Summer Letters

Chapter 16

Many students still on campus for break mentioned to Lena and Jensen how surprised they were to see them hanging out together. Jensen joked that she didn't have a choice but to hang out with him since their other friends were gone. Lena pretended to be offended, but replied that Jensen wasn't so bad after all. Their school did not do anything special for the holiday so Lena and Jensen spent most of the time in their rooms, in the common room lobby, or wandering around campus. They acted like friends in public and saved the kissing and hand holding for when they were alone. Lena was surprised by how easily the transition seemed. She expected it to be challenging, but her and Jensen were already so comfortable around each other that it didn't feel like a big deal. Lena loved it. Thanksgiving break helped Lena realize that Jensen had become her best friend.

On their last day of break they decided to have their second date. Jensen showed up to her room again, this time with her favorite candy, and they walked together to town. They chose the first restaurant they saw walking into town. After looking around Lena was relieved to see that no one else from school was there. The other students were likely on campus preparing for classes to start again. Jensen and Lena ordered quickly so they had more time to talk.

"How do you feel about everyone returning to campus?" Jensen asked her.

They were sitting in a booth next to each other. Jensen looked around quickly and put his arm around her shoulders. Lena sighed, "I feel nervous. It'll be harder to spend time together like this. This has been the best break I've ever had and we didn't even really do anything. We could be ourselves and campus was practically empty so we never had to worry about someone catching us. We won't be so lucky now that break is over."

"No," he sighed with her, "we will not get so lucky after this, but it will be worth it. This is the happiest I've ever been, and I promise I will make sure we can still go on dates."

"Really?" she grinned, "How do you plan to make that happen?"

He chuckled, "I'll let you know when I figure it out."

"That's what I thought," she laughed. "Thank you though. I can't believe it took me years to get to this point. If I had known who you really were and if I knew I would feel this way I would have said yes a long time ago. It's so easy though. I feel like I don't have to try. You just get me."

"I always had a feeling you would be it for me. I knew if it was meant to be that you would figure it out and everything would fall into place. It shouldn't feel like work. I'm glad you don't have to try. I want to be someone you can just be yourself around because I know that's how I feel around you too."

She smiled, "That's exactly how it feels, doesn't it? Jensen, are you sure you're okay with keeping us a secret in front of our friends? If we both feel like this, it'll be hard to act like we're less in front of them."

He nodded, "It will be challenging, but I know you're not ready for them to find out. We'll figure it out."

Lena loved her last day alone with Jensen. They talked for over an hour before Jensen paid their bill and they walked back to campus. She was sad when she had to say goodnight, but she could already hear some students getting back to campus. She kissed him quickly and hugged him goodnight. "Will you come see me in the morning?" she asked him when she pulled away.

"I will," he smiled. "Make sure to warn me if Marlene or Luna is over though."

"Marlene plans to come tonight as soon as she gets here so you'll be safe in the morning."

He replied, "Good then I'll walk you to class. It can be our way of telling the school we're friends now."

"It's simple, I like it!" she smiled.