Chapter Text
Today, at around 7:30 am, October 1st 2025, Jax realizes he has a crush on his neighbour.
And he only has 31 days to confess his feelings to Pomni before he moves away from the neighborhood.
Shit.
Just my luck, he thinks, raking the leaves off his yard with a little bit more force than he had to use. Just my fucking luck.
Jax’s not sure why it takes him so long to figure out whatever he feels. He feels like a stump of a tree when it comes to emotions. Or maybe even a rock. Just a dumb, solid, and impossible to break rock.
He doesn’t like crushes. It makes him feel weak and incredibly small. His father always told him that feelings were useless. That he was useless.
Jax hits the rake against the ground at the thought of his father. Stupid old man.
But you should see her face, Pa. Pomni’s beauty was beyond Jax’s wildest dreams, reminding him of the cherry blossoms that bloomed in her front yard in the early spring. Jax could paint a picture of her in his mind. The brown eyes that gleam in the sunlight, the slope of her nose bridge, her impossibly pink lips, her long brown hair that looks so soft, and gosh her smile—
Jax freezes, his tool midair.
He’s in deep.
Fuck.
Behind him, he hears the click of a camera. “Hold that pose!”
Jax turns to see the person of his affections taking a photo of him and giggling. Shoot, he was still frozen with his rake midair. He probably looks insane.
Well that's one way to impress a girl. Way to go Jax!
“Wow Pom, I didn't think you were that desperate for more photos of me.” Jax says, putting the rake aside and walking up to Pomni’s front yard. Christine the Chihuahua wags her tail happily at his arrival. He crouches down, scratching her behind the ear. “Heya Christine. How’s my favourite girl doin?”
Christine barks in response.
Pomni smiles at the sight. Fuck she’s beautiful. She pops her hip out, places a hand on her hip, sassily saying, “And here I thought I was your favourite girl. How rude!”
Jax’s ears flush red. If only she knew….
Pomni, knowingly or not, just gave him the perfect chance to confess his feelings. Just take it, Jax. Tell her how you really feel. Don't blow it.
“Hah! As if.”
Yup, he blew it.
She rolls her eyes, lightly punching Jax on the arm. Somehow, he felt her touch through the thick fabric of his jacket. “I don’t blame you, Christine’s my favourite girl too. Did you know it’s her rescue anniversary today?”
“Really?” He did not know that.
Pomni perks up, obviously eager to talk about her love for that little creature. “Yeah! I wanted to get her a cake from the pet store, but they are really expensive, and I don’t get paid until Saturday……” she trails off, “Anyways! I gotta go to work, see you later Jax!”
She leaves, Christine following closely behind, leaving Jax all alone with his bubbling thoughts.
If I can’t tell her I like her……
He runs to his car.
—
Pomni walks up to her door, yawning. Today was so tiring and she felt so awful for not being able to afford Christine a simple treat. What kind of owner was she?
She searches for the keys in her pocket, eyes wandering until it lands on her front porch.
The cake she wanted to get Christine sat there. Happy Rescue Day! was written on the cake in purple icing and there was a small little note attached to the box.
You’re welcome in advance —Jax