Black & White [Jeremiah Fisher]

nineteen

ROWAN

My mom left this morning to drive back home. Unfortunately, she could not take any more vacation time, but I'm glad I was able to see her and spend time with her in Cousins. She made a promise to Susannah that next summer we will come up for a week once my summer volleyball camp went on break. I almost forgot about volleyball camp until she mentioned it. As much as I love volleyball, and how excited I was for it this year, I wouldn't trade coming to Cousins.

After my mom left, Laurel allowed me to take her car to drive Belly and I to our Deb rehearsal. I've only had the chance to talk to Belly about this yesterday, but supposedly there was a moment between her and Conrad very early this morning that caused her to break things off with Cam. It makes me sad for Cam, but I'm happy that Belly did not lead him on and it sounded like he was pretty understanding. Though I should be happy with Belly's side of the story, I really want to talk to Conrad later to hear his.

I'm assuming he hasn't told her that he has had underlying feelings for her because if he did, Belly would be over the moon right now. I don't blame him for taking things slow because that's exactly what I'm doing with Jeremiah.

Jeremiah had a shift this morning but was able to have someone else step in while we rehearse. I begged him not to show up in his work uniform or else Paige would have the biggest heart attack ever. I also told him to be on his best behavior which we will see if that will happen.

Just as Belly and I are walking through the corridors to the rehearsal room, I hear my name being called from behind me. Spinning on my heels, a smile begins to creep up onto my lips as I spot Jeremiah dressed in a tux and a crooked bow tie wrapped around his neck.

My heart flutters as he approaches me with a slight grin. "Hopefully, I'm not late. Bryce took forever to show up and then I rushed to the locker room to change." He explains to me, slightly out of breath, but honestly, I wouldn't care if he was a tiny late. No boy has ever shown up for me like this. It sounds stupid since it should be expected, but this is all new to me.

"You're perfect, well, almost." I say and reach up to readjust his bow tie. As I'm doing so, I feel Jeremiah's eyes gaze on me, and once the bow tie is readjusted properly, my eyes slowly flicker up to his.

"Just a little crooked." I giggled while smiling widely up at him.

"You look beautiful."

I suddenly feel like I can't breathe.

Him complementing me will never get old.

I'm about to respond, but a fast pace of clicking heels interrupts us.

"Jeremiah, I didn't know you were going to be an escort this year."

Gigi.

I almost forgot about her crush on Jeremiah until this very moment as I study her face while she admires Jeremiah. It's as if her eyes refuse to break away from him.

Jeremiah's mouth forms a straight line as he nods uncomfortably. "Yeah, that was until I found out Rowan was going to be a debutante." He looks away from Gigi and quickly winks at me.

I was not expecting his response, but I'm definitely not complaining.

Gigi's prying eyes drift over to me. I haven't had many interactions with Gigi, but I would say from my perspective, we've been acting like mutual acquaintances. From day one, I knew she had had a crush on Jeremiah, but it never really bothered me.

Gigi blinks once at me before looking back over to Jeremiah with a smile. "I'm having a party tonight, you should come."

Okay, now her crush is bothering me.