Jake is my O.C. He is a character invented who has a crush on Hilary. He lost a battle with Tyson on the condition that if Jake wins, Hilary becomes his manager and leaves Bladebreakers forever.
Minutes before her meeting with Jake, Hilary paced backwards and forwards in the room she was staying in, trying to find a response that wouldn't crush him, but would serve the purpose of explaining why she just couldn't go with him. The initial question had shocked Hilary to her core, so much so that the words he spoke still reverberated in her minds-eye.
It would be great if you would come with me forever. You can answer tomorrow.
Hilary thought that her expressions at the match clearly answered this question, but knowing that this was their last day together, and that everyone was leaving shortly, she knew that she couldn't leave it like that. She just couldn't. Hilary had chosen Tyson, and though the decision seemed to shock Jake, she needed to clarify why she did it. She needed to explain.
Hilary already knew her answer to his question almost immediately. Of course, she couldn't leave Tyson. How could she, after everything the two of them had gone though, over the years? But how could she explain it to Jake, who seemed to have his heart set on her? Hilary didn't want to hurt Jake, but she couldn't live a lie. She couldn't go with a man she hardly knew; when she knew that her soul would always be seeking that dark blue haired flamboyant Beyblader that had already captured her heart. It wasn't going to be easy, but she had to do it…
There was a soft tap on her door. Hilary jumped at the sound and raced to the door, opening it to find Jake standing there, smiling down at her.
"Hey Jake," Hilary said calmly, ignoring the butterflies in the pit of her stomach. "Come in."
Jake smiled again, and walked his way through the doorway to stand in the middle of the room. He turned immediately to face her. Hilary hadn't spoken to Jake since he had departed in the arena before the big battle with Tyson, and she was somewhat nervous. Nervous at what he would say when she finally told him; nervous at what she would say to his questions what would no doubt follow her rejection.
"That was some match, huh?" Jake ran his fingers through his golden blonde hair. "Granger has come a long way since. Perhaps…he knew what he was fighting for…" Jake looked at Hilary with an almost defeated look. Hilary knew that nothing would be solved with this idle chatter. She needed to get Jake to really understand her decision.
"Jake…" Hilary began, not sure of exactly where this conversation would lead. He was looking at her with a sadness she hadn't noticed before, and it was at that moment that Hilary could see that he already knew and understood her choice.
"I'm so sorry, Jake." She finally admitted in an almost whisper. There was a long pause afterwards. Hilary had the impression that he didn't hear what she said, and was almost ready to repeat it when words formed in Jake's mouth.
"I should have guessed, I suppose." Jake stated. "It was pretty obvious; I guess I didn't want to see it, that's all." Hilary stood still, not at all expecting Jake's statement. Her look of clearly one of inquiry for Jake elaborated on his remark.
"I saw the way you looked at him earlier, during the test with the targets." He coughed and went on. "It was pure adoration for Tyson. I really should have given up then." He looked down at his shoes then but still continued to speak. "It was dumb of me to make that offer when clearly your heart belonged to another. But, the first time I saw you, I fell in love so I couldn't let you go uncontested." He paused then, still looking down at his shoes. Finally he looked up to see Hilary smiling but clearly blushing towards him.
"And again, I seem to be making you uncomfortable." Jake apologised, tempted but choosing to face Hilary head on, rather than look down again.
"Jake… I'm not really uncomfortable, only slightly embarrassed by your words, that's all. It's just weird coming from you…" Hilary replied, taking a seat on the edge of the bed. "I don't get compliments very often, so I don't really know how to take them."
"I find that hard to believe." Jake sighed, taking a seat next to Hilary on the bed. "I know Tyson doesn't compliment you much…"
Hilary smiled, and softly scoffed, "I sometimes think that Tyson doesn't even know I'm a girl. At least he doesn't say or do anything to make me think otherwise."
Jake was silent for a moment, before asking, "Yet, you still love him? You still follow a man that doesn't know you exist?" Jake shook his head. "How can you bear it?"
"I think after a time, you get used to it. There are moments, when I think that he feels the same way I do. But those are fleeting moments, and then, all of a sudden, he acts as if they never even happened." Hilary stopped, and looked at Jake, blushing even harder if it were possible. "I'm sorry. You don't want to hear all this. This is not how I wanted things between us."
Jake looked at her blushing face, and inwardly wanted to punch Tyson right in the face, but instead spoke soft words to the woman beside him.
"I know," Jake sighed, "Though Tyson is devoted and unpredictable Beyblader, he really is a bit dense if he can't see that he's missing out on someone so wonderful in his life. Someone, that apparently has eyes for him, and him only."
Hilary could only look down at her own shoes at Jake's kind words. Jake noticed this, "I really have the make Hilary uncomfortable skill down pat, don't I?" Hilary tinted her head up once more and let out a soft laugh. Jake looked into her sparkling ruby eyes and spoke calmly. "I may have done you a favour though, Hilary."
Hilary's look was one of perplexity. "Hmm… How so?"
"Well, I think that Tyson may now realise that you are indeed a beautiful woman worth fighting for." Jake's smile was illuminating. "I was certainly catching some jealous vibes coming from him earlier today. Perhaps he may yet realise that he could lose you if he doesn't get his act together."
Hilary still looked as baffled as before. "Jealous? Tyson? That's crazy." Hilary laughed at Jake's remarks, but inwardly her thoughts were chaotic. Could it be? Could Tyson have really been jealous of Jake's infatuation with me?
"Hey, I'm only going off what I felt, and saw." Jake laughed again, "Who knows, some good may have come out of this challenge for you both after all."
Jake looked at Hilary, who was smirking at this remark. "Oh, Tyson got his win… So, he'll feel pretty good about himself. That is until he loses against someone, and gets knocked down a peg or two."
Jake let out a chuckle at that, "I know how that feels." He paused, but when on, "I certainly felt an ego deflation today, that's for sure."
Hilary hung her head at his words, "I guess that's when you knew my answer." She looked at him then, and took in his whole face.
Jake nodded, "Yes." Jake was silent for a time, remembering how he felt when he realised that it was Tyson that Hilary wanted, and not him. It was then that Jake realised that Hilary had spoken, and was looking at him for a reply.
"Hmm? Sorry, I wasn't completely with you." Jake apologised, looking slightly bashful at that moment. "It'll be sad to let you go." Jake smiled and stood up, taking Hilary's hands in his own; pulling her up as well.
"Promise me one thing," Jake told her, looking down at her nodding face once more, "Tell him how you feel before it's too late. You may only get one chance. Don't let him get away."
Hilary's eyes shone with determination at that point. As they both walked towards the door of the room, Hilary turned back to Jake and placed both her hands softly on the side of his face. "Thank you, Jake." She reached up to kiss him softly on the cheek. "For everything." She let her hands fall back to her side once more.
Jake blushed, as he opened the door and made his way out into the hallway. He turned back once more and faced towards her. "Oh, and Hilary? I was serious about the jealous vibes." He winked as he walked away from the now blushing brunette.
Hilary smiled as she closed the door behind him. Was Tyson truly jealous of Jake? Hilary couldn't believe how that would be possible. But, looking back on how it was when she and Jake were dining together when the previous night; it was possible that she herself saw something other then contentment in Tyson's face. Hilary's smile grew larger as she thought of this revelation and she kept smiling all the way down to the beach to meet up with Tyson, who was waiting for her.