper for awhile. To heal."
"No way," Daniel says stubbornly. "You leave this house over my dead body." I close my eyes and I sigh.
"Daniel, all i've done is cause trouble for all of you. I think this fight with Jonah is my cue to say goodbye for awhile."
"You can't go," Daniel says slightly tearing up. "We'll miss you too much."
"I'll miss you too," I say giving him a a quick hug.
I pull myself off the steps, heading into the house for the last time.

                                       ~
"No. No way," Zach says crossing his arms. "I forbid you from going out that door."
Telling the boys that i'm moving out isn't going as well as I would have hoped. Corbyn said he would tie me to a chair if I try to leave, and Jack said he will cry every day until I come back.
"JONAH!" Zach yells up the stairs. "COME DOWN HERE!"
"Zach," I say giving him a stern look.
"It's the only way," Zach says shaking his head.
Jonah comes down the stairs then, a water in his hand.
"Bro, what's up?" He says scanning the room confusedly.
"Emma's trying to move out," Zach says pointing at me like a child.
Jonah's face turns from confusion to emotionless in seconds.
"If she wants to go, let her," he says plainly.
Ouch. That hurt.
"J! You were supposed to say no," Corbyn hisses.
"I'm not going to tell her to stay, guys. I just can't."
Zach looks Jonah straight in the eyes and says, "You don't deserve her, you idiot!" He gives Jonah one last glare, and takes off out the door.
I run my hand through my hair. What have I done?
"Ill be going now. Before I ruin any more
friendships," I reply, ashamed.
"Come here," Daniel says extending his arms for a hug.
I grab onto him and whisper, "I love you, Seavey," into his ear.
I move onto Jack and Corbyn, giving them each a hug and kiss on the cheek. When only Jonah is left, I whisper, "bye," as I open the front door to leave.
I find Zach on the porch with tears in his eyes.
"Em," he says hugging onto me. "You're my best friend, and I love you so much. Please remember that."
"Always," I say holding him tight.
We break apart, and I give him a kiss on the cheek.
"Bye, Zach. I love you," I say turning towards my awaiting uber. "I'll miss every single one of you."
I don't look back as I climb into my uber, because I know if I do, I won't get into the car.