No Strings Attached

18.When The Table Turns

"Everyone meet Jaycee Collins,new member of team yellow".He smiles at me and all I could hear was the echo of claps and my heart beating.I immediately drop my cup absentmindedly,and run out,tears streaming down my face.The last face I see was Nathan's,who looks really confused.

I sprint towards the toilets, muffling my cries inside.I could hear Liv yelling my name,but I didn't care.As soon as I got into the toilet,I lock the door and slump down.Holding my knees,I stuffed my head inbetween my legs and fold arms.I cry silently,hot tears pricking my pale skin.My vision was very blurry,I only see tears.One sentence kept on playing in my mind...

Jaycee's back.

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Jaycee Collins.My ex male best friend and the only guy who I ever liked and probably,loved.Jaycee has been my friend since forever.I,Liv and Jaycee grew up together,united like siblings.Jaycee's patents and mine had been best friends since high school and till now.They made themselves promise that when they had children,they would be like glue which would further bond their friendship.I began liking Jaycee since fifth grade.I know I was young and naive,but I didn't care.I tried to hide the feelings I had and when three of us got to ninth grade,Olivia found out.She made plans on making Jaycee realise the feelings I had for him,and that I had a genuine like for him, but it turns out he was really oblivious about this.

I look at my hands and rub the moist away.Lost in thought,I remember one of the memories I have hidden in me for the past two years..

Flashback

I look at Jaycee as he pets his dog, Ice.I was debating whether to tell him like Liv said,or survey away.It has been years,almost like ten,and I couldn't keep the feeling anymore.The feeling of seeing the most important person to me everyday.

"Down to earth Tals"Jaycee waved his hand in front of my face.

I came back to reality and giggled at his confused face.

Jaycee a year older than me.He had cool chestnut hair, piercing sea blue eyes and the most sharpest jawline I have ever seen.He was taller than me,which irritated me because I had to look up when I spoke to him.He usually made fun of me,but I liked it since he was giving me attention.

"Stop spacing out Tals"he chuckled humorously.

I blushed and looked away.A comfortable silence engulfed us and I thought why now?it was just the two of us,alone at his house,well except for the dog, but that doesn't matter.I took a deep breath and looked at JC,as I liked to call him.He was playing subway surfers on his phone.

I could do this..

I rubbed the sweat off my hands and rubbed them a little.

"Hey JC?"I said placing his hand in mine.

He placed his phone down and looked at me,worry printed on his face"what's wrong?you okay?"he asked me, taking my other hand in his.

"Yeah it's just that..... whatever I tell you, don't be m-mad"I stuttered at the end.

Way to go!!!

"Okay I won't"he smiled encouragingly.

I took a deep breath and looked at him.He bobbed his head, signalling me to continue.

"Promise?"I asked.

"Promise"he said confidently.

"I'vebeenmeaningtotellyouthatI'velikedyouandIstilldo"I said fast.

JC looked at me confused.

Guess I said that way to fast.

"Didn't hear one bit of what you said"he said innocently.

"Okay...I've been meaning to tell you that I've liked you and still do.I like you a lot JC"I blushed,a small sheepish smile slowly appearing on my face.

JC's face immediately went dull and he took his hands out of mine.

"JC?"I asked, really nervous..

"What?!"he yelled making me shiver.

I knew it.He didn't feel the same.

"It's okay if you don't feel the same"I said, trying my best to push my tears back.

"It's just that Natalie,I-don't-"he stuttered.

"It's fine"I didn't want to hear the rest.

"Hey can you like,get out?I need some space...alone"he said not looking at me.

A ping of pain hit me and I nodded, stood up and left.I ran to my house,which was like seven houses away.I locked my door and cried myself to sleep.

End of Flashback

After that uneventful.... event,I was too embarassed to go to him.He didn't bother,and didn't even try talking to me.The tension was too much,and I was really uncomfortable...Liv was there throughout, saying that she was sorry for being a selfish bee-itch.I told her that it wasn't her fault,and she cheered up a bit.A month later, I heard from my parents that JC and his family had moved to Australia due to his father's job promotion.My parents asked if he told me and I lied by saying yes.After they left for work,I cried again.He had gone without any reply to what I had told him....I couldn't just see JC after two years and be the same me.I need to prove to him that I've changed,and that I'm progressing well...I need to show him that I have been given TLC since he left,and that he wasn't an important aspect in my life anymore.

If I need to fake it,I'll fake it.

Guess that party's gonna have a plus one tonight.

Strawberrynvanilla💙