33. Just You And Me
Jessica's POV
"Okay Jess," I told myself. "You can do this."
No you can't. Ugh! Why did this have to be so hard? In case you're wondering, I was getting myself ready to break up with Zeke. And I felt so bad about it by the way. I took a deep breath and approached him. Luckily it was still a few minutes before class, meaning the teacher wasn't there yet.
"Um...hey," I said.
"Oh hi," he greeted. "What's up?"
Oh you know, just here being a souless heartbreaker. Everyday stuff, really.
I sighed. "We kinda need to talk."
"About?"
"Well...us," I began. "Look, dating you has been great but I just don't think we should...um-"
"Jess, I know what you're going to say," he told me with a chuckle.
"You do? And you're okay with it?" I asked, a little confused.
"Come here," he said taking my hand. I stepped closer like he asked.
"I know you want to end things and I know it's because of Austin."
I opened my mouth to say something but he stopped me.
"It's obvious there's something between you two," he told me. "I didn't like it, but I couldn't ignore it."
I groaned. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean for all this to happen. You must think I'm a horrible person."
He laughed. "I don't think you're horrible Jessica. I think you did your best to make it work," he told me.
"Trust me," I said. "I really did. I guess it just didn't make sense to keep seeing you when I...you know."
"When you what? Clearly have feelings for another guy? I don't blame you Jess," he said.
I was shocked. He was such a nice guy.
"How can you not?" I asked.
"You're an amazing girl, and trust me, I will miss that. But you and Austin, it's obvious there's something there and I can't stand in the way of that. Thanks for just being honest about it."
I hugged him. "Thank you so much for making this easy."
He let out a small laugh. "No problem. Oh, and if you really want to be with Austin, I think you should give it a shot."
I nodded with a smile. If only it was that easy. "Thanks Zeke," I said and kissed him on the cheek before settling down at my own seat.
*************
Khalan's POV
"Are all systems a go?" I asked Austin through the phone.
He laughed. "Khalan you're helping me win Jess back, we're not going undercover for the FBI."
Austin wanted to make it up to Jessica so he planned a little surprise for her.
I rolled my eyes. "Should I bring her in or what?"
He laughed again. "Shawn's good to go, so yeah."
"Okay," I said and hung up.
"Got your book," Jessica said as she approached me.
"Thanks," I said with a smile.
"Now can we leave?" she asked. "You've had me running round these halls for how many minutes now?"
I laughed. "Yeah, let's go."
"Why is there a speaker in the cafeteria?" she asked suspuciously as we got our food.
I just smiled, not giving her an answer. Just then Shawn started playing the tune to Bruno Mars' 'It Will Rain'. Yes, we dragged a piano into the cafeteria.
"Hey everyone," Austin shouted as he climbed onto one of the tables. "Can I have your attention?"
"What the hell is he doing?" Jessica whispered.
I shrugged playfully.
"So," Austin began. "There's this girl I've kinda liked for a while. Things were sort of great, but like the guy I am, I messed it up...badly," he said and earned a few laughs.
"I gotta go," she said.
"Nope," I told her and held her arm. "Just...give him a chance."
She sighed and stayed put.
"But I want her to know, I made a mistake. So Jess?" he continued.
"Oh gosh," Jessica panicked. "Maybe people think he's talking about another Jessica."
"Jessica Alvez?" Austin called again and I laughed.
"Really Austin?" she muttered. All eyes turned to us...well her.
"See when we first went out, it was just an excuse, but it was probably the best one I've made in my life," he said as he stepped down, earning a few more laughs.
"You're beautiful, and funny, and as stubborn as hell," he continued and she chuckled. "But trust me, I wouldn't have it any other way. You probably turned my life around, and honestly, I'm crazy about you. So...am I forgiven?"
She nodded. "Of course," she said and hugged him.
The "aw's" and "ooh's" filled the cafeteria.
"Wait," Austin shouted again. "There's one more thing I have to ask, but first."
Music began to blast through the speakers as the cheerleading team filled the cafeteria dancing to a routine. We watched in awe as they perfected a pyramid with Austin doing two backflips and landing in front if them. They dismantled the pyramid and two held up a banner saying, "Go out with me?"
He turned back to face her. "Jess, will you be my girlfriend?"
She laughed. "You actually got the cheerleading squad to do this?"
"Khalan called in some favours," he explained with a smile. "Meaning all this will totally be for nothing if you say no."
All eyes were on her like we were waiting to hear an answer to a marriage proposal.
She pulled him close and kissed him. "Yes!"
