Spark in the darkness (Inspired by Why Don't We)

11. Same, yet different

I had never realized how great life can be when you have someone who loves you and you feel the same way about him by your side. I was flying on a cloud nine, enjoying the moment of my hand in Jack's one, with our fingers intertwined.

My heart was racing and pumping the blood in my veins to my cheeks that were pretty heated up every time I met Jack's burning loving gaze. I felt like I could fly.

I left all of my worries on the ground and now was flying through the free fall. For the first time after weeks of drowning in sorrow I was able to see the light of the day. I was breathing in the air that smelled like spring, all the scents of flowers in bloom were noticeable in the air and I wondered how was it even possible that I didn't notice it before.

Last time that I felt so alive was Cay still breathing the same air as us, but even when he was present, I have never felt as happy as now, because I never thought I could lose him. And suddenly, he just wasn't there anymore.

However, it felt right to just walk to the skatepark with Jack, hand in hand. When we got out of the sight from my school and we finally stopped staring at each other in happy haze of admiring the other, Jack broke the love-filled silence by asking.

"Emmie, can I ask you something?" I looked up at him and tilted my head a little, to let him know I was listening. The fact that he called me Emmie made wonders with my heart. He asked, trying to play it cool, but I knew it really bugged him. "What happened yesterday?"

I sighed. "My English teacher told me I should stop missing Cay and start doing my work again."

Jack widened his eyes and raised his voice. "Are you serious? That woman must be after a brain lobotomy or something! It's obvious that you feel sad after all the horrible things that you went through this year."

He sounded outraged, almost like the teacher was talking about him. My heart melted at his words and I found myself falling for him even more.

I smiled lightly, then answered. "Yeah, I know, Jacky. That was what I thought at the beginning as well. But today I talked to my friends and even though I don't want to admit it, they're right in a certain way."

Jack knitted his brown brows together in confusion. "In what way, Em?"

I took a deep breath and said out loud the truth I was avoiding, that hurted almost the same as  losing Cay, because it felt like I betrayed him by admitting it.

"You know, Jack, it's hard. I used to be the top of our class, right. But now I just can't compel myself to care about marks anymore. I'm failing almost all classes, especially maths." I didn't realise I started whispering.

I caught Jack looking at me intently, before he spoke out softly. "Emmie, it's alright. They have to understand, you're going through a rough time. Besides, I'm failing maths too, but it's no big deal. You'll manage to scrape through the year, don't worry.

When you're ready, you'll start studying again." He smiled at me encouragingly. I smiled at him adoringly and pressed my lips on his cheek. I whispered. "Thank you, Jack. If everyone was like you, I wouldn't feel so pressured."

He winked at me. "You're welcome, baby. I'm your boyfriend, I will always stand by your side." He stated sweetly and my heart was about to explode of joy once again. He just called himself my boyfriend without even asking. It didn't surprise me much though, since Jack was like a spontaneous wave.

I laughed. "I know. But remember, I'm always here for you too." He carressed my cheek. "I know."

Then he got more serious. "What exactly happened before she told you this?" He fixed his eyes on mine and once again I felt like he was seeing through me.