Bittersweet

Chapter 25

Back to reality again.

The holidays were, well, fun. When the clock struck 12 at midnight, the date becoming January 1st, we all set our fireworks zooming up and exploding in the sky. It was a wonderful sight.

Also, being back to school means I'm back to being called Jessica more often again.

"Hey, Jessica," Jacob says, walking towards me as I'm getting things from my locker.

"Hey, Jake," I say. He stops in front of me with a crooked smile on his face.

"I was just, umm---thinking if you would... you would..."

"I would what?" I ask. I wonder what he's got in mind.

He grits his teeth and rubs his palms together. "If you would be willing to perform a dance number with me for the upcoming Junior-Senior Prom."

I smile, finding it odd that I'm the one he's asking for this. "Why? I mean, why me?"

"I don't know," he says. "I just think we would look nice together while dancing."

"Oh," I say, giggling. "Well then, I would love to, Jacob."

"Great!" he cheers. "Let's start practicing soon. We'll meet at a studio where a choreographer I'm friends with works at. Or I can pick you up."

"Okay," I agree. "When?"

"Tomorrow after school, if you are free," he says. He has such kind eyes. "Our practice is from 5PM until 8PM. I can bring you home, if that's okay with you."

"Wow," I chuckle. "You're prepared. Okay. Sure. I'll see you."

"Great," he says. "Thanks, Jessica. See you." He winks then walks past me.

So I just got asked by Jacob to perform a dance with him. For the JS Prom. Is it me or is this certainly not a good idea?

"What was that?" Amy asks, suddenly beside me now.

"What?" I ask. I start to walk away from my locker. She follows.

"Jacob," she says, one eyebrow cocked.

"Oh. He asked me if I could perform a dance number with him for the JS Prom," I say. "And I agreed."

"Jacob WHAT?!" Amy shrieks, forehead creased.

"Asked me to the---"

"No, I heard you. It's just something unexpected," she says.

"Do you think it's a bad idea that I agreed?" I ask softly.

"No," she answers. "Why would it be? You and Jacob are friends. There's nothing wrong with that. And besides, Cameron isn't linked to you anymore."

I purse my lips, thinking about Amy's opinion. She's right. Whatever Jacob and I will do, there's no malice involved. And no Cameron issues.

Now I'm excited for Practice: Day 1.

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I arrive home the next day just in time to prepare for my first day of practice with Jacob. I change my school uniform to casual clothes and head out the door. Amusingly, Jacob's car is already parked outside.

He rolls his window down. "Hop in!" he says with a beam. Fluttering, I follow.

After minutes of driving and chatting, we arrive at this building I'm familiar about. Reaching the 3rd floor, I see a studio labeled Chance Dance Studio, toward where Jacob pulls me.

"Ricky! We're here," Jacob yells when we get inside. The room is pretty empty except for a tall tan guy with short, black hair. He turns to face us.

"Jacob! I've been expecting you, friend," he says. Hey, this guy has fairly good looks, to be honest. And he has thick eyebrows. I'm thinking he's around 25.

"Ricky, meet Jessica, my chosen partner for the dance. Jessica, this is Ricky, our choreographer," Jacob says, introducing me and Ricky to each other.

"Hi, Jessica," Ricky greets, one hand down, asking for a handshake.

I then shake his hand and smile. "Pleased to meet you."

"Well then," Ricky says, clasping his hands. "Let's get started!"

We get inside another bright white room with a big mirror in it. All dance studios really have this, don't they?

"Your dance will be a combination of contemporary, interpretative, and hip-hop dances," Ricky states. "But the thing is, you will be dancing to only one song."

Is that even possible? I hope I don't get in much trouble trying to learn the right steps! Oh, dear.

"Your song will be Wipe Your Eyes by Maroon 5," he says as he's doing something with the stereo. "Are you aware of that?"

"I am," Jacob says, then turns to me. "Are you?"

"Yes," I answer in agreement. There was even one time I was softly singing that song, and then suddenly Cameron's behind me singing along. I cringe. Why did I have to remember that?

Ricky starts to teach us. Jacob and I are able to follow, but the thing is, there are steps in which Jacob and I have to be really close to each other, and I can't help but feel awkward inside. Considering that this is just the first part of the song...

"Jessica, are you alright?" Jacob asks me with concern.

"Huh? Yeah, of course," I answer with a smile, trying to hide what I feel.

"Just tell me if you don't wanna do this," he says. "It's okay."

"No, no," I say a bit hastily. "I'm alright."

"Is everything okay?" Ricky asks.

"Yes," Jacob and I answer in unison.

We continue to practice more. At 7:45 PM, Ricky dismisses us.

"So I'll see you again next week?" Jacob says while we are inside the car.

"Yes," I say, pursing my lips. I'm making myself feel more awkward with just answering in one word.

"Thank you, Jessica," Jacob says. Suddenly, I feel his warm palm on my left hand.

In order not to hurt him, I remove my hand and pat his shoulder with it. "No problem, Jake," I say, grinning.

I don't know why I feel this way towards Jacob. Why does it have to be awkward when we're good friends? He's even my leader in Lively Pep. Everything should be fine.

I can't let the thought of Cameron ruin this. Note to self: Ban Cameron Herras from entering my mind.

"I'll see you next week," I tell Jake cheerfully.

Jacob beams. He tousles my hair, and I do it back to him, and in no time, we are already having a good laugh.