Union Jack (Jack Harries)

Two

JACK 

    "Isn't that sweet" Jack said as he and Sovi grabbed Starbucks together, "a hipster like you, going to a mainstream coffee shop just for me." Sovi rolled her eyes as she picked up her drink, "I am not a hipster." 

"Au contrar" Jack said again, examining her drink, "let me guess, is that a Chai latte? hmm, maybe a Soy Chai latte?"

"It's hot chocolate." she said, sticking her tongue out. Jack laughed and stuck his tongue out as well, "a hipster is what you are." he says, "I mean, you go through all the trouble of going to a mainstream coffee shop and yet, you don't get any coffee." 

THUMP! 

One of the other summer program attendees had bumped against Sovi's shoulder as she finished taking a sip from her drink. Coincidentally, Jack had turned to her and was about to ask her if they could do this again. He hadn't even gotten the chance to speak when abruptly, their lips pressed against each other. 

Jack smirked, seeing some color get into Sovi's pale face. The blue in her eyes brighter as they opened wide. He laughed, "Coffee dates...and ending coffee dates like this? yep, we're definitely doing this again."

And indeed, they did. Over, and over again. 

SOVI

   "You got into both NYU and NYFA?" Leo, one of Jack's other groupmates asked, as they were deciding on their crew for their summer project, "Sovi, what the bloody hell are you doing in England?"

Sovi, who Jack had been sitting next to just shrugged off the compliments she got to her impressive profile as if it weren't even a profile at all. "I'm going against the flow." she said coolly.

A wide grin spread across Leo's face, "then, I hereby nominate you as associate director." 

Jack sat up, "why not the head director?" 6 pairs of eyes focused their attention on him except Sovi, who gave him a nonchalant but a sweet sideward glance. He spoke up, "I mean, she's got an impressive profile. She goes against the flow, so maybe our short film can stand a chance at the Festival because her ideas aren't...well, mainstream." He winked as he said 'mainstream' 

'Well," Leo began but Sovi's eyes had met his, "forget it" she said to Leo, then had her eyes meet Jack's, "I'm flattered by the nomination, but you guys would be stupid to consider it. It's my first year in the program....in fact, it's my first year in London. And I'm not willing to head something without knowing the ropes." 

         That night, Jack made his way to Starbucks, debating with himself if attending the film program was the right choice. If someone as experienced as Sovi called herself inexperienced, then what does that make him? Did Finn truly deserve to go rather than him? 

"Are you mad at me?" Sovi said as she and Jack had their weekly Starbucks date.  He looked at her  "of course not, Sov.' he says kindly, "why would you even think that?"

"Well...you've been spacing out since you got your drink." Sovi shrugged, barely looking at Jack. She fiddled with her thumbs, "and I mean, I'm sorry if I turned the nomination down in a mean way, I just really didn't think I--"

She stopped her thumb fiddling the same time she stopped talking because Jack had taken her hands in his.

JACK 

     "It just hit me" said Jack as he and Sovi were walking back from Starbucks, "I mean, if someone like you, who's got experience about Film feels like she doesn't belong as head director, what about me, who's....who's just in basic? It just...it just made me think if I really did belong here." 

Jack had never let any of his past girlfriends see how vulnerable he was. How truly fragile he stood when he was next to Finn; how the insecurity would somehow be there because he and Finn would always be compared. But when Sovi gave a little squeeze to his hand, he didn't feel so vulnerable anymore. He felt like it was going to be okay.

"Film and direction isn't only about editiong or being able to work behind a camera. And for people like me, it's about working behind a camera. For people like Leo, it's about writing what's to be seen on camera. And for you, it's about telling the story on camera. You deserve as much of a chance as Finn." Sovi smiled looking up at him.

"You like being behind a camera...I like being in front of it. Two very unlikely paths." he said, "so tell me, why is it that somehow, they've crossed?"

"It's because you belong here Jack" Sovi smiled wider, "and with me." 

The moment was about to be sealed with perfection by a kiss.....until, that is, Leo came charging towards them.

Dammit.

SOVI

   "Well, we'll hold a board meeting about the script tomorrow" Leo said as he finally finished talking with Sovi. "Congratulations on getting the lead, Jack."

As Leo had finally disappeared from their sight, Sovi turned to Jack and beamed, "yes, Jack." she said, "congratulations." 

"Not jealous?" Jack asked cheekily, "at all? I mean, I'll be kissing and hugging and well, kissing this girl, who isn't you....and you'll be watching helplessly behind the camera." 

"We go on dates. That doesn't exactly mean we're already in a relationship." Sovi said with a shrugged, "I don't remember being asked or saying yes...or, maybe that's just me." 

JACK

     It was a Tuesday. His and Sovi's coffee dates were usually on a Friday. And at night. But with the revisions to the script being done, board meetings here and there, rehearsal and location research, Sovi didn't mind going off schedule to get her mind off the project. 

"Why don't you go find a seat? I'll go get us lattes...a Chai latte for you, yes?" Jack said. Sovi didn't question it, she just kissed his cheek and nodded before making her way to the seats under the green Starbucks umbrella outside.

Jack had returned to their table with Sovi just finishing a conversation with one of their groupmates. "Well" she said, "Leo just found your love interest."

"Really?" Jack asked, pushing her latte towards her. 

"Yes, really.' she replied, "I hear she's really pretty."

"Yeah, well, so is the owner of that Chai latte.'

Sovi rolled her eyes, "last I checked my name wasn--"

SOVI

   Sovi picked up the cup, turning it to find a name that said Jack or JacksGap. But instead, written nicely in black sharpie were two words that ended with a question mark.

Be Mine? 

She looked at Jack, who simply had a cheeky smile on his face. "I hide behind mad men glasses, a beanie and a camera. Are you sure you're ready to go into hiding with me?" 

"I'd spray myself with Spongebob's invisible spray just to be with you."