Freshman

What now?

Mel's POV

Today is Saturday and that meant going to the creek and catching frogs with my friends. As I was pulling on a pair of rubber boots the phone rang. I tore through the kitchen and picked it up.

"Hello" I answer.

"Hey!" Eileen yells, my ear starts ringing.

"Eileen, my ears!" I protest.

"So Mel, Melissa, Mel" her voice starts to falter. "Issa?"

"Eileen, Ei, leen" I reply and she laughs. Then she stops abruptly.

"I won't be able to make it with you to the creek today" she says.

"Why?" I ask, dissapointed.

"My parents want me to work at the store"

"Darn" I answer.

"Have fun with Jason though" she says with a giggle.

"Not funny" I say and she hangs up the phone.

Great conversation, thanks Eileen.

I sigh and pick up the phone. I dial Jason's number.

His Mom picks up the phone. "Hello?"

"Hi Mrs Mathers, I was wondering if Jason was home?" I ask, I can feel my cheeks turn bright red.

"I'm afraid he's gone down to the creek early to meet you and Eileen" she tells me.

"Thank you, I'll meet him there" I say.

Great, I'm stuck alone with Jason for a few hours. I wouldn't have minded before, but now everything feels different.

I close the door behind me and head down the street. I walk three blocks till I get to the park and head down the path.

As I approach the creek I can hear the water splashing. Guess he got started early.

"Hey Mel" he greets me. I wave and walk down the grass into the water, towards the marshiest area. The ground is soft, and each step has to be taken carefully.

I can see a frog, hidden in the grass.

"There it is" he whispers. I nod.

I cup my hands and get ready to catch it when I'm pushed and it hops away.

I turn around to see Jason grinning behind me.

"Jason!" I protest and slap him on the arm. He laughs.

"Were you trying to push me into the creek?" I ask him and he shrugs with his eyes wide. I scoff at him and turn the other way. We continue to walk through the marsh.

"So have we not chosen to speak today?" I ask and turn to him. He nods. I shrug it off and we continue to walk through.

I spot another frog in the grass on the side of the creek. "Sssh!" I say to Jason and he puts a finger to his lip. He stands beside me and I get ready.

My hands are cupped, and I approach it slowly. I grab it quickly and I've got it!

"Yeah!" I exclaim and Jason laughs. I turn around and face him. He looks down and I open up my hands slightly, for him to see. He smiles.

We let the frog back into the marsh and head further into the creek.

"Think we can catch another one today?" I turn around and ask him. I start to walk backward against the current. He shrugs and I smile at him.

Suddenly, the back of my foot hits a rock and I fall flat on my back in the water. "Ah!" I scream.It's freezing!

Jason moves over and stands in front of me. He starts to laugh.

"Still not funny!" I say. He's looking away, so I reach over and pull him in.

He crashes right beside me and the water splashes on me.

"Mel!"

"Oh look, he speaks today!" I answer and splash more water into the air. I get up and start to shiver.

He stands up and hands me his jacket. "It's soaking wet" I say and he huffs.

He takes my hand and leads me out of the creek. My teeth are shattering.

"Why did we go frog catching in November?" I ask.

"Today was a particularly warm day" he replies and I give him a look. He chuckles and gets out of the creek first. Giving me his hand and helping me out.

I trip on my way up (today is clumsy day I swear) and crash land in his arms. He looks into my eyes.

I can feel my own widen. But then, Jason's eyes close and he leans in.

Is this how I want my first kiss? With my best friend while we're freezing after just having gotten out of a creek? Do I want this now?

Yes.

I lean in too, and his presses his lips against mine. It's not much, just a peck but it makes both of us breathless afterwards.

"Mel?" he asks. Just under a whisper.

"I think I really like you"

I freeze. My body tenses. "You like me?" I ask, dumbfounded.

He nods. "I think I have for a long time now" I stand up straight. Out of his arms.

"You have?"

He nods again. "I really do. You're all I can think about"

"Really?"

"You're the only thing that's been on my mind, I don't even think I'm in your league and..." I cut him off by kissing him. I look into his eyes after wards

"Jason, I think like you too" I whisper.