right under my nose

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Jason's pov

I can't believe she has a crush on me! I also can't believe I didn't know. Of course its really awkward between us now. It's never been that way before and I hate it. The girls are at school. I go in the kitchen where she's at. "Ya wanna talk about last night?" I ask, scratching my head. She sighs and looks away, closing her eyes. "I'd rather just forget about it." She says. Her lip quivers and I can tell she's trying not to cry. "If we have feelings for each other, it's okay to pursue them." I say. She opens her eyes. "Wait, do you have feelings for me too?!" She asks but I'm not 100% sure. "I don't know but I certainly don't mind giving it a chance." I say, forcing a smile. She hugs me and I hug her back. "While the girls are at school, ya wanna go out to lunch?" I ask. She nods and grabs my hand.

Miranda's pov

Telling him that I loved him was definitely the right move because he asked me out and we did kiss last night. "Even if we don't date, I don't want us to stop being friends." He says, looking over at me. "Jason, nothing could break this friendship. I'd rather die then lose you." I say. His eyes go wide as he stares out the windshield. "And I don't want it to be awkward between us." He says. Me neither but that's kinda hard. "Let's just not think about it." I say instead. We drive to a KFC and grab some food then go to a park and sit on a picnic table, literally on the picnic table. His boots and my sneakers resting on the seat part. He stares into the distance. I stare at him, trying to read his emotions. To see what he feels. But it's like he's put up a brick wall around him and I can't figure it out. "So what are you thinking?" I ask. He sighs and sets down the fried chicken he was eating. "I wish I knew all these years. I should've been able to tell. I feel like I should've been able to tell. I should've known." He says, staring at the ground. "If you know me so well, you know I'm good at keeping secrets. Even from my best friend who knows everything there is to know about me." I say, hugging his arm. He looks at me. "Is there other things you haven't told me?" He asks. I smile and look away. "Ya know that ol dolly parton playboy ya had?" I ask. He nearly jumps in his seat. "You know what happened to that?!?" He cries. I nod. "Well, what happened?" He asks. I try not to laugh. "Oh, I don't know." I tease him. "Oh yes you do!" He says grabbing me. He won't let me go. He tickles my sides which I'm extremely ticklish. "No! Jason let me go!!" I yell, trying to get away but he holds tight. He laughs. "The only way I'll let ya go is if you tell me." He says. I shake my head. He tickles me again and I scream. "You better let me go!" I shout. "Tell me first!" He orders still tickling me. "Fine okay! I'll tell you, just stop tickling me!" I cry. He laughs and lets go of me. "Now tell me." He says. I smile and jump off the table, running away.

Jason's pov

How could I fall for that? I knew she would run. I chase after her and right before she opens the door to my truck, I catch her. We fall to the ground laughing. "Now then, that ol dolly parton magazine," I ask, holding her down again. She still won't tell me. I pull her up. "You're my prisoner until you tell me." I joke. She rolls her eyes and I drive back to her place. "If you let me go, I'll tell you." She says, making me laugh. "Oh there's no way I'm falling for that again." I say, smiling. She glares at me. "I'll tickle you again." I warn. "Fine, come with me." She says. We go to her room and she opens a dresser drawer and tosses me the magazine. I haven't seen this thing in years but suddenly I don't want it. I wish there was a playboy of her. I'm sure I don't need a stupid magazine for that. I put the magazine down. She sits on the bed. "Ya know I don't really care about that ol playboy." I say.

Miranda's pov

I laugh slightly and lay down on the bed. "All that fuss and now ya don't want it." I say, not in the least bit annoyed. He laughs. "So, you like me. I like you. What's say we take it a step further?" I ask. He stops laughing and looks at me seriously. "I don't know if I can." He says. I sigh. "Whatever." I grumble.

Jason's pov

She's mad that I said no. "Just get out of my bedroom." She says. This stinks. I don't want her to hate me but I don't know how I really feel about her. She would never hate me. One little disagreement won't end a two decade long friendship. I think I should give this whole thing a chance. I'm about to go back up there when the girls come home from school. "Hey girls." I say. "When are we going home?" Kendyl asks. I bite my tongue wanting to just leave the question unanswered but I know I can't. "Honey, we aren't going back. We'll be staying here until I find a place." I try to explain as well as I can to an 8 year old. I'll have to talk to Miranda tomorrow after they go back to school. I hope I can still save our relationship.