CHAPTER FIVE

“It’s good to be back,” I said, the words slipping out before I could stop them. “I hope I didn’t miss much.”

Jake grinned, his eyes twinkling. “You didn’t,” he said, adjusting his backpack on one shoulder as we walked down the quiet hallway. “Though I’ll admit, campus was a little boring without you around.”

I laughed surprise from the way his tone made something warm unfurl in my chest, we had only met a few weeks ago and it was brief, but somehow our conversations seemed to flow.

We slowed down when we got to my dorm room, i stared up at him and I couldn’t help but admire what I saw. He tilted his head slightly. “Hey, I’ve got this thing with my friends this weekend,” he said. “It’s gonna be nice. Music, food, maybe a bonfire if the weather behaves. Do you mind coming along?”

I blinked. “A thing with your friends?” My brain scrambled for context, what did that mean? A party? A date? Some kind of group hangout where I’d be the odd one out?

Jake chuckled, sensing my hesitation. “Don’t worry, it’s nothing wild just people I care about. They’d like you.”

I smiled faintly, trying not to show how his words affected me. They’d like you. That was an oddly intimate thing to say for we were not exactly dating.

“Can I think about it?” I asked. “We can exchange contacts and when I decide, I’ll send you a message.”

His grin widened as he handed me his phone. “Sure, that’s fine. I’ll look forward to getting that message.”

Our fingers brushed as I grabbed his phone to type my number in and I felt goosebumps, I knew he got the same reaction with the way he cleared his throat and avoided eye contact even as he said goodbye.

I smiled and got into the room, by Friday the invite was all I could think about and I was done pretending I didn’t want to go. I toyed a quick message and sent it to the number he had given to me when we exchanged contacts.

“I’ll come” it was a simple message but it held so much promise.

I got a ping immediately and it was from him. “Perfect, I’ll pick you up by 6. Oh and btw, I promise you won’t regret this. Thank you 🫶”

The night i was to go out with him came sooner than I expected, I was still yet to decide on a dress.

“Gosh Felicia, can you just decide on something already. It annoying at this point”

“I’m sorry”

Soon my eye caught sight of a cream sweater tucked into dark jeans and I screamed and ran to it. I got dressed and admired myself in the mirror, I always knew I had the looks so I wasn’t surprised at what I saw.

Jake arrived right on time, leaning against his car like he’d stepped out of some coming of age movie. A grey hoodie, a crooked smile, and that easy confidence i was beginning to like about him.

“Wow,” he said, eyes roaming over me appreciatively “You clean up nice.”

I laughed. “I didn’t know this was formal.”

“It’s not,” he said, pushing open the passenger door for me. “But now I kinda wish it was.”

The drive was filled with small talk and laughter that came too easily. He told me about his friends, how one was obsessed with grilling everything in sight, another always brought her guitar. The way he spoke about them was full of warmth, loyalty. It made me want to know them, too.

By the time we arrived, the sun had dipped low, painting the sky with streaks of gold and violet. The “thing” turned out to be a cozy backyard gathering with string lights strung between trees, laughter bubbling from a circle of people gathered around a fire pit.

Jake introduced me “Guys, this is who I told you about,” he said, and the group collectively oohed, a chorus of teasing smiles and raised eyebrows.

“So this is the mystery girl!” one of them said, a tall brunette with an oversized flannel. “He’s been talking about you all week.”

I shot Jake a look, but he just shrugged with a grin. “They exaggerate.”

“Sure we do,” another guy chimed in. “We’ve seen the way you check your phone every five minutes.”

The teasing made my cheeks warm, but there was something sweet about it too. These people adored him and somehow, they already welcomed me as one of their own.

We ate and laughed, someone put on music, and Jake pulled me to my feet, insisting I dance even though I claimed I couldn’t. He held me by the waist, enough to make my pulse race.

“Relax,” he murmured, eyes glinting with mischief “It’s not about the steps but about the feeling.”

I tried to roll my eyes, but the words hit deeper than they should have. There was something about him, that made the world feel safer. When the music slowed, his hand lingered on my back a second too long while neither of us moved away.

We sat by the fire afterward, the night deepening around us. His arm brushed against mine once, then again, and each touch made my heart stutter. He kept glancing at me when he thought I wasn’t looking, a half-smile tugging at his mouth.

When I finally checked the time, it was past midnight. “I should probably get back,” I said reluctantly.

Jake stood instantly. “I’ll take you.”

The drive back was quiet, my hand brushed against his on the gearshift once, and neither of us pulled away.

When he parked in front of my dorm, I turned to thank him but the words caught in my throat. He was already looking at me, his expression unreadable.

“Did you have fun?” he asked softly, his fingers stroking my cheek.

I nodded. “Yeah, more than I expected to.”

“Good.” His voice was low now, almost a whisper. “I’m glad you came.”

We sat there for a few heartbeats too long, the air charged

“I should…” I began, fumbling for the door handle, but before I could finish, he moved.

Jake stepped out first, rounding the car to open my door like the gentleman he was. I climbed out, suddenly aware of how close he was, the warmth of him in the cool night air.

“Thanks again,” I said, my voice small.

He nodded, but he didn’t move away. His gaze flicked from my eyes to my mouth, back again. “You always say thank you,” he murmured.

“That’s… what polite people do,” I replied, trying to sound casual, but my voice trembled.

“Maybe.” His tone softened. “But sometimes you don’t need to.”

I swallowed. “And what should I do instead?”

Jake stepped closer “This.”

His hand came up to the side of my face, thumb brushing my jaw, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe. His eyes searched mine, waiting for a sign, a word, a no. I didn’t give one.

The first brush of his lips was questioning, when I responded, everything changed. The kiss deepened and his other hand slid around my waist, pulling me closer until I could feel the steady beat of his heart against mine.

Everything else disappeared and it was just us, his breath mingling with mine, his fingers tangling in my hair, the faint taste of something sweet on his lips.

When he l pulled back, I was breathless, dazed, and utterly gone. He rested his forehead against mine, smiling faintly. “I’ve been wanting to do that since the day I met you.”

I laughed, a shaky sound that barely held itself together. “You should’ve said something.”

He chuckled softly. “Would you have believed me?”

I looked up at him, the night spinning softly around us, and whispered, “Maybe.”

His thumb brushed across my cheek again. “Then maybe I’ll just have to prove it.”

“Good night, Felicia” he kissed my forehead and watched me get in as my legs wobbled.