{This Song} Jake x Reader

✮Chapter 1✮

   "Here's your coffee, strong like you probably need. And... Oh crap you probably wanted snacks. I can still run and go get some-".

"Jake." You cut off the rambling man.

"Hmm?"

"I'm fine. I ate a million granola bars. I don't need any more snacks." You smiled at him and wrapped a hand around the coffee. "But I really needed this coffee. Remind me no more all night study sessions."

Jake smiled in turn. "Let's see where have I heard that before? That's right, about two weeks ago when you left studying for your English test until the day before."

You sipped your coffee and rolled your eyes. "That was procrastinating. This-" You gesture to your table filled with study material." "Is because TWO of my teachers assigned a test on the same day. I had to prioritize."

Jake shook his head and pulled out a chair next to you before plopping down. He looked well rested unlike you. When did you last sleep? Felt like eons ago. Why was learning so draining? Suddenly you felt something warm on your shoulder. Looking down you find Jake's hand. His touch was warm. Should that even surprise you? Everything about him could be associated with warmth. The shade of his hair, his eyes, and his stupidly perfect smile.

"It's kind of painful to see you decaying over studying-"

"Well not all of us are massive nerds!"

"Am I supposed to apologize for being smart?" Jake teased lightheartedly. "I'm serious. You don't look so good. And as your best friend it's my job to take care of you." There was something almost wistful in his tone.

"I'm fine." You lied. Truthfully exhaustion weighed your bones. And you were also hungry despite assuring your best friend you weren't. Yet a part of you always felt guilty when Jake worried over you so much. He was your best friend not your boyfriend, you shouldn't make him take care of you like one.

"Liar. Now come on, I'm taking you out." His hand slid from your shoulder down to your hand, grasping it and pulling you out of the chair you had inhabited for an uncountable number of hours.

"You're going to kill me?" You joked to try to ignore the way the heat from his palm felt like it was seeping into your veins and infecting every inch of you.

"As appealing as that sounds, especially when you leave wet towels on my bathroom floor, no. I'm taking you outside."

"Horrifying."

You allowed him to drag you to your door where he grabbed a light jacket from your rack and helped you into it. It was like he did these things on instinct. Like taking care of you was second nature.

"You need some air Y/n."

"Are you saying I stink?"

"No. You smell nice. I'm just saying I'm worried about your mental state if you stay in that chair a minute longer." Jake slipped his hand back in yours. A perfect fit. What a coincidence that the hand that felt so right in your own was the hand that belonged to your best friend. The one person you couldn't have.

"Mama, what's a best friend?" Little you asked mother as she stood in the kitchen cutting vegetables.

Your mother smiled as she looked down at you. "You know your aunt? She's my best friend, someone I can't live without."

"I know that. But how do you know someone's your best friend?"

"Well... I guess it's sort of like being in love without the romantic aspect. It's like you walked around seeing all gray, but then you meet them and suddenly life is colorful. So if you feel that way about someone then it's safe to bet they're your best friend." Your mother's smile turned sad.