Los Angeles

Nic

I watch her perform and find I'm smiling. No words come to mind after she finishes, so I just clear the space between us and pull her gently into a kiss. How weird is it that I feel somewhat affected by something as sappy as that?

When I pull back, I clear my throat and look at the words on the page again. The confusion returns, and this time it nags in a way I wish it wouldn't.

"Wait... the ending... that doesn't mean this is over, right?" I ask. "Not the song, I know that. But... this."

Jackie

I hesitate, not knowing honestly, "Your decision." I respond, closing the book and stashing it underneath my pillow again.

Nic

I study her before looking over the lyrics again. The obvious answer to that is no. But I honestly don't know. That's what I want.

"Isn't this a shared decision, though?" I ask. "I mean... relationships aren't one-sided. At least, I don't think they are."

Jackie

I think, "I don't wanna breakup. I just don't wanna be worried that your going to look at other girls," I tell him. I don't want to be the stupid one in the relationship that won't realize when she's been cheated on. I don't want that.

Nic

I sigh and stare at the paper a bit longer. When I lift my gaze to meet hers, I only look into her eyes for a moment before moving on. I swear one day she'll trap someone with those. So mesmerizing. My thoughts wander like they always do, although for once they stay on track for a little more than usual.

"It was a mistake to say what I did about all that," I admit. "The trying not to look at other girls thing. It was meant to be a joke."

Even though it'll still be hard as hell to not fall into old habits.

I look around her room as I speak, taking in little details I won't remember.

"Jace says that I have this defense mechanism," I add. "I act out instead of doing what normal people do and talking about my feelings or whatever that crap is. That's all that was. I told you. This whole thing is new to me, and I don't know how to handle it without acting like an a*s."

Jackie

I look down, "So...we're done?" I ask, half choking on my words. I swallow, playing with my wrist once more before standing and taking off my sweater, revealing my tank top. I toss it on my desk and sit down in the chair, turning around to face him.

Nic

I look at her and almost muster a chuckle. Instead, I choke on it and cough into my hand. Better than making her think I was laughing at her. I shake my head and release a sigh.

"That's not what I was saying," I say. "I was... being honest, which makes me feel uncomfortable... like being naked on stage or something."

I shift a bit and sigh again, scratching the back of my neck without looking at her.

How do people like Jace do this crap?

Jackie

I nod and look down, trying not to laugh, "I get it. You'll try as hard as you can."

I hesitate before motioning him over to me, running my other hand through my hair, please give me another sign mom...would a kiss make it appear?

Maybe, Jackie. Try. But you have to get your future going or else it won't happen. Keep in mind your flash forwards.

I swallow and nod inwardly.

Nic

When she motions me closer, I allow myself to relax a bit. I let my guard down slightly and oblige her. Sitting beside her, I let her be the judge of what to do next and study her for a few moments. My eyes begin to wander again, along with my thoughts, and I release a sigh.

"Are we still talking?" I ask. "'Cause I'm kind of tired."

Jackie

I take a deep breath and shake my head, pulling him into a kiss, We have to get this over with.

I wrap my arms tightly around his shoulders, pulling myself against him and closing my eyes.

Nic

My eyes close, and I kiss her back. I hesitate, but I wrap my arms back around her and let myself relax into the action. On second thought, maybe I'm not so tired. If this is how our fights are going to end, I'm going to like this relationship.

Maybe it won't be so hard after all.

Jackie

I move onto his lap and bring a hand to the side of his face, eyes still closed. The power goes out and I chuckle, not knowing why but not caring. I just care about this moment. I don't care if there's a freaking robber inside the house, or if the world is about to end. Well... Maybe the last one. But overall, I care about this moment only.

Nic

I smile and tighten my grip on her, opening an eye when the power goes out. She only chuckles at it, not having a care in the world, but something doesn't set right. The nervousness, though a different form, from before returns and knots up my stomach. No matter how hard I try to ignore it, it doesn't seem to fade.

"Does this happen often?" I ask through the kiss. "'Cause it doesn't seem to bother you at all that just about anything could happen right now..."

Jackie

I pull back and kiss down his neck then behind his ear, "it happens," I respond In a whisper, moving my hair out of my face. The wind blows though the window and sends chills in the room, and I chuckle again before getting back to his lips. this is perfect.

Nic

Smiling, I let the feeling dissolve and focus on her only. Everything about this feels different. Electric, almost. Or maybe that's just my mind over-exaggerating again. Seems to be doing that a lot around her. Or maybe it's not...

I kiss her back and bring a hand to the side of her face, keeping an arm firmly around her waist as well.

Eh. Who cares?