"Well, I'm finished," JC said, coming out with a towel wrapped around his neck. Jessica realized how Marielle could have fallen in love with him. He was gorgeous, but not as gorgeous as Justin, she thought first. His blue eyes sparkled happily. "Where's Marielle?"
Aha, so that's the reason you're so happy, Jessica thought silently as she smiled at him, "She went home."
His eyes lost their sparkle, just like she'd predicted. "She still doesn't want anything to do with me," He said, choking on his own words as he sat down on the couch. The bus began to move and the sudden jolt tilted Jessica. Feeling uneasy, she sat down next to JC on the couch to prevent any further surprises. She glanced at him sideways, and realized how much he did love Marielle.
"JC, I know I was a bit hard on you in France," She said, resting a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry. I felt like you were trying to just lead Marielle on, and she's and Gabi are my closest friends in the entire world."
"I understand," JC said with a shrug, "I would have done the same thing. But I really screwed things up, didn't I?"
"Yep." She said honestly, making him smile weakly at her frankness.
"I don't know what to say to her." He confessed, "she doesn't want to hear any of it."
"Give her time, JC. And just be her friend." Jessica said, "And be truthful about what you feel. Fake sentiment gets you nowhere with her."
"Thanks for the advice," JC said, leaning back into the couch, "but why are you helping me out?"
"Because, I can see how much you're hurting. Marielle needs someone, too." Jessica answered.
Marielle was staring at the ceiling of her bedroom, trying to will herself to get some sleep, when she heard the front door slam and hushed voices. Knowing that they were back, she tried to roll over, her back facing the door.
Light streamed into the room, and she knew that someone had opened the door. She rolled back over to find JC looking at her. He had thought she was asleep, and hadn't had time to cover up the pain in his eyes when she rolled over and looked at him. She now glimpsed the pain and hurt that he was feeling, and she felt guilty. "Hey," She said quietly, attempting to talk to him.
"Hi. Sorry I woke you up." JC said, beginning to leave the room.
"No - No, it's okay." Marielle said, "have a seat," She said, motioning towards the edge of the bed. JC complied, and sat down on the soft mattress.
"I just wanted to see you before I have to leave," JC said with a shrug.
"Before you go back to Dani?" Marielle asked him softly. The question hit him, and he met her eyes.
"I'm not going back to her, Ari." He said, his expression honest and the pain evident in his eyes, "but I brought myself here because I love you so goddamn much it scares me." The tears in her eyes began to flow, but he couldn't stop because the words were just streaming out of his mouth, "I love you so much, Ari, and if you don't love me back, I don't know what I'll do."
"Please, JC-" She managed to croak out.
"I can't live without you anymore, and I know it." He said, standing up and feeling braver. "I need you Ari."
"I don't know." Marielle said after a moment.
"I'll do anything," He said, taking her hand in his and placing it against it his chest. She could feel his heart thumping quickly. "You own this Ari, no one else does or ever will." He said.
"But I lead a busy life," She pointed out, "you couldn't take it when Dani's schedule was too hectic to take."
"That was different, I didn't love Dani like I love you." JC replied, "And I'm proud of what you do. You give your time, your sweat, and your effort to help and save people from death. How could I be jealous of not getting enough of your time when I know that there are people out there who need it more than I do?"
That did her in, "You know, I never cry for anyone." She told him, the tears running down her cheeks. "Only people that I really love." She answered, pulling him into her arms and giving him a tearful kiss that he was only glad to return.
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