13.

I still couldn't believe I was doing this.

I stood in front on Jack's door, pondering about what to do.

What do I expect? His friends are probably with him, so it would be weird for me to just knock and ask to talk with Jack, even if he was alone. Plus, my friends are only buying some stuff and could be back in 20 minutes or so. What if he doesn't want to talk to me? What am I even doing here? This is crazy.

I questioned my sanity. I let out a frustrated sigh, mentally exhausted. I was about to turn away, going back into my room (that was literally on the opposite site of his room in the hallway), when I heard a sound.

Oh no.

Instinctively I tried to open my door as fast as I could.

My key dropped.

I bent down to pick it up.

A door opened.

“Oh, hey,” I heard his voice from behind me. I cursed myself and turned around. “Oh, hey Ja-”, but I stopped mid sentence. “-ck,” I said after a short delay, mouth agape. I couldn't believe my eyes. I gulped. It was pure perfection. And I saw it already this week.

That's right.

Shirtless Jack, ready to shower.

I screamed on the inside.

This wasn't fair.

“Everything ok?” he asked. At first I didn't know what he meant, still dazzled by his glorious, wonderful abs. “What do you mean?” I asked back, still processing what was going on. “I mean, why are you crouching on the ground like that?” he said with a laugh. “Talking to you like that is weird, I can't see your face like that,” he continued with a soft smile.

“O-oh,” I responded in surprise, shooting upward, blushing. “Sorry,” I added, keeping my eyes on the ground. Why are you shirtless? Who walks half-naked down the hallway to the shower?! Don't you do that in the shower? It's so distracting! And why are you saying such embarrassing things?!

“Don't worry! You don't have to apologize to me every time,” he explained with another gentle laugh. How can be a human being be so perfect and kind? “Well, I need to get going now, the shower is waiting. But we can talk another time!” he said, still smiling, turning to leave.

Again, I was questioning my sanity. I grabbed his arm. He was shirtless. Muscles, back, shoulders, neck. “Wait!” I called out. Oh no I sounded so desperate. Kill me now, I'm dying of embarrassment. He turned around, a little bit taken aback.

Instant regret.

I quickly withdrew my hand.

But... he was so warm...

Avoiding eye contact, my specialty. “I- I mean, can we talk now?” I asked shyly, sounding like an anime high school girl asking out her crush. I wanted to punch myself.

I took a quick glance at him and saw that he was smiling. Relief washed over me. “Sure,” he said softly. “I guess my shower has to wait,” he laughed shortly, before opening his room door again to walk back in. “Don't worry, my roommates are not here. I'm alone,” he explained with a small smile. My face felt hot.

As he was walking past me, I could smell his scent with a short delay. I don't think he needs a shower, I thought to myself, smiling inwardly, before walking into his room.

I really loved him.

The door closed behind me.