The Choice

The Note

I tried not to think about it during my next class. But the more I kept pushing the sound of his voice, the more it came back. I didn't listen to what Mrs.Benson was teaching about, my thoughts occupied my brain, not letting anything else in or anything else out.
Finally, the last bell of the day rang and I rush to my locker, hoping AJ's was not there. He's not, and I calm down a bit. I open my locker to put my books away, when a folded piece of notebook paper falls out, onto the ground. I think it may be from Katie. I remember her saying in history that she was gonna finish the rest of the notes and will give them to me soon.I pick up the note, and unfold it. I immediately recognize the handwriting, AJ's. The note reads, "Jefferson Park. 2:30. Something important." My stomach drops, I don't want to go, but I have to. I never leave AJ high and dry. I text my mom and let her know that I'm hanging out at the park with AJ, and slip my phone into my back pocket. I walk out to my car, careful to avoid the jocks, who are also AJ's friends. I get in, and sit there, hands on the wheel, keys not in the ignition, recollecting myself. After a few minutes, I put the keys in the ignition and start the car. With a quick glance at the clock, I realize I have about 10 minutes, and need to take the back way. AJ has done this before, given me a time to meet him at Jefferson Park, usually for something important. We even have a spot, under the big oak tree in the middle of the park. It's a special spot for me, but sometimes I start to wonder if I'm the only girl AJ brings here.
As I make my way toward the tree, I  see him, siting against the tree reading his favorite book: Gone with the Wind. We had to read that book freshman year, and while I forced myself to stay awake reading it, AJ read the whole book in less than a day. That's one of the major differences between us: he likes books,  and I don't. I know it's ironic, since I'm the geeky girl with no life and he is the cool jock guy with a life. So when I asked him one day why he reads so much, I didn't expect his to looked at me, simply say: "it calms me". I wanted him to explain but before I could ask, his girlfriend at the time called and that was the end of it. I stand there for a minute, watching AJ. His dark, hazel eyes analyze the page swiftly, mouthing the words. I notice that his olive skin almost glows in the sun as he sweeps his bangs away from his eyes. I like this side of him. I like when he is himself and not always the carefree womanizer everyone sees him as. I watch as AJ looks up and spots me a few yards away. He gives me a small wave and I know that's my cue to walk towards him. My mind starts racing. What could be something so "important" that he couldn't tell me over text? I think through all the possibilities until I think of one so out of this world, that it can be found in another universe. Does AJ like me? No, why would he like me, I'm just his anxiety prone best friend. Why would he like me if he could date any girl he wanted? Once I get under the tree, he places his bookmark on his current page, grabs backpack, and stands up. "Hey" he says. "Hi" I say back. We walk in silence, my thoughts consuming me. I wonder if thing would be different, if he knew I liked him....Would we be together? Does he even like me back? What about Jacob? I used to have feelings for him, but what would he think? Would he approve of AJ? I wonder when he's coming to visit again? I have so much to-
My thoughts are interrupted by AJ's voice.
"Should I ask her out?"
I stop in place and turn to look at AJ. He looks nervous, like whatever I say will change his life forever.
"A-ask who out?" I say, trying to hide the shock.
"Katie Hudson. You know, the girl in your science class? We've been talking for a while, and she told me that you two became friends today, which is good because I don't want to date someone you don't like, being my best friend and all."
Yup, friends, that's all we'll ever be.
"I mean, yeah I don't see why not," I say.
"Cool," he says, with his stupid AJ smile.
We walk the rest of the circle back to the tree in silence. AJ is still smiling. But when he opens up his mouth to speak, all the emotion that was being caged in my body starts to erupt.
"I'm gunna do it. I'm gunna ask her out.  Tomor-." He didn't get to finish his sentence. I kissed him.