Crossing Jupiter (#Wattys2015)

Chapter Six

10 missed calls.
All from an unknown caller.

It's not like I don't have an idea on who it is or anything, I just choose not to respond. This morning, Bay said that Jasper gave my number to him, and that he'd call after school. I appreciate the offer and all, but I'm a bit tied up at the moment.

The small lady, Ms. Darren, sits tapping away at her computer as I work out all the printing gadgets and the programs used to make the newspapers. Instead of using the generic layout of newspapers, I've gone with the yearbook style; lots of color and lots of pictures.

Big and bold lettering, with short summaries of the events that have happened this week.

So far we've covered the football teams progress on their way to the championships, the marching band heading to finals, and now for miscellaneous news, such as how the principal got a new haircut. Many people love it but many people hate it. Like we know you like pit-bulls, but did you have to shave it on the back of your head?

I've figured out a decent writing schedule, that should work in time to get all the papers published on their presumed dates.

Monday: Draft papers (Lunch)
Tuesday: Add formatting (After school)
Wednesday: Edit and add-in photos (after school)
Friday-Sunday: Go over/Add finishing touches
Monday: Submit for printing

Tuesday: Newspapers are published.

Every now and then Jasper drops in to help, but he spends most of the time secretly scanning through Tumblr.
Bay tags along on Mondays and Wednesdays, and we exchange stories. Then he'll go out with his buddies and do some interviews/surveys, and we'll catalog the data when we begin to add everything on Wednesdays.

Ms. Darren is delighted to see the school paper up and running again, and she's even more thrilled about the fact that she actually has students in her classroom that want to be there. Her classes are very lecture-oriented, so not many kids find it intriguing. And, considering her small frame, no one takes her seriously. It's sad, actually. She's a very nice lady; she brings us food.

Jasper walks in. "Are you ready to go? Bay's been freaking out. I swear he thinks you've fallen off the face the Earth."

I don't look up from the computer. "Is he calling about the newspaper?"

"Well, not exactly."

"Then it can wait for now."

"Are you mad at him?"

Mad isn't the word for it. A more accurate term would be confused. Look, it's not like I don't want to be friends with the guy but, sometimes he can be a bit pushy. He likes to be the leader of everything, and the problem with that is, is that I do too. I like being in charge of everything, so when we're working, we might clash heads together every now and then.

But if it isn't paper-related, we're fine. He's his flirty self again, and I'm still the one saying it's never going to happen. It's all so confusing though, how everyone is so interested in our relationship. I barely know this guy. We've only had one real conversation, and that was when I met him on his doorstep. In order for me to trust him, I have to know him. So what if he likes me? That doesn't mean I'll like him back.

Who was he before he knew me?

"I'm fine, really." I say.

Jasper sways back and forth. "Alright. So how much time do you need before I pick you up? Mom wants me to go to the grocery store. Says she's trying to make meatloaf."

Last time mom tried meatloaf, it's because she was delivering the news that we were moving. "That can't be good," I mutter. "I should be done in half an hour, so you can pick me up then."

He swings out the doorway. "You got it."

-

"Mom, that is not meatloaf."

"Oh sure it is!" She exclaims. "Meatloaf comes in all shapes and sizes, so we must learn how to love it, no matter how it turns out."

"Mhm," I breathe. "So what's the news?"

Dad sits up, now well alert. "What news?"

"There's no news." Mom replies. "Just more of an announcement."

She pauses. "I've found a job. Now, I know I wasn't supposed to go job hunting because we just sealed down one already, but I did. And this might be interesting! It's all about computer designing, and even though it's not up my alley, I think it's worth a shot, right?"

Jasper raises an eyebrow. "Mom, you're a social worker."

She sighs. "I know, but I think this can be good for all of us. You know how depressed I can get sometimes, so maybe it's best to get away from it, at least for the time being."

"Don't you need degrees for that sort of work?"

"I already have them, so there's nothing holding me back." She smiles. "I hope this isn't too much of a shock to you guys, but I need this. I really do."

I purse my lips. "If it's what you need, then we shouldn't hold you back."

"So it's alright?"

"It's perfect."

Mom can barely contain her excitement; she's jumping and squealing like a five-year old on Christmas morning. Jasper flashes me a smile, and I can't help but return one. It's nice, having a functional family. Everyone else I know have broken homes, separated parents, or they're adopted. Some don't even know the definition of family. But it's the new trend in America; it's sick.
When you choose to marry someone, you choose to stay with them. To love and cherish them. You're supposed to spend the rest of your life with that person, and if you couldn't hold a proper relationship in the first place, then what's the point? The vows are there for a reason.

Maybe the 'till death do us part' line is overrated, but I still believe in it. I want to find a love that lasts.
A love that only two lovers can share,
A love like my parents have.