My High School Crush

4 years ago...

High school.

Two words: fucking hell.

At least not so much of hell, but technically it is. It's my sophomore year here at Gulf Coast High School, Home of the Sharks and I can't deny it but I really wish I didn't go here. High school isn't my thing at all. Trying to ''fit'' in cliques, sports, or any sort of after school activities cannot attract me in a way. It's just not my thing at all.

Though I really have good grades, it's just being in school, as a Sophomore girl is so fucking dreadful. And I'm not even a Senior yet!

Luckily, I have my best friend Chelsea. She's my right hand my go to, my icing to my cupcake, the friend that I really can depend on at all times. Her goofy, adventurous, and somewhat ''mom'' traits really shape her as a good person.

And of course, my brother Jacob. We're a year and half apart and people really think that we're twins. We don't even look alike at all whatsoever. And what's mindblowing the most is that his birthday is December 27th, while my birthday is December 28th. Like, how are we that much apart but share the same birthday month? To me, it doesn't make sense, but, to my mom, she always says "it's called a 'miracle'."

I guess.

But lastly, the one last luck I have is my brother's best-friend, Elijah Knight. Bad boy material, incredibly smart, and fucking charming.Every girl at Gulf Coast drools all over when Elijah and Jacob walk down in the hallways with their football jersey on their back.

Elijah has this charm that struck me in some weird way. The way he pressed his lips together, his eyes, his smile and of course that little chuckle he does everytime I get annoyed with Jacob.

He's perfection. So talented with this art, sports, and really great with science and math. But this bad boy material he has with getting into fights in school kinda disappoint me in a way.

It doesn't bother me as much, but, sometimes I get worried to the point he'll be expelled from school from fighting so much. It's mainly because he's always sticking up from his half-sister, Erica who is from France and doesn't speak English well.

Elijah and Jacob didn't become best-friends since last year during their first football camp. I remember I always had to walk home with the two of them blabbering about football stuff that I can't even understand.

As time goes by, I find myself crushing hard on Elijah. He knew I always hanged out at the library and always distract me with his foolishness: and literally almost kicked me out if the library for laughing too much.

He would call me nicknames like ''Ladybug'' because of my binder stickers, or "poodles" because of my curly hair or ''JayJay'' because of my name Jade.

And it kills me every time my cheeks bloat with happiness, in an anxious way.

------------

HALLOWEEN PARTY

? ? It's drivin' me out of my mind!

That's why it's HARD for me to find

Can't get it out of my head!......? ?

It's Halloween and extremely crowded at my house. My brother Jacob literally invited the whole entire sophomore class into our home. I can't even hear myself eating chips or see where Chelsea went since she was extremely pumped for this party to begin.

? ?That girl is poison!!!... ? ?

The crowd was going crazy whistling and dancing to the nineties bop. Finally, Chelsea came around back to me and handed me over a drink.

''Ugh, Debbie Downer, why aren't you dancing? It's Halloween!'' She exclaimed.

''You know, if my mom ever finds out that my brother did this she's going to kick him out of the house.''

''Didn't you guys say she didn't mind?''

''Yeah, meaning two, four, or I don't know six people. Literally, the whole entire Sophmore class is here!

''Not really, your brother didn't necessarily invite everyone, he forgot to invite the weird-anime-Pokèmon- kids.''

''I just saw them sneaking inside of the house.''

''Oh..''

''Yeah...''

''Whatever, I'm going to enjoy myself, so Au Revoir Ma Dame {goodbye, my lady}, " Chelsea said swinging her hips side to side and left me by the kitchen area.

I shake my head not knowing what to do with this crowd. Then, I decided to leave the area. Outside, I managed my way to the front porch and sat down on the swing. I sipped on my drink and looked out from the stars above as the music dimmed down just a tad bit.

Coming my way, I saw Elijah walking on the steps and turns his way to me.

''Jade, you alright?'' He asked. His baby-blue eyes were shimmering from the sky above. He came closer to me and sat right next to me. I could feel my heart pumping fast just by sitting next to him.

Like he's Elijah Knight, duh.

''I'm fine, '' I replied timidly.

''Liar, what's wrong. Really?'' He placed his hand on my back rubbing in a circular motion to cool off my anxiety. I took a deep breath and looked at him then smiled lightly.

''It's just really bad anxiety, I'm sort of claustrophobic. So, I'm not really great with huge parties like my brother is doing right now.''