"Hear that people, we have a yes!" Liam joked and applause echoed through the room.
"Finally!" I said. "I'm so happy for you guys."
Jessica laughed and hugged me. "Thanks."
"Thanks Sara," I said approaching the head cheerleader.
"No problem," she grinned. "That was one hell of a way to get some practice. I was happy to help." Unlike the perception most people have about cheerleaders the ones at my school were actually very nice. Sara and I became friends when she was my lab partner last year.
I nodded with a smile and proceeded to the table before lunch ended.
*********
"You know I didn't know you knew Bruno Mars," I teased Shawn as I leaned against the locker he was next to.
"Ha," he said. "There's still a lot you've got to figure out."
"You did good though, thanks for helping Austin out. I know you're not too keen on playing for a lot of people," I told him.
"Oh you know, happy helper, that's me," he joked.
I laughed. "Whatever Shawn."
"So, up to the roof now?" he asked.
"Um," I began. "How about we skip studying for today?"
He looked at me. "Who are you and what have you done with my tutor?"
I rolled my eyes. "I'm just tired, that's all."
"Okay," he said shutting his locker. "How about we do something then?"
I sighed. "I don't know."
"Nothing wild Princess," he told me. "Just you and me."
I contemplated for a second but agreed anyways. I had fun with Shawn.
I followed him to his car. He drove to the park, where we just sat on a bench talking about stuff.
"Shawn?" I called when he spaced out. I noticed his gaze was on a woman picking her son off the ground while the other two played with each other.
"Yeah?" he asked snapping out of it.
"You miss her...don't you?" I asked him.
"Who?"
"Your mom."
He ran his fingers through his hair.
"Forget it," I quickly said. "I'm sorry I brought it up."
"No it's okay," he told me. "Yeah I do, but I'm okay."
I nodded. "You know if you ever want to talk about it-"
"I know," he said cutting me off. "I know you're there Michaels."
I gave him a small smile.
"Come on," he said and stood up.
"Where are we going?" I asked.
"Somewhere," he simply replied.
He drove somewhere and told me to follow him as he got out. Then I noticed where we were; a cemetery.
"Shawn I-"
"It's just a cemetery Michaels, no need to be scared," he interfered. "Come on?"
I took in a deep breath and he took me by my wrist and I followed. We both stopped when we came to one tombstone:
Susan Marie Mitchell
Loving wife, mother
and friend.
"I used to come here everyday," he said with a chuckle. "I'd sit with my guitar and just play for her."
"What changed?" I asked.
He looked at me. "I got better I guess. I wasn't perfect, but better."
"Have you ever brought your sister here?" I asked.
He laughed. "She probably wouldn't sleep for the next two months. Maybe when she's older."
I laughed softly. It amazed me to see him laughing like this. I'd probably bawl my eyes out everytime I came here if I was in his shoes.
"Let's go," he told me.
"You sure you don't wanna stay for a bit?" I questioned.
"I'm fine Michaels, let's go," he assured.
I agreed and got into his car with him.
"See you tomorrow," I said as I got out in front of my house.
"Later," he called as he drove away.
After dinner I sat on the couch in the living room surfing through channels. Today had been an interesting day. From Jess and Austin to Shawn.
"What are you hinking about kiddo?" my brother asked as he hopped onto the couch too.
"Nothing much," I told him, pausing for a bit before speaking up. "Shawn took me to his mother's grave today."
"Wow, he lost his mom?" Charlie asked.
Oops. Big mouth Khalan, big mouth.
"I don't know if you're supposed to know that but yeah," I answered.
"How was it?"
"He took it really well though," I replied. "What if he's not actually okay?"
"I've met him," Charlie said. "Don't worry about him, he's a strong guy."
I looked at him. "One night. You hung out with him for one night."
He chuckled. "And I know all I need to know."
I nodded. He was probably right. Maybe I didn't need to worry about Shawn so much.
Why did I worry about Shawn so much?
"What are you guys up to?" Emily came in cutting me off in my thoughts.
"How about we watch a movie?" Charlie offered. "When was the last time we did that together?"
"Few months ago when we totally trashed the place and fell asleep in front of the tv," Em replied.
I laughed at the memory. Our parents were gone for the entire day and let's just say we kinda turned the house upside down. Mom was so furious coming home to that the next morning, she made us clean the entire house.
"Let's just watch the movie. No horror though," I said. I wasn't a big fan of horror movies.
"I hear you Mia," he said with a chuckle.
He put the movie in and we watched, falling asleep like we did the last time.