*I'm doing a time skip since it's been so long since i've written or done anything for this book and it's just what i want to do tbh*
1 year Later
Jackson has now been living in Columbus for just over eight months or so now, after finishing his secondary schooling back home, he committed to THE Ohio State University on a full ride scholarship to play for their football team and for their academics. Jackson ended up moving to Columbus in hopes of making things permanent with Alexa, as he was tired of going back and forward with the shirt blonde companion.
It was Jackson's first day on campus and he had been talking to Alexa every now and then but for some reason he just felt really awkward when talking to her, which makes him mad at himself for opening up to someone who he doesn't seem to be able to talk to more than two days in a row without getting a weird feeling in his stomach, it may be new school jitters, coming into a different country to permanently attend post secondary school can be very intimidating and the last thing he wants to do is either get embarrassed or screw something up and cause problems.
Jackson is hoping to change that though, he's hoping that he can get through his classes in a breeze, have a great first day of practice, and hopefully be able to catch up with Alexa and figure out what's going on between them and hopefully that gives him some answers to his many problems.
Jackson walks into his first lecture hall and takes a seat in the middle of the back row at the very top, which turned out to be an awful idea because once he sat down, he had instantly been surrounded with other football players and tons of senior age looking girls just trying to fish for anything they can
The unfortunate thing was that Jackson had no interest in them, but the girl had all the interest in the world in him, so they were constantly doing things like dropping pencils beside him so he'd look over and they were bent over exposing most of their chest, or they will say they need to get by you and just use it as an excuse to rub up against him, which he doesn't not mind but to him it feels like cheating.
In order to get them to stop he randomly bursts out without even thinking before he spoke out.
Jackson: I'm seeing someone!
To which all the girls visibly got very jealous and frustrated, and started trying to guess who the girl was that had already snatched him up but in reality it was more of a line than anything.
Jackson: You don't know her trust me stop asking.
Jackson demanded but that didn't help diffuse the situation or tension that was still there.
Tiffany: Yeah right I can't wait to see the look on whoever face it is that you're supposedly with when we're making out after the game on Saturday.
Jackson just shook his head, a little in disgust but figured it's whatever, he has enough will power to stop himself from doing something stupid like that.
Shortly after Jackson packed up his bags and left quickly as soon as class had ended to avoided being followed and bugged by the group of people he was just stuck listening to.
Jackson made his way through the halls getting lost a few times but was eventually able to make his way across campus to their workout facility to get a workout in.
Jackson has never experienced something like this, sure his body is chiseled like a greek god, but that doesn't excuse the fact that this was another level of training, the drills are the same but the intensity is ramped up drastically, and unlike Jackson being head and shoulders above the rest, everyone here is just as good if not better than him.
Jackson had finally gotten a moment where he had a break and jogged over to the sideline to the benches where all the water was and was taking some big sips of water, when he was taking a look around breathing all of his surroundings when his eyes fixed on the cheerleading team. In particular his eyes fixated on a certain petite vibrant blonde haired girl with pink tips at the bottom of her hair.
Jackson: *mumbling to himself out loud* Fuck I've gotta go talk to her.
Unfortunately one of the many offensive players getting a drink heard him.
Marvin: You gotta what now? Don't tell me you seriously have a crush on one of the cheerleaders, you ain't got a chance dawg!
Marvin shoved Jackson's shoulder and was laughing and continue to laugh as he jogged back to participate in the rest of practice.
Jackson just shook his head somewhat in embarrassment and also somewhat in frustration as he followed suit.
The team was running through some plays and you could tell that they were getting tired and started half assing some repetitions and that they aren't up to peak game shape that they needed to be at for games even though it is the first day. So coach made them do conditioning to end practice.
Coach Day: "I know you're fucking tired, I know you're fucking sore, but we're not done yet. You can't just show up and expect to fucking win. Winning takes effort, it takes grit, and it takes a whole lot of damn heart. And right now, I'm not seeing any of that from any of you. You can't just go through the motions and expect to succeed. You have to push yourself, you have to fight through the pain, and you have to give it your all. That's what separates the champions from the losers. So let me ask you, are you giving it your all right now? Are you pushing yourself to the limit? Or are you just going through the damn motions, waiting for this to be over? I don't want to hear any fucking excuses. I don't want to hear any complaining. I want to see effort, I want to see heart, and I want to see you giving it everything you've got. That's the only way we're going to succeed."
After listening to their coach berate them while they ran and ran, Jackson and the rest of the team headed back into the facility to shower and head home for the day, besides Jackson, after fooling around in the locker room a bit and grabbing a Gatorade to go. He grabbed his bag and keys and knew it was now time to decide if he wanted to deal with his personal issue.
Jackson makes his way to Alexa's house.
Alexa: Hi Jackson, it's nice to see you although I'm surprised.
Jackson: Of course, Alexa. It's always great to see you.
Alexa: So....
Jackson: So, I wanted to talk to you about us, and what's on your mind.
Alexa: Well, I feel like we have a good connection and I really enjoy spending time with you. But I'm not sure where we stand. Are we just casually dating or is there potential for something more serious?
Jackson: (hesitates) I really enjoy spending time with you too, Alexa. I just, I just don't know. There's something inside me that is bothering me and I can't figure out what it was, I hoped coming to talk to you and sort out where we are would help.
Alexa: (smiling) It's okay, Jackson. I'm not expecting you to write me a love letter. I just want to know how you feel.
Jackson: (pauses) I feel like we have something really special, Alexa.
Alexa: (reassuringly) That's okay, Jackson. You don't have to be a poet. Just tell me what you're feeling right now.
Jackson: (takes a deep breath) I'm feeling really happy when I'm with you, Alexa. I feel like I can be myself around you and you understand me.
Alexa: (smiling) That's really sweet, Jackson. I feel the same way about you.
Jackson: (smiling back) I'm glad to hear that, Alexa. I just want you to know that I'm really into you, and I want you.
Alexa: (feeling relieved) That's great to hear, Jackson. I'm into you too.
Jackson: (sighs with relief) I'm so glad we had this conversation, Alexa. I was really nervous about it.
Alexa: (grinning) You did great, Jackson. Just remember, you don't have to be perfect at expressing your emotions. As long as you're honest with me, that's all that matters.
After that a bit uncomfortable but progressive talk with Alexa and made his way towards his dorm room that he shares with other members of the football team.
As Jackson finishes driving, and is pulling into his driveway, he notices a familiar blonde sitting on him front porch waiting for him to get home. Jackson realizes who it is.
Jackson: Hey oh my god Livvy what are you do-
Livvy cut him off and pulled him into a kiss. It wasn't just any regular kiss though as Livvy forced her tongue into Jacksons mouth which he accepted and returned passionately, their bodies pressed together heatedly against the wall, breathing heavily as our lips continued to be locked together tasting Livvy's strawberry lip gloss while Jackson pinned her against the wall with a hand holding her wrists above her head and another hand gently but firmly pressing and giving a slight squeeze to her neck. They could taste their shared breath, feel the thud of their combined heartbeat as they fumbled to take off one another's clothes until they remembered where they were.
As they separated to get some air, and are arm in arm with each other, Livvy finally speaks up.
Livvy: I just needed to know.
She leaves a sweet quick peck on Jacksons lips and smiles and she walks to the road to get back into her car as Jackson stands there trying to understand what just happened as he watches Livvy drive off...