I smiled. Gwen would've paid money for that, I'm sure.
                              
"Word got around fast huh?" Jake was looking at me. I almost forgot he was in the room. Wow, I really don't pay attention to my surroundings when I'm texting.
                              
"Yeah, Kate apologised and Gwen's proud" Jake smiled and shook his head
                              
"Gwen would've paid money for that little show at school" Jake's eyes twinkled in amusement. Was he reading my mind or something?
                              
"Just what I was thinking!" We laughed. I grabbed some drinks and snacks and we went to the living room. This felt weird. I rarely got alone time with Jake.
                              
That reminded me of the other day. I had wanted to talk to him alone but I wasn't sure if now was the right time. But then again, I probably wouldn't get another chance anytime soon.
                              
"I've been meaning to talk to you actually" I didn't really know how to initiate this conversation. Maybe I'm just seeing things and it's nothing.
                              
Jake looked as if he was thinking about something. Maybe he knew what I wanted to talk about. "Oh?" he said hesitantly.
                              
I usually don't beat around the bush but I didn't want to be blunt about this either. See this is why I don't have serious conversations with my friends.
                              
"Yeah, you've been acting different lately" Okay, now I was really beating around the bush. When did I become socially inept?
                              
He looked as if he knew exactly what I was talking about though. He didn't seem surprised.
                              
"I figured if someone would've noticed, It'd be you." He looked at me in discomfort. It was pretty clear we were both out of our comfortzone.
                              
I waited for him to elaborate. I gave him some time because it seemed as if he was searching for the right words.
                              
"Yeah, I think it happened when we were talking about relationships" I decided to help him a hand. A part of me was telling me that I was overstepping my boundaries but that was just silly. Jake and I had been friends since we were fourteen or something.
                              
"I know. It's just... What you said. It struck a chord." It was weird seeing Jake this vulnerable. He always oozes confidence.
                              
It's weird that I'd struck a chord. Jake and I had talked about relationships many times before. Why was this time different? Had something happened? Did I say something I usually didn't say? I honestly didn't remember everything I'd said that day.
                              
The only thing I clearly remembered was Jake's reaction. He had a similar expression now.
                              
"What part exactly?" He shifted his body on the couch so he was facing me.
                              
"About the void that only relationships can fill I guess. You said hooking up just reminded you of that void and I hook up to fill it. I guess that's the difference between us" Jake scratched the back of his head.
                              
I was shocked. I really didn't think he had the need to have a serious relationship and he actually wanted meaningless flings. It had never occurred to me that he wanted more. This was just his coping mechanism.
                              
"Honestly Jake, I did not expect that" He chuckled but his expression was still vulnerable.
                              
"You know when we first met I kinda had a crush on you" Wait what?! Did he really just say that? Is he joking?
                              
My jaw dropped. To me, he'd always been a player. I never got the expression he wanted something more from me. I mean, he'd always say sexual things but that's just Jake, you know?
                              
"Seriously?" I had to be sure he wasn't joking. He had a small smile on his face.
                              
"Yeah, seriously. And then you started dating whatshisface and I got over you. I guess it's because you were one of the only girls that approached me as a friend and liked me for who I was instead of how I looked. That was foreign to me. You didn't want anything from me except for being my friend."