Stay

Before Eric knew it prom was over and the small group of friends decided to head over to the after party which was being held at John's house. It only made sense since the boy didn't come.

The group was the first to arrive at John's which was good for them because that gave them time to change.

"John Oh, where's the parents?" Jenna asked and the boy chuckled as she leaned against the counter, now in jeans and a shirt.

"Does it matter?"

"Guess not, just trying to figure out how much of a mom I have to be tonight."

John rolled his eyes as he sat down an empty beer bottle, "No need, Jen. It'll be fine."

"So they're gone for the whole night?"

"Yes, yes they are. Relax."

"Last time you said that Pat broke his arm."

"It was a freak accident."

Jenna chuckled causing a smile to hit his lips, "If it gets out of control just tell me and I'll make everyone leave. I promise."

She nodded and he patted her head before leaving the kitchen. As she went to follow him out she ran straight into Eric.

"Well hey to you too." He chuckled wrapping his arms around her as she giggled into his shirt.

"Did you have fun tonight?" He asked stroking her hair and she nodded, "Of course."

"Good. I'm glad."

"Did you?" She asked looking up at him and he grinned, "Of course. I was with you, wasn't I?"

A smiled hit her lips and he kissed her gently, "I love you."

"So you know what this means don't you?" She said and he gave her a weird look, "No, what?"

"That you graduate next month."

"You act like I'm going away forever. I'll still be here."

"Yeah, until you and the guys decide to make more music and tour outside of the state because you finally can."

Eric sighed and cupped her face, "So what's the issue here really? Are you scared of me being gone for days at a time or are you scared of me finding someone else?"

Jenna shrugged as she stared at him and he kissed her forehead, "I wish words were enough Jenna, because I don't know how else to make you believe me when I say no one will ever, ever come between us. You are the only girl I want. No matter where I am or who I am around. You are the only one on my mind."

Jenna bit her bottom lip and he smiled sweetly, "Ok?"

"Ok." She whispered. She hated sounding pathetic, but she honestly was worried about it happening because how could someone not like him? It would be impossible.

"You have nothing to ever worry about. Yeah, I'm graduating. So what? I'll always be here because you're here and your my life."

She wrapped her arms around his torso and bured her face into his chest.

"I love you."

"I love you too." She mumbled.

"Now, let's have some fun, what do you say?"

She nodded and he pulled her into the now packed living room. The night went smoothly and surprisingly nothing bad happened. By 2 in the morning she found herself throwing cover over a few of the boys who had crashed on the couches and as she covered up Pat she heard laughter behind her.

To no surprise she spun around to see Eric leaned against the doorway, "I feel like we have children already."

"Yeah well, someone has to take care of them." She replied as she locked the front door.

"Damn us being responsible."

"You responsible? Psh." She joked and he rolled his eyes, "I am for the most part, now how about we get some sleep?"

"You could have already went to bed." She responded, letting him lead her to an empty bedroom in the O'Callaghan home.

"Not without you."

She watched him as he kicked off his shoes and she slowly followed before climbing onto the bed. Eric turned the light off before joining her and she didn't waste time snuggling up to his chest. Of course he didn't object, just wrapped her in his arms and pressed his lips to the top of her head.

"Sweet dreams, Jenna. I love you." He whispered and she mumbled back an I love you before falling asleep to the sound of his heart.

Eric laid their as she slept against him. He couldn't help but still have her words from earlier roaming in his head. Was she honestly worried about him leaving? If anything, he was worried about her finding someone else if he in fact did embark on band adventures or what not, but him replace her? The thought alone seemed obsurd. He would never find anyone better than her so why would he even try? The boy finally fell into a restless sleep and was woke up hours later by someone he was prepared to yell at until the soft voice registered.

"Mhm, Jenna. What?" He got out in a roughly manner as he squinted his eyes to look at her. She kissed his cheek and he slid his hands to her sides, "Well what is it?" He asked once more as he opened his eyes completely now.

"We all are going to breakfast. Do you wanna come?"

"Sure." He mumbled glancing at his phone before he let out a groan. He was now going on only 5 hours of sleep.

"Then can I go home and sleep?"

She nodded and he raised up, pecking her lips before he slid from the bed to find his shoes. He brushed his shaggy hair from his eyes and she smiled from her seat on the bed where she clearly was already ready to leave.

"What?" He asked once his converse were tied.

"Nothing. You're really cute."

A blush lined his cheeks and he brushed her hair into her eyes causing her to swat at his hand, "You need more sleep too apparently. Come on silly girl." He responded, grabbing up her hand as she mumbled not so nice things to him.

"Oh and Nick called you." She added and Eric nodded, "Probably to discuss next weekend."

"Next weekend?"

"Yeah, we have another show."

"Awesome." She responded with a grin and he looked at her as they reached the livingroom. He didn't know whether she sincerely meant that or not.

