Sweet Like Honey

27.

As requested, Lennen didn't hear from Jonas for the rest of the weekend. Neither were sure what to expect when they stepped into school Monday morning. Jonas knew he had made a mistake, but his pride was too big to admit that he felt bad for punching Duke in the face and giving him a black eye. He wanted to refusely apologize to Lennen and beg that she give him yet another chance, something he knew he was running out of. He knew at some point that Lennen wasn't going to offer him anymore chances and call things quits. 

Like always, Jonas arrived at school before Lennen did, so he decided to wait by her locker, hoping that she would only be a few minutes. After three minutes of waiting, Lennen was approaching him, wanting to get to her locker. "Hey," he greets her, softly, not sure how she was going to react. 

"Hi," Lennen responds, a sympathetic smile resting on her face. She didn't want to cause a scene at school, resulting in everyone knowing what was going on between the two of them. "I have to meet Sawyer, but we really should talk. How about you give me a call after baseball practice and we can meet somewhere?" Lennen still wasn't sure what she was going to say to Jonas and she could use all the time to figure out how she was going to get point across. 

"Yeah, okay." Jonas wasn't going to lie and say he wasn't nervous because he was. This was going to be on his mind all day, constantly thinking about what Lennen was going to say to him. She didn't seem mad or upset when she greeted him, but that might just be a facade. All he could really hope for that she could forgive him for the way he's been acting and promise that nothing like that was going to happen again. 

Lennen slid her things into her locker and then was off to meet Sawyer, and all Jonas could do was watch her walk away. Jonas always wondered how he was so lucky to land Lennen because she truly could have any guy she ever wanted, she was beautiful. 

"So, what's gonna happen?" Sawyer asks Lennen as they sit down at their normal table. This was a weird weekend for everyone, and they were all on edge about the situation between Lennen and Jonas, since they were all now one large group of friends. 

"We're going to meet somewhere after his baseball practice and talk. I figured that it was best to not talk about what happened at school since everyone is beyond nosy." The only bad thing about going to a small private school was that word spread quickly and it was hard to keep anything a secret if you say anything at school. 

"I hope things work out," Sawyer says, grabbing Lennen's hand and giving it a sympathetic squeeze. It was clear that some people in their group had picked sides, but they didn't want to say anything to Lennen or Jonas because in the end, it was up to the two of them. 

The first bell rings, signalling that it was time to start heading to class. The girls stand up, grabbing their things they need for their first period. "Thanks, Sawyer." It was nice having a friend like Sawyer because she would tell Lennen things that she needed to hear, but she always had her back, always supporting her no matter the situation. Sawyer and Lennen split up and head separate ways, ready to get this day over with. 

Lennen had been in her room, studying for her AP Calculus test that she had tomorrow, but was interrupted by the ringing coming from her phone. She tore he gaze away from her textbook and answered her phone. "Hello?"

"Hey, it's me," Jonas says from the other side of the call. "We just finished up practice, and I'm sitting in the parking lot. Do you want me to come to your house or do you want to meet at my house?" 

"Uh, Holden should be dropping of Oliver soon, so I guess I can just meet you at your house," Lennen decides. She knew that Oliver wouldn't want Jonas over at their house, so his place was a safer option. "I'll be there in about twenty minutes."

"See you then." Lennen hangs up and grabs her keys, writing Oliver a note before heading out the door. The pair never really spent time at Jonas' house because he lived in Newport Beach and Lennen's house was always closer or they were just out doing something, usually at the beach. 

Jonas had left the gate open so Lennen could pull into the driveway, and Lennen couldn't help but pull the same amazed expression she does when she goes to Petty's house. She had only been to Jonas' house twice, but she couldn't help but still be amazed. She remembers Jonas saying that his parents liked to live lavishly, which they were definitely doing. Lennen walks to the front door, ringing the doorbell, waiting for Jonas to answer. Jonas steps aside, letting Lennen inside his house. 

"It's still as amazing as I remember it," Lennen says, looking around. Jonas' family took advantage of having the amount of money they do. Everything in the house looked like it costs thousands of dollars. 

"Hasn't changed," Jonas laughs and leads Lennen upstairs to his bedroom. Lennen takes a seat in a chair while Jonas decides to lean against his bedframe. "We should probably just cut to the chase so we don't have to deal with the awkwardness beforehand." Jonas hated the awkward silence before a serious conversation, it always made him uncomfortable. "I know that what I did was terrible, and looking back I should not have done it. I just don't understand why you won't tell me things or who you're hanging out with."

"You didn't have to punch him, Jonas. He was just looking out for me. We're friends, nothing more. We see each other like brother and sister now. What happened between Duke and I is completely in the past. I really do like you, Jonas. I think we can both agree that we've both made mistakes and we both clearly have issues we need to sort out. So, I propose that we take a break. Not breakup, but just a break. We spend some time apart and we each take time to work on ourselves and our problems, just figure out what we want." 

"Breaks never work, Lennen. Breaks just end in breakups, and I don't want that." Jonas really just wanted everything between him and Lennen to be good, more than good, perfect. He knew that they could have that, there was just little things. 

"I don't want to break up either, Jonas. Just please agree to this because I think this is our only option if we want things to work between us. I truly adore you and I want you to believe that. We've had times where you've made me the happiest girl in the world and I want that back. Please, Jonas. I really think that this break is what we need." Lennen couldn't stop the few tears that started rolling down her cheeks. Jonas moved from his spot against the bedframe and squatted in front of Lennen, rubbing his thumb across her cheeks, wiping away her tears. 

"I'll do anything for you, Lennen. If this is what you really want, then we'll do it," Jonas tells her, sweetly. "All I want is for you to be happy." 

Lennen rests her hand on top of Jonas' and looks him in the eyes. "You are a dream, Jonas Costello." She places a light kiss on his lips, then cheek. She stands up and the two walk out of Jonas' room, with Jonas' hand lightly placed on Lennen's lower back. He walks her out to her car, not really sure how to say goodbye. The two look at each other, unsure of what to do until Lennen leans up and kisses Jonas once again, this time more passionate than their last. Once they break apart, Lennen gets in her car and drives off, not uttering another word to Jonas.