Best Friends are Forever.

Chapter 2

AJ went to bed that night deciding that she needed to stop focusing on Jason’s love life and focus on her own.  Not that there was anything major just that it was hers and she needed to focus on it, she thought.  Then, drifted off to sleep.

AJ dreamed of a warm day just days after school let for summer break just after graduation.  She and Jason were saying goodbye in her bedroom as she was getting ready to leave with her family to go travel the USA for the most of the summer. Jason would be gone by the time she got back, he’d be at college starting work on his law degree. They wouldn’t be seeing each other for at least 7 months.  As soon as she came home AJ was to help her parents in their bakery. One day she would be taking over just as her father had done from her grandparents.

Her auburn hair was hanging on either side of her face as she was crying about the long absence of her best friend who had been there longer and stronger than anybody.  Who was she going to run to if she needs a shoulder to cry on or someone to tell her newest secret to?  She almost felt abandoned.  Slightly shaking the wavy locks as she tried to rid her mind of such untrue thoughts.

Jason got off the edge of her bed and drew her into his arms to comfort her. He being eight inches taller than her five foot three seems to always make her so comfortable when he held her like this.  The only way she could describe it was that they fit. He was slightly rocking her and shushing her to help calm her nerves.  “Doll, you’re going to be fine we’ll write and call and everything.  Before you know it, it’ll be December and I’ll be home for Christmas.”

AJ tilted her head up right as Jason was lowering his to kiss her on the top of the head as he always does when she has one of her crying bouts. Suddenly their lips met and before either of them knew what was happening, her arms had snaked around his neck and his had gripped her tighter around the waist, fitting her more closely.  The kiss was passionate, strong and as hungry as two teenager could make it.  Her head was spinning and her knees had gone weak. His lips devoured hers as though he couldn’t get enough of the taste of her lips. 

“AJ!” her father yelled from down stairs causing them to both jump and separate as though hit by lightning. “Time to go sweetie, if we want to make our first stop before it gets dark we need to leave now”

She couldn’t take her eyes off Jason nor his off of her as she answered in what sounded like a breathy hoarse voice, “OK dad we’ll be right down” then she dropped her eyes and grabbed her bags but before she took one step for the door Jason stopped her with a gentle touch on her arm. 

“Look, I….” he seemed to be lost for words then “I’m sorry.”  He sounded as if he didn’t want to apologize.  And AJ couldn’t figure out why it actually hurt when he said it. 

“I’ll see you in December.  Send me a letter when you get settled into your dorm room.” Still rooted to the spot she tried to look Jason in the eyes and still couldn’t stop looking at the carpet at her feet. “I will send you post cards from every stop we make” Then she bolted like the fires of hell where at her feet.

She heard Jason coming down the stairs after her and picked up the pace finding safety as she headed out the front door.  Her family was already loaded into the car and ready to go.  Her mom was hanging out the passenger window as AJ got into the back and Jason was just coming out the door. “Jason please don’t forget to feed the dog or water the plants while we are gone. I hope you have a good summer and please tell your mom we’ll miss you all while we’re gone.” The car started as and her mom called out again, “See you soon dear.  Good luck at college!”

AJ watched Jason lock up the house as they drove off.  Just before they made the first turn off their street that would take them out of site of the house, Jason turned and looked at the car.  She could have sworn he looked like he has lost his best friend for good not just for the summer. 

AJ woke the next morning remembering that she and Jason never talked again about that kiss.  In some ways it seemed to have never happened. At times she even wondered if it was just a dream.