needy ; jack gilinsky

3

to celebrate 200k on emotions ✨💖

amara rahman

"you're quiet," bri says, observing me while frowning. i turn my head the other way, watching the barista make our drinks. "i thought you'd be buzzing about last night, yet you haven't told me anything."

"i'll tell you in the car," i offer. to be fair, i didn't feel like breaking down in the middle of a grocery store's starbucks.

i guess my words had easily translated into something bad for her, because her sympathetic expression came into play real quick, "oh, fuck."

she'd practically ran to her car, while i take my time strolling in the sprinkling rain. "what happened? did you guys go through with it?" she bombards, setting her drink down and turning to face me.

i let out a sigh, shrugging. "yeah."

her eyes widen, before she smiles. "okay! why aren't we cheering, then?"

"i don't know how to explain it," i begin, practically speechless. "it..it didn't feel like the right time. we agreed to push shit aside, but i don't think we should've. i could tell he thought the same."

her smile falls instantly, and her lips poke out. "i'm sorry..i get what you mean. i feel awkward when you're together. the tension's too much."

"i still don't know how to talk to him about it." i say, rubbing my head with my free hand.

she starts the engine, shrugging. "when are you guys meeting up today?"

"he's coming with nate to your place." i say, repeating last night's words and actions in my head. "around like, seven."

my phone buzzes with several messages from my mother, who questioned my whereabouts. i respond with a 'just woke up at bri's house. told you we were gonna sleep in'.

"i don't think i'm gonna bring it up tonight." i murmur, unsure of my words. "tomorrow, maybe."

"fair enough." she shrugs. "it's homecoming. enjoy your night. and if he pisses you off, you know where i'll be."

"to third wheel with you and your boyfriend, what a dream." my sarcasm causes her eyes to roll, and i smile slightly. "thank you, i'm sure he'll piss me off if he drinks."

"did he drink last night?"

"he hasn't drank around me since i yelled at him in front of a crowd of people at johnson's house." i couldn't help but sigh, feeling my heart sink at the memory. he thought i'd felt satisfaction from humiliating him, as if.

"let's stop talking about him now," she suggests, before smiling. "excited for tonight? our last homecoming ever."

"doesn't feel real." i admit. "i'm still excited, i guess."

i eye myself in the body mirror, more specifically, my cleavage. "is it too much?" i ask, turning towards bri who'd been curling her hair in her bathroom.

she stops to look at me, shaking her head. "no, i think it's fine. the hickey's a cute accessory, too."

"funny. can you cover it up?"

"i can do my best," she murmurs, walking closer to me and examining it. "you know i'm not very good at makeup, though."

i settled with a tint of red and blue peeking from my dress strand after bri attempted to cover it up for twenty minutes.

her bedroom door swings open, revealing derek who'd been wearing a black suit paired with a green tie, presumably matching his date's dress. "what's up? your dad is so nice."