"Ready?" Garrett asked and the pair nodded deciding to ride with John as they walked out.

"And did you have fun, John Oh?" She asked causing him to chuckle as they headed to the diner.

"I in fact did. Told you it wouldn't get outta hand."

"Wow. You were right for the first time in forever."

"Get yo girl..." John joked to Eric causing Jenna to giggle in the back seat.

Eric smiled, "I have no control over her, Callaghan." He responded as he looked out the window at the passing cars. Then again, Eric loved that she was her own person. It's why he fell in love with her.

Once at the diner the group loudly got settled into a booth in the back in order to not annoy at least everyone there.

"Eric switch with me." Jenna said right as the boy sat down. He groaned and looked up at her, "Why?!"

"Because I want to sit by Pat!"

Eric groaned once more and moved from the booth allowing the girl in first. Pat smiled and patted her head causing her to giggle and Eric rolled his eyes, "And yet why do we think it's ok for all our girlfriends to always like him?"

"Because he's a girl." John replied boringly and Pat shot him a look.

"He is not. He's cute and funny and sweet." Jenna defended as she wrapped her arms around him from the side.

"Yeah!" Pat threw into the conversation and the other guys laughed.

"Pat's lucky." Kennedy spoke with a smile and John asked why.

"Because, if he was that Alex guy he'd be dead."

Eric rolled his eyes, "But luckily I like Pat and know he isn't after my girl." He replied, not bothering to move his eyes from the menu in his hands.

"Could be." Pat joked and Eric glanced over at him.

"I'm kidding! Jeez!" Pat defended throwing his hands up.

Kennedy laughed, "So ridiculous..."

Eric rolled his eyes and looked back at the menu. Jenna chuckled and patted Eric's knee. The waitress walked over and took the group's orders and the chatting continued.

"So Gar are you and that girl dating now?" Jenna asked with a grin and Jared snickered, "Leave it to her to ask."

"Hey, I have a right."

"Oh you think so?" Garrett asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Yep. So answer the question."

"Maybe."

"Nope. Yes or no."

"It's none of your business." Garrett mumbled ad Jenna nodded, "Yes it is. Out with it or I'll ask her."

"Ok! Yeah, we are! Now shut up."

Jenna smiled, "Thought so."

John was in a fit of laughter across the table, "Oh I love you, Jenna. I really do."

"Shut up." Garrett grumbled and Jenna laughed as John high fived her.

"I love making him uncomfortable. It's what I live for."

"You're an asshole." Her brother stated and Jenna grinned, "Am not. Ask Eric."

"Jenna, anyone sleeping with you isn't going to agree that you are." John stated and Garrett groaned placing his hands over his ears.

"I can never go anywhere with you all!"

Jenna laughed and even Eric chuckled, "Well, you started it."

Once finished with breakfast the group went their seperate ways, Eric talking the whole drive back to his place about how he just wanted to sleep.

"You act like you live hours away."

"It feels like it. So sleepyyy." He groaned.

"I know you barely talked at breakfast."

"I'm sorry." He replied, sticking his bottom lip out.

"I forgive you." She chuckled as they pulled up at his house.

"So Nick and I were talking about finding a place once we graduate." Eric said, pulling her into the house.

"Scary..."

"How so?!"

"You two responsible for a house is terrifying."

"Mhm, good thing I have an amazing girlfriend to take care of me."

"Awe you think it's that simple?"

Eric smiled, "I do."

She chuckled as he pulled her into his room, closing the door behind them.

"And what if I'm not sleepy?"

"But you can cuddle with me." He responded, wrapping his arms around her, pulling her to his chest. He kissed her lips softly, his nose brushing hers, "So, will you?" he asked at a whisper and she nodded without much thought. It's what he did to her.

"You drive me crazy." He mumbled, kissing over her cheek gently.

"Thought you were tired..."

"Change of plans..." he mumbled before pressing his lips to hers and pulling her onto the bed. The girl giggled and I smile hit his lips as he hovered over her.

"I love you, Eric Halvorsen." She whispered brushing his hair away from his eyes.

He leaned in kissing her cheek, "I love you more."

"Will you get some sleep?"

He sighed and fell beside her, "Ok. Fine."

"You are the one who said you were tired!"

"And I am, but I wanna kiss you instead!"

She chuckled as she stared down at him and he couldn't help but smile at her.

"Get some sleep. I'm going to borrow your car."

"And go where?"

"To go get my freakin' books. I have yet to start my homework."

A smirk hit Eric's lips and she immediately rolled her eyes, "I hate you."

Eric laughed and pulled her down, "I said nothing!"

"You wanted to!"

He cupped her face before kissing her, "I love you. My keys are on the dresser."

She kissed him quickly and he watched her sprint out of his room.

Yeah, things were bound to change sooner than later, but he was certain what they had would only grow stronger. He just had to prove that to her.