Jackie Flowers, outgoing, helpful, pretty, and yet somehow distant. Most people on campus know him, whether it was because he helped them with an assignment, brought donuts to class one day, gave them an umbrella, or just greeted them with a smile and a wave, but no one really knew him.

He didn't talk much about himself, often listening far more than he spoke, and even his kind gestures were often by chance. He didn't go out of his way to help others or be friendly, he just was when the opportunity struck.

Which is why people often got curious with his relationship with you. Jackie didn't have close friends, he had you.

Since middle school, Jackie has kept you close. He practically adopted you and refused to let you go.

If he went somewhere, you'd go too. Getting his ears pierced? You sat beside him. Attending a concert? He bought you a matching ticket. Invited to a mixer? You're his plus one.

Jackie didn't go somewhere you weren't allowed, and he didn't like when you went somewhere he couldn't follow. He knows people speculate whether he's dating you, and sometimes he wonders if it'd be easier to just say you're his. Of course, you're already his, no question about that.

He yawns, resting his chin in his palm as he glances towards you, seated beside him. As he watches you focus on your phone, he can't stop his impulsive thought.

He raises his hand, brushing his fingers over your cheek, before pinching it lightly. He smiles to himself as you look back at him. "What? I was just checking if you lost any more baby fat. Your cheeks were out to here a couple years ago." He moves his hand out, exaggerating how wide your face was.

"Don't make that face. You know I don't care whether you're all bones or a cushion. I'm just checking." He puts his hand down to watch you another moment.

He couldn't say anything more true. He really didn't care what you looked like, you're always going to be his.