If You're Not The One

Jack's POV

FLASHBACK..

Jack first met Madison at the school backyard sitting under the tree, reading a book. He is stunned by her beauty, he described her in his mind of how beautiful she was in that scenario. He came close to her and sat down beside her, he asked her of her name but Madison is so cold to him but he directly saw her ID that's how he knew her name, he waved her goodbye but madison only responded with a death glare.

Jack had always been a friendly guy, so he was surprised by Madison's coldness. He decided to give it another try and approached her again the next day at lunch.

"Hey, Madison, mind if I sit here?" Jack asked, pointing at the empty spot beside her.

Madison looked up from her book and raised an eyebrow. "I don't recall inviting you," she replied, coldness dripping from her words.

Jack took a deep breath and decided to try a different approach. "You know, I couldn't help but notice how beautiful you looked yesterday, sitting under that tree, with your hair blowing in the wind."

Madison looked up again, this time with a hint of curiosity in her eyes. "What do you want?" she asked, her voice still guarded.

"I just wanted to get to know you better," Jack replied, smiling warmly. "I mean, we're in the same school, so I figured we could at least be friends."

Madison hesitated for a moment, but then closed her book and turned to face him. "I don't really have any friends," she said, sounding almost vulnerable.

Jack's heart went out to her. "Well, you do now," he said, reaching out his hand for a handshake. "Friends?"

Madison looked at his hand for a moment, then said " no, thank you." and then walked out.

......

Jack had always been captivated by Madison's charisma. She was the most popular girl in school, with her stunning looks and sharp tongue that could cut anyone down to size. But despite her mean streak, Jack couldn't help but be drawn to her. He would often daydream about impressing her with his wit and charm.

One day, Jack finally mustered up the courage to approach Madison again during lunch.

"Hey, Madison," he said, trying to sound casual.

Madison looked up at him with a bored expression. "What do you want, loser?"

Jack's heart sank at her harsh words, but he refused to give up. "I was just wondering if you wanted to hang out sometime. Maybe we could grab a coffee or something?"

Madison rolled her eyes. "Why would I want to hang out with someone like you? You're just a nobody."

Jack felt a pang of hurt, but he tried to hide it. "I'm not a nobody. I'm a person, just like you."

Madison snorted. "Please. You're not even in my league. You're nothing but a loser who follows me around like a lost puppy."

Jack felt his temper starting to rise, but he took a deep breath and tried to keep his cool. "I don't follow you around. I just...admire you. You're so smart and confident. I wish I could be more like you."

Madison looked at him skeptically. "You wish you could be like me? Why would anyone want to be like me?"

"Because you're amazing," Jack said, feeling a surge of courage. "You're the coolest person in school. Everyone looks up to you."

Madison's expression softened slightly, and Jack felt a glimmer of hope. "You really think that?"

"I do," Jack said, feeling emboldened. "And I think that if you gave me a chance, you might see that I'm not so bad either. I might not be popular like you, but I'm a good person. I'm funny and kind, and I care about people."

Madison looked at him for a long moment, and Jack held his breath. Finally, she let out a small sigh. "Okay, fine. Maybe we can grab that coffee sometime."

Jack felt a rush of excitement. "Really? That would be awesome!"

Madison shrugged. "Don't get too excited. It's just coffee. But who knows? Maybe we'll have fun."

As Madison walked away, Jack couldn't help but grin from ear to ear. He had finally gotten a chance to talk to the girl of his dreams, and maybe, just maybe, he could win her over with his charm and wit. But as the day came, no Madison appeared.

........

A university campus where Jack was known as one of the most handsome and hottest guys around. He had a great personality and was well-liked by many of his peers. However, there was one girl named Madison who didn't seem to care much for Jack's good looks or charm.

One day, some of the mean girls on campus decided to target Madison for no apparent reason. They approached her while she was sitting outside with a cup of hot chocolate coffee and poured it all over her. Madison was shocked and didn't know what to do, but before she could react, Jack came to her rescue.

"What the hell is wrong with you guys?" Jack shouted at the mean girls. "Why would you do something like this?"

The mean girls shrugged and said, "We just don't like her. She's always so stuck up."

"That's not a good enough reason to pour hot coffee all over someone," Jack replied, his voice firm.

The mean girls rolled their eyes and tried to leave, but before they could, Jack stood in their way. One of the girls tried to push past him, but he stood his ground and didn't budge.

"Why are you defending her?" one of the mean girls asked, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

"Because it's the right thing to do," Jack replied coolly. "No one deserves to be treated like that."

