It's Just You And Me

Waking Up

"Jacki! Wake up!" Kate yelled downstairs to her friend. Jacki had slept over along with Steph and Becca, but Jacki was not looking forward to waking up. "Jack! Wake the hell up! The pancakes are getting cold and I'm not making anymore!"

Jacki did love Kate's pancakes, so she rolled off the couch, put on her shoes, and slowly walked up the stairs. "Well there's the Sleeping Beauty! Eat now before Steph eats it all," Kate said with a smile on her face. "Shut up! I just love food," Steph retorted, stuffing her face with pancakes and bacon.

"Where's Bec?" Jacki mumbled, rubbing her eyes. "She went out for a run. I told her that there would be no food left for her but she didn't listen! Now that you're up, there won't be any crums left either," Kate answered, cleaning the dishes in the sink.

Jacki smiled to herself. Out of the whole group, Kate was her best friend. Even if Steph or Becca weren't around, Kate always invited Jacki to hang out with her. Kate made Jacki feel special. No one ever made her feel special, not even her parents.

"Well don't just stand there! Sit down and eat your food before your stomach wants to show us how loud it can make whale noises," Kate instructed. Steph laughed out loud and Jacki just shook her head and sat down. "You know Katie dear, whenever you make a meal for us, you turn into this Italian grandmother that won't rest until all the food is gone off everyone's plate," Jacki laughed. "Oh really?" Kate sassed, with her hands on her hips. "Yes really! I took the liberty of naming her Nonna Cucina," Jacki said.

"What does that mean!" Kate questioned. "Kate, I don't even know the Italian language, but I'm pretty sure it means Grandmother Cuisine. Is that right Jack?" Steph said. Jacki nodded her head with a big smile and looked up at Kate.

Her blonde hair was in a messy bun, had pancake batter splattered on her arms and shirt, and her blue-green eyes were on fire. Wow, Jacki thought, she looks really hot right now... Before Jacki could stop herself from those thoughts again, the front door of the house opened and Becca came inside. "Good morning my fine girls! Look who I found while I was running!"

Becca came into the kitchen with someone who they all knew, and immediately put a smile on all their faces. "Harry!" the three girls said in unison. Harry was one of the two openly gay kids at their school and he was, in at least the four girls' minds, the most amazing and bravest person they've ever known.

Harry had gone on a trip to Europe with his parents and his boyfriend in June and had just come home last week. Needless to say that his parents are rolling in money.

"Hey my girls!" Harry exclaimed. He opened his arms and the three ran into them, giving him a big hug. "How are all of you? I haven't seen you since Junior year!" Harry said, sitting down at the table with the girls sitting back down as well.

"Good" was Kate's answer. "Can't complain" was Steph's. Jacki would've said something if she wasn't busy trying to unscramble what she thought about Kate a few moments ago. "Jack? You okay?" Harry inquired. Jacki shook out of her trance and smiled at Harry. "Oh yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking about something," Jacki replied. "That's never a good thing," Harry laughed. Jacki smiled at him.

After talking some more, they all sat around the table and ate their breakfast. Harry made himself a bowl of oatmeal, which Steph turned her nose at because she absolutely hated oatmeal ever since...well, use your imagination. Harry studied Jacki for the remainer of his stay because he knew something was up with her.

"Well, I should get going. Andy might be wondering where I am," Harry said, winking and getting up of his chair. Everyone gave him a hug and sat back down. "Wait, Jacki, come here real quick. I forgot to tell you something," Harry shouted from the door.

Jacki got up and walked down the hallway to him. "What's up?" she said. "Come to my house after you're done here. We need to talk about something," Harry said lowly. "O-Okay. What's this about Harry?" she inquired. "Don't worry yourself about it. Just need to talk about something," he answered, then closed the door.

"What did he forget?" Kate asked. She was right behind Jacki, and Jacki could feel Kate's breath on her neck. Jacki turned around slowly and noticed how close they were. Get yourself together Jack, Jacki's inner voice scolded her. "Oh, he just wanted me to come over today, after I left...here..." Jacki's voice trailed away as Kate got closer to her. Kate's eyes flickered to Jacki's lips for a second and she stared deep into Jacki's eyes.

"Well, you should stay until lunch. I'm making your favorite," Kate said, still close to Jacki. Jacki's eyes widened and her mouth grew into a huge smile. "CAMPBELL'S TOMATO SOUP!?!!" Jacki excitedly squealed. Kate smiled and said, "Exactly."

"Yes! See, this is why we're friends, Nonna Cucina," Jacki said, smiling at her. They stood there for a while, looking at each other, until Steph yelled, "Are you guys coming back, or should Bec and I just start playing Mario Kart without you!" That immediately brought Kate out of her trance, ran down the hallway yelling, "Yoshi is mine!"