Just under a week later, we all filed into the Barakat’s home for their infamous New Year’s Eve party. The boys had been raving about the party for a quite a while, and Luna and I didn’t quite understand why until we got there. Jack’s house was packed to the brim with family and friends, the whole place decorated with streamers and obnoxious hats. Music blared as the Barakats came to greet us.
Jack’s mom hugged me. “Glad you could make it, Nora.”
I couldn’t help but grin at her. “Are you kidding? I’ve been hearing about this party for months. I had to see what all the fuss was about.”
Jack interrupted, dragging our group over to a table where we were given sparkly party hats. Next to that was another table filled with every finger food you could imagine, which Mrs. Barakat must have spent hours on. It was easily the biggest party I’d ever been to.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many people in my life,” I commented, trying to peer over the many heads in the room.
“Nora, I...I...nevermind,” Jack began before stalking off.
I raised an eyebrow, turning to my group of friends. “What’s his deal?”
Luna shrugged before throwing an arm around my shoulders. “He’s probably freaked out about all the people. Wanna dance?”
I was about to say no, but then I paused. “You know what? Why not?”
Luna let out a squee, pushing me into the crowd of people. I felt like I was in a mosh pit with how many people I was surrounded by. I attempted to dance with my best friend for awhile, but it soon became difficult to breathe, so I had Alex switch out with me. I found Jack again, and I tried to talk to him, but he just stuttered and walked away again. Had I done something wrong?
Jack’s awkwardness continued throughout the party, and I was starting to get incredibly frustrated. I saw him go upstairs to his room, so I pushed through the crowd to follow him. After all, I needed answers on why he was acting so weird. I found him sitting on his bed, with his head in his hands.
“Okay, Barakat,” I said, folding my arms. “What’s going on? You’ve been acting really weird the whole night.”
“It’s a long story, Nora...I just have a lot on my mind,” he replied, running a hand through his hair.
“Jack, I’m your friend, and it’s my job to help you when there’s something wrong. Now, explain,” I huffed, sitting onto his bed next to him.
He sighed, standing up and pacing his bedroom. “It’s not really that there’s something wrong...”
“Well, then why are you acting different all of a sudden?” I wondered.
He wouldn’t look at me, and instead gazed at the floor. “Do you remember a couple months back, like the first time you ever came over to study? I was taking you home and we talked about falling in love, and I told you it would take a hell of a girl to make me fall, and you said-”
“Just you wait, Barakat. She’ll sneak her way into your heart, and you won’t know she’s there until you’re already head over heels,” I finished for him. “Yeah, of course I remember, but what does that have to do with anything?”
“You were right,” he said. “There’s this girl who I can’t stop thinking about...she’s everything I want. It’s gotten to the point where I can’t take it anymore. I mean, I just want her to be mine. I want to kiss her anytime I want, take her out and make every guy in the world jealous...but I can’t, because I’m too scared to tell her how I feel.”
My heart sank. Zack, Rian, and the others were all wrong. Jack obviously didn’t like me if he was so in love with whoever this girl was. “Jack, for Christ’s sake, just tell her. If she’s got any brain in her head, she’ll like you back, I’m sure of it.”
He took a deep breath before looking me dead in the eye. “I love you.”
I rolled my eyes a little. “I know, you told me. Like a sister.”
He let out a small laugh. “No, Nora. I love you. Like, I think that if I had anymore feelings for you, I would explode.”
I paused. “Jack, if you’re just kidding, I swear to fuck I will-”
“I’m not joking, I swear to God,” he replied. “Just ask Alex. I haven’t shut up about you for weeks.”
A grin broke out across my face. “Oh my god. I love you too, Jack.”
His eyes widened. “Shit, are you serious?”
I stood up, walking right up to him. “Of course I’m serious, you idiot.”
I had never seen Jack smile so big as he moved to hug me, but stopped. “Fuck it,” he said, leaning down and kissing me on the lips.
I smiled even wider, wrapping my arms around his neck. An odd combination of electricity and butterflies flowed through me and only one thought ran in my brain: Our friends are gonna be so excited.
“Well, look at what we have here,” Joe said from the doorway. “You two finally got a clue.”
Jack pulled away, rolling his eyes. “Oh shut up, Joe. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Joe smirked at us. “Yes I do, little brother. Ever since that first day Nora came over, I knew this would happen sooner or later. I was rooting for it actually.”
I laughed. “Look at that, Jack. We have quite the fan club.”
“Anyway, the Ball drops in just a couple minutes. You might wanna come downstairs for that,” Joe said, walking away.
Jack turned back towards me. “Hey, so does this mean we’re like, together now?”
I nodded. “Definitely. I’m scared shitless though.”
“Me too, but we’ll get through it together,” he said, kissing me again. “Come on, let’s go shock the hell out of everyone.”
Lacing his fingers with mine, the two of us jogged down the stairs, weaving through the crowd to find out friends. None of them noticed we were holding hands, and were instead focused on Times Square showing on the TV screen.
“10...9...8...7...6...5...4...” The countdown began. Jack grinned at me, leaning down to kiss me again. “3...2...1...HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!”
How many times had I kissed Jack? 4? 5? Whatever number, I knew I’d never get over it. I had finally gotten one right when it came to love. “Happy New Year, girlfriend,” Jack said when we pulled away.
I smiled. “Happy New Year, boyfriend.”
“Um, excuse me,” Luna cut in. “How long has this been going on?”
“Like, 2 minutes,” I replied. Jack had my hand again, mimicking Luna and Alex as they stood in front of us.
“PRAISE THE LORD AND ALL THAT IS HOLY,” Alex shouted.
“Took you long enough,” Zack mentioned.
Rian laughed. “Now we’re the only single ones left, Zack. We need to step up our game.”
Luna smiled at us. “Anyway, we’re happy for you guys. We’ll have to do a double date.”
Nobody was as excited about me and Jack getting together as our friends, but the Barakats came in a close second. Joe told them, and we received many hugs and congratulations. Honestly, I was excited too. After months of being unsure and scared, I was finally with Jack. It was gonna be weird, but I was more than ready for it. It was time to take life by the horns and go with it. After all, I would have Jack by my side.

Notes

I've really out done myself this time. Like, this is the cutest thing I have ever written. I've only had this chapter written in my head for like ever XD Anyway, more to come with this story. I already have the next chapter ready, but I think I'll wait until tomorrow to post it. Hope you enjoyed, and have a fantastic Thanksgiving! :)

Oh...and check out How Far This Can Go by Bowling For Soup because it's absolutely PERFECT for Jack and Nora. :)