TEENS

Chapter 5

"Mom, we're home!" Jemma dropped her bags down near the front door and grabbed my hand, running toward the living room. Plopping down on the couch, she grabbed the remote from the armrest and turned on the TV. "Pop a squat, girlie,"

"Do you have any soda?" I asked, walking into the kitchen.

"Check the soda closet,"

"Sounds like the smart thing to do,"

"Mh-hm," 

I ran my hand across the cool, stone kitchen counter and smiled as I examined the photo of Jemma's parents, Jemma, and her older brother, Jason. Jason was tall and buff, his brown hair cut so that it was off his face. He was the hottie of his grade and was still the Prom King legacy at school.

He walked right into the kitchen. He was wearing gray shorts and brown sandals - that's it. I don't know why I had to see two shirtless guys in less than three days, but it happened. And both were more than gorgeous.

"Hey," Jason said, one side of his mouth turning up into half of a smile. "Haven't seen you in a while,"

"Yeah," I said, doing my best to look at his face and not his chest. "Yeah,"

"You said yeah twice,"

I stared at my fingers on the counter, rubbing my thumb on my index as I thought of something clever to say. Nothing. "Yeah..."

Jason laughed and leaned on the counter, looking at me. "How's high school?"

"You don't have to act so high and mighty. You're only one year older than me,"

Jason looked from my feet up to my face. "Trust me, I know."

I blushed, unsure of if he was flirting or not. I wasn't going to take any chances and assume anything. Instead, I walked past him, planning to join Jemma in the living room. Jason placed a hand on my arm and spun me around. I caught my breath as I faced his chest, and then looked up at his face.

"I'm sorry," he said. "I didn't mean to weird you out."

I looked to the side of the floor and shrugged. "It's okay."

"So," Jason popped a grape into his mouth and smirked at me. "Heard Mr. Fernandez is giving you girls a tough time,"

"Tough isn't the word!" Jemma called from the living room. 

I laughed and nodded, crossing my arms across my chest. "He's really letting us have it."

"Well, I'm sure you can handle it."

"What do you mean?"

Jason popped three more grapes in his mouth and as he turned away and swallowed, I noticed a birth mark on the top of his chest. Then I realized that I was looking at my best friend's brother, the guy I had basically grown up with.

In other words, ew.

"I mean, you've always been super smart, Laurel." I looked up at him and he smiled. "What, you don't think I remember driving you to all those math competitions when I could've been on vacations?"

"Okay, okay," I said. "I get it,"

Jason chuckled and looked down at the bowl of grapes. "I guess I'll let you get back in there."

"Yeah," I said. "We do have a science project to start,"

"If you need any help," Jason winked at me. "I'm your guy,"

"Sure,"

Jemma stuck her finger in her mouth as I walked back into the living room, with Jason trailing behind me. He made a face at Jemma and said, "I saw that,"

"I know." She replied.

We both watched him walk up the stairs and then Jemma turned toward me. "Is it or is it not gross that he is totally crushing on you?"

"Do you think about anything other than boys?"

"Um, yes, I'm thinking about Jason."

"Is he not a boy?"

"No, he's my brother." She waved her hand. "Besides, you totally like him back."

"Um, what about Wren?"

Jemma looked startled. "Oh yeah, what about him?"

"Do you know something?"

"Other than the fact that's he's super cute and super into you, no."

I narrowed my eyes. "You sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure. Would I lie to you?"

"I don't know," I said, slowly.

"The answer to that question is no," Jemma flipped the channel and leaned back onto the pillows on the couch. 

"We should probably start our homework,"

"Is that all you think about?"

I just rolled my eyes.