A Jantom short story.

The ressurection of John Keats

She reaches over and pinches my cheek

"Nah. You just kind of look like a tomato."
"Well thats encouraging." I laugh.
"Were you looking for consolation or honesty? Sorry but I speak my mind."
" And that, my dear. Is why I love you- Uhhhhh" No. Did I really just say that?! Crap!

~~~~~~~~

"Y-y-you... love me?" I ask. Holy god he loves me?! What do I say, what do I do we haven't even kissed yet how does he know, was it a joke or is he being serious?!
"... Yes ... I- I understand if you don't feel the same way yet but I've been trying to take you on a date f-for three months" Three months? Three months? Three. fricking. months. "And by saying 'yet' I'm in no way implying you have to be in love with me I-I just meant." He stops himself.

Ok this is it. you've just gotta go for it right now Janna you've got this. I lean in and accidentally smack our foreheads together. " Oh god. I'm so sorry. I don't really know what I'm doing."

He laughs.

"Can I... can I try that again? If it's okay- or maybe you should because obviously I do understand how I'm suppos-"

Tom leans in close to my face, hesitating for just a moment before he presses his lips to mine. Oh god his lips are so soft. It feels like the kiss lasts forever. I want it to. His lips are soft and warm. Not chapped at all. My heart's beating so fast and it feels like a million moths are fluttering in my chest. I'm the first to disconnect from lack of air. I sigh and say;

"That was... so ... worth the wait."
"You... have no idea." He says.
"I really want to again." I say. "Wow. ok that was so awkward. I am so sorry."
"Me too." He says. "About wanting to kiss again. Not about being sorry."
"I should probably speak like a person. I'm sorry for being awkward. I've... well, I hadn't ever kissed anyone before and now... Do you think I'm completely weird?"
"Of course not. Well... actually yes. Completely. But in the best way." Says Tom.
"Awe. Thanks." I laugh.
"We're here." He says.
"Do you need help with anything?" I ask.
"No, I've got it. Just stay in here while I set up."

Five minutes later

"Okay you can come out now!" Says Tom.
I step out of the carriage to see... the cheesiest da*m thing in the world. There are lanterns, a blanket on the floor with a basket of food in and 'fancy' plastic plates and cutlery. I snort-laugh.
"You are. Such a cliché."
"I know it's super cheesy but just wait until after we eat." Said Tom.
"I swear if there is a guy with a guitar somewhere I am probably going to punch you." I would.
Tom laughs.
"Do you seriously think I'd think you'd like that?" He said.  Yes
"Well you have been putting roses in my locker so I wasn't sure..."
"Oh god. Fair enough."
"It was pretty bad. I'm not exactly a 'flower' person."
"Now you tell me!" Tom mocks.
"The thought behind it was cute!" I say.
"That's good, what's your favourite food?"
"You're gonna think it's so gross."
"What is it?"
"You have to promise not to laugh."
"I won't, I promise."
"Ok. Chocolate-covered Brussels sprouts. See I told you it sounds disgusting!"
"Well actually..." He says as he pulls out a box of chocolate-covered Brussels sprouts.
"No. Way." I say.
"Uh, duh-yes way."
"I cannot believe this."
"Have them now or save them for dessert?" He asks.
"Who saves sweets for dessert? Pass me ten." He passes me the box.
"When and how did you find out about them?"
"Halloween of '07 my mom passed them out to trick-or-treaters as a joke." I say. "Yeth, fimaly. Thomeone elthe who eaths thethe! Now ith's not groth to kith you!" I say with my mouth full.
"Oh my gosh.  I see where you get your charm from." He says taking a bite of one of the Brussels sprouts.
"Excuse you! My mom raised two well-rounded kids all on her own. So what if she taught us practical jokes were fun?"
"She did a great job" He says.
"I give her a seven out of ten." I say.
"Seven?"
"Well obviously I'm not perfect, and neither is Oskar."
"A thing of beauty is a joy for ever: its loveliness increases: it will never pass into nothingness."
Oh. My, god.
" John Keats." I breath. "How do you know that line?" I smile.
"I have one more surprise for you tonight."
"If it's a poem I will personally take the liberty of telling you that you are the corniest person I have ever met."
"No, it's not a poem. It's even better."
"Did you get me amputated body parts? YES! I can finally do witchy stuff with those pictures from that book Ferguson leant me..."

He stands up, extends his arms, his eyes start to glow red and he starts to levitate off the ground.
"Tom... are you ok? Wind picks up and the air goes cool. Then suddenly, it stops. Tom falls to the ground, out of breath and dazed. I run over to him.

"T-Tom. What the hel-icoper just happened? You'd better be ok you idiot."
Something starts to come out of the ground.
"What the h**l..." I say, looking back at Tom.
"You said you liked John K-keats. I thought he should get a chance... to like you."
"Did you seriously just summon John Keats from the dead? Tom, that's crazy!" I say. He's so sweet.
" You don't like it?" He asks.
"That's the most... romantic thing anyone's ever done for me."
"Well, go say hi!" He says. I can't believe he did this for me. My god he is so sweet.

