Cheek to Cheek

Chapter 28

A/N: EEEEEEK! I've just realized how long away I was! School's started again, and I've been so busy with college apps and ap homework and all that jazz that I never got the time to continue. Now there's only three days left until the Watty's! Well, I take back my promise about the extra chapters and have slimmed it down to a total of 30. I will upload tomorrow and the day after that, and I'll be done. I have it all planned out so don't give up on me now!

Also, thank you to those who have still be cheering on this story. I hope you will not be disappointed as it's only getting better from here. Tune in tomorrow for the next chapter! And please keep the support coming! Thank you <3

Chapter 28

Tabby and I entered my house, merrily chirping about the day. I had told her what had been going on with Jack and Jake and my unwillingness to make a decision.

“I pick Jake,” she had said. I watched her intently as she blurted it out blatantly without a second thought. Curious to know her reasoning, I urged her on.

“Why?” I asked, running my fingers through my hair as I dropped my things at the counter. She shrugged, still not puzzled with my dilemma. I followed her to my refrigerator, where she stole my orange juice without permission, and then to the kitchen table.

“It’s really not that hard of a decision,” she replied. I blinked several times at her.

“You’re kidding,” I stated. She shook her head, sipping my orange juice with not the slightest idea of my situation.

“Not really. I just kind of think you’re making a big deal of this situation,” Tabby pressed on. “It really is obvious that you should go with Jake. It only seems like Jack’s messing with you. Like he’s trying to get you for the wrong reasons. He’s showing off. You’re not a treasure to him; you’re a prize. And he’s just a little kid who wants that prize.

“Jake, on the other hand, has a thing for you. He’s made it clear. You have a thing for him. You’ve made that clear, too.” I blushed. “Jack loves the fact that you like him and wants to keep it that way. He’s not intent on sharing his toys, especially with the fact that you’ve shown interest in Jake in return.”

Staring at Tabby, my mouth dropped slightly agape at her miniature speech. And she wasn’t finished yet. She took another sip of her orange juice before continuing.

“And you should pick Jake. If he’s got the guts to stand up for you in front of his friends, especially those like Jack, then kudos to him. I’d like to meet another guy who could easily do that. Doesn’t sound very probably now, does it?” she asked, staring at me. Slowly, I shook my head.

“Jack is also a jerk, and you heard it yourself. He’s only it for one thing, and one thing only. What comes next? A happily ever after? As if. That boy has heartbreak written over his forehead. You don’t want to be like one of those other blind bimbos, now do you?” she asked. Sadly, I gazed at the floor and shook my head again, fighting back tears.

“Well, there you have it,” she concluded gently, leaning her head forward. “I know you maybe had, I don’t know, a ‘connection’ with Jack at some point. Maybe some part of that is still in him, and maybe, just maybe, you witnessed a small part leaking out of him in class. Maybe that guy you knew is still there.”

My lower lip quivered at the thought. A tear escaped my eyes. I closed my mouth at the subtle words. She gently smiled at me, her eyes pained.

“Is it worth waiting for to find out?” she asked slowly. “Do you still want to find out?” I bit my tongue and thought deeply on the matter. I hadn’t expected this of Tabby, at all.