I Fell in Love With my Best Friend

Lilah POV 4

Lilly kept giving me weird looks all throughout the morning. I just sat down at the kitchen table and quietly ate my waffles. I was halfway through my plate when Jason came down and spluttered at the sight of me.

"Lilah," he said dramatically. "What in the world is that on your face?" He fake gasped. "It kind of looks like a smile!"

I shrugged and Lilly said, "Jase, she hasn't had a nightmare since that first day."

"Don't you mean since this Jackson person has taken an interest?"

She shook her head. "Nope. It probably started once she took an interest in him."

I nearly choked on the bite of my waffle and said, "Guys! There is NO way that I'm interested in Jackson."

Lilly raised her eyebrow and crossed her arms as she said, "and why the hell not? You used to say the same thing about Alexei, don't you remember? And didn't you stay in town after I went home just to talk to him some more?"

I blushed and shook my head. "No! Why would I do that!"

She grinned. "Because he kissed you and you LIKED it and it's the first time you've felt any sort of real feeling positive or negative towards anyone in a year and you're curious?"

"That is SO not true!"

Jason interrupted our arguing by saying, "This kid kissed you! Why didn't anyone tell me about this?"

I shrugged and mumbled something about having to get to school. I ended up literally running directly into Jackson and Wolfe on my way to first period. He looked at me in surprise and then quickly looked down. I mumbled good mornings to them both and then continued on my way but as I left I heard Wolfe ask, "What was that all about? You weren't acting like yourself."

I glanced back to see Jackson looking at me and I smiled. He said, "I'll tell you about it later."

~that evening~

Lilly came home and hollered up the stairs, "Lilah, there's someone here for you!"

I yawned and rubbed my eye as I came down the stairs saying, "Lil, I was taking a nap. Why are you so loud?"

She grinned and winked at me. "You have a guest."

I sat down and yawned again as I heard his smooth, deep, husky voice saying, "Thanks Lilly. I really appreciate it."

I felt my whole body perk up as she said, "no worries, Jackson! Have fun!"

She went upstairs and he walked over to me, hands in his pockets. "Hey, Kitten."

My drowsy ass replied, "What does that word mean?"

He gave me his cute, awkward, insecure half smile and told me what it means. I blushed like crazy and looked away. He knelt down in front of me and gently forced me to look at him. "Kitten, I need to know. What is this thing between us?"

I started into his deep eyes, getting lost and feeling compelled to answer him as I said, "I don't know."

He leaned his head against my knees. "Lilah..."

I hesitantly reached up and gently ran my fingers through his hair. I felt him relax into my touch and I said softly, "I just don't know, Jackson. You are so much like he was. I'm trying to move on from him, but I see him everywhere. Even in the way you move, you remind me of him. The way you call my name, the way you show your affection, everything. It all reminds me of him, Jackson."

I felt something wet hit my knees and I gently tugged his head up so I could look in his eyes again. He had tears trickling down his face that I gently wiped away as he said, "I understand that I remind you of him, but you know that I'm my own person, right? Kitten, I know we haven't known each other long, but I can't stay away from you. I am constantly drawn to you. Don't you feel the same way?"

He stared into my eyes, pleading for me to answer him. I leaned my forehead against his and whispered, "Jacks, why are you asking me all of this?"

He slid his hands up to the sides of my face and breathed, "You've never called me that before, Kitten. Li, I won't be around for awhile. I don't know when I'll be back. I don't want to leave without knowing." We sat like that, staring into each other's eyes for several minutes. "Lilah, Kitten, I need to know. Do I even have a chance?" I nodded. "Are you sure, Kitten?"

I nodded again and he whispered, "Can I kiss you again?"

I smiled and whispered, "Maybe when you come back."

He groaned softly and kissed the palm of my hand before standing up slowly. "I won't be at school or work, but if you need me, text me. I'll message you when I can. Okay, Kitten?" I nodded. "Sweetheart, why are you crying?"

I chuckled and said, "I'll be fine, Jacks. You just worry about yourself and come back safe, okay?"

He kissed my palm again and promised to stay safe before leaving.

I waited until I knew he was gone and then slowly went up to bed. I crawled under the covers and resumed reading my book, trying to force myself to sleep as I received a text message.

Jackson: GOOD NIGHT, KITTEN. I'LL SEE YOU SOON.

I smiled and rolled over, clutching my phone to my chest as a few tears trickled down my face.

"Jackson?" I whispered. "Where are you going?" He looked back at me as he continued to walk away. He was leaving. He wasn't coming back. I had driven him away for good. Just like Alex.

I sat upright in bed panting and sobbing as Lilly came rushing in. She wrapped her arms around me and whispered, "Was it the dream again?"

I shook my head. "It was a different one."

"Jackson?" I nodded. "Oh, Li. Don't over think it. I'm sure you'll see him at school." I shook my head and explained what he had told me yesterday. "You'll see him again, Li. Don't worry so much. Please."

I nodded and forced myself to get dressed for school. Jackson wasn't there already and neither was Wolfe. There also was a couple of girls missing, but I didn't really know them. The day went by super slowly without Jackson around. I grabbed my phone and texted him, I miss you. It's so boring without you here. How's your day going?

Almost immediately I received a response. Jackson: GOOD MORNING KITTEN! I WAS LITERALLY JUST THINKING THE SAME THING. MY DAY IS SUPER BORING. HEY, DIDN'T YOU SAY YOU CAME FROM AMERICA?

Yes! I lived in Virginia! Why?

Jackson: WHERE AT IN VIRGINIA?

Why?

That's where I am.

I lived in Newport News. What are you doing out there?

My aunt got sent to the hospital and we have to help her get her home cleaned up.

That's so sweet! I didn't know you had family there!

Not many people know. You gotta keep it a secret, Kitten.

Okay, Jacks.

I have to go for now, Kitten. Wolfe and our sisters and I have to go see Aunt Marie.

Sisters?

I'll tell you about it later, Kitten. Right now, just pay attention in class for me.

~That night~

"Lilly," I hollered. She came in and raised her eyebrow at me. "I'm thinking about dyeing my hair."

"That's a big step, Li." She said. "You know what dyeing your hair means in Jason's eyes right?" I shook my head. "You only dye your hair when you move on from something drastic. Remember when Jase cut your ponytail off as a prank? You didn't move on for a month and when you finally did, you dyed your hair that hot pink color."

I groaned. "That was a big mistake, but I'm dyeing it again. Wether you help me or not."

She grinned. "I'll help you, but you have to wait a couple of weeks." I rolled my eyes. "Either that or tell me the truth about how you feel about Jackson."

I smiled at her. "All I know is that I like how he makes me feel."

She nodded. "When do you want to do it?"

"How about tomorrow?"

"Alright. We'll go to the store tomorrow and get the hair dye. But you better love me." She grinned as my phone buzzed. "Better make sure that isn't him."

I blushed and looked at my phone. Jackson: Hey Kitten. How was school?

Hey! It was boring. You were going to tell me about your sisters?

Nope. Just one sister! Sophia. She's a freshman so you probably haven't met her yet. Her and Wolfe's sister Bella came with us.

That's so cool! I would love to meet them! What are you up to?

Just thinking about you. What are you up to?

Just thinking about school tomorrow. I hadn't realized how much you played a part in school life. You're so popular that everything is at a standstill pretty much.

You know, I don't know your favorite color? or  your favorite food. or just about anything like that.

I don't have a favorite color. And I love Italian food. And I don't really know much about you either.

Well maybe it's time you found out. Do you want to call?

Jacks, are you sure you can?

Li, I'll always make time for you. of course I can.

Then yeah. I'd really like that.