Madison, who had been standing off to the side, watching the exchange, suddenly turned and walked away without a word. Jack watched her go, feeling a bit confused by her reaction.

Later that day, Jack saw Madison in the library and approached her.

"Hey, are you okay?" he asked, his voice gentle.

Madison looked up at him and nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks for helping me earlier."

Jack smiled. "No problem. I just couldn't stand by and let those girls treat you like that."

Madison nodded again, but didn't say anything else.

Jack had been admiring Madison from afar for years, but she never seemed to notice him. He was surprised to see her sitting alone in the library, reading a book that he had already read. Jack mustered up the courage to approach her again.

"I couldn't help but notice that you're reading that book. It's a great one, I've read it already," Jack said, trying to sound confident.

Madison looked up from her book and gave Jack a cold stare. "And?" she replied, clearly uninterested.

"I just thought maybe we could talk about it. I really liked the way the author explored the themes of identity and self-discovery," Jack explained.

Madison raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really? And how did the author do that, according to you?" she challenged.

Jack took a deep breath and launched into an explanation of the book's themes, drawing on his vast knowledge and high IQ. Madison listened intently, surprised by how well Jack was able to articulate his thoughts.

"So, what do you think the author was really trying to tell the reader in this book?" asked Madison, genuinely curious about Jack's interpretation.

"Well, I think the author was trying to explore the idea of self-discovery and how it relates to the concept of identity," Jack explained. "Throughout the book, the main character goes through a journey of self-discovery, and in the end, he realizes that who he is is not defined by the external world, but rather by his own internal sense of self."

Madison nodded thoughtfully, impressed by Jack's insight. "That's a really interesting interpretation," she said. "I never thought of it that way before."

Jack felt a sense of pride at Madison's compliment. "Thanks, I've always found this book to be really thought-provoking," he said.

Jack: "Hey Madison, I have another question for you. What is the difference between a hypothesis and a theory?"

Madison thinks for a moment before answering.

Madison: " A hypothesis is a proposed explanation for a phenomenon that can be tested through experiments or observations. It's essentially an educated guess. A theory, on the other hand, is a well-substantiated explanation for a broad range of phenomena that has been repeatedly tested and confirmed through experiments and observations."

Jack is impressed with Madison's answer.

Jack: "Wow, you really are smart. I knew you'd be able to answer it."

Madison: "Thanks. I've always been interested in science."

Jack: "Yeah, me too. It's fascinating how the world works."

Madison: "Definitely. I think science is one of the most important fields out there. It helps us understand the universe and improve our lives."

Jack: "I couldn't agree more. It's amazing how much progress we've made in the last few centuries thanks to scientific discoveries."

Madison: "Absolutely. But there's still so much we don't know. That's what makes science so exciting."

Jack: "Yeah, the possibilities are endless. Who knows what we'll discover next?"

Madison: "Exactly. The future is full of potential."

Jack: "Speaking of the future, Madison, do you ever think about what our future might look like?"

Madison: "What do you mean?"

Jack: "I mean, with all the potential that's out there, do you think our future might be destined to be together?"

Madison looks surprised by Jack's question.

Madison: "I don't know. I think the future is full of possibilities, but I don't think it's predetermined. We have control over our own lives and destinies."

Jack: "I see. But don't you think that sometimes things just fall into place, like they're meant to be?"

Madison: "I think that can happen, but I also believe that we have the power to shape our own future. We can make choices and take actions that determine our path in life."

Madison then stood up and left.

..........

Madison was in the science lab, hunched over a microscope and muttering to herself. Her performance task for Biology was due the next day, and she was determined to get it right. But no matter how hard she tried, she just couldn't seem to make the experiment work.

As she was about to give up in frustration, Jack walked into the lab. Madison frowned - she and Jack had never gotten along, and she didn't want him to see her struggling.

"What are you doing here?" she snapped, not bothering to look up from her microscope.

Jack raised an eyebrow. "Just passing through. What are you working on?"

Madison rolled her eyes. "It's none of your business. Just go away."

But Jack didn't budge. "Come on, Madison. Maybe I can help."

Madison scoffed. "You? Help me? Yeah right."

But as Jack walked over to her desk and peered at her experiment, Madison felt a twinge of curiosity. Maybe he did know something she didn't.

"Okay, fine," she muttered. "What do you suggest?"

Jack grinned. "Well, first of all, I think you're using too much of that chemical. And you need to adjust the temperature a bit."

