Jack's POV

"Do you think there's something going on?" I asked Davey. It was Tuesday evening and we normally studied for history together, but today I couldn't focus on that.

"With whom?" Davey asked, sighing a bit as he looked up from his textbook.

"With the fellas. I mean, they's been actin' weird and Race is flirtin' with (y/n) left and right. And Crutchie's actin'... off." I explained, New York accent thickening like it always did when I got lost in thought or nervous.

"I thought you said you already found out that Crutchie and Race have something going on, trying to set you up with some girl?" Davey reminded, looking me in the eyes. I nodded a bit, and he sighed. He was doing that a lot lately.

"Put two and two together, Jackie. Either they're trying to set you up with (y/n) and trying to make you jealous, or they're still plotting and Race is into her. Or maybe there's a third option, but those two are probably the most likely," My eyes widened. They couldn't be...

Perhaps I'd never told anyone the whole truth. They were trying to set me up with her for good reason. I'd liked her for a couple months now, but I just refused to show it. It was only a tiny crush anyway, not something to get into an actual relationship over. I just liked her. And yes, I was jealous whenever they did that. The second option...

If the second option was true, I wasn't sure I'd be very happy being friends with either one of the two. What if they got together, and I had to watch them be happy when I knew deep down that she and I were better for each other?

"I can practically hear the gears turning in your head. What are you thinking?" Davey interrupted my thought spiral, bringing me back to reality. I sighed and looked down, ears heating up at the thought of saying what I was about to say.

"The first option, if it's true, is workin'. I just, I liked her for a couple'a months now and I thought it was too little to admit to anyone. It would be gone before anyone could even try an' push us together. But it's lasted, and it's gettin' stronger when I look at them flirtin' and I can just think how I could take so much better care'a her than Race." I explained softly, still not meeting his eyes. Dave gasped excitedly.

"I got the feeling you did. You aren't very subtle, when it boils down to everything. You stare at her at lunch all the time, even when she's talking to somebody else. Now I can know I'm not going insane!" He laughed, and I looked up to see him smiling at me. I rolled my eyes.

"Ain't nothin' comin' outta it though, so don't expect me to make a move or somethin'!" I told him with a light glare. That part was true, especially now that there was some dumb scheme.

"Do you think she's in on it?"

"Huh?" I furrowed my eyebrows at him, urging him to explain his thought process.

"Do you think (y/n)'s in on the whole get-you-to-like-her scheme? Maybe that's why she's not outright telling Race off! Jealousy is pretty good at weaseling the truth out of people, you know. Maybe she'll start flirting with you soon! That would be great, wouldn't it?"

"No, it wouldn't! Then I'd have to confront everythin' and I'm not ready to admit anythin' to her! I may come off all tough an' everythin' but... I'm scared'a it just bein' a scheme and her flirtin' back for fun and then she leads me on an' I get hurt in the end! I ain't doin' that! Maybe she does like Racer or JoJo or Finch or Elmer or whoever, how would I know?"

"But maybe if you flirt back, she'll realize how much she likes you! I don't see why any girl who knows you wouldn't! You're handsome, and smart when you choose to try, and a nice guy, Jackie. Any girl, including (y/n), would be lucky to have you. And if she leaves you broken on the ground, you know she's nice enough to at least be nice about it. She cares about you, whether it's romantic or not," He assured me, making me feel a bit better.

I was always just the hot Jack Kelly, no girl ever really liked me for me. And I never cared if they did, but now she was here. And as much as I hated admitted the feelings that I'd rather let fester and die, I really did like her.

"Thanks, Davey. That means a lot. 'Ey, I ought to go soon, Medda will be waitin' for me. I'll see ya at school, and I promise if she happens to flirt, I will flirt back," I told him, gathering the textbooks and homework assignments that I'd barely even touched.

"Good. You two would be good together, you know," He said as I headed out. I gave him a smile and continued on my way. It was only a short walk to my place where my adoptive mother, Medda, and I lived. I didn't drive, she hadn't let me have a car yet, so I was stuck walking home.

With that, I got a lot of time to think. Why did I admit my stupid crush, even if it's to Davey? I was sure it was probably nothing, it wouldn't last a month longer at most. I knew myself too well to think that she was unlike any of the other girls I'd liked.

And maybe I was scared of moving forward. Pining wasn't fun, but it was safe. I'd never have to face her rejection if I stayed back, pining after her and watching her every move.

Okay, Jack, dial back the creepy stalker thing. I wasn't watching her every move. She was just... nice to look at. With the prettiest face this side of the Pacific ocean, and hair that was softer than a puppy's fur, she was stunning.

But she wouldn't ever like me, it was probably some dare or bet that the guys were in on. She wasn't pursuing me for any other reason than for the fun of it, so I needed to just give it a rest.

(1076 words)