Chapter 38
Jen and Tilly's moment of bliss was ruined when the phone began to ring and Liam had said it was for Jen. "I didn't even realise he'd come back." Said Tilly, expecting Jen to start panicking but Jen began to get dressed as quick as she could, so she could get to the phone without Liam coming in her room to get her. Tilly laid there in Jen's bed and watched her get dressed. When Jen had finished she lingered, not sure whether to get the phone or stay in bed with her young lover. "Jen go I'll be here when you get back." said Tilly. Jen knew who was calling; she had to tell Tilly about the desperation of the situation regarding the job offer. She didn't have a much of a choice, it was either take the job or move away in the hope of finding work and trying to see Tilly when she had some spare time. "Tilly, there's something I have to tell you-" Before Jen could continue Liam shouted "Jen, come and get the phone. If you don't come now I'll come in to get you."
Jen hurried out of her room, she shut the door and looked at it. In there was the girl she loved and she couldn't even tell her about the job offer she had to except. "I love you." whispered Jen before she went to get the phone. "Hi Mr Keeler, I'll take the Job. Thank you. Bye." Liam hugged Jen and congratulated her on the new job and suggested they go and celebrate. Jen noticed he was still in his clothes from the gym and said "Ok but you need to have a shower; I refuse to go out in public with you smelling like that." Liam walked off into the bathroom and turned on the shower. This was Jen's cue to get Tilly out of the flat before Liam finished having a shower. Jen went back into her room. Tilly was still in bed, waiting for Jen as she had promised. "I thought you were never coming back." said Tilly, sitting up to kiss Jen. "About that, I've just got Liam in the shower so you'd better go before he gets out." Tilly knew this wouldn't last forever, she knew that with Liam around her moments with Jen would be limited. But she wasn't ready to face the outside world again, not knowing when she'd next see Jen. Jen helped Tilly find the rest of her clothes that had been thrown on the floor in there moment of passion.
Tilly got dressed and Jen kissed her one last time. She knew that Tilly would react badly when she told her about the job, but now wasn't the right time. Jen saw Tilly out and went to get changed for her night out to celebrate with Liam. Liam got out of the shower and walked into the living room in his towel and saw Jen sat on the sofa. "You did the right thing you know, taking that job." Jen put on a fake smile and Liam bought it. She was already regretting the decision and she didn't need Liam to tell her she did the right thing when she felt this awful about it.
Tilly went back to the coffee shop and found the guys there. "You've been gone for hours. Where have you been?" asked Sinead. "My Dad called, he said that my... aunt needed some things from the shop and with her being ill she asked if I could do it." answered Tilly. "But you don't have an aunt." said George. "Well... it's my Dad's aunt so it's more my great aunt." mumbled Tilly. "Anyway enough of that, I think we need to go clubbing. The dance was a washout, so let's make up for It." suggested Maddie. Everyone seemed to agree with Maddie's idea and they all headed off to get ready and meet back here in an hour.
Tilly walked through the village to get back to the coffee shop after getting changed. She saw Liam and Jen in the line for the club. "C'mon Jen smile. We're mean to be celebrating. You're now a proper teacher." said Liam. "Just because I accepted the job at Hollyoaks Sixth Form College doesn't mean I'm a proper teacher. I still have to finish the last part of my training." replied Jen. Tilly had overheard there whole conversation. Upset she ran past hoping Jen wouldn't notice her, she had tears rolling down her eyes. Tilly couldn't believe Jen would do this to her. Jen had noticed Tilly run past and knew she must have heard what she had just said. She unclipped the rope holding her in the line and went after Tilly. The last thing she heard Liam shouting was "Where are you going Jen?"
Jen knew there weren't many places Tilly would go to be alone. Seeing as she had ran in the opposite direction to her house it ruled that out. She tried the Folly but Tilly wasn't there. Anyone could have found her there. Then Jen remembered The Shack, Tilly could go there and no one would know she was there. When Jen got to The Shack and looked around to make sure no one was following her, she found the door was shut and the windows had the blinds pulled down. If Tilly was in there she really didn't want the outside world to know. Jen took a deep breath and opened the door.
Tilly was sat in the corner with her head to her knee's there was a candle which provided the minimal light Jen needed to know Tilly was there. Tilly was so wrapped up in her thoughts she didn't realise Jen was coming towards her. She only noticed Jen was there when she started to stroke Tilly's hair. "Don't touch me." said Tilly. Jen did as Tilly had asked. "I didn't mean to hurt you." said Jen. "It's a bit too late for that now isn't it Jen, you have hurt me. Why didn't you tell me about the job?"Asked Tilly. "I wasn't going to take it, then I realised I didn't have much of a choice. It was either take the job or fail my degree." Explained Jen. "What about going travelling? I gave it all up for us, for you." Said Tilly. "What do you mean you gave it all up? You didn't do anything stupid?" asked Jen. "By anything stupid did you mean quit college? Cause yeah I did." Answered Tilly. "I can get you back into college; Mr Keeler would give you your place back as soon as I ask for it. You are going to go to Cambridge, and then you are going to become a doctor." Said Jen. "Why haven't you mentioned yourself in my future plans?" asked Tilly. "I am your teacher again, that means that this has to stop. You will find someone else and they will make you happier than I ever could." Said Jen beginning to cry. "I don't want anyone else. I have never felt happier than when I am with you Jen. You told me that you love me, doesn't that mean anything to you?" Tilly had started to cry again. "I need you to move on and forget about me. I'm not good for you, this whole relationship has been a mess." Said Jen. "Haven't you considered that I will wait for you? It is only a year until I leave college. Then we can be together." Argued Tilly. "I can't ask you to wait for me. After you leave college you'll be off to Cambridge." Said Jen. "You don't need to ask me. I will wait for you, as long as it takes. You can come with me to Cambridge, I can get a flat there and you can get a job. We can be happy together, I promise." Pleaded Tilly.
Jen spent that night by Tilly's side in The Shack; they said nothing more all they needed was each others touch.