On Your Side

Jenna couldn't focus anymore. She tapped her pencil on her desk as she stared at the clock waiting for the last minute to pass so she could get out of here. She was so ready to graduate, then again, it seemed to be the only place she could go to forget what was really going on in her life.

Once the bell rang, she fled from her desk, grabbing up her messenger bag and fleeing for the door. She stopped by her locker before pulling her phone out of her bag and making her way to the door. The Maine had a few interviews today, which meant Eric was only option for a ride home. Not that she hated it, she just realized now that she needed friends that were girls. It was getting ridiculous.

"Hey you." Eric spoke as soon as she reached his familiar car.

"Hi."

He flashed her a smile and she couldn't help but return it.

"How was school? I was hoping to see Alex. I'm sure he misses me." Eric stated once they were in the car and Jenna couldn't help but laugh, "I'm sure."

He chuckled from the driver's seat as they headed down the familiar route to her house.

"Jen..."

"mhm?"

"You can't do this forever you know?"

"Do what?" She asked, glancing over at him in confusion.

"Not driving."

Jenna didn't bother to speak and he breathed out, "I know you're scared, but Jenna, you gotta get over it."

"No I don't." She mumbled, crossing her arms over her chest as she looked back out the window.

"What are you so scared about? You don't even remember wrecking."

"It doesn't matter, Eric."

Eric sighed, "It's not that I'm trying to pressure you into anything, Jenna. I just know you can get over it."

Jenna kept quiet until they arrived at her house and Eric immediately looked over at her once the car was off.

"Are you mad at me?"

"No." She whispered and he grabbed for her hand, "Then why are you quiet?"

She shook her head and he continued to brush her hand with his thumb, "I'm just trying to understand you, Jen, but you make that really hard."

"I try not to..." She mumbled and he gave her a weak grin, "How about you drive me around the neighborhood."

She shook her head no and he frowned, "Why not?"

"I can't. Not with you."

"Oh..."

"It isn't that I don't want to it's just that..." She mumbled, taking a moment to breathe in before she continued, "I just, it's stupid and I'd rather not talk about it."

"Nothing you say is stupid, just tell me."

She shook her head and he sighed, "Ok, come on. We're driving around."

"Eric." She whined as the boy got out of the car and walked to her side.

"Jen, nothing is going to happen to you. I promise." He stated, grabbing both her wrist and pulling her from the seat.

She frowned at him and he pulled her in, kissing her forehead, "It will be ok."

She stared at him, biting her bottom lip as he rubbed her arm, "Jenna, get in the car."

"I don't know if I can."

"You can." He spoke smoothly, brushing her hair behind her ear.

She nodded before grudgingly walking to the driver's side. once in her nerves kicked in and she looked over at the boy who was buckling his seat belt.

"Jen, I'm right here. Nothing is going to happen."

"Yeah, I've heard that before." She mumbled, and he reached over, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.

She breathed in before buckling up and starting the car.

"Is this just because you don't want to pick me up from school?" She joked, trying to make herself feel better.

Eric immediately laughed, "Baby, I have no problem picking you up. I just want you to be able to do this yourself. You need to get over this fear."

"So sweet of you." She mumbled, as she began driving down the road. It really wasn't as bad as she imagined, and it wasn't that she feared driving, it was the fear of waking up tomorrow morning and life being completely different again. She couldn't handle it.

"See not so bad. You never have been a bad driver." He spoke smoothly, which eased her more than she thought possible.

"Where am I going?" She asked and he shrugged, "Just drive to my house. You remember how to get there right?"

"I'm not stupid, Eric."

He chuckled, tapping his fingers on the door as he stared out the window.

She glanced over at him before focusing back on the road. She loved how familiar this felt. Just the two of them, driving with the windows down, music playing in the background. It was a comfortable feeling she didn't know she was missing. The pair stayed in a comfortable silence, until she parked in the driveway of Eric's house. A grin immediately hitting his lips, "So how do you feel?"

"Pretty good actually."

His smile widened, "So, would you mind coming in for a while? I want to show you something."

She nodded with a grin, "Sure."

The pair climbed from the truck, and he lead her inside, where Nick actually sat on the couch, messing around with his guitar.

"Well, hello stranger." Nick stated from his seat and Jenna chuckled, "Hey you."

"Eric didn't kidnap you did he?" The blonde boy asked with a raised eyebrow.

Eric glared at him as Jenna giggled, "No, not this time."

