Jack Kelly x Reader

Chapter Twenty-Nine

(y/n)'s POV

It was now the end of senior year and Jack and I were together in my room, packing my stuff. I would be moving to the dorm at New York Film Academy in a month or so, but I wanted to get some of it done as far in advance as possible.

We were taking a break, laying on my bed together, with him sitting up and leaning on the headboard and me laying across his lap.

We were basking in the comfortable silence, just being together before we couldn't anymore.

I wasn't stupid, I knew that despite us being together, he still would want to go abroad. His lifelong dream was Santa Fe, he wasn't giving that up for some girl he hadn't even been dating for a year.

Sure, he said he was considering staying when we first got together, but I didn't believe in. The relationship was so shiny and new and exciting then, so of course he probably was considering it then. And of course we still were in love and all, but the sparkle had worn away and given way to reality.

I knew things would change, even with my friends who were planning on staying in New York. It would be easier to drift apart than to stick together, and we'd get busy with our own hectic lives.

I hated to think I could lose some of my friends to the distance.

I was terrified that after starting college, I'd never talk to some of them again, especially the long distance ones.

Specs was going to France to study, a school in Rhode Island had given Smalls a full ride, JoJo was going to Arizona and Finch was headed somewhere in the Midwest.

"You good?" Jack's soft voice pulled me out of my thoughts. I looked up at him, only to see the concern behind his lazy smile.

"Yeah, of course Cowboy... I just... I've been thinking." I said quietly. He nodded, examining my face carefully.

"Care to share?" He asked playfully, clearly trying to keep an upbeat attitude and cheer me up.

"I guess. I'm just thinking about college, and how everything's gonna change now." I explained, sitting up to lean on the headboard, my shoulder pressing into Jack's.

"Not everythin' is gonna change, (y/n). We's always gonna be a constant in ya life. I's always gonna be a constant in ya life." He assured. I sighed, looking at him with a pout.

"You don't know that." I pointed out. "Things are definitely going to change, we're all going to college now, and the group's gonna drift apart and replace each other."

"We's not gonna drift apart! Have a little faith, would ya? We's a family, youse not escapin' us that easily." He elbowed me gently while he spoke.

"Yeah, but things will change. People will move away. They'll get jobs and other friends and busy with school. Even those of us who are staying probably won't be nearly as close as in high school." I rambled, but Jack pressed a kiss to my cheek as I finished, distracting me from my minor distress.

"Look, it's all gonna be okay, (y/n). We's not givin' up on each other, and sure things will change, but that isn't a bad thing. We's gonna be okay." He told me gently, before grabbing my face, looking soothingly into my eyes, which were now watering.

My vision was a bit blurry, and my nose stung. I refused to let the tears fall, I refused to show how scared I really was.

"What about you? You're gonna go to Santa Fe, and I'm scared about a long distance relationship. What if we don't work out, huh? There's no performing opportunities there for me, and I'm not forcing you to uproot yourself from your lifelong dream just for some girl in New York!" I confessed, looking down so I didn't have to meet his eyes.

I could feel his strong arms wrap around me as my tears finally fell. He moved me to sit on his lap, facing him, and through my blurry vision I could see his eyes getting glassy as well.

"(y/n), I... look, it's all gonna be okay. Plus, I'm not sure I wanna go to New Mexico anymore." He said hesitantly, as if he was panicked and didn't know how to calm me. I felt his thumb reach over to swipe the tears off my face, gentle as always.

"W-what do you mean?" I asked, stunned. I stopped crying for just a moment, though I still felt like I could start again any moment.

"I was planning on surprising you with this but uh... I's stayin' in New York." He said gently. I instantly pulled him into a bone-crushing, feeling overwhelmed with joy.

He laughed, and I could feel it against me. I laughed too, before pulling away and examining him. He showed no sign of lying, just a cheesy, loving grin.

"Really?!" I squealed. He nodded, chuckling at how overjoyed I was that he was staying.

"Yeah! Pratt Institute gave me a good scholarship for art, and plus it's where you and most'a the guys are! Why wouldn't I want to stay?" He informed me jovially. I quickly wiped all the remaining tears away, replacing them with a grin that matched his in brightness.

I pulled him into a long, loving kiss. I knew he could taste the salt on me, and our smiles made it hard to actually kiss, but it was beyond perfect.

He was beyond perfect.

"But what about Santa Fe?" I asked, searching his face for any reluctance at his decision.

"Well, (y/n) (l/n)." He said softly, lovingly. He paused, peppering kisses on my face. I giggled, listening in anticipation. "You are my Santa Fe."

(975 words)