''Hey, no need to worry before you know it, it's going to be over. I promise. Just practice on your breathing, count to ten, and stay calm as you can.''

''Where did you learn this?''

''Aha, I learned it from my mom, she used to do tell me that when I have anxiety.''

''You---''

''--Shocking, I know. Yeah, I'm afraid of heights, so whenever the family goes to Disney or SixFlags I get this anxious feeling in my stomach, even though I'm not on the ride yet.''

''That's surprising coming from someone like you.''

''Yeah, I know.'' We both looked at each other for a second and smiled in a nervous action. My skin was crawling with goosebumps in a rapid motion. I immediately scan my hands up and down trying to cool off my goosebumps.

''Here you go, '' he said taking off his leather jacket.

''Thank you.''

''You're welcome poodles.''

''Why do you always call me poodles?''

''Because you have beautiful curls, and eyes....and lips..."

"You like my hair?" I questioned him even though I knew he was going to say the rest of my appearances.

"And your eyes.... and lips."

"Really?"

"Of course, you're so beautiful to me, " he whispered.

''Elijah, I'm not---''

''You are.. very beautiful Jade.''

''How so?''

''It's the truth.''

We were leaning forward to each other's face slowly. He kissed lightly sliding his tongue inside of my mouth in a sluggish motion.

I replied with aggression admiring how kiss lips taste like cotton candy. It was so fucking soft, almost like touching a baby's face.

Just like that, we finally pulled back from each other's face and placed our head down breathing slowly.

Suddenly, the front door was wide open with a huge bang that made us both jump. Jacob twists his head to us as we both stand up quickly hoping he didn't see what we did.

''The fuck you two doing here?'' He snapped continually drinking as we both stammer our words to say something. ''I'm going to ask again, Elijah and Jade what are you doing back here?''

''We-- were-- just---- talking-- and- and - we, '' We both said at the same time stuttering our words.

''You guys-"Jacob interrupted.

''--NO!" We both interrupt back.

''Tell me the truth man, what's going on?"

''Okay, dude you need to relax. You're drunk."

''Relax?''

''Yeah, I was just comforting your sister because she had a bit of anxiety, '' Elijah said.

''Quit lying bro.''

''I'm not!"

The more Elijah tries to speak the more Jacob cut him off. They were yelling at each other's faces at the top of their lungs which made my heart beat very fast. I was feeling a bit nervous but also was irritated that they were both causing a huge scene outside.

Abruptly, I screamed ''STOP IT BOTH OF YOU!''

They snap their necks to me with a puzzled expression on their faces.

''Jacob, he's telling you the truth. I had anxiety because of the crowd, he was trying to be nice. For fuck sake, let me be.''

''You're my sister---''

''It doesn't matter, okay just stop. Here Elijah, '' Taking off the jacket, I hand it over to Elijah and went my way inside the house. I walked up the stairs and jumped on my bed. Then, I turned over to the side and plugged my earbuds into my phone and listen to music trying hard to not remember what happened.

It's always going to be like this.

Since freshman year, Elijah has always been my prince charming, always making sure that I'm okay. And Jacob always accuses something dramatic. But, this time, it was different, Elijah and I kissed. Kissing so hard like we've been doing it for a while.

It was so exciting to me because he's my first kiss and my crush.

A double knock on the door echoed through my room and I was preparing to lash out my anger at Jacob with his sorry ass apology.

Opening it, it was Elijah leaning against the wall with a half-smile on his face. I took off my earplugs and placed it in my back-pocket then rub my hands on my arm slowly.

''Hey, you, '' he said.

''Hey.''

''I'm sorry what happened back there didn't mean to start any trouble.''

''It's okay, it's whatever, he's drunk anyways.''

''He's sorry and is kind of upset about it but we managed to move on. The reason why he snapped hard this time is that I'm moving away to a different school.''

''What school?''

''North Port.''

''Oh.. that's.. really---''

''--Far? Yeah, I know.''

''So this is your last goodbye.''

''Yes, it is. Maybe in the future, we would get to see each other again. Who knows.''

''Yeah, it's a small world after all.''

''Haha, it is.'' He took a small step to me then plant his soft lips on my forehead. He runs his hands all over my cheeks and smiled widely. I replied back to him with a smile and pressed eyes together in sorrow ''I'm going to miss you.''

''I'm going to miss you too.''