"This time? When have I ever kidnapped you?" He asked, placing his hands on his hips causing her to giggle, "I'm sure it's happened."

"Can't kidnap the willing."

Nick scoffed, "True."

Jenna rolled her eyes as Eric grabbed her hand, "Ignore him. Come on."

Jenna allowed Eric to pull her up the stairs and once in front of his door Eric dropped her hand, stepping inside like it was nothing. It was then Jenna realized how long it had been since she stepped foot into his bedroom and for some reason it stopped her in her tracks.

"Don't act like this is the messiest my room has ever been." He mused, as he looked around the space. Although he was right, it was the fact that everything was like she remembered. The smell, the pictures, everything.

She shook her head with a weak grin, and he rubbed the back of his neck uncomfortably, "So um, I really just wanted to let you listen to some of our new music, if you are ok with that."

"Yeah, of course." She managed to get out, and forced herself further into her room. She sat on his bed as he sat at the desk only a few feet away. Eric messed around with his computer, mumbling to himself as she took in her surroundings. All she wanted to do was curl up in his blankets with him and pretend like everything was fine.

"Jen, are you listening to me?"

Jenna's eyes immediately shot to him and he stared at her as if he could hear her thoughts.

"Are you ok?"

"Oh, um, yeah..."

"Mhm, ok, well if I didn't really want for you to listen to this I would argue about how I know you are lying but I'll save that for another time..." He stated looking back at the computer screen and a groan left her lips, "Just let me listen to it."

He didn't waste time hitting play and she instantly focused on the music. She had to admit, she loved Nick's voice. He was like John really. He could sing anything and she would be ok with it. It was rare for her to feel that way about singers.

Once the song ended, he waited patiently for her review and a grin immediately hit her lips, "I love it."

"yeah?" he asked hopeful and she nodded, "Yeah, I really do. Gosh, I feel like you've guys grown up on me and I didn't realize it until just now."

Eric chuckled, "Well, we kind of have. Well, sort of."

She smiled and he slowly sat down on the bed beside her.

"What's on your mind?" He asked seriously and she shrugged, laying onto her back with a sigh, "A lot."

"Like..."

"Like how i haven't been in your room in ages."

"You really haven't."

"And how many memories I have in this house."

"Very true."

She chuckled, turning her head to look at him, "And what's on your mind, Halvorsen?"

"Just how beautiful I truly think you are."

A blush hit her cheeks as he stared at her unaware of the effect of his words.

"I should probably get you home." He finally said and she forced a nod before the pair climbed from the bed.

He grabbed her waist gently as he stepped to her and she tried to remind herself that this was just Eric. No need to be as nervous as she now was feeling.

he seemed to study her as he brushed back her hair softly and she tried to focus on anything but her feelings.

"I love you." he breathed out, running his fingers down her jaw before pressing his lips to her cheek. He didn't give her time to respond, just grabbed her hand up and lead her out to his car.

"So I take it Nick wrote that song?" She asked trying to break the silence between the two.

"Did it sound like Nick?"

"Well, yeah I guess."

"Mhm." He hummed out, a grin now on his lips as he focused on driving.

She gave him an odd look and he continued, "I mean, he wrote that about his imaginary girlfriend or..."

"I mean it's Nick! It could happen!" She stated with a chuckle.

"I assume so."

Once he pulled up at her house, her eyes immediately landed on him, "Thanks for today. Really."

"No problem Jen."

"So tomorrow?" She asked nervously and he grinned, "Yeah, tomorrow. I'll pick you up at 6."

She nodded and she opened the truck door only to have him grab her arm and pull her back in.

"That song Jen, I wrote...about you." He stated seriously, as he released her arm.

"Seriously?" She whispered and he grinned before reaching for a blank cd.

"Here."

"What is it?"

"That song."

"And does it have a name?" She managed to ask although her stomach was filled with butterflies.

"Yeah, it's called I do."

She stared at him, holding onto the cd and a weak grin hit his lips, "It's not a big deal..."

"Yes it is."

He shrugged, rubbing the back of his neck uncomfortably, "So, I'm still seeing you tomorrow right?"

She nodded slowly and he smiled. "Good. Have a good evening Jen."

"You too."

He nodded and she leaned in pressing her lips to his cheek causing him to freeze in his seat.

"See you later." She whispered before climbing from his car and heading inside. Her heart was slowly growing more and more fond of Eric every time they hung out.