Madison couldn't believe it - Jack actually knew what he was talking about. As they worked together to adjust the experiment, Madison found herself begrudgingly impressed by Jack's knowledge.

And when the experiment finally worked, Madison couldn't help but smile in amazement. "Wow," she murmured. "I can't believe it actually worked."

Jack grinned. "Told you I could help."

Madison felt a pang of guilt - she had been so mean to Jack in the past, and yet he had still come to her aid. "Thanks, Jack," she said softly. "I really appreciate it."

Jack shrugged. "No problem. I'm just glad I could help."

As they cleaned up the lab, Madison found herself feeling more and more grateful for Jack's help. Maybe she had misjudged him all along. But she wasn't about to let him see that - not yet, anyway.

.......

Jack had been practicing hard for the basketball tournament for weeks. He was excited to play alongside his teammate, Justine. As the day of the tournament arrived, Jack felt a wave of nervousness wash over him.

Coach: "Great job, Jack! You've been shooting the ball really well lately. Keep it up and we'll win this tournament!"

Jack: "Thanks, Coach! I'll do my best."

As the game began, Jack, Justine and their teammates started to dominate the court. They were scoring points left and right, and their opponents were struggling to keep up. But in the middle of the game, Jack noticed that Madison, his crush, was in the audience, watching him play.

Jack: (to himself) "Wow, Madison is here. I have to impress her."

Justine: "Jack, focus on the game. We need to win this."

Jack: "Right, sorry. Let's do this!"

Jack started to dribble the ball down the court, with his opponents hot on his heels. He made a quick turn and launched the ball towards the hoop. The ball sailed through the air, and Jack could feel Madison's eyes on him.

Jack: (to himself) "For Madison, I will able to shoot this."

The ball swished through the net, and the crowd erupted into cheers.

Coach: "Great shot, Jack! That's the way to do it!"

Jack: (to Justine) "We're killing it out here! Let's keep it up!"

Justine: "Definitely! We've got this in the bag."

As the game continued, Jack and Justine played their hearts out. They gave it their all, and in the end, they emerged victorious. Jack felt a sense of pride wash over him, knowing that he had played a great game, and that he had impressed Madison.

Jack: (to himself) "I did it. I played my best, and I made the shot for Madison. She saw what I can do, and I'm proud of myself."

As Jack walked off the court, he could feel Madison's eyes on him once again. He smiled to himself, knowing that he had given it his all and that he had played a great game.

........

Jack sits at his desk, lost in thought as he stares at a photo of Madison while he was scrolling on his f*******:. Justine walks in and notices the far-off look in his eyes.

Justine: "Hey, what's up? You look like you're in a different world."

Jack: "Oh, sorry. I was just thinking about Madison."

Justine: "Ah, Madison. The one who got away."

Jack smiles, "Yeah, she was something else. I remember when I first met her, I was so inspired by her. She was so smart and driven. I wanted to be like her."

Justine nods, "Yeah, I remember. You were always studying so hard, and you even started taking your basketball games seriously because you wanted to impress her."

Jack chuckles, "Yeah, I remember that tournament. Madison was cheering for me, and it gave me the motivation to play my heart out."

Justine smiles, "And all the other girls were cheering for you too. You were quite the catch back then."

Jack shakes his head, "Nah, I was just a guy who was trying to impress his crush. But looking back, it was a good thing. It made me work harder and strive for more."

Justine nods in agreement, "Yeah, sometimes having someone to look up to can really push you to be your best self. But you know, Jack, you don't need to impress anyone. You're already amazing just the way you are."

Jack smiles at his friend, "Thanks, Justine. That means a lot coming from you."

Justine grins, "Anytime, Jack. Now, let's get back to work. We have a lot to do before the deadline."

As they start working, Jack can't help but feel grateful for his friend's support and encouragement. And even though he may never have a chance with Madison, he knows that he can still strive to be the best version of himself and make his own mark in the world.

........

Jack was walking down the hallway of their school, trying to catch up with Madison who was a few steps ahead of him. Suddenly, a girl appeared out of nowhere and called him "babe."

Girl: Hey, babe! You look so cute today, I missed you."

Madison, who had overheard what the girl said, walked past them with a poker face.

As Madison walked away, Jack turned to the girl with an angry expression.

Jack: (confused) do I know you!?

Girl: (flirty) No, but I know you. I've been following you on i********:, and I think you're hot. Come on, let's go grab a coffee or something.

Jack: (frustrated) What's the matter with you? Can't you see that I'm with someone?

