That's All She Knew

He Never Gave up Smiling

Jay hummed a quiet, energetic tune as his eyes dragged over the sea of books. His finger ran over their spines gently, before finally uncovering the novel he'd been searching for. It was a strange looking book, one that, no doubt, would be difficult to read, but multiple friends had recommended it to him, and he wasn't one to ignore them!

He happily walked to the check out, where he flashed his friendly grin to the stone - faced librarian, who he'd never once been able to make smile back. He was about to take the book back from her, when he noticed his friend Jenna. He waved to her, smiling.

"Hey, J-"

 "Shhh!" the librarian interrupted.

 He shrank with a sheepish grin.

 "Sorry," he whispered to the grouch handing him the book.

He waved to her. She was reading Jane Eyre. His blue eyes were sparkling. He was holding a thick book and smiling at the grumpiest librarian on the face of the earth. He never gave up smiling.

"Now that is a song lyric." Jenna muttered to herself.  She waved back and wrote the line down in her notebook. Making sure he didn't forget his book, or library card, again, Jay scampered over to Jenna.

 "Hello!" he sang, quietly, this time, "What's that you're writing? More song lyrics?".

 He smiled again. He thought it was so cool that she could do all that amazing stuff, as the most musical thing he'd ever been able to do was whistle through his front teeth when he was seven. He didn't really have many talents. But it didn't bug him much. Why complain about all the bad in the world, when there was so much good, too?

Jenna blushed bright red and smiled.

"Yeah, just a song I'm working on.  I was planning on finishing it up before the jam session at Minnie's tonight. You should come if you don't have too much homework."

He was humming a little earlier, and she recognized the song.  She had written it. She was pretty sure he would say yes to the jam session.  Jay may sometimes not see what is right in front of him, and can't hold a tune, but he understood songs, people, and food better than anyone Jenna knew.

 "Alright! I did promise I'd go to the movies with Milly and Caleb, though..." his voice trailed off, as he wondered what he could do to compromise. Milly sure wouldn't be happy if he didn't show up...

 "I'll go talk to them and see if we can reschedule, ok?" he gave her an assuring smile. Jenna smiled.

"It's ok, Milly'll kill you if you blow her off." She was a little sad, but maybe it would be better if he didn't hear the song she had written.  It was about him. She didn't want to have him asking questions about it she didn't have answers to.

 "Just go ahead and go." Jenna grabbed her books and headed out the door, scowling at the  librarian on the way out. Feeling somewhat guilty, he quickly strode after her, somewhat clumsily.

 "Wait! I'm sorry..." he told her sincerely, "Can I make it up to you?". The strings pulling the corners of his mouth worked together perfectly to form an adorable, apologetic smile.

"I probably won't have much money after the movies, but we could hang out after school tomorrow, or something?"

 Her heart melted. Again.  She wondered how a heart could melt and break so many times. Jenna nodded a little.  He was so sweet. 

"It's ok, I'm probably going to be payed for the jam session. We can get something to eat or something." Jenna turned out the door.

"Text me,  we'll figure it out. " Jenna was convinced that Milly was trying to ruin her life.