--------

JADE

JACOB

ELIJAH

CHELSEA

-------

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Four years (Present Day)

Fall Semester

''Come on! Jade, we're going to be late for Back To School Bash!'' said Chelsea who is rushing to put on her lipgloss by the door. I was scrambling through my closet trying to find a decent jacket to wear for the Back To School Bash party at Gulf Coast University.

Just a week ago, I moved to the eastern side off from campus at an apartment complex with Chelsea.

We both decided it was best for us to be roommates and help each other out since we are both majoring in interior design.

The only downfall is that my brother is at the same college as me and he lives down in the first-floor area. He always brings his loud sporty friends at his place and sometimes can cause a dilemma.

Back to School Bash is an annual party that the campus celebrate each fall and spring semester. It's more fun in the fall season only because it gives you that ''welcome back to school'' vibe than the Spring. No one really cares about it but still participate in the event.

''Jaaaddeeee, '' she said dragging my name with a high-pitched voice.

''Coming! Coming!'' I finally got my jacket and walked up to where she was. She unlocks the door for us to leave the place then locks it behind us. Heading out, our Uber driver was here and we got inside of the car.

''Hi Ladies, '' he said.

''Hiiii, '' we both said back.

''Back to School Bash?'' He asked rhetorically.

''Yes, please, '' Chelsea responded.

Leaving the complex, we drove about fifteen minutes to the campus. We were dropped off at the entrance and managed our way to the Breeze-Hallway in Building E. Many college students were coming in left to right around there eating, drinking, and talking while the DJ played some Hit songs.

''Shit, it's a lot of people, '' said Chelsea.

''Yeah, like way too many people.''

''You want a drink?''

''Sure, I'll stay here.'' Chelsea left to the drinking booth while I was standing still not making a move. From afar, I could see Jacob surrounded by a group of girls including two of his friends.

Chelsea came back with the drinks and handed over me a bag of goodies. We both walked around trying to boost our energy around the crowd.

The music was blasting voluminously and everyone surrounded by us was jamming out to the lyrics of a song. A tall Asian girl came to where Chelsea and I were standing and hugged Chelsea with a slight smile on her face.

''---Jade, this is my friend Quinn, Quinn this is Jade, '' Chelsea said introducing me to her friend Quinn.

''Nice to meet you, '' she said handing me a grip of a handshake.

''Nice to meet you too, '' I replied.

''I came over here because I wanted to know if you want to be by the booth. It's less crowded but more fun with the drinks, '' Quinn said.

''Uhh... I don't know, Jade what do you think?''

''Mm. sure why not!''

''Okay, cool! Follow me.'' Quinn made us follow her path to the booth area far away from the crowd. We reached towards the other side of the building and saw a group of kids clustered around the booth and drinking with laughter.

'' Quieter than the other side huh?'' Quinn said to me. I nervously nodded my head ''yes'' and continued on to drink on my cup. Then, another girl came by to Chelsea and gave her a hug then introduce herself to me and Quinn.

As she leaves, I turned my head to Chelsea who was already getting a bit tipsy.

''How'd you know these people?'' I whispered to her.

''Quinn used to be and my French class and Jenny used to be in my psychology class last semester, '' she whispered back then continues on to sip on the drink.

A broad-shoulder, tan-skin, with blue eyes guy came to us with a grin on his face. I assumed he was one of Jacob's posse since he couldn't get his eyes off of me and Chelsea; but mainly, Chelsea.

''Ladies, I'm Corey, You wanna drink with me and my crew?''

''--No thanks'', I quickly responded

''Oh.. okay what about you?'' He said to Quinn.

''Ummm no thanks, actually I should go... umm.. over ... there, '' she said in a nervous tone. She mouthed sorry to the both of us as Corey twists his head to Chelsea and waited for an answer.

''--Sure, I guess, '' Chelsea said.

''Cool, right over to the steps, '' he said then leaves us two alone.

''---Chels, really? You're just going to leave me like this?''

''Ugh, Jade you said no yourself. I'll be okay, I promise. Plus, I see your brother over there so it's cool.''

''What the hell am I supposed to do now?''

''Just breathe and live a little Jay, it's Back To School Bash, you have to be enthusiastic!''

''I guess, '' I mumbled under my breath.

''That's the spirit!'' She kissed on my cheek and walks her way to the steps where three other girls were, and two other guys including Jacob. I rolled my eyes irritatedly and sip on my drink then wandered around the party.