Girl: (defensive) Hey, why are you getting mad at me? I didn't know you had a girlfriend.

Jack: (firmly) She's not yet my girlfriend and I'm not interested in hanging out with you. So please, leave me alone.

The girl, realizing that she had no chance with Jack, walked away in a huff. Jack caught up with Madison, but she is nowhere to be found.

......

As Jack continued to see Madison around campus, he couldn't help but notice that she seemed to be spending more and more time with a new guy named Jake. At first, he didn't think much of it, but as he saw them together more frequently, he began to feel a twinge of jealousy.

One day, Jack decided to confront Madison about it. "Hey, I've noticed that you've been spending a lot of time with that guy Jake," he said, trying to keep his tone casual.

Madison looked at him for a moment, her expression guarded. "Yeah, he's in one of my classes. We're just friends, though."

Jack nodded, but he couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to their relationship than just friendship. As the days went on, Jack saw Madison and Jake together more often, and he couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy every time he saw them.

One day, Jack overheard some of his teammates talking about Madison and Jake possibly being in a relationship. He felt a sinking feeling in his stomach as he thinks what if it is all true.

Feeling hurt and rejected, Jack decided to focus all of his energy on two things: his studies and basketball. He threw himself into his classes, determined to excel in all of his courses, and he spent every free moment he had practicing on the basketball court.

In the days that followed, Jack saw Madison and Jake together less frequently. He didn't try to approach her again, feeling like he had already been rejected once before. Instead, he focused all of his attention on his own goals, determined to become the best student and athlete he could be.

Eventually, Jack found himself excelling in both areas. He became one of the top students in his class and a star player on the varsity basketball team. Even though he still thought of Madison from time to time, he knew that he had made the right decision in focusing on his own goals.

.........

Madison was in the library trying to find a book for her history class. As usual, the book she needed was on the highest shelf and she couldn't reach it. She had found a ladder to use but as she climbed up, the ladder started to shake.

Suddenly, she lost her balance and started to fall. Just as she was about to hit the ground, she felt someone catch her. It was Jack, who had been nearby and had seen what was happening.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his face only inches away from hers.

Madison felt her heart racing as she looked up at him. She couldn't help but notice how handsome he looked up close, with his chiseled jawline and bright blue eyes.

"I'm fine," she said, trying to sound nonchalant. "Thanks for catching me."

Jack helped her to her feet, but his hand lingered on hers for a moment longer than necessary. Madison felt a jolt of electricity shoot through her as their skin touched.

For a moment, they stood there in silence, their faces still close together. Madison could feel Jack's breath on her cheek, and she couldn't help but wonder if he felt the same spark that she did.

But just as quickly as the moment had come, it was gone. Madison took a step back and cleared her throat, trying to act as if nothing had happened.

"Well, I should probably get back to my book," she said, pointing to the shelf.

Jack nodded, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something had just shifted between them. He watched as Madison climbed back up the ladder and retrieved her book, but his mind was elsewhere.

As Madison walked away, Jack couldn't help but wonder what might have happened if he had been a little braver. He knew he had felt something when he caught her, something that he couldn't quite put into words.

But for now, all he could do was watch as Madison walked away, hoping that one day he would have the courage to tell her how he really felt.

.......

Jack was practically bouncing off the walls with excitement as he got ready for the JS Prom. He had spent weeks preparing for this night - getting the perfect suit, practicing his dance moves, and even getting his hair styled just right. His friend Justine couldn't help but be amazed at how seriously Jack was taking the whole thing.

"Wow, Jack, you really went all out for this," Justine said, admiring his friend's perfectly tailored suit.

Jack grinned. "Of course! This is the biggest night of the year, after all. And I have a plan."

"A plan?" Justine repeated, intrigued.

Jack nodded. "I'm going to ask Madison to be my girlfriend tonight."

Justine's eyes widened. "Really? That's huge, Jack."

Jack shrugged, trying to play it cool. "Yeah, I mean, it's about time, right?"

Justine laughed. "Yeah, I guess it is. Well, I'm here to help however I can."

As they made their way to the dance floor, Jack couldn't help but feel a little nervous. He had been planning this moment for weeks, but what if Madison didn't feel the same way?

But as he made his way towards her, he saw her dancing with someone else - Jake, the star of the football team. Jack's heart sank - he had always suspected that Madison had a crush on Jake, but he had hoped that she would at least give him a chance.

Feeling dejected, Jack made his way back to Justine. "I don't think it's going to happen, man," he muttered.

