(AN: O_O Sorry the last chapter was such a tease… .And sorry this took so long to post, I got a tablet and I can't stop drawing now ^u^ Also sorry for errors x-x)

OoO

The door to the stage closed behind you, your heart has racing. You just did that. You made that happen. In front of the entire school, you just told Jake you loved him. You pressed your back against the door and slid downwards. The biggest smile was glued to your face, but your hands were shaking like a leaf.

You ran one hand through your hair and took a deep breath. You didn't plan on going to homecoming… But you were glad you did. Your head leaned back onto the door and you closed your eyes, even if half the school hated you now, your life was so perfect at the moment that you couldn't find it in you to care.

After several minutes of silence, your phone vibrated in your pocket. You pulled it out and flipped it open, a text from Jane. Jeez, she hardly ever texted you anymore… Must be important. You wondered for a second if she was at homecoming too but shrugged the idea off – she had no time for such silly endeavors.

"Dirk, we should talk."

"What about?" You replied, head still in the clouds.

"Jake."

Wait… What? Why did Jane want to talk- your phone buzzed again.

"You do realize what you just did, right, Dirk? In front of the entire school?"

…. Jane… Was in the crowd? Shit just got awkward.

"You were in there?"

"Everyone goes to Homecoming at this school."

"Oh."

"Crap, I'll text you later, Jake just passed out."

Wait what?

Passed out?

Your mind quickly concluded that it was your fault. You hesitated to stand up and placed a hand on the door handle. You shook your head and lowered your hand. There was no way you could go back in there, not after what you just did.

After a few deep breaths you found your way back to your car, but instead of leaving you sat inside it for hours, waiting. Eventually the entire parking lot was almost empty. Jake's car was several rows ahead of yours, and still there. He hadn't left yet.

Now was your chance to confront him… Could you even? You weren't feeling as brave as you were a few hours prior. You slinked down in your seat and thought about the consequences for what seemed like hours. But only minutes later there was a rapping on the driver's side window. Your head shot up and your heart sank down.

You took a deep breath and opened the door. He stepped back and allowed you to get out. This was it, you ruined everything, he hated you he-

"Did you mean it?" Jake's voice was shaking. He was nervous. You nodded, not making eye contact (or even looking at him). "You meant what you said…" You nodded again. He shuffled his feet awkwardly and went silent.

You stood like that for several minutes, not talking, not looking at each other, nothing. He eventually broke the silence again.

"I don't hate you, Dirk."

"That's great." You deadpanned. You weren't trying to be an ass but 'don't hate' doesn't equal 'I love', and somewhere deep down you were really hoping he'd say the latter.

"Would you look at me, please!" He tone was demanding but still heavy with nerves.

Your eyes drifted to his face. He was crying.

You'd never seen Jake English cry. Not once, and you'd known him for years. His beautiful green eyes were swollen with tears and he looked at you, so confused. Your vision drifted across his face, from his eyes to his lips. You inwardly smiled, those lips, the ones you'd never imagined you'd taste and now they were all you wanted.

No. They weren't all.

You wanted everything about Jake. He was funny, smart, adorable… And thinking about it, maybe you kind of felt this way all those years ago – before you lost connection… Maybe it wasn't such a new feeling.

Jake opened his mouth to speak again, but quickly closed it; whatever it was he wanted to say, he couldn't. He pursed his lips, tears slowly subsiding; you guessed it was your turn. You pulled him into this train wreck, all that you could do now was clean up the debris (or worsen the damage).

You inhaled quickly and quietly and began, "I did mean it. I didn't ever plan on telling you, but in the heat of the situation… I did. And I'm sorry if that's the worst most embarrassing thing you've ever experienced, but I told you… and… I'm glad I did. I…" You were visible shaking now; your words were coming faster than your thoughts. You smiled and inhaled again. This was it, now or never. "I love you, Jake English."

He didn't move, he didn't speak, and he didn't blink.

For a brief second you were worried he was going to pass out again (you naturally assumed Jane wouldn't lie, especially about that). But he didn't, what he did next was far more surprising… And far more enjoyable.

He pressed his lips against yours; you could still feel the tears on his cheeks. You hesitated for a second but kissed back. It didn't make sense, he hadn't said anything, he demonstrated no attraction… And yet, here you were, a week after you'd talked for the first time in years, outside kissing in the school parking lot.

And you were sure what would happen next, but that really didn't matter because right now all you wanted to do was kiss him back.

So you did.

And the kiss seemed too platonic, nothing about it screamed passion…

Well, not until Jake took an awkward step towards you, forcing you back against your car… You were taken aback by his actions, breaking the kiss and looking at him with concern. "Jake… What're you..."

He smiled; this entire scene was so cliché in your mind, the words he spoke next included. "I'd been waiting for you to tell me." A look of confusion swept over your face. "I love you too, Strider."

And that really surprised you. He hardly knew you (and frankly you hardly knew him). You again questioned how recent the feelings were, well you started to, Jake didn't give you much time.

He wrapped his arms around your neck and kissed you again.

Suddenly, kissing him didn't feel right… Because you hardly knew each other… But you couldn't stop. From the looks of it, he couldn't stop either.

It felt so wrong, but… it was so right.

OoO

(AN: Aaaaand, the award for most cliché high school AU goesssss to… me. X_X It's still not as long as the first two, and I'm sorry for that, but it's 4:50 AM and I planned to go to bed like two hours ago XD)