Hope blossomed in her chest as she stared at his eyes for a few moments before shame settled and she looked away. He was concerned about her? It was more than she deserved. Wiping at her eyes with her palms, she tried tried mustering up some courage, reminding herself why she was here and what she wanted to do.
“…” She tried speaking at first, trying to find the words to say, fists at her sides. “…I’m so sorry for e-everything…Jack…I don’t…I don’t know if you got my text..about t-talking..” She whispered, fighting the urge to cup her cheek over the scar.
“I-I-I did get it,” he choked out. Looking at her face, he spotted the scar right away, but paid it no attention. All that mattered to him was that Katelynn was here, now.
“I’m s-so s-s-sorry I didn’t answer you. I … I don’t know why I didn’t. And I know there’s no excuse. B-but … Katelynn, I still love you. I want you back. P-please tell me you’ve come back?” Jack looked at her pleadingly, bright green eyes meeting soft brown ones.
Eyes going wide like saucers, she really hasn’t expected to hear him say that. It left her momentarily shocked, unmoving despite the bulldog fighting for her attention. “Y-You do..?” She whispered, as if unable to believe it. “…Why?”
Despite everything and how negatively she had thought the meeting to go, to hear this from his lips sent a warm feeling to curl in her chest.
It was hard for Jack to find the right thing to say. Painting and music were his gifts, not words. But, once he began talking, his feelings poured out.
“B-because you’re wonderful, Katelynn. I don’t know why you can’t believe that. You’ve got the biggest heart of a-anyone I know. You’re so sweet, and kind – y-you even try to make friends with villains!” he chuckled weakly. “And you’re so brave. And you make me feel brave when I’m with you.”
He reached out for her, wanting so badly to hold her but so afraid she’d pull away again. “W-when you were drugged … that wasn’t you, Katelynn. That’s not who you really are. I know that. And it’s not your fault that it happened. You’re not weak because you couldn’t stop it. You’re brave, and you’re strong, and you’re kind, and I love you."
Jack Maple 