I was trying to pump my energy by surrounding myself with a large crowd by the music booth. Even though I'm not a huge fan of crowds I try to cope my anxiety by dancing and singing along with the lyrics that the DJ was playing. And surprisingly, it worked.

For hours, I was to myself fist-pumping, doing the cha-cha slide, and singing to the throwbacks, I finally realized that it felt so amazing. Like a bird leaving its nest and flying into the sky. I felt free. For the first time, I took a glimpse of what it feels like to have a good time. I must say, I can see why Chelsea is so hard on me to loosen up a bit.

It wasn't so bad after all.

-------------------

Time was flying and I find myself completely carefree of the Back To School Bash party. It was dying slowly leaving everyone back to their dorms and I was walking in circles trying to find Chelsea. Eventually, I gave up knowing she probably went out with that Corey kid to another party or his dorm.

On my way back, I was struggling to get upstairs to my dorm. My legs were weakened from the jumping to the Skrillex music earlier. I groaned loudly and felt like I was dying just by taking a small step on the stairs and breathing hard.

To my door, I took a huge yawn and tried to open the door but was confused about why it's locked.

''Are you serious?'' I said loudly. Giggles were coming through the door and I could hear a bit of moaning and kisses with a sexual instrumental music in the background.

My eyebrows arched in an irk way knowing for a fact that Chelsea hooked up with Corey. There's nothing wrong with her to hook up, however, she locked me the fuck out!

''Chelsea! It's Jade! Open the door!'' I exclaimed. I continued to wiggle the doorknob left to right rapidly to get her attention. After the twentieth wiggle, I forced myself to give up.

''Shit, '' I whispered to myself. I went down the stairs slowly and got to the first floor to see Jacob. Maybe there's a chance he'll help me out to stay for the night. If not, I probably would just go sleep in the car if that what it takes for me.

Hashtag, the struggle is real.

I don't even have the key with me since Chelsea thought I should make her the keyholder for the night.She knows I always hold the key because I'm usually the responsible friend.

But, from tonight, I should just let it side since it is the first-day and I'm a bit drunk to remember all of this.

Maybe not all but still.

Knocking on Jacob's door I sighed deeply and trying to come up with the words to convince him for me to stay for the night.

I turned myself around and pressed my eyes hard to practice my lines to Jacob. He is my brother, but sometimes, he can be a dick for not helping me out at times.

A light creak sound clocked by and my arms crawled with goosebumps just by my shyness to what I'm about to say. My body jolt with fright from glancing at Elijah leaning against the wall.

He was shirtless showing off his ravishing six-pack and muscular arms. He has gotten taller than the last time I've ever laid my eyes on him. He even grew out his beard and now he has a small mustache.

I was stammering my words to say something but couldn't put my mind to it. He chuckles softly and bends his neck to the left with a huge smile on his face.

''--- Uhh....., '' I whispered softly.

"Remember me?" He said smirking from the side lightly then pressed his lips together in a dark-slow motion.

"Of course, how can I not forget about my brother's best friend."

''Ladybug, it's been a minute, '' Elijah said smirking flirtatiously to me. I lightly let out a small sigh and smiled nervously at him as he continued to flirt his eyes at me.

''Ladybug?''

''You already forgot your nickname?"

''Ummm... uhh... I.... um. no.... just didn't think you'd say that aha.''

''Aha, What's the matter?''

''Nothing, it's just Chelsea. She locked me out and she's hooking up with someone. So, I thought: Why not come over here? Is Jacob around?''

''No. He left not too long ago with some girl.But, you can stay here for the night.''

''Really?''

''Yes, really. Come in." Stepping in, I whispered to myself ''thank God" and went over to the couch. I fixed myself a bit then tied my hair to a high messy bun. He then came over to me with a water bottle and hands it to me for refreshment.

''Thank you, '' I said.

''You're welcome.''

''So... are you... visiting?''

''No. I'm actually enrolled this year.''

''Really? That's amazing!''

''Yeah, I'm nervous but I'm also excited at the same time.''

''Me too. What are you majoring in?''

''Craft and Fine Art.''

''Of course, I forgot you're an artist.'' He let out a chuckle and pressed his lips together in shyness.

"Let me guess you're majoring in Interior Design?"

"Yeah... you remember?''

''Of course, I do.'' Pressing my lips tightly I heaved a flirty sigh and looked at Elijah. He was smirking flirtatiously again then got up from the couch to the counter confirming his phone call from a distance.

