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Chapter 5

A few weeks had passed and nothing has really happened. I haven't heard from my grandpa nor did I know what Nicky was up to. I kept thinking to myself and reading the note over and over. What would give me help or who would give me help? I didn't really know anyone that could help me really. And a balance reality? A tree for it? Couldn't we just water it and poof, bring it back to life?

"Again, that's not how it works." My grandpa said in my head. Right. I thought to myself. 

I grabbed my backpack and headed off to school. I usually walked since the school was only a few blocks away. I wondered if I should talk to Cynthia about that one day that we saw each other even though it was a long time ago. 

Who knows, maybe she will talk to me back and I could make her smile finally. I feel confident enough to that point today anyway, so why not try at least. 

"Go for it, and good luck, I gotta run, cya kid." My grandpa said.

Great, now I'm on my own with nothing but a stomach full of butterflies. 

I soon arrived at school with Cynthia nowhere to be found. Maybe she wasn't here yet. Maybe she's with a group of friends. Who knows. I decided to go to the library to finish up some homework. Low and behold, Cynthia was sitting inside at a table...alone. Her? All to myself? It couldn't get any better. I walked over and dropped my backpack against the leg of the table. She quickly looked up at my surprised. 

"Oh hi." She said

"Hi."

"What are you doing here?" She asked.

"I just came to do some homework, can I join you?" I asked politely 

"Sure" she said with a slight smile appearing on her face. I sat down in the chair right across from her and pulled out my laptop. She was already doing some work on her laptop with papers on the table.

"How's it been for you?" I asked in attempt to create conversation.

"It's been rough, but good I guess, you?" 

"Pretty crazy, you wouldn't understand." I said.

"Oh, what's that?" She asked. I knew right then and there that I shouldn't have said anything. 

"I could ask you the same question." I said in defense. 

"Well, one of my friends became my enemy and is trying to spread false rumors about me when I literally did nothing to her." Cynthia explained in irritation. 

"Oof, that's rough." I said "If you need anything or help with that, I'll be open, or anything in general."

"Aw, that's pretty sweet." She said. "Now, what's going on with you?" She asked. I still regret telling her anything. 

"You wouldn't believe it even if I told you." I said. "You'd think that I'm the craziest person alive."

"Really? That crazy huh?" She said. "Are you just too embarrassed to tell me?" She asked.

"No"

"Yes you are" 

"No I'm not"

"Jacob, I know you like me." She said. This was a definite surprise for me.

"How so?" I asked as I played dumb.

"It's only obvious, not to make you even more embarrassed but, you've been blushing ever since you came up to me." She pointed out. Oh no, was I really? I could really feel the heat now intensifying in my face.

"Hehe, it's pretty cute actually, maybe we should get to know each other more." She said with a big smile. How could this be? My dream was coming true! 

"Maybe I'll talk to you after school?" She asked.

'Y-yeah, sure." I said with a huge smile. "Where at?" 

"How about in front of the library?" She recommended.

"Sure, I'll see you then." I grabbed my stuff and packed it all away as the bell was going to ring in a minute. 

Another seven hours later and it was finally time to meet up with Cynthia. I speed walked to he library and waited there for her. Within a couple minutes, she came over. 

"Where do you wanna go?" she asked. 

"I don't know. You wanna go grab something from the store?" I recommended.

"Sure, lets go." We walked over to the store which was down the road. We saw a couple familiar faces but no one was really there. No students anyway. I bought a doughnut and a smoothie. 

I know, healthy and unhealthy, right?

She got just a smoothie and of course I paid for her like a gentleman even though she insisted that she paid. Obviously I'm going to be kind and show off for her. 

"Can I pay next time?" She asked as we sat down at a table just outside the store.

"Mmmm, maybe, I'll think about it." I said. Of course I wouldn't. I have plenty of saved up money anyway. After a half and hour, we were done with our smoothies. I had eaten my doughnut right away. 

"Hey, do you want me to walk you home?" I asked.

"Well, That is if you don't mind, I don't really live too far." She said.

"I don't mind one bit." I said with a smile. I walked her home and found out that she lives on the next street over. All this time and I barley figured it out that she lived so close. 

"Hey, I'm on the next street over." I pointed out as I looked back to my street. 

"Really?" All this time and you just figured it out? That's sad." She said.

"Wait, did you know?" I asked 

"No, it just sucks for you because all this time we could've hung out at each others houses." She said. 

"I know."

"Well, at least we know now. And we're only sophomores." she said.

"Yeah, you've got a point." I said. "Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow then." I said as we walked up the stone steps to her house.

"I'll see you tomorrow." She said. As she held the screen door open, she looked back and winked at me. She walked inside and closed the door. I didn't know what to think of that wink. I just stood there in shock for a couple seconds. I walked back down the steps and walked home.

I got inside my room, shut my door, took my shoes off and sat on my bed. I set my phone on my dresser, only to see another note lying on top folded up. I grabbed it and it read Again, you're welcome, you're gonna need her help.

I couldn't believe it. I was actually going to get her. I jumped up and down and punched the air as I quietly repeated "Yes, Yes Yes!"