Just a heads up before you start reading, I was not able to fully rewrite the entire one shot because this literally took me all day to write because I just didn't feel like writing plus I had like a writers block at one point when I forgot what word to use so... you still get a kiss at the end but I didn't feel like writing anything else afterwards. I just really wanted this published or I would've kept pushing it off.
Hope you enjoy either way! 💙🐈💙
Zoe's house is right around the corner and Jared's hand is still in mine, he rubs his thumb on the side of my hand making my heart melt. I want to keep my eyes on him because he is so cute but sadly the road keeps them occupied. Fortunately, I see Zoe's house up ahead. Meaning I don't have to keep my eyes on the road, which also means I can spend more time with Jared that doesn't involve a car interfering with my plans.
I pull up into the driveway and see two cars already parked, it's probably Alana's and Miguel's. I put the car in park and get out to open the trunk, leaving the door open because this stupid car won't open the trunk unless the driver's door is open. Jared helps unload which is just our pool bags that include: towels, sunscreen, change of clothes, and water. We didn't bother with anything else because we knew Zoe could apply it.
I close the trunk and my door before locking the car. I trust Zoe's neighborhood but when the car you are currently driving is new, it's almost like you get overprotective of it. I grab Jared's hand after putting my keys in my bag, not wanting them to get wet. Since I am already in my swim shorts, jumping into a body of water with the literal key of my way home doesn't sound smart.
I knock on the door with my bag around my shoulder and Jared's hand in mine, as we wait for someone to answer I get nervous. No one knows me and Jared are dating, I know they're accepting people but... how much exactly? Just the thought makes my palms sweaty, enough for Jared to notice.
"It's going to be okay." He assures me from behind, I can only nod in response. I gulp trying to swallow up all the nerves, it backfires and my throat feels constricted. Right before you throw up, your throat almost feels blocked. You get nervous and probably feel dizzy, the side effect. I can't throw up now, I won't let my body take over my mind. Or is it I won't let my mind take over my body? There's not like a saying that would fit this, just shut up you're spacing out.
I shake my head just in time as the door begins to open. I take a deep breath and squeeze his hand tighter. He does the same in return before I have the chance to even blink. Not like I could anyway, nerves are unsettling.
Zoe opens the door with her usual bright smile, inviting us in. She opens the door wide enough for us to slip in before she leaves to the kitchen. I can already hear Connor and Miguel laughing about something in the distance, and Alana and Zoe making something in the kitchen. Good thing we weren't here first, it's always awkward and I never know what to say to start up a conversation.
I hear a noise behind me but it's just Jared closing the door, I think I'm just on edge. I put my focus back on the other two idiots cuddling up on the couch. A slight smile creeps up on my face, just seeing the two so happy with each other.
"Evan! Hey man! And Asshole." Connor snickers at the 'nickname', I purse my lips to hide my laugh but some still come out. Jared just grumbles from beside me and turns away. He keeps laughing for a bit but then notices something afterwards and his whole expression changed: from enjoyment to shock. My smile drops.
When Connor stopped laughing Jared finally looked back and could see his expression too. He's just as confused as I am, how can someone change so quickly like that? Just their whole aura just like that? When he doesn't say anything the nerves come back, and again I squeeze Jared's hand.
"What now Connor?" Jared asked, his tone was sharp. You could hear how annoyed he was in his voice, I don't even need to look at him to see his expression. One time another high schooler made me drop my stuff and Jared was right next to me so of course he was pissed. It kind of scared me, after he went after the kid, the kid didn't come to school the next day.
"H-hello?" I nervously laugh as he is yet to respond, only nudging Miguel to look at whatever he's looking at. Apparently he sees it too and has the same expression as Connor. Now I'm really scared. I gulp again and the same skin crawling feeling is back. What do I do?
"You're holding hands!" Miguel finally speaks up and I have one of those 'oh...' moments in my head. I almost thought it was something I did- well it technically was, holding hands is something you would- I have a problem.
"Oh, uhm yeah... surprise?" God that was the stupidest thing I could have said- react even. Heh... my bad. I can't think after I'm terrified, something with the brain I think. Or people with anxiety have decreased neural inhibition in their brain, a process in which one nerve cell suppresses activity in another. Decreased inhibition in the brain leads to much more trouble making choices.. or something like that.
"Since when? Who confessed? Was it Jared? It was definitely Jared." Well that's one way to ask. Kind of hurt that he just assumed Jared did but I can't really blame him because of my uhm... durability. Not the best word to describe it but I am very fragile.
"It was me actually... on the way here, too." Just keep the surprises coming Evan, that'll help. Definitely. I look to Jared because I just realized he hasn't said much during this whole conversation and he looks happy? Kind of like a proud father when you learned how to ride a bike for the first time. Why though? I don't know, anyone can ride a bike.
Connor seems to not believe me at first though as expected but hey, at least he's supporting. Now I just have to break the news to- "Evan and Jared are dating!"- yep. They know too. Great. Alana did sound enthused so everyone is happy. Thank god that's such a relief to know, phew.
Jared laughs from beside me as Alana practically yells through the house, I kind of like that about her. She's not so afraid to show when she's passionate about something. Not that I like, like her. Jeez, I have a boyfriend. I actually have a boyfriend. Oh. Heh... whoops.
"Now let's stop standing around and get in the freaking pool!" Connor yells from the couch and stands up, picking up Miguel shortly after. He holds the other in his arms bridal style and both have huge smiles on their faces as they laugh. I can't remember the last time I did that with someone. I did it once with Jared, but he was drunk so he doesn't remember any of it. He said a lot of things that night.
I'm going to do it again, now Jared will have the memory of it instead of forgetting everything when he wakes up. I make grabby hands towards Jared's bag, "Give." He just looks at me with an amused face as I act like a child. I ask again with more fierce grabby hands (I'm currently picturing Evan making grabby hands and it's hilarious). He finally gives in and does as I ask. I take both mine and his bag outside, so we don't have to walk back in when we need a towel or something.
I come back to a confused Jared as he points in the direction of the bags, "wha..?" I say nothing and pick him up instead. Which gets an even more confused Jared, he frantically looks down at the ground like he's confused on how he's currently airborne (I found this really funny YouTuber, GrayStillPlays. Watch him). He violently shakes his head as if he's trying to clear his vision but he is indeed still off the ground. "Jesus Christ Evan!"
"What a late reaction. Good to have you with us." I laugh as he finally comes back to Earth. I start to walk out the back door to their pool but get an idea. It would be funny to see his reaction too. I stop for a moment and Jared's laughter dies down as he looks up at me. I look into his eyes as he looks into mine.
A few seconds go by and not a word has been said. There's no need. I look at his lips then back to his eyes, silently asking for permission. He slightly nods, not breaking eye contact. I gradually lean down and start to close my eyes, our faces only an inch apart. Until we finally connect, it's short but so many emotions are packed into it. I would go fulfill the cliche and say 'all time around us stopped' but it didn't. Time continued to pass but we spent that time together, finally taking a step on the long road ahead of us.
