John Hughes Movie

Chapter 32

Peter

"In the words of one of teen movies greatest heroes, Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." I panned my eyes across the classroom as I tried to bring it home. Our final presentation was a huge chunk of our grade and I was not planning on blowing this for us. "Teen movies, especially those by legends of the genre, like John Hughes, make such an impact on the culture because they are how young people see themselves best reflected. The great ones reflect the anxieties of today. Problems that generations of teens will face. These movies serve as a hopeful look to the future. That even if you end up in detention, or your parents forget your birthday, you still matter. There stories matter. Young adults matter. Thank you."

The class began to clap and I looked over at Covey. Her cheeks were blushed red from her embarrassment in public speaking. She didn't even say a word, but she always got nervous standing in front of a crowd. She beamed her mega-watt smile at me and I was glad I was holding onto the podium, or I was sure I would have melted right there.

"Excellent presentation." Professor Berry scribbled notes from the back of the room. "I have a question for you. I know it has little do to with your own project, but I think you two might be the best to ask after you have been in the teen rom com world. What do you think is the biggest difference between coming of age films & a teen rom com?"

I turned to Lara Jean who was already opening her mouth to answer. "Who is the main protagonist and who directs it." She smiled up at our professor.

"Expand on that." She leaned forward in her brightly colored cardigan.

"When the movie stars a young woman, it's automatically seen as a teen movie. When it's about a young man, it's a coming of age epic deserving the most respect. It happens in all story telling because when men have control of what is deemed as important, women's stories get left behind in YA fiction or romance. Young men's stories are seen as the great American novel." She glowed when she talked about things she was passionate about. Each time I got to see it, I fell a little more in love with her. I was so proud to be standing by her side. I was so lucky she believed in me. She believed in us.

"I couldn't agree more." Our professor beamed thinking she must have made an impact on her students. "Great job you two."

As soon as we sat down in our seats, her hand intertwined with mine. The pad of her thumb rubbed up and down the side of my hand. My breath hitched. It amazed me how such a simple gesture, made me feel so much with her. She looked over to me with a small giggle. I mouthed Love you. And she blushed even harder.

As other groups presented, I felt at peace. Lara Jean centered me in a way no one else could. When I was with her, my mind didn't have to be hard on myself. The world seemed brighter. The air seemed crisper. My breath energized my whole body when I knew she was close. I was safe with her. My heart was safe with her. I was loved. I was taken care of. I knew just how much we loved each other.

I would always choose her. She would always choose me. I didn't have to be afraid of her leaving. I would never run away from her. I loved her too much to even think about it. I would not make that mistake again.

She was leaning against my car when I came out after the game. We had barely won the game but Greg's last-minute goal put us ahead and off the playoffs. We hadn't been there for 2 years. We all planned to go to the other lacrosse house to celebrate, but I just wanted to see my girl first.

"Look who it is! It's all-star lacrosse hottie, Peter Kavinsky!" She pushed off the Jeep and ran to me. I dropped my bags and picked her up. She swung her legs around my hips and grabbed my face with both her hands. Her kisses felt like a million butterflies taking off at once. "You did so good." She got out between kisses.