Ally…
I waited for it. Waited for Jay to say “I’m just joking.”
“That’s not funny.” I rolled my eyes. He finally gave up trying to make it sound serious.
“I’ll stop bothering you. One last time, please?” He pleaded. I was so sick of him asking. It was just a number, after all. A stupid, little number.
“There.” I punched the digits into his phone, and I swear his smile could’ve lit up the whole sky.
“Thanks, bestie!” He patted my head, and I sighed. I’d just made another stupid mistake because he was cute. Screw you, Jay. “Do you want me to walk you home?”
“No, I can go by myself.” I assured him, but he was hesitant. Jay walked me to the entrance, and I waved goodbye to his mom before stepping out.
“I’ll let you know how it goes.” He winked. I didn’t really *want* to know, but supportive me just had to say yes.
I started walking home, AirPods in, listening to city pop. It was nice weather. I only lived a block from Jay, but still. I dragged my feet, letting the wind heal my soul a little.
Suddenly, I felt eyes on me. I tried not to look, and started walking faster instead. Okay… I was a black belt in Taekwondo. If anything happened, I could handle it. But what if they had a knife? A gun?
I couldn’t die yet! I’d literally just given Jay my friend’s number. There were still so many things I wanted to do… I hadn’t even *dated* him yet!
Wait… what?
“Ahh! Help me!” I yelled when a guy finally grabbed my shoulder. I twisted his arm and kicked his shin until he fell to the ground, groaning in pain…
It was Jay.
“What the hell, Ally?” He screamed, wincing. He clutched his leg and tried to stand up.
I helped him, but he pushed me away. He looked so angry, so serious… it made me feel awful.
“I followed you because you forgot your textbook.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I was trying to yell your name, but you were wearing earphones…” He sighed. “I’ll walk you home.”
“Okay…” I handed him the textbook. His legs were still shaking from my kick. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay. If you were actually kidnapped, that would have been the right move.” He tried to smile, but I knew he was just pissed.
How can I dislike you?
__________________________
Grade 6
Ally…
“Go to the dance with me.” One of the boys from class kept asking. Probably the tenth time today. Ugh. What does “no” even mean to him?
He pinned me against the wall while we were walking to the library.
“Not until you say yes.” He leaned closer, and I started to cry. I felt so uncomfortable…
“Didn’t you understand what she said?” Jay grabbed the boy’s shoulder, shoving him away from me. “She obviously feels uncomfortable. You’re an asshole.”
I gasped. He’d said a bad word! But other than that, he’d saved me…
“Thank you.” I mouthed to him, and he nodded, gesturing for me to go inside the library already.
During reading time, Jay passed me a note:
Are you okay?
I looked back at him and smiled.
I’m okay.
That’s when I knew I had to tell him what I felt.
When dismissal finally came, I walked home with him, as usual—ready to tell him, with my whole heart, that…
“Jay, I like you.” I mumbled, and he stopped dead in his tracks.
“That’s not funny.” He raised an eyebrow. I suddenly felt terrible, so I tried to take it back.
“I liked you… in third grade! Just in third grade, for like a week.” I laughed, and he laughed with me.
“I’ll use it as blackmail.” Jay patted my head, like he always did.
__________________________
I hope you guys liked the first two chapters so far!!! I will update weekly, so the next comes out on Monday:)
⭐️
Song: Collective Arts (콜렉티브아츠), Lee Eunsu (이은수) — Walk (산책)
(LYRICS: a couple walking around during spring time, admiring the nature)