A Ghost of A Smile

Chapter 8: Secrets Out

September 11, 2000. I hadn't known it then, but this would be the day that my wish came true.

"I can't believe we lost to Lori and Daniel. When they received the award, Daniel was in the coat closet making out with Melissa!" Ava ranted. Let's face it, she's always ranting. I sat there, at my own lunch table, while she paced in front of Jason. Lori was sitting right there, but she was too heartbroken to even notice Ava. Travis was tuning her out. I was too, but not by staring into space. I was staring at Jason, wishing I could help him out.

"I'm sorry, Ava. I don't know what else we could have done." Jason lied.

"Well, I guess we're just gonna have to stay together until the next dance with a royal court." Jason gagged a little bit on the chip he was eating. I closed my eyes, and stood up.

"Ava, no." I said firmly.

"Excuse me?" Ava raised an eyebrow. I licked my lips and looked her in her little devil eyes.

"I said no, you aren't taking advantage of Jason anymore." She started laughing.

"If I stop, I tell Jason's secret, one that he won't even tell you." Jason looked up, a blaze in his eyes.

"You know what Ava? You don't have to do that. I'll take care of that myself." He stood up, took my hand, and pulled me up with him as we stood up on our lunch table. Now Lori was paying attention.

"Hey! Everybody!" Jason yelled. The lunchroom quieted as everyone turned to stare at Jason and I. He looked at me.

"Don't get mad." He begged.

"Why...?" I didn't get the chance to finish my sentence. Jason stopped me by leaning over, and planting a kiss right on my lips. In front of the entire lunchroom. It brought on a lot of wolf whistles, and clapping, but I didn't notice. This kiss... it wasn't like the one I'd shared with Travis. This one made my palms sweaty, it made my heart thump, and it made shocks go up and down my skeleton. It was a kiss that made me never want to let go.

Jason was the first to pull away.

"That's the secret Ava's been blackmailing me with!" He shouted, "The secret? I love Trinity Lancaster! I have since first grade. Everyone hear me? I love Trinity!" The cafeteria erupted in clapping and whistling. Jason turned his face to look me in the eyes.

"Trinity, I love you." He said tenderly, "I know it isn't climbing a mountain to scream it, but it's as close as I could get." I was almost speechless.

Almost.

"You asked me not to get mad. Well I am." His face fell, "I'm mad you didn't kiss me sooner." I said, then threw my arms around him and kissed him again.