The Program [Book Two of The Test]

Chapter Four

And they weren't, because I, without any warning at all, suddenly threw myself at him and engulfed him in a hug that was long overdue. I so desperately needed to know he was safe when everything happened in the test and when I did I couldn't hug him, couldn't touch him, kiss him, nothing. I needed this, after all the crap I went through, I needed Jack, even if he wouldn't understand why. And it was evident that he didn't, awkwardly placing his hands around me and pulling me closer just because. My face buried itself into his chest and I sniffled out a light cry as again I felt that all to familiar warmth.

And I actually felt his stiff muscles relax after awhile, only to be cut off by John coming down the stairs. "So, uh, what are you doing?" I'm sure my eyes were red and puffy, just making it clear that I let out a few sobs of sadness as I turned and looked to John, letting go of the moment I had with Jack just a minute ago. 

"Um, nothing. It was nothing." I said, wiping a slowly drying tear from my cheek and staring at his hands, hoping to god he found something in his search. But no, his hands were empty, looks like we won't be figuring out anything useful today.

"Yeah, okay." John said as he scooted past us and down the stairs without another glance our way. I wondered if he maybe wanted to leave, which I would be all for at this moment, the embarrassment of what I just did taking its full effect. I rushed down the stairs and opened the door, saying a quick goodbye without even checking to see if John had gone outside. Which he hadn't, the irritating little prick.

"Lexi, can we talk about what just happened?" I suddenly heard, no doubt it coming from Jack's lips that I knew all to well. I heard the door close, leaving me no choice but to look at him since we were the only ones out here.

"There's nothing to talk about, Jack." I told him.

"Oh, don't give me that freaking crap. That's what every girl says but us guys aren't as dumb as you ladies think. Tell me what's really going on." He yelled but it still seemed soft, like he wanted to get the point across but not hurt me in the process. I didn't answer him, causing Jack to run his hands through his dark hair and make it extremely messy and untamed. I could tell he was frustrated with the silence I was giving him and he acted in a way I didn't completely expect.

He hugged me.

And like I said, it was unexpected and the way he did it caused his arms to fall around my waist. I could tell he was waiting for me to make a motion, maybe wrap my own arms around him as I did moments ago. But I didn't, my hands instead stuck between my chest and his, slowly trying to free themselves but finding their way up to his collar. I knew what I wanted and was completely aware of how much it made me sound like a main character in a chick flick when that thing I wanted, the only thing I desperately felt like I needed in that moment, was for my hands to pull his freaking collar closer and make our faces do the same, leading to a connection of our lips. I wanted to kiss him, badly.

And for the most part it was working. But have I ever brought up the fact that my friends from the test had a habit of interrupting anything involving me and Jack? Well, they did. Annie being the main one by accident and Danny, Luke, and Caleb just doing it for their own enjoyment. And much like John when he interrupted mine and Jack's hug, looks like Clay is added to the list of interrupters, becoming the cause of our almost kiss coming to a close.