Forever and Always

Chapter 18: Fear

|| Caroline ||

Ever since I met them, I felt like it was absolutely impossible to escape those boys. They had planned on staying in Pittsburgh for a week, and Madi made sure we were going to see them again.

"Come on, don't be such a downer," Madi wined poking and prodding at me. "Let's go!"

Oh how the tables have turned. It used to be me talking her into hanging out with them, and now it was the other way around.

"But we've been there once already, this week," I said, giving my friend a pointed look before turning back to my phone . "We don't want to bother them. I'm sure that they have things to do."

Madi rolled her eyes, a gesture that was sure to become her signature annoyed look . "Well, obviously, I know that," she said, but smiled. "But they're free today"

"No, Madi, not today."

"But..."

"No."

My stubbornness seemed to just make Madi even more determined. "Come on, Caroline, Matt said that Jack's been talking a storm about you," she tried earnestly.

That caught my attention. "Really?" I then shook her head immediately, trying to dispel any thoughts of him from her mind. "No, never mind, it doesn't matter," I said quickly after. People like me definitely didn't mix with guys like him. After all, boys in general always seemed to be after one thing, and one thing only. The perfect girl, which I wasn't.

In addition to all of that, I realized that there was some truth to the whole flirty characterization that the fanbase put on Jack. It wasn't like he was trying (but there were definitely times when his motivations just couldn't be denied), but that just seemed to be all part of his charming personality. And I've heard stories of course, about all the havoc that he had caused. There were times when he was exactly the type of guy that I had promised she'd stay away from.

But he was also funny.

And nice.

And sweet.

And...

Well, I was most definitely in a conundrum now.

"Yes, he has," Madi said was a smug look. "So can we go? Please?"

"You just want to see Matt," I grumbled, picking up my clothes with more aggression than really needed.

Madi's eyes went wide, and she shook her head. "Why would I want to see him?"

"Because you love him," I countered matter-of-factly.

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes, you do."

Madi gave her and exasperated look. "If I say yes, can we go?"

"No."

Madi eventually gave up with a loud groan

Unknown to Madi, her efforts were more effective than she realized. Jack was beginning to invade my thoughts even more so than usual, a thing that was beginning to scare me. I hadn't felt this way since forever, and based on what I knew about crushes, that's just how I almost always ends up: crushed.

Maybe it would be different if he-

I snorted to herself and turned back to her heavily highlighted notes. He's Jack Gilinsky. That in itself erased all my chances. Id just have to forget about him.

If only he wasn't so charming...

* * * * *

It was a nice day in Pittsburgh. Not too hot, but it was just cold enough for me wear my favorite cardigan over my dress of choice that day. As I was making my way over to my motor, my phone vibrated in her pocket, making my steps slow.