Chapter Forty One:

Jack walked Rose back to the hotel. "I'll see you at the competition tomorrow," he said.

Rose smiled and nodded. "I'll miss you."

Jack brought his hand up to Rose's cheek and stroked it. "I'm sorry about tonight," he said. "I ruined the night with a fight."

Rose furrowed her eyebrows. "That wasn't a fight. That was a conversation." She smiled and laughed under her breath. "And you didn't ruin anything."

Jack gave her a long, loving kiss. They separated, and Rose wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly. "I love you," he whispered.

"I love you," Rose replied. She gave him another tight hug before going back into the hotel.

R: I love you so much. And everything will work itself out.

J: I know, and I love you too.

R: See you tomorrow.

Rose went upstairs and crashed down on the bed. She instantly fell asleep. She was woken a few hours later by the sound of her alarm. "What time is it?" She whined.

"Six thirty," said Emily, and she turned off the alarm.

"Cheerleading is… sexist," said Rose, rubbing her eyes. "Guys have to wake up twenty minutes before their reporting time, girls need four hours. Hair, makeup, costume. It's unfair."

"You're particularly grumpy this morning," said Emily. "What happened to you?"

"I'm fine," said Rose. "Do you want to shower first, or can I?"

"Go ahead," said Emily.

Rose reluctantly climbed out of bed and went to the bathroom. She got in the shower and started to cry. She didn't even really know why she was crying, she just was.

She and Jack knew they were perfect for each other and there were all of these obstacles. As soon as one disappeared, another one took its place.

Rose got it together and wiped her tears before stepping out of the shower. She towel dried her hair and walked outside.

"Dude… were you crying?" Emily asked.

"No," Rose lied.

"Your eyes are all puffy and red," said Emily. "What's wrong?"

"I don't even know," said Rose. "Just had a good cry in the shower. I'm good now."

"Want to talk about it?" Emily asked.

Rose shook her head. "Not really," she mumbled. "Shower's all yours."

"Thanks," said Emily, and she went to the bathroom.

Rose picked up her phone and called Jack. "Hey, I was about to leave the home. What's up?" He looked at the phone and saw she was upset. "What's wrong?"

"I don't know," said Rose. "Just feeling shitty."

"Anything I can do?" Jack asked.

"I don't know," said Rose. "I just don't know."

Jack nodded, deep in thought. He was making Rose unhappy. He didn't want to do it anymore.

"This isn't about you," said Rose. She knew that's where Jack's mind automatically went. "This has nothing to do with last night."

"Okay," said Jack, unconvinced.

"You think if I fake smile for a minute it'll convince my brain I'm in a good mood?" Rose asked.

"Worth a shot I guess," said Jack. He smiled. "On the other hand, just get ready, and I'll be there in an hour, and I'll get to give you hugs and kisses."

Rose smiled. "Perfect."

They wrapped up the call, and Rose continued getting ready. She was in a better mood then before, and every time she thought of Jack wrapping his strong arms around her and kissing her neck, a smile spread across her face.

She straightened and curled her hair. She teased it and put the bow in the top. Ugh, she hated the cheer look, but at the same time, it made her feel safe. Nothing could touch her while she was in her cheer uniform. Well, of course, the ankle mishap happened while she was on the mat, in her uniform. Still, it made her still feel like that foolish, naive teenager was still in there.

She put on her uniform, and she and Emily went downstairs. Jack was there waiting for her.

Rose walked up to him and smiled. "I missed you."

"You too," said Jack, and he gave her a loving hug.

"I want to give you a kiss, but they're so strict about lip gloss being on point," said Rose.

Jack smiled and kissed the corner of her jaw, giving her chills. "We'll make up for it later."

"I'll see you after, I guess," said Rose.

"You look beautiful," said Jack.

Rose smiled. "Really?"

"Yeah, that outfit's really working for you," said Jack.

Rose laughed. "Oh, yeah?"

"Yeah," said Jack. "You look hot."

"Thanks," said Rose. She felt him plant another kiss on her cheek, and she walked away.

A/N: Sorry for the shorter chapter, I'll post another one tomorrow!