It seemed like a bright day with the sun smiling down at us, except that I wasn't quite in a good mood. I'd chosen to focus all my energy on working out and have sweats dripping down my body in this gym where I could hear metal plates clanking, big men groaning, and my bestfriend Cody Runnels irritating me instead of helping me to lighten my mood.

Cody's laugh just annoyed me more.

I didn't appreciate it especially when I was here trying to focus on my squats. I came here to take my mind off things; things that set me off… like Jon's unreasonable behavior.

"Can you… just… get off my butt…" My words came out sounding squeezed, my breath struggling as I squatted.

He laughed some more. "You can't tell me that. Don't be such a little girl now." He took a swig out of his water bottle.

I set the barbell back on the rack. "I'm not being a little girl, you idiot. I just don't want to talk about this while I'm concentrating on my workout." I wiped my sweat off.

He started tsking at me. "Concentrating on your workout," he whispered mockingly. "I've known you for so long. Jill, I know what you're doing. And you can't keep doing that."

"Keep doing what?"

"Ignoring things when you shouldn't," he said. I rolled my eyes. "Roll your eyes one more time and I'll scratch them out."

"Ugh what do you want?" I groaned.

"I want you to be the bigger person and stop being mad at Jon."

My mouth dropped open in disbelief. "How am I not the bigger person here? I always tolerate his ways!"

He gave me an unimpressed look. "Two days of not talking to him makes you the bigger person?"

I was really annoyed and I didn't like it that Cody always had the power to shut me up with only a few choice words of his. Because most of the time, he made sense. I wouldn't admit it, though. But how could I not be mad at Jon? I don't know if I was mad because I had no idea why he'd started to become moody these past weeks, or that I was mad because I'd discovered this side of his.

Three days ago I'd been really beat with a lot of work stuff and all I'd wanted was to spend time with him after that long day. So I'd decided that we'd go have dinner alone, but he'd told me he couldn't go because of a meeting him and the rest of The Shield would be having that night. Obviously this had pissed me off because we rarely saw each other now due to the crazy schedule we had, and I couldn't do anything but go back to the hotel and force myself to sleep.

I'd already been in my pajamas and midway through my tread towards the bed, he'd called me telling their meeting got cancelled and asking me to have dinner with him instead. I'd been excited despite my readiness to sleep, and of course I had to get dressed and needed a little bit of time preparing and travelling, so it'd taken me quite long to get to the restaurant and when I'd made it there, he'd snapped at me for taking too long and ugh! What was I supposed to do, freeze time while I got dressed? Irritating! Like he was the only one who had a tough schedule!

It took me a moment before I could say something to Cody. "Dude, I get tired too, you know." It was true. Five months together and I felt like I'd always been understanding of Jon and his ways but yes, I was starting to feel quite beat about it.

"And you think he doesn't?" Cody crossed his arms. "For all we know he might already be tired of texting and calling you and hearing nothing from you, but he's still trying, isn't he?"

"If he's tired then he should stop. He'll only tire himself more," I snapped.

His eyes widened, then he slowly pointed a finger on me. "Stop saying that. You wouldn't like it if he stopped… for real," he pointed out. He was right. I didn't say anything, avoiding his stare. Cody's tone was more serious when he spoke again. "Jill," he said, "this is a very minor issue you two have. Would you let such a shallow problem damage you guys' relationship?"

No. Never.

I sat on the closest bench and drank my bottled water. I was quiet. Cody's words hit me like a brick. Maybe I was being irrational about this.

He joined me on the bench, sitting next to me. "Don't you see the change in him since you two got together? He's become so much better. I can see it. Everybody sees it. And these little mood swings or whatever irritating traits you're discovering that he has? They're very minor, and you're gonna accept them. He's your boyfriend." He let out a proud laugh. "Wow. Finally! For the first time in your life you're in a relationship! You dig? He's your first boyfriend."

And hopefully my last, I mentally added.

I half-shivered at the sound of that word. That label. Boyfriend. It's just that, up until now it kinda seemed hard for me to absorb the fact that I was Jonathan Good's girlfriend. That he was my boyfriend now. Because he had been a dream. And to be able to call him 'mine'… ahhh. What a delight.

Suddenly, I was reminded of why I'd wanted this relationship. 'Cause Jon was so special to me and I'd told him a few times how I didn't want to lose him. Everything Cody said was true. He couldn't be more right.

I licked my lips. "I know," I finally said. "I guess I just needed some time."

"It's been two days," he said almost in a sing-song manner. I looked at him for a moment and realized that two days was a long time to be mad at someone. Especially someone so important.

Actually, I couldn't stay mad at him that long. I couldn't stay mad at him for more than two hours. I guess I was just always hesitant to make the first move, but then Jon had been texting and calling me nonstop for the last two days and I wouldn't reply or return his calls. His text messages and voice mails all had I'm-sorry's in them. So I was clearly the foolish one. Good grief I was such an idiot.

Cody raised a brow. "Quit playing hard to get!" He softly slapped my cheek. "It's very obvious you miss him so bad. And he misses you just as bad, I'm sure. Now cut your little show and talk to him already."

