Just As I Am

Chapter 2

Eric was a beautiful person, both inside and out. We officially met that, summer when I volunteered at the local YMCA. His six year old sister, Shayla, introduced us when he came to pick her up. Of course, I already knew him; he was a senior my freshman year. He was the man: captain of the basketball team, and hands down, the sexiest boy in school. I thought he was handsome when I first saw him; a blind person could see he had it going on. Every single girl wanted him. Being with him was like winning the lottery; you were an instant star! I never thought he'd look my way twice.

He had the most amazing smile, and he was tall. I like tall! He had beautiful brown eyes and light skin. His hair was low cut, and he had the cutest set of dimples. He was sexy; his body well defined. Every girl in the Y was drooling, and there he was, standing next to me.

"So you're the famous Jasmine? I've heard so much about you!" He said with a seductive smile. Or maybe it was a regular smile and my overactive imagination was just running rampant. His pink lips just looked so kissable! Shayla talked about her big brother constantly, so I knew they were close. That little girl had made my day.

"Is that right?" I smiled, looking at a very bashful Shayla. "I've heard a lot about you too, Eric. You're little sister thinks the world of you! It's very cute." I responded.

"See you tomorrow Jasmine!" Shayla waved as she grabbed her brother’s hand.

"Yeah, see you tomorrow Jasmine." Eric smiled and took my breath away. I stood there staring wistfully at his back. I couldn't form the words to say goodbye, so I just waved even though I knew he couldn't see me. I was almost completely sure I'd imagined the entire conversation, but there he was the next day. Looking as amazing as ever.

"You know, yesterday wasn't the first time we met." I said, trying to avert his attention from my face. He'd been staring at me for about ten minutes, and it was really freaking me out. Thankfully it worked!

"It had to be! I would've definitely remembered you." He smiled, causing me to blush profusely.

"You were a senior and I was a freshman. I was nobody." I said quietly.

"Well, you're definitely somebody now." He came back every day afterwards. We talked more and more until it came to the point that seeing him was the highlight of my day. He was nineteen about to turn twenty, so I knew he didn't have any romantic feelings for me, but that didn't stop a girl from hoping. One day, he asked if he could call me sometime, and we'd been together ever since.

I knew people would have issues with me seeing him, so I tried to keep it a secret. We weren't doing anything; I've never even had my first kiss! But that wouldn't mean a thing to my parents, and both Eric and I knew that. As happy as I was to be with this beautiful man, I couldn't tell anyone. That really sucked because I wanted to shout it from the rooftops. Then he picked me up from school one day, and everything went to hell! Mrs. Parker was picking up her daughter when she saw me get into his Impala. She called Mrs. Green, who told her hairdresser, who told the whole shop when Miss Kate was there, and she told my mother. Next thing I know, I'm in the doctor's office in stirrups.

I'd been thinking about Eric all morning as I got ready for school. Since I would have to sneak away to see him, I wanted to look really cute. I was getting dressed up to say goodbye. I looked at my reflection in the mirror. My shoulder length hair was down, away from my face. I don't know if I'd ever considered myself pretty, but I was okay looking. I put a small amount of eye shadow and mascara to bring out my large brown eyes. I used clear lip gloss for my full lips. I dressed in a red and black striped sweater with a scoop neckline and a pair of skinny jeans. I finished the outfit with a pair of knee high black boots, all by Dereon. I would be warm, fashionable, and showing just enough of my cinnamon tone skin: the perfect look for my last day of school.