Decoding You

Two

The academic year passed in the blink of an eye. In the meantime, MC had fully integrated into the group, attending parties, meetups, and outings with them.

Jake and she were still dancing around each other, their feelings growing with time, but not their bravery. MC was certain that her love for him wasn't just a fleeting infatuation, yes, but could not tell whether he felt the same.

Meanwhile, Jake felt the exact same way about her.

Throughout the summer, they were meeting as a group at least once a week, though MC's work sometimes interfered with their schedule, preventing her from attending every gathering.

As a result, she and Jake communicated more through texts, something she didn't mind at all. The first time she couldn't make it, Jake texted her, mentioning that he had gotten her number from Hannah and inquiring about her wellbeing.

From then on, they would text every day, deepening the connection they already had.

It was an interesting experience for MC, as she realized she had misjudged him. The man wasn't shy at all; he was simply reserved in real life. Or, should she say, picky about whom to let close to himself and with whom he could be himself. However, to put it simply, he was bold in their text exchanges, which only increased her attraction to him. She enjoyed slowly getting to know him better, breaking down the walls around him. Thanks to their conversations, she knew he was at least attracted to her, and that was enough for her to hold on to hope.

_-_-_-_

For the last weekend of their summer break, everyone made plans to meet at a clearing in the forest and make a campfire with sausages and marshmallows and beer.

The day before, she was texting with Jake about the meeting. She expressed how happy she was to be included but also worried about the return as it was quite a distance for her, and she was certain they would not go home while the sun was still up. Then, Jake offered to give her a ride as he would not be drinking. Well, maybe one beer at the very beginning, but then he was planning on sticking to only alcohol-free ones. She agreed with joy, thanking him heartily.

So, two days later, she found herself sitting around a bonfire with everyone, sipping beer and sharing stories from their past. She was seated near Jake, just enough to catch glimpses of him—not that she was watching him, of course—but listening with apt interest to the stories being told, happy to know more about her friends.

"Oh! And remember when we played spin the bottle, but instead of daring, it was all about kissing?" Thomas exclaimed, diverted. "Do you know, it was the first time I kissed Hannah!"

"Did you become a couple because of that game?" MC asked, grinning.

"Well, not exactly, but that was the first time I thought of her as more than a friend."

"We were all so naive back then. Spin the bottle was a popular game, eh? But remember, we even made Jake play with us just once." Hannah smirked and looked at her brother as she told on him.

He instantly tensed and narrowed his eyes, that time clearly showing everyone he was not pleased. "And? What's your purpose of telling everyone that?"

The everyone ignored his question and turned back to Hannah.

"Oh, right! Whom did he kiss?" Lilly squinted her eyes, trying to remember.

"Jake kissed with Amy. She said he was good." Hannah supplied, watching her sibling as he grunted and covered his face with one hand in embarrassment.

MC was listening to them, but the remark made her thoughts wander over to the dangerous territory of daydreaming about kissing the man... all the more dangerous, since he was right next to her.