12.

The silence was unbearable. Although we were late, we moved rather slowly. It seemed like we both wanted to stay like this a little bit longer. I kept my eyes to the ground while thinking of a thousand ways to start a conversation.

Of course Jack had to take the lead, and spoke up first. “I was actually without a group to, uhm, find you,” he confessed with a nervous laugh. I turn to him, surprised that he just admitted that, and even being embarrassed about it!

He scratched his nape, looking visibly uncomfortable and avoiding eye contact. This truly felt like heaven! I smiled inwardly, barely holding my composure on the outside. He's really cute. “Is that so?” I answered, unable to hide my amusement.

“Why that?” I pressed on. I could already see the exit. He let out another short, nervous laugh and began to explain himself. “Well, firstly, I wanted to talk about the shower incident, if you know what I mean. I knew it was you,” he said, now less embarrassed, with a genuine smile, what could even be considered a smirk. Did I say heaven? I meant the opposite.

Our roles were reversed. It was my turn to look away in shame and blush like a tomato. Why did he bring that up?! I didn't know what to say. “It's ok, no need to be embarrassed!” he reassured me with a light chuckle, making my heart skip a beat. Unfair...

I just grumbled a quiet apology, more to myself than to him. “But,” he continued with a more serious tone, what caught my attention, “I also wanted to apologize.” I looked at him a little bit confused. “Apologize? Why that? For what?” I asked.

He turned to me with a wide smile. “For staring at you during breakfast today,” he said lightly. “Ah,” I answered, shocked by his candor. “Apology accepted,” I added, looking at the ground again. Jack just smiled at me. Why is he so handsome?

2:21pm.

We were late.

When I noticed Min I shortly stopped walking, feeling obviously uncomfortable. My view of her changed completely in the span of a moment. It was only when Jack soothed me with a small nudge and smile, that I started walking again. I felt safe with him around me.

I awkwardly waved goodbye to him and quickly mumbled 'later', to what he smiled softly, before we joined our separate groups of friends, who were already giving us two weird looks. I really didn't like that.

“Hey,” I said as I approached them. “Hey,” - “sup',” responded both Peter and Julian, who were oblivious to what happened, or just didn't care. Quinton wasn't like that. “Uhh, hi? Where did Jack drag you all of a sudden? Min told us,” he questioned me with a serious expression. I shuddered at the mention of her name.

“Well, it's a long story,” I told him, averting my eyes. “I don't really want to talk about it,” I added quickly. Quinton sighed, but complained no further. “Ok, ok, whatever,” he just said.

“Is everyone present?” asked Taliyah, expecting a response, which she obviously didn't get. Poor her, I really pitied her and her timid nature. Lucky for her, Kyle was here too, making up for the lack of her authority.

“Is everybody here now?!” he yelled, so everyone could hear him. Not just the students. Single responses like 'yes', 'mhm' or 'I think so' reached my ears and Kyle counted everyone. Taliyah smiled, and I knew she was thankful for Kyle, supporting her like that.

I kinda ship them too. Don't judge me.

On our way back to the hotel, Jack and I didn't have the chance to talk again. I, at least, didn't dare to approach him when he was with his friends. We shared some glances though, that made me blush and look away shamefully. Is this what love really feels like?

Back in our room, we chilled for most of the afternoon, watching videos, listening to music or something else. I wrote. Some hours later my friends decided to go buy some junk food for the evening at the supermarket, but I didn't want to go.

The window was open for the whole afternoon. The room was dark and cold. The curtains were closed. I laid on my bed, deep in thoughts. I was alone. I wanted to be with Jack.