You Need To Be My First

-Olivia-

Clutching my phone tightly, I strode toward the figure in the distance. He was leaning against a tree, supposedly to escape the harsh sun. As he spotted me approaching, his face lit up. He waved enthusiastically, and I returned the gesture cautiously, my heart hammering in my chest.

What is he going to say?

As I approached, he enveloped me in a warm hug. Though hugs between us weren’t unusual, I couldn’t help but notice how nice he smelled. I quickly scolded myself for the thought. It was clear I was simply longing for connection and affection. He pulled back, still smiling, his blue eyes sparkling with happiness as they met mine.

“So, are you finally going to tell me why you called me here?” Jake inquired.

He held out his arms, gesturing to the familiar park where we had spent much of our childhood. I glanced around, seeing a few families scattered about, walking with their children. The sight warmed me before I turned back to Jake.

“Yes,” I replied, though my heart was still racing.

I toyed with the phone in my hand, noticing Jake frown as he picked up on my nervousness.

“Are you alright, Olivia?”

He tried to catch my eye.

“Yes,” I stammered, my fingers unconsciously tracing the cross around my neck.

“What’s on your mind?” he pressed.

Gosh, just say it! He will understand, a voice urged.

“I… I need a favor,” I finally admitted.

“A favor? You called me here just for that?” he asked, smiling widely and revealing his dimples. They always made him look so cute.

“We’ve known each other since we were in diapers,” he teased.

His words calmed me.

“Exactly,” I said. “But some things are better said face to face.”

He nudged me playfully. “Sounds serious,” he joked.

It is…

“Well…”

“Well?” he asked, frowning.

“I-I know you’re involved with someone right now.”

Jake cringed, confusing me with the expression on his face.

“What?” I asked.

“Not really,” he murmured, scratching the back of his neck.

I didn’t understand.

“Not really what?”

“Not really… in a relationship anymore,” he clarified, kicking a small rock away.

I drew back, too stunned for a second to speak.

“What?” I exclaimed.

“She sort of cheated on me already,” he explained, the pain in his eyes clear.

Anger rose within me. “That quickly?” I hissed.

He nodded.

“But you two just made it official last week!”

He shrugged. “Looks like it wasn’t me she was interested in, but one of my friends,” he admitted.

I shook my head, feeling ready to tear that bitch’s hair out. Jake suddenly smiled.

“What?” I asked.

“You look like you’re ready to commit murder,” he laughed.

“Sorry, it’s just… I don’t like how she treated you.”

He shrugged again. “It wasn’t that serious.”

I wasn’t so sure. Maybe he was just saying that to avoid the pain. Still, this wasn’t about my anger. I stepped closer.

“Jake, I’m so sorry,” I said sympathetically.

“It’s not a big deal.”

He did it again, I thought, but I didn’t comment.

“At least you managed to make it official,” I said, trying to inject some levity into the situation. “I can’t even get past a few dates. I still haven’t been in a relationship.”

Jake shook his head, not seeming worried. “Don’t worry. The right person will come along.”

I let out a long sigh.

“What?” he asked.

“It… happened again,” I whispered, my heart aching.

“What happened?”

“We sleep together, and then suddenly, I’m not even worth a text,” I murmured.

Anger seemed to rise in him. Jake opened his mouth to speak, but I shook my head and held up a hand.

“Actually, that’s not what I wanted to talk about,” I confessed.

He looked puzzled. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m sure.”

Jake shrugged, then gestured to himself. “Then why am I here?”

Now, tell him now!

The voice was right, but that didn’t make this any easier. Taking a deep breath, I reached for his hand—a gesture we’d shared countless times before, though this time it felt more significant. I knew Jake could see the desperation in my eyes. He drew back slightly.

“Will you be my boyfriend?” I asked.

“WHAT?”