Chapter:24
After that, I couldn't stop thinking about it.
It was just one confession after another.
Something about it felt so simple… yet so complicated.
Were they supposed to talk things out and see what happened?
Or just move on and pretend everything was fine, leaving it all up to fate?
Was he really just going to come back and apologize just like that?
Too many questions.
And honestly, I didn't have a single answer. Isn't it crazy?
I wondered… what would I even do if I were in a situation like that?
I was so lost in thought that I didn't even realize Jack was already standing in front of me.
"Hello? Earth to Lea?"
I jumped and turned to him.
"Oh my God, you scared me! I didn't see you coming," I said.
He didn't say anything right away.
Instead, he gently pulled me into his arms.
"You look troubled," he said softly. "I don't think I like that expression on you." He always feels so warm, I can't...
Then, after a small pause, he added,
"Summer vacation is coming soon… what do you say we go to my hometown?"
Still in his arms, I blinked.
"Your hometown?"
He pulled back slightly, smiling.
"Yeah. It's about four hours from here. My parents have a small villa by the river."
Then he looked at me more carefully.
"And honestly… it feels like I haven't seen you in months."
I felt my face heat up instantly.
"I don't think I can just go like that," I said quickly. "You do realize we're still teenagers, right? We can't just go alone like that. Why does this feel… illegal?"
At this point, I was fully rambling out of pure stress.
Jack just stared at me for a second—
Then burst out laughing.
"What exactly do you think I'm proposing?" he said between laughs. "Now this is the expression I was looking for."
I pouted slightly.
"Stop teasing me like that. That's not fair."
But then I paused.
Wait.
This could actually be a really good idea.
A trip… a change of scenery…
Maybe it would help Lily feel better.
"Can I invite Lily?" I asked.
"Of course," Jack said immediately. "Actually… one more person is coming too."
"A surprise."
I narrowed my eyes.
"Who? Just tell me."
He just smiled.
And no matter how much I tried to get it out of him, he refused.
Worse, he kept getting just a little too close—
And somehow, that always shuts me down completely.
The day of the trip finally arrived.
As soon as I stepped into the station, I heard someone scream:
"Lea! Over here!"
Lily was waving both arms like her life depended on it.
I walked over to her, and before I could even say anything, she started talking.
"I'm so happy you invited me! I can't believe we're going to that famous town. I heard the scenery is insane, and guess what? They have festivals all summer!"
She grabbed my hands excitedly.
"This is literally the perfect summer vacation spot."
I smiled, trying to match her energy.
"I did some research too. I'm really excited."
"Hey, are you guys ready?"
Jack's voice cut in.
We both turned.
And there he was… looking very summer-coded.
I had a feeling this trip was going to be something special.
But I was not prepared for what came next.
He led us outside the station—
And straight to a private plane.
A private plane.
I stopped walking.
"…Since when are you rich?"
And if you think that was shocking—
The "small villa" he mentioned?
It looked more like a five-star resort.
Lily turned to me slowly.
"I knew you were rich," she said to Jack, "but this… this is another level."
I let out a small, awkward laugh.
"Is this even a level…?"
For once in my life—
I had absolutely no words.