Song: There's Nothing Holding Me Back/Shawn Mendes
Ship: Jamber

~~~~~~~~~~~

You ever had such complex emotions it just starts eating you alive? Welcome to my position.

Jack Campbell. School golden boy. He's kind of popular, very pretty. He's got two main best friends and his brother is adorable.

It's so annoying. I've always prides myself on never really being able to fall for anyone and then he comes along and manages to do it in one swift move.

I mean, how can someone not like him?! He's kind, he's caring, he's got an accent that's to die for, he's got the most beautiful eyes...

"Amber? Hey, Ambs!" I heard a voice snap me out of my sort of daydream.

"Huh?"

"Yeah see i told you she was thinking about him." Collin said, getting a slap in the back of the head from me.

"Hey thats not fair!!" He yelled, pouting. "Well its not about being fair, its about right or wrong."

"Amber that literally makes no sense." Cal said, trying to run over if it did or not.

"Hey."

A foreign voice caused the three of us to stop talking.

oh holy shirtballs its him.

The way the light hit him causes the freckles on his skin to light up and his eyes just glowed under the light...

Let me also say we are outside so the wind is blowing rather nicely...

"Jack! Hey what can we do for you buddy?" Collin asked, a big grin on his face.

Yeah, he's dating one of Jack's best friends so they sort of became friends.

Totally not like, jealous or anything.

Jack chuckled slightly, "I actually came over to talk to Amber. That okay?"

I felt the other two's aura darken slightly. Oh no...

"Yeah sure! Collin and I had something to do anyway!" Cal said cheerfully, getting up and followed by Collin. "We'll see you later."

And before i could disagree to anything, they were gone and the blonde Scottish boy was sitting in front of me.

I breathed in deeply, and stared at him with as much monotone face as i could. "What do you want Campbell?"

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Alright I'll keep this simple. I'm failing one of my classes and if i don't get my grade up i wont be able to go to the dance. So i was wondering if you could tutor me. I'll bring you food from my moms bakery."

I was... bewildered. Yea that's the word. Shocked too.

He. Wanted my help?

"So, hold on. You want me to tutor you?"

"Yeah, if you dont mind."

"Seriously? Why me?" I asked, still not believing why he chose me.

He just shrugged. "Maybe because i want to be your friend? Please, Amber? You're also one of the only girls who i know who's super smart and wont be flirting with me constantly. And also your in my class so it makes it easier."

So he thinks i dont like him. Great. Just great.

I stare at the green eyed boy in front of me, trying to detect on his face if he was messing with me.

I groan in annoyance and give in. "Fine. But only because you promised to bring me food every session."

His face seemed to light up at my agreement. That was adorable... No, Amber, stop it!

"Alright so, i guess we can meet up Friday after school. Does that work?"

"Yeah perfect. Thanks Amber, you're a lifesaver."

And with that, he gave his signature charming smile and headed back over to his friends.

This is going to kill me...

"Are you sure this is going to be okay for you? Cause i know how you get when you see him and then you just get mad when people point things out and-"

"Cal, calm down. It's just a guy and their just studying. I think they'll be fine."

"Thank you, Collin." But Cal was right. Why did i agree to this?

"But i think you're forgetting this is the guy shes in love with. So i don't see this ending well." Cal said, shrugging. "But I'm rooting for you Ambs!"

Collin shook his head, patting my shoulder. "We'll see you back at my place."

And with that, they walked away. I breathed in deeply and left my locker, heading towards the library.

As i walked in, i easily noticed him sitting at a table by himself. His face was buried deep in what seemed to be a cook book.

I walked up to him and put my books on the table. "You cook?"

He looked up at me, those piercing green eyes staring into my soul. He smiled and closed the book, placing it down on the table, "I'm assuming you don't."

"Damn right I don't." I said, laughing. My few words got a chuckle out of him which made my chest feel heavy.

god he's perfect...

I cleared my throat and grabbed some books and my notes out of my bag. I might as well use this as an opportunity for me to study. "Alright, so lets start off with today's lesson..."

"Oh my- Okay, Jack!! Just answer the question!"

"Amber, i genuinely do not know the answer."

"How?! I just read to you the chapter and the document, How did you just-" I sighed in frustration getting another laugh from the blonde boy.

This is how its been for three hours now.

Three. Hours. Of me being frustrated. And him not understanding a word of what I'm telling him.

"Alright alright, i think that's enough for today. My brother is blowing up my phone with texts." He said, checking his phone.

