Through Jaemies' Eyes

Chapter 3 & 4

CHAPTER THREE The beginning of the end

Jaemie

Finally, it's Friday. Yesterday in gym Jamison was telling me about some party in the corn field to kick off the first weekend in school and there's nothing I think I need more than a drink or ten. I start off in Spanish, our teacher is teaching us something about congegating verbs that I've learned in every Spanish class I've ever been in. I'm just staring off into space.

"Jill, do you wanna work with me?" Cody says as I realize he's talking to me.

"Why do you call me Jill?" I ask Cody and he laughs.

"Shit. I'm really bad with names. What's yours again?"

I smile "Jaemie."

"Oh, well. You're Jill to me now." He says and just starts writing out our question and puts our names as Cody Himms and Jill Ship at the top of the paper like it's normal. He's hilarious.

I get to gym and Jamison is talking about how pumped he is for the party tomorrow. Tonight's the football game so naturally, the whole school will be there.

"Hey you want a bottle of something? I have my sister grabbing some stuff for me for tomorrow?" I didn't even know Jamison had a sister. Especially over 21. I only knew about Oakley.

"Sure, tell her to grab whatever. I'll give you money at the game."

He nods and we scatter as the whistle blows, which they always blow late, which means I have to get dressed at warped speed to make it to my next class. Algebra. I'd be okay if I had to miss that one.

The bell rings and I only have my cami on. Oh well, it'll have to do til I get to Algebra. Tshirt in hand I run through the halls because the gym and the math department couldn't get any further away. When I get in the class I'm breathless and the second bell rings as my first foot hits the classroom carpeting.

"Impeccable timing Ms. Ship. Now please. Put your clothes on." Mr. Crimson states nonchalantly.

All eyes turn to me but there is a specific pair of blue ones that stand out. I am as red as the tshirt that is in my hands instead of on my body. I toss it on and take my seat.

"Okay class, we are going to be doing semester long projects. Every week you will get a new subject to work on and an assignment to go with it. Instead of finals, at the end of the semester, we will present our projects. Fair enough?' Everyone nods in agreement. Finals are the worst.

"We will be working in groups of 2 or 3." Shit. I don't know anyone in this class. Other than Kallyn and there's no way I'm picking him. "I pick the groups." I sigh of relief when he makes that statement.

He goes about naming groups of three first, I realize the groups of three are all the younger students that have been pushed ahead. Since I'm where I'm supposed to be, I will probably have a group of two. I hope it's Mollie Tristowl. She's so smart.

"Ms. Ship, you will be with Mr. Singer." What. I look to Kallyn and at first he looks shocked but then he makes eye contact with Mr. Crimson and a knowing smile comes over his lips. Like it makes sense. It makes sense that he paired us? Ugh. This is going to be a painful semester.

CHAPTER FOUR the field

Kallyn and I didn't have to start on our project yesterday, thank god. I wasn't prepared to handle that.

Now I'm on my way to the party. I have Kamryn in my passenger seat and Jamison and Jax in the back seat. We park in the neighborhood nearest the corn field, but each car spaced out and  in front of a different house, to be sure not to tip of the cops. Jax and Kam are talking some Trigonometry shit as we make our way to the field. Jamison and I are taking sips of the bottles we have both too excited for what the night has in store for us. We run into Kat Wallace walking from a nearby street when Jamison calls to her. She's in Kallyns grade, a year older than us. I've never been sure how I feel about her but she comes over and give Jamison and Jax hugs, apparently she's friends with Jaxes older brother. She looks at me and goes 'Jaemie, right? Kat. And you're Kamryn?' she asks, directing her attention to Kam. She's already different than I envisioned her. We walk the next ten minutes getting to know Kat and she's hilarious. She's super gorgeous and dresses differently than most of the girl in the teeny town. I don't know how I had any other impression than awesome for this girl. I see her and I becoming fast friends and I don't say that often about girls.

"Hey Kallyn!" She says and walks in his directions.

I take that back. Not sure I like Kat.

"Kat, how's it going? Sup Jamison, Jax. Kamryn. Hey partner." He says to me.

"Partner?" Jamison asks curiously.

"Algebra." I answer. Not looking directly at Kallyn. I need more to drink.

"Come on Kam. Sammys over there. Let's go say hi." We walk away leaving the four of them to their conversation. Sammy and I work together and just worked this morning, there isn't much I have to say to him. I just needed to get out of there.

After about 20 minutes, more and more people gather and more and more liquor has been consumed by me than I anticipated. I see Kallyn sitting by himself and all of the sudden my legs are carrying me to him.

"Alone?" I ask.

A smile creeps across his face before he responds "Not anymore. Sit." I attempt to sit on the chair next to him but almost miss and stumble towards the small fire, the only source of light at this party. He stands,  grabs my arm and pulls me to his lap in one swift motion.

"Maybe this spot is safer." He says looking me dead in the eyes.

I don't know if it's the liquor or his touch but I'm not trying to run away from him this time. He picks up his bottle and takes a drink before saying "I'd offer you some but it seems you've already had plenty." I let out a giggle. And then cover my mouth, surprised by what just came out of it. Which earns me a laugh.

Kallyn

You've got to be fucking kidding me.

Headlights start heading towards the small fire in the middle of this giant field. There is only one person who would do this

"JAEMIE!"

Yup. Jordan Ship. Not even my small friendship with Dex and Skip can save me from physically touching Jordans sister. Jaemie stands up stomping away from me.

"What the fuck, Jordan! Go away!" Jamison is suddenly next to her. As much as I like the kid, I can't help but be bothered by the fact that they're always together. Dex comes out and scoops Jaemie up in his arms. I've never seen anyone as protected as that girl. Or as loved. Those guys put her lives before theirs. I'm sure they have better things to do on a Saturday night than driving through cornfields looking for their buddies little sister.

"God damnit, Dex. Put me down. I came with Kam and Jax too and I'm not fucking leaving them."

Most people would never dare talk to Dex like that, and if any other female did. His words would have destroyed her. He shows no mercy.

"Okay Jaem. I'll wait here. Go get Kam." He says setting her down gently.

"Singer, sup dude. I always forget you're still in school. What are you doing here?" Dex says to me. There's no way in hell he knows Jaemie was just on my lap or this is not the conversation we'd be having.

"Ah you know, annual bonfire." I try to say casually, even though I've never been to one of these before and I'm a little pissed that they're ruining this night for me. But also grateful because there's no reason I should be involved with her. And this bullshit that would come with it.

Dex chuckles "Sorry to ruin your fun, bro." Having no idea just how much he is.  "We'll be out of here in a minute. Just making sure princess gets home safe."

"No biggie." I say as Jaemie is passing me with Kamryn on her tail. "Jaemie."

She stops. Dead in her tracks and Dex eyes me funny.

"You dropped your phone." She looks relieved. "Thanks Kallyn."

I've never heard her say my name before and I'll be damned if it doesn't make me blush.

Jaemie walks to Dex and puts her arms out, almost like for a hug? He scoops her up again. I chuckle. She knew it was coming. As he turns around he goes "Damn, who's that girl?" his gaze directed towards Kat.

"Shut up, asshole. Don't come and drag me from a party and hit on my friends on the way out." Jaemie says with no real anger in her tone as they walk away I hear him say "Introduce me to more of your friends."

I laugh, she's so different with them. And such a spitfire.

Kam hops in the truck behind them, apparently Jax and Jamison decided to stay. They drive away. The party went on as if nothing ever happened.