[I thought it'd be nice to add the song I was listening to while writing this chapter. So that's the yt video above.

Also I have sort of imagined the following scene like this. So, if it helps... it's for your reference.] 

Happy reading <3

Elijah's POV

Jason has been into Autumn for years and I was happy to see him finally make some progress. But also, I wished I could sit with him. Not for anything else, but just for the sake of his company. I really enjoyed hanging out with him; not that I've done that much. Which reminds me that I really should hang out with him more often. 

As I looked up at him, I saw him looking back at me. I threw him a smile and he smiled back at me, and that made me feel... I don't know, kinda nervous, but in a good way. I immediately looked away and put all my attention towards the history chapter we were supposed to study today. I stared back through the corner of my eye, to find that Jason has his attention back on Autumn again, and they're laughing away at something. And it shouldn't have made me feel nearly as uneasy as it did. I looked back into my book and tried to concentrate on it. 

Suddenly, I felt a presence beside me.

"What's up, partner?" I heard Jason's voice. I looked up with surprise.

"Why are you sitting here?" I asked looking perplexed. "What happened to Autumn?"

"Nothing. Just wanted to sit beside you." He replied with the cutest smile ever.

"Really?" I gulped. 

"Yeah, why not? We're friends right?"

"Right." I said turning my attention towards the page opened in front of me. Ever since that talk with his sister, Jasmine, I've been more and more aware of my feelings towards Jason. I mean, I know it's not that big of a deal. I met Jason not long ago, and while it's true that I found him cute from the very first encounter, it's still too early to decide if I really like him or not. For now... let's just focus on our friendship. Yep, that's what I should do!

"What are you reading about, all focused and everything?" He questioned leaning over to look into my book. 

"Nothing, just giving it a read for our lesson today." I replied not looking up.

"Geez! I thought we'd have some fun conversations sitting together, but you're all focused on studies. Like totally immersed in the book."

I looked up at him. "Okay, what do you wanna talk about?"

"Um... you know" He shrugged "Anything works." He paused for a while, before his eyes lit up and he said, "Your hair looks really cool. Did you try something new today?"

I was surprised that he noticed. I got kinda shy at that and gave out and awkward chuckle. "Oh yeah?" I said feeling nervous.

"Yeah really." He emphasized. "It suits you, bro." Guess who would be doing this hairstyle for the rest of the week now? I'm pathetic!

"So, things with Autumn are going good, huh?" I asked trying to divert the conversation. 

"Well... yeah, I think." He replied with a smile. "Oh also, I told her about all of us hanging out together today and she wants to invite her friends over as well. I hope that's okay." Suddenly there was a 'ping!' sound for  notification on both mine and Jason's phone. I opened to see a group-chat with me, Jason, Kylan, Cole and a bunch of random other kids. The group wasn't that big either. So what is this about? "Oh looks like Autumn finally succeeded to make our group-chat." Jason said looking at me. "I gave her your number, hope that's okay."

Now I am personally very selective about who I share my contact details with and normally I'd be pissed if someone shared my number without my permission; but there was a certain something to that blinding smile of Jason's that always left me speechless. "Yeah, it's alright." I replied.

"God! I am so excited about this!" Jason exclaimed. "What do you think, Eli?"

Now, Cole calls me that all the time, but it hit different when Jason called me it. "Yeah? I think it's great." I replied, almost in a daze. Oh God! These feelings... how to turn it off?

I rested my chin on the palm of my right arm while my elbow rested on top of the desk as I stared at the boy in front of me, in a state of awe. Jason went on and on about how fun it would be for us all to hang out and I occasionally nodded my head, barely making any sense of what he is saying as I kept staring at him and, quite creepily though, and admired how beautiful he is. 

~

Since it was the last class of the day, the impatience among the students was evident enough as soon as the bell rang. We were supposed to meet up at the parking lot after school and decide where to go hang out. "I have to talk to Mr. Allan about a doubt in History, you can go ahead, I'll join you shortly." I informed Jason as we were both packing our bags and getting ready to leave. Half of the class was already out of the door.

"Oh that's alright. I can wait." He said.

"But you don't have to. You can just-"

"I can wait, Eli. It's okay." Jason said with a smile. God! This nickname is gonna be the end of me! "You worry too much." He ruffled my hair and I blushed.

"Okie." I half-giggled. Oh My God! Where did that come from? Since when do I giggle?

"Did you just giggle?" He had a surprised smile on his face. "Aw. You're so cute."

Okay... I am officially going nuts! "I'm gonna go now..." I said and turned my back towards him walking straight towards our history teacher.

"Oh hi. We meet again, huh?" He said while tidying up his desk as I approached him.

"Hello, Sir." I gave him a polite smile. "I actually had a doubt from todays lesson which I was hoping to get cleared out, if you had some time."

"Oh, I am so sorry Elijah, but I have a faculty meeting in about..." he looked at his watch "less than 5 minutes." He said throwing me an apologetic smile. "Can we do it some other time?"

"Oh sure. No problem." I said. 

"By the way, I'd appreciate it if you paid a little more attention to my lessons, seeing that you usually do." He pointed out and rightfully so. 

"I am so sorry, Sir. I have been a little distracted lately, but I promise it will never happen again." I said, looking down with embarrassment. Stupid Jason!

"I mean, don't get me wrong, I don't overestimate myself enough to think I am so good at my job that a teenager would pay attention to my history lessons when his boyfriend is sitting right next to him. But you know, just saying." He said with a playful smile, letting me know that he caught me not paying attention, but also in a way telling me it's not that serious. When I looked utterly nervous for way too long, he spoke again. "Hey, I'm not scolding you. It's okay. Chill!"

"He... is not my boyfriend." I said out of nowhere.

"But... you would like him to be?" He  questioned with a knowing smile.

"I- aa.. I don't really-" I stammered trying to form a legible reply.

"I see the way you stare at him." He raised his left eyebrow with a smirk on his face. "The history lessons aren't written on his face, you know." Then he let out a hearty laugh. "I'm just kidding, Elijah. You may leave."

"Yes, Sir." I said awkwardly leaving. 

As I existed the classroom, I saw Jason waiting for me probably, while conversing with Autumn. They were laughing away at something like old friends. Ugh! What the hell am I doing crushing on Jason? He's obviously into Autumn. And by the looks of  it, they're gonna get together pretty soon it seems. I mean, I am happy for Jason. But I wish we'd met sooner or something so that I could've given this crush (or whatever this is) a fair shot. But with the Autumn situation right now... I don't know. But like, they're not really together yet, so would it be wrong for me to hit on Jason? The hell am I thinking! "Elijah... Elijah get your act right!" I whispered to myself.

___________________________________________________________________________

Hello my lovely readers! How have you been? And how was your day?

So... what do we think about Elijah's little crush on Jason? Do let me know your thoughts on it. 

And also, what do we think about the story so far? (Gimme your honest opinion).

Alright! With that said, I'm gonna end this rant of mine because I'm too excited to write the next chapter where the Autumn friend-group hangs out with the Jason friend-group (and yes I'm calling it that). Are y'all excited about it too? 

~Millie.