(y/n)'s POV

"So, now that we're dating and all, I have an idea." I thought out loud as Jack and I laid together on his couch. My head rested in his lap while he stroked my hair gently.

"And that is?" He asked playfully. I grinned up at him mischievously as he spoke.

"I'm thinking, we should be super PDA but not tell the guys we're dating. We do this for a couple days, have a good laugh, and then kiss in front of them. They'll be so confused." I sat up and snuggled into his shoulder, and he wrapped his arm around me softly, like he'd break me into pieces with any sort of force.

"Oh hell yeah!" He exclaimed,  holding his hand up for a high-five. I gave him one, and when I did he grabbed my hand and pressed a soft kiss to it. I rolled my eyes lovingly at this huge dork who happened to be mine.

"The guys will yell at us, I'm stoked." I said, grinning at him. He did the same, and then he slid down onto my lap, his legs danging off the couch. I laughed, tangling my fingers through his hair, noting how soft it was. We sat like that for a couple minutes, just breathing and being in one another's presence.

"I'm so in love with you." He broke the silence in a whisper. I looked down at him, and took in the view of his face. His cheeks and nose were a light pink, and his eyes were sparkling.

"I'm in love with you, too." I returned happily. He reached up to kiss me gently. God, I was so happy this boy was my dork.

"Good, this was about to get real awkward if ya didn't say it back." He grinned cheekily. I rolled my eyes, but pressed a kiss to my hand and pressed my hand to his lips, which were upturned in a magical smile that made the clouds part. He was amazing, with his smile that had the power to turn the Earth on its axis. The joy he spread could only be rivaled by Crutchie. I didn't know how he could be so wonderful.

All I knew was that I was ridiculously in love with this idiot.

"Do you ever think about how this whole thing started because Race wanted $50 but now it's so much bigger than that? It's been on my mind since I first started liking you." I asked, staring at the wall in front of me.

"Not really. Care to elaborate?" He asked carefully, grabbing my hand as I threaded it through his hair.

"Well I just- I felt super manipulative for the whole thing, ya know? Trying to control my own friend's feelings for another friend's personal gain. So I was really upset when I started liking you, because no matter what I felt it all seemed like part of the ruse. But it worked out, because we figured it out." I spoke reluctantly. I trusted Jack, but it was still a bit hard to say.

"Yeah, things were confusing at first. But truth be told, I already liked you. An' then Davey told me about the plan, after Katherine pushed you on me, and I was a bit hurt. But you were never manipulating me. If anyone, it was the other folks involved, and I don't blame them." He told me softly, looking up at me carefully. I smiled down at him lovingly.

"You knew for that long and never told me you knew? God, did my trickery at least work? Make your feeeeliiings stronger?" I teased, giggling a bit. He giggled too, smiling up at me like the had the whole world in front of him.

"Oh definitely, basically anything you do makes me more in love with you." He said with a sugary sweet voice, but I could hear the honesty behind the humor, making my heart melt.

"Remember that one time I fell asleep on you, during movie night?" I asked playfully, grabbing his hand and carefully threading our fingers.

"Yeah, that was really nice. It was the first time I could imagine a future with you, instead of just a current crush." He said wistfully, and when he looked up at my confused face he seemed to panic. "Sorry if it's too early, we just got together and I ruined it, I'm so sorry-"

"No, you don't need to apologize. I can see a future with you too." I said gently and lovingly. His face lit up in one of his cutest smiles yet.

"You do?!" He asked, excited as a little kid on Christmas.

"Yeah. You were always gonna be in my future, whether it was romantically or not. And now, I could see you as my partner for life. But hey, let's ride out senior year together and if things are working out, plan around it, maybe?" I felt like I was overstepping too many boundaries as I spoke.

"Yeah, let's do that. I'd stay in New York for you." He said quietly. I grinned down at him, touched.

"You would? But your dream is to go to Santa Fe." I stated.

"It was, but it's far less appealing than whatever life I could lead with you by my side. Sharing a stupidly tiny yet ridiculously overpriced apartment, studying for our separate classes and cuddling, complaining about group projects. I could see it with you." He stated simply. I smiled even wider, with my cheeks beginning to ache. I grabbed his hand and pressed a kiss to his knuckles, loving how his face went delightfully pink.

"You're a big ol' sentimental sap, aren't ya?" I teased, watching him go even redder.

"You're more sappy than me, (y/n)!" He laughed. I nodded, grinning.

"Yeah, I am. But we should plan our little scheme for the guys." I said, my smile gaining a sense of mischief in the expression.

(998 words)