~~~~~~~

"Are you ready to experience the dorkiest thing you might possibly ever see? Janna asks.
"I've been waiting all night" I say. She turns around and addresses John Keats.
"Good morrow, Mr. Keats. How are you during this fine evening." She turns back to me and says; "Not. A. Word."
"Not a word." I say grinning and making a 'lip-zipping' motion.
"I am but a humble admirer viewing your works from afar. I must say, I have felt sentimental connections with several of your verses. It is an honour to meet you, sir." She says. I'm impressed. "I'm kinda fluent in Middle English. I was a nerdy little kid." She says to me.
"It's cute." I say. It really is.
"Most guys think it's weird and the ones who don't are Shakespeare junkies."
"Well, I have no idea what category that puts me in but I don't mind"
"That makes you a weirdo." I laugh.
"Go talk to your Mr. Keats." I say.
"You're not gonna retaliate? At all? Wow, Tom." Says Janna.
She turns around with a startle.
"Pardon me, I do not mean to interrupt your... courting, But I seem to have transported to a different area than I last remember." Says John Keats.
"Oh, our apologies sir. What you may have seen as.. courting.. is truly just the new modern method of ... socializing. Adolescents now us figurative language such as sarcasm to communicate emotions.- Tom. Can you stop smiling at me? It's not that weird!" Says Janna.
"No no, its's not weird at all. Keep going." Says Tom. Trying to keep a straight face. Failing.
"You are certain, miss, that this man is not courting you?" Asks John Keats.
"He thinks we're flirting. A lot, apparently." She whispers.
"Well maybe whispering isn't the best way to convince him we're not." I say.
"Pardon me, I am still startled and- I must admit, confused as to how I have transported to this place."
"Ah, good sir, you're in Echo Creek cemetery in California." I say.
" Tom. "You're" is not Middle English." Whispers Janna. "Good try. Don't worry, after hanging out with me for a while you'll speak Middle English in no time."
"Ok well. I tried and failed. You are inevitably, the master."
"Trust me. I know." Says Janna.
"Echo Creek cemetery... in California? Why, may I ask, am I in the United States of America? What year is it?" Asks John Keats.
"You have been... resurrected from the dead. Sir Tom thought it would impress myself."
"Well didn't it?" I ask.
"Yes, Tom. Yes it did. I am thoroughly impressed."
"Excuse my rash judgements but, Sir Tom- if I may. You know nothing about courting. Resurrecting the deceased to impress a lady is far from romantic." Says John Keats.
"Oh contrairé." I say.
"I understand that it will be hard to overlook your prejudices, Mr Keats. However, resurrecting the dead is incredibly romantic, to both myself and Sir Tom." Say Janna, trying not to giggle.
"Very much so." I add.
John Keats takes a moment to mull this over then says;
"Modern courting is quite odd."
"It truly is Mr Keats." Says Janna.