Chapter 20 Claire
Claire
Hads: We’re meeting at the library, right?
Claire: I think so?
Hads: Even if we didn't agree on it, the boys will follow us wherever anyway, so I say we keep it with the library.
Claire: Good point, and that sounds good!
Grant: You guys realize we’re in this chat too, right?
Jacks: Yeah…
Jacks: Also, I don't think we’re that whipped.
Grant: Oh please. I saw the photos Claire posted on Instagram the other day. How was it getting all that whipped cream out of your hair?
Hads: Whipped cream?
Claire: It was for a photoshoot! And the pictures came out great!
Jacks: Grant, you're the one already planning your couples Halloween costume and Hads is literally going to walk you like her dog, so I don't wanna hear it.
“That was mean,” I say to Jacks as we walk toward the library together.
“He started it! He’s the king of being whipped for Hads, or did you forget all the stuff he said last semester while he was chasing after her?”
I haven't forgotten, but did my boyfriend forget that I have him wrapped around my finger too?
Jacks and I have been going strong since last semester, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Along with Hads and Grant finally figuring things out, the four of us often have study dates, hangouts, and double dates together. It’s been amazing, and I’ve found comfort in these three people around me.
Hads and I clicked almost instantly. We stayed in touch over the summer and when we got back to campus last week, we’ve met up a few times for some impromptu photoshoots and coffee trips.
It’s fun being friends with someone where you're both dating two best friends. It’s a different kind of relationship, and I’m forever grateful that Hads figured out her feelings for Grant.
It’s absolutely adorable to see them together.
Jacks and I are about to head into the library when someone runs into my shoulder, and I drop a few of my things. “I’m so sorry, I must not have been paying attention—” I stop my words because I don't expect to see the person who’s standing in front of me right now.
“No, Claire. I’m the one who should be apologizing.”
Evangeline Hopkins—the girl that Clay cheated on me with—is staring back at me, dumbfounded. I heard that she and Clay broke up, or split up, or whatever, a few weeks ago. Then I also saw Clay getting real cozy with another girl at the dining hall the other day, so I guess some people can’t change.
I feel a calm energy wash over me as Jacks hands me back all the stuff I dropped on the sidewalk. So, I grab her hand and say the words that have weighed on my chest ever since I met her last year. “No apology is necessary. It wasn't your fault.”
I think she knows that I’m not talking about her running into me. I can tell because she squeezes my hand a few times before walking away. I turn to Jacks and smile at him, feeling more weightless than before. “Is everything okay? I expected that to be more awkward or tense.”
“Yes, my love. Everything is perfect. I never really blamed her for how things went down, and it was time that she knew that.”
“I love you, you know. I love how kind you are.” Jacks throws his arm around my shoulder as we sit down at our usual library table and wait for Hads and Grant.
“I love you too, Jacks. I love how sweet you are.” He taps a finger on my nose and I feel my lips upturn into a smile unconsciously. He makes it easy—loving him, and being loved by him. I lean over to kiss him before I hear someone groan near us.
“Oh, come on, Candy Canes. I’ve seen you guys kiss enough while you over at the apartment, but now I have to see it in public?” Grant complains as he sits down in our booth.
“Pretty boy, will you just let them be happy? God knows they deserve it.” Hads flashes me a wink in solidarity as she sits down across from me.
“Thank you, Hads. Grant, last time I checked, you were the one who threw Hads over your shoulder on the way to class the other day…in broad daylight!” I make fun of him because I know he doesn't care about PDA. He likes pushing our buttons.
“Grant, you were the one who wanted to get us all matching shirts, so I don't wanna hear it.” Jacks references the twenty-five long slideshow presentation that Grant made and showed us the other night.
It was about the benefits of having matching shirts correlated to the longevity of being a couple.
It was hilarious how much effort he put into it, and we all eventually conceded and agreed to get them.
Grant ordered them instantly, and they should be here next week.
“How’s the first week been for you guys? Is junior year giving you hell yet?” I ask the two of them.
“It’s been pretty chill for Jacks and I. At least I’m not failing yet like I was at this point last semester.” Grant then holds his hand up, to which Jacks gives him a high five. Idiots.
“You guys are ridiculous.” Hads rolls her eyes at them.
“Grant, I think you’d be thankful for that failing grade since it led to your girl over here,” I tell him.
“I am! I’m just saying that this semester is off to a way better start, and I’m grateful for that.”
“Me too,” Jacks says, and I have to fight the urge to kiss him again. The four of us then continue talking over coffee for a few hours as other students trickle around us in and out of the library.
Last semester may have been one of the weirdest times of my life. But I’d do it all over again to get to this point.
Jacks redefined the meaning of the word love for me. I’ve never had someone do that for me before—redefine what a word means to me, but he did.
He’s showed me that it’s not about the words or the shit that people say to you.
It’s about the actions that they take to show you how much they mean to you.
Jacks does that for me every day, whether it’s modeling for my pictures, helping me pick between which edits I like better on my pictures, or watching all of my favorite movies with me.
He always shows me that he’s here, and in it for the long haul.
And when we go back to his apartment tonight, I know for certain that he’ll mouth the words of whatever movie we watch together. He’s memorized most of my favorites, and I’ll never get tired of seeing him next to me while we watch them.
There’s one thing I know for certain, though. The way he loves me is better than any movie I’ve ever seen.
He puts them to shame, and I wouldn't want my life to be any other way.
THE END.