Dance With Me

Jordan breathed in and closed his eyes, feeling every inch of anxiety dissipate. "She's here", he whispered as he breathed out. He could always sense her presence, they were connected in that way. He had a midterm this morning before their spring break could start, so going to pick her up from the airport was a no go. He'd been floating through the day waiting. She's all he could think about.

Jordan ran outside of the shared beach house, instantly being met with a quizzical smirk. Simone always found his eagerness amusing. His excitement for her never wavered. They were older now, Juniors in college and officially back together. They both understood that the time taken apart was needed for them to grow as individuals. The people they spent that time with on the other hand? Well, let's just say you live and you learn. They were different now in all the best ways. Simone and Jordan got back together in the summer before Junior year. Simone came back for summer break and decided it was her turn for a Hail Mary.

"I missed you, babe. How was your test?", she said as she melted in Jordan's embrace. Jordan smiled at her thoughtfulness and answered her in between kisses. "I missed you too, sweetheart", he said as he placed a lingering kiss on her lips. "It was fine, thank you for asking", he said while kissing her nose and forehead. "Look, I know you said you didn't want anything planned for you today, but I thought we'd go take a walk on the football field after you get settled. Have a little picnic?" Simone shook her head. She knew he couldn't go this day without planning something romantic, and she'd never get tired of how intentional he was. "Boy, I knew you couldn't resist. Sure, why not? Let's go up to your room so I can get freshened up." Jordan watched her as she walked up to the door. Now that? He'd never get tired of that. He walked slowly behind her, not sure that freshening up would be first on the agenda once they made it to his room.

—

Beverly still looked the same. Simone was different the last time she was here. Less assured, less confident. She was sure of Jordan though. One thing that hadn't changed was the love she felt while reminiscing on all the stolen kisses and glances she'd shared with the love of her life. 18 seemed so long ago, now. Jordan looked on lovingly as she passed by the tennis court. "Do you miss it?", he asked. "No. Outside of you, high school wasn't actually the glory days for me", her laugh quieting as she spotted an old prom flyer. "I missed out on a lot being pregnant and not feeling supported at home. Parties, games, my love of tennis... And prom! I can't believe I missed prom." Jordan smiled softly as she spoke. He knew all the sacrifices she had to make. She could've easily taken a different route with Shay, but she wanted her son to have love and feel love she didn't feel growing up. That's why she'd wanted him to be a Baker. Yes, Jordan was rough back then, but something about him was so genuine, so kind. She took a pause, then continued, "You know I tried to make it to you? I tried my hardest to get a flight back to you, but I couldn't. I was going to surprise you." Jordan's eyes widened, "What? You've never told me that".

Simone laughed, "Well I figured there was no reason to make you even more disappointed, Baker." Jordan took her in and hugged her, "I was so dumb back then, I wish I would've been there with you." Simone nudged his shoulder and shook her head at her sweet man, "No you were where you needed to be. No need for us both to miss out on that moment. Everything worked out in the end. Plus, I got to have a couple of weddings. That's fair". They laughed as they continued their walk down memory lane, taking in all their old hangout spots, kissing, and feeling up each other along the way. They were really back. During their picnic, Jordan's wheels were turning and he was ready to go all out.

—

"Alright, so does that sound good?"

 Later that night, Jordan met with JJ and Spencer to tell them that he wanted to throw a small, intimate prom for Simone. They only had two days to get every thing together. JJ was all into it with Spencer willing to do anything to help Jordan. "It's sounds dope. Let us know of anything else we can do, man. This is special.", Spencer said. Anything that he could do to keep Jimone happy, he was up for. Simone made Jordan a better man. It was hell watching Jordan navigate that breakup. He knew Jordan was stupid, but not as stupid as he behaved post-Jordan x Simone - pre-Jordan x Simone 2.0. He shuddered at the thought.