A Volleyball Story

Chapter 53

"Sometimes it's the smallest decisions that can change your life forever."

-Keri Russell

Noah.

"Would you like to join us for dinner sweetie?" my mom asked Jess as we were walking through camp.  It was rounding time for dinner and since camp was officially over we could do whatever we wanted.

Jess looked up at me to ask if I was okay with it. I just gave her a slight nod and smiled. "Of course, I'd love to." she smiled up at my mom. 

"Good. I would like to get to know my future daughter in law some more. 

"Mom!" I exclaimed while Jess's and my own cheeks had gotten red. 

Mark and her just started laughing, "Alright honey, leave the kids alone." Mark said putting and arm around her waist. 

We made our way to my mom's car and all piled in. Taking a breath of air, I could smell my mother's car scent of vanilla which made me realize how much I missed her this summer.

I turned towards Jessica, and she smiled at me sweetly before grabbing my hand and entwining our hands together. It was as if she could sense that I had missed my mom. 

"So," my mom said interrupting the silence in the car. "Jessica tell me what  you plan on doing after you graduate."

"Mom, school hasn't even started yet, and you're asking her that question?"

"It's okay." Jess said to me. "I know I'm not good enough to play college volleyball, but I've always had the interest to become a veterinarian. I love animals. I wish I could get a dog but unfortunately my dad is allergic to them."

"Wow, that's great honey! You know, coincidentally, one of my roommates back in college lives in Montana who owns a clinic. What town do you live in again?"

"Missoula." Jess replied back. 

"Really? That's where I was at going to college. I went to University of Montana, that's also where I met my friend. She is still there, with her own clinic, and I'm sure if I give her a call you could get an internship there."

"What? Really?" I could tell how happy Jess was since her smile was reaching her eyes. 

"Of course sweetie, you're family now." my mom smiled at her. 

Just then we finally arrived at a nice family orientated restaurant, Red Robin. "Mark, can you get us a table, I need to talk to Jessica for a second." mom said. 

"Sure." he gave her a quick kiss and waved me to come with him. 

"I'll meet you in there." I told her giving her hand a tight squeeze.

"Okay." she smiled back. 

"Well at least your mom and girlfriend are getting along." Mark said to me as we made our way to the front doors. 

"My mom loved her from the first time they met. Well technically we were on the phone with her but same thing."

"You know, I can tell that she loves you." 

"What? Really?"

"You should see the way you guys look at each other. Trust me son, I had that look on your face when I realized I loved your mom." he then smiled as if he was thinking about it. 

"I guess I never really thought about it. But now that you mention it.." 

Did I love her? I know I've never felt like this with anyone before. She's basically going to be my first everything at this point. And I know when I look at her I can't help but smile. I think about the way she makes me feel, how happy and giddy I am. I don't think I've ever been happier. 

I still get a little nervous when it's just us alone. I feel like I will make a fool of myself and do something wrong. Or how fireworks erupt around us when we kiss; it's simply magical. And now here I am sounding like a girl.

"Hey you okay?" I heard Jess say taking me out of my thoughts. 

"Oh yeah, fine." I looked up at her and smiled. She smiled back and right then and there I knew I was in love with her. 

Too bad that we will be leaving each other soon. 

We were back at the camp, it was finally just Jess and I. As much as I loved being with my mom and Mark I wanted to spend as much time as I could with Jessica before we go our separate ways. 

"Want to go for a walk around the track?" I asked her. 

"You read my mind." she laughed grabbing my hand as we made our way to the track. "You remember when we first started talking we did this exact same thing?" she smiled turning to look at me. 

I smiled, "I guess we did. I forgot, it seemed like the camp went by in a blur. I don't think we got enough time together." 

"I know." she whispered. "But hey," she then stopped us from going further. "It'll be hard, but we will get through this, right?"

"Of course. You are the best thing that's ever happened to me. Before this camp, before I met you, I was this nerd that everyone picked on. I had no friends, I had no life besides doing homework and getting A's. I was a loser." I then looked up at her, "But you, you make everything better. You make me more of myself and not like the nerd that everyone portrays me to be. Jess I love you." shoot. Did I just say that. 

"What?"

"I didn't mean to just say that out loud. Crap, now you think I'm weird or something for admitting that when you probably don't feel the same way. I mean, we just met right? How can we love someone and it's only been a few months-" and before I could continue my rant she stopped me by kissing me. 

For a second I didn't realize what was going on but then I gathered that her lips were on mine so I closed my eyes and enjoyed this moment. After a few seconds she moved back sligtly with a smile on her face. "Noah, you don't know how much I wanted to tell you that, I just didn't know how and thought you would think I was crazy for how short it's been that we've known each other. Noah, I love you." 

This time I was the one who kissed her. I grabbed her face in my hands and laid a pretty amazing kiss on her lips. 

I know it will be hard to be away from her, but to know that we love each other, nothing could beat that. We could do this distance thing no problem at all. 

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So kinda short, but I hope you still like it. There's not a lot of detail in this chapter but still hope you like it! 

Currently writing this past midnight and my brain is going crazy, and the thought of it being awhile since I last posted. 

So here it is! Only a couple more chapters and this story will come to and END! 

You know what to do!! 

VOTE. COMMENT. FAN. 

<3 Always, 

LostFindingMyself