Justine put a hand on his shoulder. "Hey, it's okay. You know what they say - there are plenty of fish in the sea."

Jack managed a weak smile. "Thanks, Justine. You're a good friend."

The rest of the night was a blur of dancing and laughter, but Jack couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. But as he watched Justine cut loose on the dance floor, he realized that maybe he had been too focused on one girl. Maybe there were other people out there who could make him just as happy.

And as he and Justine left the prom, Jack couldn't help but feel grateful to have a friend like him by his side. Maybe things hadn't gone according to plan, but he knew that he still had a lot to be thankful for.

.......

It was a quiet night in Jack's room. The only sound that could be heard was the soft hum of his laptop as he scrolled through social media, looking at all the pictures from their school's Junior-Senior Prom. Jack's eyes lingered on a particular picture of his crush, Madison, who was smiling happily with another guy.

Jack let out a long sigh, feeling a heavy weight in his chest. "I can't believe I didn't even get to dance with her," he said, his voice laced with disappointment.

Justine, his best friend, who was sitting on the bed beside him, could sense his sadness. "Hey, don't be too hard on yourself," she said, patting his back. "You still looked great out there. And besides, you can't force someone to like you back."

"I know," Jack replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's just hard to see her with someone else."

"I get it," Justine said, sympathetically. "But, you know what always makes me feel better when I'm down?"

"What?" Jack asked, looking up at her.

"Just imagining all the embarrassing moments we've had together," Justine said with a grin. "Remember that time in middle school when you caught cheating on exam and our professor scolded you in front of the whole class?"

Jack chuckled, the corners of his mouth lifting up into a small smile. "Yeah, that was pretty embarrassing."

"And what about the time we tried to make French toast for the first time and ended up burning the whole kitchen down?" Justine added, laughing.

Jack couldn't help but join in, the memories of their silly mishaps bringing a genuine smile to his face. "Thanks, Justine," he said, feeling a little better. "You always know how to cheer me up."

"That's what friends are for," Justine replied, giving him a warm hug. "Now come on, let's forget about Madison and go get some ice cream."

Jack grinned, feeling grateful for the comfort of a true friend. "Sounds like a plan."

As they walked back to Jack's house, he couldn't help but play "If You're Not The One" again. The song's lyrics hit him hard, and he felt tears stinging his eyes with each chorus.

Justine noticed and put a hand on his shoulder. "You don't have to listen to that if it's making you sad, Jack."

But Jack shook his head. "It's okay. It's just that this song reminds me of all the times I spent with Madison."

He turned up the volume, and the lyrics filled the air.

If you're not the one, then why does my soul feel glad today?

If you're not the one, then why does my hand fit yours this way?

If you are not mine, then why does your heart return my call?

If you are not mine, would I have the strength to stand at all?

Justine listened carefully to the lyrics, and then spoke. "You know, Jack, those lyrics make me think that maybe Madison isn't the only one who can make you feel that way."

Jack looked at her quizzically. "What do you mean?"

"Just because you had feelings for Madison doesn't mean that she's the only person who can make you feel happy and fulfilled," Justine explained. "There are so many people out there, and you never know who might come into your life and change everything."

Jack pondered her words, and then nodded. "You're right, Justine. I need to be open to the possibilities."

They arrived at Jack's house, and he thanked Justine for being there for him. As he closed the door, he played the song one last time, and the lyrics echoed in his mind.

If I'm not made for you, then why does my heart tell me that I am?

Is there any way that I can stay in your arms?

4 years later ......

As Jack walks into his office, he is greeted by his employees, "Good morning, Mr. CEO!" and "How are you today, Jack?" he responds with a smile and a wave. Justine, his best friend and colleague, walks in shortly after.

Justine: "Hey Jack, can we talk for a minute?"

Jack: "Sure, what's up?"

Justine: "I have some bad news. I found out that Madison has been cheated by her boyfriend for a long time now."

Jack's heart drops at the mention of Madison's name. Madison has been his crush since high school, but he never had the courage to tell her how he feels.

Jack: "What? Are you sure?"

Justine nods her head, "Yes, I heard it from a reliable source."

Jack's anger starts to boil, "How could he do that to her?"

Justine puts a comforting hand on his shoulder, "I know, Jack. It's hard to hear." Justine smiles, "Maybe one day you'll bump into Madison and finally tell her how you feel."

Jack looks up at him, determination in his eyes, "If I do see her again, I will let her know exactly how I feel about her."

Justine nods in approval, "I'm here for you, Jack. You need to grab a coffee and make time for yourself."