aria

day two - a song you listen to a lot

"Ho Hey" by The Lumineers  --  Lennon and Maisy

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I couldn't take my eyes off of Jason Sommers.

He was sitting in that huge group of people- all beautiful and popular and funny teenagers who were loved by all. Even their presence in the musty English classroom seemed to brighten the atmosphere, and kids who weren't a part of their group laughed along with them as they eavesdropped.

Me- I wasn't listening. I was too caught up in him.

Everything about him just drew me closer. I couldn't comprehend it. I'd gone through all of elementary school and middle school without really having a crush, or romantic feelings for anyone. And then out of the blue- I saw him.

I remember it like it was yesterday. The first day of freshman year. Hallways packed, teenagers screaming in high pitched voices as they greeted each other, the guys slapping each other on the back for all the 'lays' they scored over the summer- it was terrifying. And then there was Jason. He stood out in the crowd, walking through the hall in the center of a loud, laughing group. He slowly turned as I stared at him, his crystal blue eyes meeting my own as he shot me a small grin. I've never figured out why exactly he smiled like that.

So there it began.

I smiled at the memory, two years had passed quickly. (And so far, I had never spoken to him since.) I continued to gaze at the group of beautiful people, longing to be a part of something that happy, and cheerful.

"So, still staring at Jase-y, I see." I jumped at the low voice, turning my head to see a pair of emerald green eyes looking straight back into mine. I slid to the side quickly, as if I'd been struck by lightning.

"What?" I blanched, staring at boy that sat next to me. Dirty blonde hair swept across his forehead, sticking up every-which-way as he shot me a maniacal grin. He was tall, and towered over me with a lean frame.

"Jason Sommers. As in, the guy you've been madly in love with since freshman year but have absolutely no chance with." He proclaimed, still smiling like a mad man.

"I do not like him - wait, what do you mean I have no chance?" I barked, feeling blood rush to my face.

"Yes you do, and of course you have no chance with him. Nada. Zilch. Zero." He still had that damn smile on his face, and I resisted the urge to punch it off. I wasn't blushing from embarrassment anymore, this was anger.

Gathering all the self-control I still possessed, I spoke. "Says who?"

"Says the laws of the universe." He winked at me. "He's loud, you're quiet. He's popular, you're a loner. He's athletic, you're-" he paused, looking me up and down. "-not athletic. He's hot, and you're cold. So I'll say it again, and slowly this time- just for you." A sweet smile. "You have no chance with Jason Sommers."

I frowned at his words, and slowly turned away, gazing out into Jason's group. A slight pain had begun to form in my stomach at his words, and I wondered if he could be right. I knew I wasn't exacly the most popular person, but I didn't know that I was that much of a complete loser.

His hand connected gently with my head as he pat it, and I stared at him incredulously as he continued to smile down at me.

"Oh, Ashley Cross, you'll get over it soon enough. Chin up and bear it, life sucks, you can do it, have fun!" He mumbled the last bits of the sentence, grumbling as he took his hand away, and then pat me on the shoulder.