Lake day. Supposed to be fun.

And it was—at least for everyone else.

You thought Jackie was better. She said she was better. She looked better sometimes—especially when she was with you. She’d laugh, she’d eat, she’d almost seem like the old Jackie. But you weren’t always there.

Which left her now—watching the rest of the girls splashed and shrieked in the lake. Still in her shorts and that long-sleeve polo, watching but not joining.

You stayed by her side until she sighed, muttered something under her breath, and turned away from the water, plopping back down onto her towel.

You frowned, glanced at the lake, then followed her, flopping down beside her with a huff. Still in your tank top.

“You don’t wanna go for a dip? It’s warm today” you teased softly, head tilted.

Her eyes flicked up. They lingered—on your arms, your shoulders—before she snapped them back to your face.

“I’m okay. Don’t wanna get wet yet,” Jackie said, flashing a small smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

You chewed your lip, then gently tugged on her sleeve. “At least take this off? I don’t want you passing out, Jacks.”

For a beat, she hesitated. Then she sighed and peeled off the long sleeve, leaving her in just a T-shirt. You rewarded her with a soft smile and leaned over, pressing a quick kiss to her cheek.

“Call me if you need anything,” you mumbled against her skin before jogging into the water.

Later, you came back, dripping wet, and flopped beside her again. Nudging her leg, you grinned. “C’mon. Let’s go for a dip.”

Her face pinched. “What? No. I don’t want—”

“You can keep the T-shirt on,” you cut in gently, grabbing her wrist.

She hesitated… then let you pull her up. Step by step, you guided her to the lake until the cool water lapped at her ankles. She shivered.

“Not that bad, right?” you said, eyes soft.

She gave a reluctant nod. Which gave you the perfect excuse to scoop her up in your arms.

She shrieked, clinging to you. “Wait! No—don’t drop me!”

You smirked, pretending to toss her. “Relax.”

“Don’t you dare—!”

Too late. You ducked you both under.

She came up sputtering, smacking your chest. “That wasn’t funny!”

Your smile faltered—until she shook her head, half-laughing. “You scared me, idiot.”

Which, of course, earned her a playful tackle back into the water.

By the time everyone circled up with towels for lunch, Jackie was back in her long sleeve, her damp T-shirt drying beside your tank top on the umbrella.

You noticed she wasn’t eating. Picking at food, not really swallowing.

Sliding behind her, you draped one arm across her shoulders and leaned your chin against the other. “You okay?” you murmured.

She gave a small smile, but it didn’t fool you.

“Wanna grab something else? Away from the group? Just us.”

She stiffened for a second… then relaxed, nodding faintly.

So you stood, brushing it off with a joke about being picky, not mentioning her at all.

You grabbed her hand gently, guiding her toward the car.

Jackie leaned against the trunk, arms crossed, watching you dig into the cooler. “You didn’t have to do that, you know.”

You glanced back at her. “Do what?” She rolled her eyes, though softer than usual. “Make it about you. Like you’re the one who’s picky. I know what you’re doing.”

You smirked faintly, grabbing a container. “And?”

“And…” She paused, biting her lip. “You don’t have to take care of me all the time.”

You stepped closer, holding out the food. “Maybe I like taking care of you.”

Her walls cracked—just a little. She looked at you for a long moment before snatching the container from your hands with a huff.

“Yeah, well… don’t get used to it.”