I sighed and checked my phone as well. "Yeah likewise. So i guess we'll see each other again another time?"

Jack nodded as he finished packing up his things. "Yeah definitely. As much as i like messing with you, i definitely did learn some stuff today. So thanks."

I was stunned. "You were just messing with me?!"

"See you later, Ambs!!" He called out as he walked out of the library.

I let out a frustrated groan and then laughed. This was going to be... interesting.

Its been a few weeks since i started tutoring Jack. We've become really close friends and now he and his group sit with us at lunch.

We were all sitting there laughing at some jokes being told. Of course i was a little distracted.

Jack's laugh is adorable...

"Alright well we should all be going. Classes gonna start again in a bit." Alex said, laughing, getting a few nods in response.

"Yeah, Collin and I have have a Chem exam we gotta study for." Cal said, standing up.

"Want me to help you study?" Her, not so secret crush Caius, offered.

I snickered as i watched her stumble over her words and her face beet root red.

Collin went with his boyfriend and Landon went off to study with his friend, who im betting now 20 bucks will end up together.

"Hey, Amber. Got a second?" Jack asked, getting up from his seat.

"Uhh yeah sure. Whats up?"

"How about you come over to my place today instead of the library? More comfortable and unlimited food." Jack offered, smiling.

He... He just invited me over. to his house.

"Um... Yeah sure, that works." I said, not wanting to seem nervous and not wanting to decline. The more time with him the better.

Jack smiled and nodded. "Alright well I'll see you after school!" He said, heading to his class.

Oh this is bad...

I stood outside of the school waiting for Jack. He drives to school so he's probably still in the school or he left. Where does he even live. How am I supposed-

"Oh there you are! I've been looking for you. Come on, i gotta pick up my brother. He messed up something in his car." Jack said, patting my shoulder.

I nodded and slung my bag over my shoulder, following him to his car.

I sat in the passengers seat as he got into the driver's seat.

"I had to borrow my dad's car cause my motorcycle needs to be fixed." He said, throwing his stuff in the back seat.

"Hold on, you drive a motorcycle to school everyday?"

"Yeah. You never noticed that?"

Okay i gotta start building a pros and cons list for why i like him and why I wouldn't.

I can't think of any cons right now..

"Hey loser! Who's this?" I heard a voice ask as it entered the car.

"Matt this is Amber, Amber this is my brother Matt."

I look behind to see the kid and holy jesus hes adorable.

He's got a lot of similar features to Jack that proves their related, but the hair and eyes are very different.

He smiled and waved, "Hi. Names Matthias. Mattie or Matt is fine." He said shrugging.

"Amber. Nice to meet you."

"So Jackie finally got a girlfriend? Or are you just another girl that friendzoned him?"

"Okay thats enough out of you." Jack said, throwing bottled water at the other boy.

I laughed at the little fight between the two. They seemed to get along very well...

Arriving at their house i was amazed. It was small, but still it must be expensive.

Jack parked at the car in the driveway. The garage was open and inside was a buff man working on a Volkswagen beetle.

The two brothers and I got out of the van. The two greeted the man who i know as their father and we just head inside.

Mattie ran upstairs to his room I'm guessing and so now i was alone. In this big house. With Jack.

I heard the sound of a little bell jingling.

I was then face to face with the most adorable dog I've ever seen.

"Oh my god. Who is this?!" I said excited, crouching down to the dogs level so i could pet it.

Jack chuckled and walked over, patting the dogs head. "This is Athena. Don't worry, she's friendly."

"Oh she's adorable." I said, petting her and making little baby comments.

I stood up and cleared my throat, pointing a finger at him. "We speak of this to no one."

He put his hands up in a defensive manner and smirked, "My lips are sealed. Alright I'll get the snacks and you can set everything up in the dinning room."

I nodded and headed into the fancy-ish dinning room. I set up the books and notebooks.

I smiled and breathed in, letting a satisfied sigh escape my lips. "I smell cookies."

I turn around and face Jack who walked over with a tray. "Yeah, i baked them. Best eaten when warm and they melt in your mouth. So i put em in the microwave for a bit."

I nodded and waved around the highlighters. "Alright well lets start studying."

He nodded and placed the plater of cookies down and started studying.

We worked at it for two or three hours. It was nice, laughing and joking around.

"Hey I'm gonna go use the bathroom real quick." Jack said. "If you want anything to drink, kitchen's open to you any time."

