Under the Same Sky

Before You

I was in a different world as Jake and I walked back. We were both silent, our hands swaying gently by our sides as we walked, itching to touch the other's. I refused to let myself touch him. Yes, he did knock out my slimy ex, but also what did he see? What did he think of me? I had barely met him, and had barely had the chance to make an impression on him before I went and ruined it. He probably thought I was damaged goods, and he would want nothing to do with me. I swear I heard him start to say something, but he trailed off as quickly as the words came.

My heart was in my throat and I could barely think straight as we returned to the portion of the beach where they were having the bonfire. Before we walk down the stairs to the fire, Jake turns and looks at me long and hard. 

"Listen, Y/N, I can't say I know what is going on in your head right now. I do want you to know that I am not judging you, and if you'd let me, I'd actually really like to get to know you better." He said, nervously. 

I looked at him in disbelief. I couldn't form words to express the overwhelming gratitude I felt in that moment, so I just nodded and flashed him a small smile. He took my hand in his and brushed my knuckles with his thumb and squeezed tight. He led me down the beach back to the group. 

"We thought you guys left to go smash or something" Josh said, chuckling 

I chuckle halfheartedly. I guess Jake saw the pain in my expression and told Josh to shut it. 

"Come on, love." He said, leading me back to the spot around the fire where we were before. 

Jenny gave me a questioning look and I mouthed 'later'. 

I hadn't told anyone about what had happened. Jenny and I had known each other for a long time since we both started working at the ice cream shop so I guess she was my best friend. I really didn't like to talk about personal things with people, they always said I just brought them down. 

We sat around the fire a little longer and sang. Josh started telling ghost stories at some point. I wasn't sure if the boys had lied about having had invited other people because the only other person who showed up was Sammy's girlfriend, Joy. It was nice though to hear the waves crashing on the shore, being wrapped in a blanket and Jake's arms, and having the fire crackle in front of us. 

When i started to fall asleep, Jenny suggested we had better get home. Josh and Jake walked us to our car. 

Josh gave Jenny a long, lingering kiss that I wish I could've gotten from Jake. 

Jake placed a long kiss on my forehead, and traced an infinity symbol on the back of my hand. We got in the car and I told Jenny to drive before I broke down right there in front of them. 

We decided not to go straight back home, but stopped at a drive thru and got food. 

After we got our food, we parked in the parking lot, and Jenny asks me to tell her everything. 

In between a half sob, and shoving a hash brown into my mouth, I decide its time to tell someone. 

"I loved someone once. So much. We were together for 2 years. His name was Clark. He could be so sweet sometimes, so romantic. On weekends, he would go out and party, and never tell me where he was going. He would show up at odd hours of the morning, reeking of alcohol and just want to have sex. He would have tons of pictures of random girls on his camera roll who he never would tell me about..." I trail off, stifling a sob.

"babe, it's okay, let it all out. I'm here for you" she said, handing me a napkin.

"After a while, he started letting me down more, never making time for me. I found out he had been spending his weekends with someone else. The day he broke up with me, I was assaulted. I tried telling him, and he just made me feel bad about it. Like I was dirty. He would only call me up for booty calls, saying it shouldn't matter to me. I can't seem to get away from him. Tonight when I disappeared, I had heard music and I followed it. It turns out it was his party. He was making advances, luckily Jake showed up and punched him out." 

Jenny pulls me into a tight hug, she starts sobbing, and I do too. I can't handle when other people cry. 

"I am so so sorry, Y/N, the same thing happened to me and I honestly wouldn't wish that on anyone else, especially you." 

We just sit there sobbing for a while before we wipe our tears and finish our food. We both look at each other and start laughing at how stupid we look with our makeup halfway down our faces. 

"Hey, Y/N, Jake really does care for you." she says, matter-of-factly

"I know, but not the way that Josh cares for you" I say, wiggling my eyebrows at her. 

She rolls her eyes, "Everyone shows emotions differently. Maybe he didn't want to overstep since he knew you were hurting. He wouldn't have gone looking for you if he didn't care. According to Josh, Jake is pretty non-confrontational too, so for him to punch someone out like that..." 

Maybe. I just really hoped I hadn't screwed things up before they started. 

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Hello friends! I'll try to update as regularly as I can, but things are getting super busy so I hope you guys enjoy this chapter if I can't get another up for a while! 

peace, love, unity.x