I guess it's Fate

Chapter 3

Elizabeth POV

Jack is an amazing guy. We have hung out almost every day since our first meeting and I have the best time with him. We get along so well for a couple of teenagers who met about a week and a half ago. I walk to the front door so I can leave for school, something I'm dreading as always. I say goodbye to my parents and walk out of my house. After closing the door behind me my eyes lock with elegant green. Jack is standing on my front steps with his school bag on his back. "Hi", I say to him, "What are you doing here?". We don't go to the same school so I don't know why he is at my house at 8 am. "Well, I pass your school on the way to mine so I thought I could walk you to school. Plus I missed you and wanted an excuse to see you", Jack says to me. I smile and slightly blush. "We saw each other yesterday but I still think it's sweet of you to walk me to school", I say and kiss his cheek as I walk down the stairs and away from my house.

As we are walking, our hands brush against each other and I blush, feeling butterflies in my stomach. Suddenly, I feel a large hand grip mine gently so I look down to see Jack's hand intertwined with mine. I blush and look up at him. He is looking away with a smile and I can't help but lean into him and place my head on his shoulder. "I think I love you", Jack says and my eyes widen. I look at him to see him staring back at me with a smile. "You can't love me", I laugh and look away from his gaze. "I can and I will", he firmly says and I am speechless. What do I say to that? Jack is a very open guy when it comes to his feelings but this is a new level of openness. We have only known each other for about two weeks and I know I said that I love him but I told myself that and it didn't mean anything. It's like when you fall in love with a fictional character on the first read. Jack seems to love me as a kiss in the rain sort of thing. I don't say anything, I just walk along next to him slightly freaking out. Ok I lied, I'm exploding inside. I have never had a guy say I love you to me and Jack and I have only known each other for like two weeks.  It makes no sense to me. A guy could never fall in love with me.

Once we reach my school, I try to let go of Jack's hand but he holds my hand tighter. "Thank you for walking me to school", I say to him. He smiles and gently pulls me close towards him. "You're welcome", he whispers in my ear and I slightly shiver from his hot breath on my skin. Our eyes lock once again and I cannot look away. He leans in and I think he's going to kiss me but he kisses my cheek instead. "I'll come and pick you up after school. Is that ok?", Jack asks. "Yes father", I say and smile. He walks away laughing and waves to me. I wave back and turn to walk through the gates of my school. I see my friend Maddie and she calls me over. "Why are you so happy this morning?", she asks me. "No reason", I smile and she nods. I don't want to tell any of my friends about Jack because they'll make a huge deal and if they ever meet him they might scare him away so it's best for him to be a secret. He's just a friend anyway so it's nothing major for them to know.

After school, I stand at the front gate and wait for Jack. I feel a presence behind me and I jump as arms wrap around me and pull me into their toned chest. I turn around with wide eyes ready to hit the person in the head but I see familiar green eyes and lower my hand. "You scared me", I say and push at his chest. "Sorry babe", he laughs. I'm 'babe' to him now and I love it. Just as we are about to walk towards our houses I see my friends walk out the school gates and I panic since I don't want to them to see me with Jack and ask me questions so I grab his hand and we run down the street away from the school. "Woah, why are we running?", Jack asks once we come to a stop trying to catch our breath. "My friends were coming and I don't want them to see you yet. They'll scare you away if they meet you. I just know it", I say with a small frown. "Nothing will ever scare me away from you", he says and I blush. I realise we are still holding hands but I don't say anything as I like the feeling of his large hands on my petite hands, holding tight as if he's scared I'll fly away. "So how was school?", Jack asks me. "It was fine", I answer, "How about you?".

"Same".

"Do your friends know about me?", I ask Jack.

"No and for the same reason as yours. My friends will definitely scare you away".

"Ok so we have come to the conclusion that our friends will not know about us until something happens".

"What will happen?".

"Uh, well, you know... like if we started dating but I'm speaking hypothetically".

"Well, hypothetically, what if I wanted us to start dating".

"Jack, we have known each other for about two weeks".

"I don't care. Liz, when I first set eyes on you I was astonished by you and your presence gave me butterflies in my stomach. I meant what I said this morning. I think I'm in love with you", Jack says to me and I look away from his gaze instantly. I really like Jack but love is too soon for us. We aren't even dating, we are friends who have known each other for two weeks. "Love is too soon Jack. We are just friends, it's been two weeks since we first met. I need time to process everything your declaring", I tell him. He nods and says "I understand. Maybe love is too soon but what about fate? Fate brought us together Liz". He really isn't letting this go. "Fate isn't real. We bumped into each other and happened to live across the street from each other but it's not fate, it's a coincidence", I say. He frowns and looks away from me. He is making this so difficult for me, I'm not ready for a relationship, especially not two weeks after knowing the guy.

Once we reach my house, Jack walks me to my front door. "How about we do this whole drop off-pick up thing again tomorrow?", he asks. "Sure", I answer. "Jack, you understand where I am coming from with this whole dating thing right? I'm just not ready and I think it's best to wait a while before we make a commitment because anything could happen. You know what I mean?", I tell Jack. I don't want him to be upset or mad that I don't want to date yet. "I could never be mad at you. I understand and I won't push on the topic anymore", he says and I nod with a smile. "I'll see you tomorrow", Jack says and leans in to kiss my cheek but I move my head so he can capture my lips. Our lips touch and the butterflies in my stomach come back with more force. It's a sweet peck and I do not want to pull away but I know we must. We pull away from each other but our foreheads are still touching and I smile. "I know what I said about the dating thing and I am still strong on that opinion but I just couldn't help it", I nervously laugh. Jack smiles and says "I loved it". I smile and tell Jack goodbye. I open my door and go inside. Once the door is closed I drop my school bag on the floor and lean against the door with a bright smile on my face.