I nodded as i watched him head upstairs. I headed into the kitchen and just looked around. It was... beautiful.

I wouldn't mind being in here... Maybe wrapped in his arms and... baking with him.

"Whatcha doin, frizzy?" Asked the younger yet slightly manly ish voice.

I turned around the face the curly black haired Scot, his freckled lips forming this sort of mischievous smirk.

"Nothing. What are you doing, curly?" I asked, arms crossed as i also commented on his hair.

"Getting a soda. In the middle of an intense game." He said, leaning against the fridge with the soda in his hands.

"Anyway, word of advice. Do something before you regret it." He said, heading back upstairs.

Wait does he- Does he know...? How? I've only known him for like a sec-

"Hey I'm back! Ready to keep studying?" Jack asked, smiling.

I sat there with the pencil in my hand for another hour of studying.

Neither of us said much, like he could pick up that something was bothering me.

"Hey uh... Can i ask you something?" He asked, putting his pen down.

I raised a brow in confusion as i stared at him. "Um... sure?"

"So you know the homecoming is in a few days." He started off, hands fidgeting.

I nodded for him to continue. He sighed and looked at me, "Alright so I like this girl... and I want to ask her to the dance. But i uh, i don't know how to do it. Any ideas? From a females point of view."

I.... I think i just felt my heart shatter. Okay uhhh keep it cool. Keep it cool.

"Well it depends on the girl. But i uh, i personally, think the key is to talk to her." I started off. He nodded, like he was *really* listening.

I cleared my throat and continued. "Most, if not all girls, really appreciate words more than actions. Its a sure way to their hearts. Tell her how you feel straight up and if face to face is too difficult, maybe a heartfelt letter will do the trick."

He started taking notes. I continued. "Just be honest. Tell her how you feel. And dont do any of that 'play it cool and indifferent stuff', I honestly don't know a single girl who doesn't like a little sensitivity in a guy."

He was... actually really interested in my words. "Just tell her how you feel. You cant go wrong with being genuine really. And you know, maybe a few compliments here and there wouldn't hurt. But don't make it only about her appearance. No one wants that."

He laughed and gently ripped out the piece of paper, stuffing it in his pocket.

I sighed and shrugged. "I uh think i should be heading home now."

Jack nodded. "Want me to drive you home?"

"Oh no i don't want to be too much of a bother." I said, packing up my things.

"Nah none sense. Come. I'll ask my dad if i can borrow his car again and then I'll drive ya."

I nodded and grabbed my bag, following him into the garage.

"Hey, dad! Mind if i drive my friend home?"

"Yeah, just don't be out to late." Said the deep, Irish accented voice coming from under the yellow beetle.

Jack grabbed the keys to the van and i followed after him. After i gave him the directions to my house, it was just silent.

As we arrived at my house, I turned to Jack and thanked him for the ride.

I stepped out of the car and headed straight up to my room, where i would wallow in my misery.

Couple days have passed since the day Jack told me he liked someone.

I sat in my room now, Collin and Cal both comforting me with sweets and such.

"Really Amber, i think you should just get over him." Collin said, shrugging.

"No, she just needs to wait! Maybe it won't work out and then she can just swoop in and steal his heart." Cal said, daydreaming some fantasy.

"Can you guys just shut it? Not everything is easy and fairy tales." I said, annoyed.

Then the sound of the doorbell shut up all three of us.

"I'll go answer it." I said, heading downstairs. My mom was napping, brother in his room, and my dad was at work. So yeah i was the only one who could open the door.

When i opened the door, woah was that a surprise. Standing in front of me was Jack dressed in his regular style of clothing, but looking a little neater i guess.

Why did he have flowers? "Jack? Hey whats up?"

He breathed in and chuckled, "I can't believe im actually doing this... I mean i had the pressure of everyone telling me to man up and then when i asked you about that stuff, I just- I need to stop rambling..."

I was so confused. "Jack, whats this about?"

He just looked at me and sighed. "Amber, I-I like you. A lot. I've been trying to find so many different ways to tell you, but nothing ever seems to be good enough. And i also chicken out a lot."

"I asked you that day what you think would be the beat way to ask out a girl... I took your advice and here i am. Attempting to speak honest words rather than some cheesy crap. Although I'm already messing this up extremely."

The words i was hearing had me frozen in place. He... likes me?

"At this point, there really wasn't anything holding me back. Except myself. So there's just one thing I'd like to do before you say anything."

He held the flowers out to me with an uneasy smile, "Would you go to Homecoming with me?"