''Yo.... huh? For real? Yeah, alright. I'll be there in fifteen."

"Is everything okay?'' I asked Elijah. He compressed his lips together and heaved a frustrated sigh. Elijah then sat right back down next to me and opened his mouth to collect the words that something is really wrong.

''Umm.. not exactly, Jacob's car is broken down near the entrance of the main building so I got to go and help.''

''Oh, I can leave---''

''---No, stay here I want you to be safe. Don't worry I'll tell him myself that you're staying for the night.''

''You would do that...?''

''Yes Jade. I'd do anything for you.''

He got up from the couch and went to a small closet on the far right-hand side. He pulled out a blanket then went to his room and got pillows for me to sleep. ''Here you go.''

''Thank you, Elijah. I really appreciate it.''

''You're welcome, and if you get really chilly you can always come in my room and cuddle.''

''Cuddle?'' I whispered.

''Yeah, '' he whispered back and touched my chin softly. I leaned back against the couch and watched Elijah walking to the door. Getting comfortable, I placed the pillow under my head and slowly closed my eyes to sleep.

The following morning, I was awake from the sizzling sounds coming from the kitchen. Struggling to wake-up I heard a conversation by the kitchen with a loudness of laughter.

''Jade! Good morning!'' said Jacob with enthusiasm.

''Um.... good.. um... good morning?'' I replied back with a puzzled look.

''It's cool, Elijah told me.''

''Oh.. yeah, I forgot.''

''--You want some breakfast Jade?'' Elijah said from afar.

''Umm... actually I should get going I have a class at ten but thanks.''

"At least take a fruit with you, you don't wanna get starved during the lecture, " he replied.

I walked up to the kitchen area and grabbed an apple from the fruit basket from him. We both took a quick look at each other and smiled as I waved an awkward goodbye to him.

I left the apartment and walked up the stairs back to mine. It wasn't a surprise that the door is unlocked after Chelsea quote-on-quote locked me out.

Chelsea got out from the bathroom and walked up to me with a smile on her face as I replied with a sorrow face.

''What's wrong?'' She said curiously.

'Well, you locked me out last night."

"Oh, Jay--"

"Yeahhh....."

''I'm so sorry. Okay? That was wrong of me to do that. I was really drunk and didn't pay attention.''

''It's cool Chels, it seems like you had so much fun, '' I said with a goofy smirk.

''Haha, yeah. So where did you go?''

''I went to Elijah's.'' Her eyes grew in surprise to my answer that I compressed my lips together fast knowing I spilled out my secret of me seeing Elijah.

''ELIJAH KNIGHT?''

''Mm hmm, '' I replied in a high-pitched tone.

She dropped her mouth and scoffed with a goofy smirk. ''How?''

''He's enrolled here and Jacob of course, made him be his roommate.''

''Holy..''

''Shit? Yeah, small world isn't?'' We both giggled at the same time and continued on talking about Elijah.

I must admit, I'd never and I mean ever think in a million years that we'd see each other again. I know what happened at the Halloween party in our Sophmore year, how he mentioned about us. But, I wouldn't think he'd here at the same college as me.

How crazy is that?

--------

The first day of my personal and adjustment class, and already I love my professor; Professor Bartley. She's so funny, very welcoming, and a laid-back professor I ever had so far. My other professors in the past were nice too, but not as cool as Professor Bartley.

I was in the third row in my laptop listening to her announcement about the syllabus. So far, I can tell that this course is going to be quick and an easy A for me.

''Okay folks, that is all I have today for you all. I'll see you guys on Wednesday.''

Everyone got up from their seats and proceed to leave the room. I went to the student library and check out the textbook that I needed for the semester. After, I head over to the student lounge and got myself some Twix, a mini-waterbottle with 5-pack gum.

I sat down on the couch and pulled out my phone from my backpack. Out-of-nowhere, a group of jock boys came into the lounge and started to holler with a commotion of laughing, high-fiving each other with another group of boys.

Turning up my volume, I closed my eyes densely trying to avoid the commotion from the jocks. I suddenly smelled a rich cologne breezing under my nose that made me open my eyes quickly. To my right, I widened my eyes in shock to see Elijah sitting next to me.

He was slouching in the same position as me and smiled at me.

Ugh, he's so fine, I can't stand it!

''Elijah?'' I questioned.

''Hey Jade, '' he replied.