Hard Heart to Crack

Chapter Six. Believing in Destiny

Graduation was creeping up on my school, and it wasn't even being subtle. All of the teachers were cracking down on us, even Steph and Greg! I was buried up to my shoulders with work. It was hard, especially with my jobs, but I managed it.
I couldn't wait to graduate, then I could focus on my jobs and my Gran.

Saturday: a week before graduation, Jaden, Greg, and Steph came over to my house.
I could tell they wanted to ask me something as soon as they walked onto my porch.
I decided to cut to the chase.
"What do you guys want?" I asked them, I was suspicious.
Jaden smiled at me. Ugh, that boy and his perfect smile. He came up to me and wrapped his right arm around my shoulders. He turned to Steph and Greg.
"I told you this girl could read minds."
I rolled my eyes, "Well?"
Steph cleared her throat, "Well, Chris..." She hesitated.
Greg then finished for her in a calm voice. "We wanted to ask you if you could sing a song at graduation."
My eyes widened, "Excuse me?"
Jaden looked at me, "You heard them! Sing a song at graduation! Dazzle the whole...um...school!"
I have him a hard look, " I don't care about impressing anybody at school."
He pouted,"Come on Sweetheart, it'll be fun!"
"Jaden, I don't even know much about singing or playing piano."
They all gave me a look. "Rightttt" Jaden said.
At my private lessons with Steph, we had discovered that I could play almost any song by ear. Also, that I had a very good range when it came to singing. But I have only had a few lessons. I wasn't even sure what to think about this 'gift'.
"Come on Sweetheart!" Jaden poked me playfully, "it'll be fun."
I pretended to think about it.
"Hhmmmmmmm...no."
Jaden sighed, "OK, I didnt want to have to do this."
My view suddenly shifted until I was staring at Jaden's back.
"JADEN!" I screamed, "PUT ME DOWN!"
I pounded on his back, which didn't really do anything. His arm was wrapped around my lower thighs, which made me very self-conscious.
"JADEN!"
"SAY YOU'LL SING!" He shouted back. He ran around my front yard with me over his shoulder. Then he ran down the street.
I giggled, I couldn't help it! We must have looked ridiculous. A gorgeous blonde haired boy carrying around a potato of a girl. I couldn't help but laugh, I was laughing so hard.
"SAY IT!"
"OK FINE!" I shouted, choking on my own laughter.
He didn't put me down, instead he moved me into his arms so that he was carrying me bridal style. His chest was heaving, his smile dazzling.
"See," he panted,"that wasn't that hard was it?" I slapped his chest playfully, he just smiled wider. He leaned in, and so did I. We were so close, our noses touching. He licked his lips, "What are you thinking about?"
"Ducks." I responded, "You?"
"You." He said
I felt my face start to warm up.
"You still thinking about ducks?" He teased.
"No." I said, "I'm actually thinking about kissing this boy I know."
He eyes widened, he looked surprised. But his smile soon returned.
"Really? Does he deserve a kiss?"
"I don't know." I said, "maybe your right, I should just wait."
"I think now, you know, would be a great time actually!"
"Nah, but thanks for the advice."
I patted his cheek, and hopped out of his arms. He groaned, and I laughed at his expression.
"GIVE THAT BOY A KISS ALREADY!"
"GRAN!!"
She was sitting on our porch step, laughing her head off.
I smiled, and felt Jaden's hand intertwine with mine. We walked back to my porch.
"Well, she said she'll do it!"
"Uh-uh, not so fast, pretty boy." I told him.
He batted his eyes, "You think I'm pretty?"
I smirked at him, "I have one condition."
"And that would be...?"
"You have to sing the song with me."
His jaw fell open, "I can't sing!"
"LIAR!" I shouted.
He blushed, "I really can't" he muttered.
"You can!"
"I can't!" He responded.
"Well then I can't sing either!"
"But you can sing!"
"And so can you!"
He gave me an exasperated look. He sighed.
"Fine fine!"
I almost knocked him over in a hug. His arms wrapped around my waist.
"But only because I love you." He whispered in my ear.
My eyes widened, before I could respond Steph cleared her throat.
"Then it is settled! Let me know what song you guys pick, and we can rehearse and go thru everything."
Greg and Steph bid their good byes, then my Gran left for work, still laughing. So that left me and Jaden at my house. We sat on my porch step, looking into the sky.
"Sweetheart, do you believe in destiny?"
"Hmmmmm." I thought about it," I don't know Jaden. I mean, I guess I could believe in destiny depending on the situation."
He smirked at me, his white teeth flashing for a second.
"I think meeting you was destiny."
My eyes widened, I looked at him.
Now he was smiling, "Ha-ha I've rendored you speechless!"
"Whatever Jaden."
I thought about how we met, and what had happened following that. At first, I had no interest in dating, boys, or anything like that. Now....
"Jaden?"
"Yes Chris?"
"Are we...." I hesitated, "are we dating?"
He laughed, "Sweetheart...."
He looked into my eyes, took both of my hands in his, and he smiled. The biggest smile I had ever seen on his face.
"You know what, Yes. Yes we are."
He raised an eyebrow, "Unless you don't agree."
Now it was my turn to smile,.
"You know what Jaden Miller?" I felt my confidence sky rocket,"We are dating. I am your girlfriend. You are my boyfriend. And I am in love with you."
His eyes widened, his face reddened, and his mouth fell open.
"I. Love. You" I repeated.
His blue eyes searched my green eyes. Then they widened even more.
"I-you-uh-"
I laughed, then I leaned in, my lips brushed his.
"And you know what? Yes. I believe in destiny. We are the definition of freaking destiny."
Then I kissed him, his lips were soft and warm. I felt like melting, I felt like I was on fire, I felt sparks literally fly.
He seemed shocked, but he recovered immediately. He wrapped his arms around my waist, my arms flew around his neck. We held onto each other for a long time.
When our lips finally parted, we laughed. I just stayed their hugging him. We finally let go of each other. We just sat there next to each other in silence.
Until Jaden broke it.
"I love you Chris."
"I love me too, Jaden."
He shoved me playfully, I laughed.
"I love you too, Jaden."
His smile grew wider, " Well I love you more!"
"I am not arguing about which one of us love each other more, Jaden."
He looked like he wanted to say something in return, but I stopped him with another kiss.
"Okay, okay." He whispered against my lips, "but I totally love you more."
I wanted to retort, but I decided against it."
"Okay Jaden, whatever you say."
Destiny was definitely worth believing in.