I bit my lip, knowing and understanding that there was nothing more right to do today than follow Cody's advice.


Two hours before the show, I was walking through the halls of the arena. I was on my way to The Shield's locker room to talk to Jon. I had my hair and make-up done, so my long black hair was in big, soft curls, bouncing with every step. I was only wearing black cargo short-shorts and a gray zip-up hoodie so it wouldn't be a hassle when I changed into my ring gear later. My eyes were glued to my strangely interesting black socks that came just below my knees and my abstract-printed Keds sneakers as I walked.

I trailed down the corridor until I reached The Shield's door. I knocked three times.

The door pulled open and revealed Colby, who was already in his Shield gear, his two-toned hair excessively curly because it was still dry. (He would wet it later with his bottled water before they went out to the crowd.)

"Hey, Jill," Colby greeted with a smile.

"Hi." I smiled back. "Is Jon there?"

He looked behind him and then back at me before nodding. He gave me a serious but comforting look. Understanding. Colby of course was aware of what was going on.

He nodded his head toward Jon's direction, signaling me to come in. "I'll just leave you two alone," he whispered when I'd stepped inside. "Jon, Jill's here."

Jon, who was busy taping up his wrists in his seat, shot his head up and our gazes met. I looked away for a second and waited until Colby was out the door. When the door gently closed, I looked back at him.

Unlike Colby, he was still in his casual clothes. Jeans and a red body-hugging shirt. He was sitting a few feet away from me. His elbows propped on his knees. His eyes searching me through a curtain of the golden curls falling over his blue eyes.

I gave a small, shy smile. "H-hi…"

A sad yet almost adorable puppy look registered in his features. His lips were slightly pouting, his eyes lonely. He looked sad and tired. Probably tired of my stubbornness. It touched, melted, and crushed my heart all at once.

What have I been doing to him? I wanted to kick myself in the face.

I found myself pouting out of pity. I looked at him with the same lonely expression and sighed. "I'm sorry." I clasped my hands together and bowed down. I took just one step closer, obviously hesitant to go near him. "I know, I know," I said when he remained silent. "I was a pighead. Your actions annoyed me, but I shouldn't have been cold to you for that long. I'm sorry. I'm sorry." I looked up and met his sad face again. I wasn't expecting him to apologize. After all, he'd said sorry countless times in the last two days even when I never talked to him.

"I've missed you," he said quietly, his voice low and his eyes completely melancholic. My heart softened at his words. And that look. It seemed as though all the energy had left his body. He looked like he didn't have a friend in the world. It tore my heart.

I ran to him and hugged him tight, cradling his head in my arms and pressing it against my chest. The only time I felt like I was taller than Jon – when he was seated. His arms enclosed around my waist and I felt them tighten. "I've missed you too," I whispered in his hair. "I'm sorry."

I pulled away so I could see his face. I looked down at him and swept the hair out of his eyes. I caressed the short spiky growth of his beard with my other hand, which he took in his, kissing it softly.

He finally smiled. "It's okay." His hands rested on my waist. "It was my fault. I'm sorry."

"You look tired." I brushed the hair back from his face again. "Are you okay?"

"I'm okay now," he reassured me with another dimpled smile and a light squeeze on my waist. He stood up and towered over me, emphasizing how short I was. My head leveled to the highest part of his stomach, just under his chest so I had to look up. "Just please don't ignore me again, you…" He pinched my nose and went to mess with my styled hair.

I slapped his hand away. "Hey! My hair!" I almost shouted.

"You're mad again." He pouted.

My expression immediately eased off. "No," I said softly, quickly hugging him. I pulled away and looked up at him, grinning.

Those swirling eyes. Okay, maybe they weren't swirling themselves, but they made my head swirl in delight. That color. They were like the sea that easily drowned me in love. How could I have ignored this adorable human being for two days? I would never want to do that ever again.

He cupped my face and bent down to kiss my forehead. When he dipped his head lower to kiss me on the lips, I looked away.

"What?" he grumbled, looking sad again.

"Lisa put gloss on my lips."

"So?"

I rubbed the back of my neck. "It's sticky. It'll be… messy if we kiss. You know."

"But I like it sticky. And messy." He smirked.

Laughing, I reached up to slap his cheek playfully. "Naughty boy!"

Yes, he was naughty. And moody. And a whole lot more adjectives. But I shouldn't really care, should I? After all, he's the most important person in the world to me.


A/N: Hi everyone!

So uhh, how's this for a first chapter to our new story? What do you guys think? Now that they're a couple, officially, what are your expectations/predictions? You think it'll be tough for them?

As always, I'll appreciate those hearty reviews from all of you. You know how I love reading your comments! Thank you in advance. I'll meet you at the next chapter! ^_^

Who's on Twitter? I'd be more than glad to connect with all of you there! It's "at" orangecuddles (Again, they wouldn't let me type the "at" sign)You can tweet me about anything (whether it be about Jon and Jill or anything else)!