Chapter Text
Nick's Perspective-
When I first arrived in Manhattan, I never expected to be where I was today. I thought I would be selling bonds and making a small fortune, but I never thought I’d get stuck in my small cabin with my rich neighbor and cousin.
I didn’t know Jay that well, especially considering the rumors, but we formed a quick bond. We had also met during the Great War, where I bought some food for him at a pub in Paris. He doesn’t look like the soldier I once knew, but it was him.
I walked towards the living room where Jay was currently sitting, surrounded by flowers. His right knee was bouncing up and down, and he was mumbling to himself, as if preparing what to say when Daisy arrived.
What sort of history they had, I wasn’t entirely sure, but I knew it meant a lot to Jay. I wanted to help him since we were...friends, I suppose. I have an itching feeling in my heart that there was more as to why, but I pushed it far down.
When Daisy finally arrived, the two had a rocky start but were quickly reacquainted. I left them alone and stepped outside, using the giant tree as an umbrella from the rain.
I took a deep breath and shut my eyes, wondering if I was now going to get shoved aside. The rumors about him made me worry that he was simply using me for Daisy, but I hoped that there was more to our relationship than that.
Someone like Jay Gatsby, however, probably had everything planned out, and I was simply a pawn in his game of chess.
I returned indoors a few minutes later, and I saw the two laughing together on the couch. They didn’t need me there, but they wanted me to stay. We spent the rest of the day together, and i felt an awful pain in my chest as I watched the two have fun.
I tried to be happy for my cousin since I knew how much of an asshole Tom really was, but it was sickening to watch their love story play out. I wanted to leave so badly, but I had no real excuse as to why I was feeling such pain.
Maybe it was because I felt lonely compared to them.
At least I wished that was all it was.
When the day finally ended, I went home and collapsed into bed. All I could think about was the way Daisy and Jay would smile at each other. He would smile at her the same way he first smiled at me.
I slowly sat up as I realized what I was thinking, and I shook my head furiously. There is no way I could be thinking that way. No way I could ever be thinking such thoughts about another man like Jay Gatsby.