Fighting temptation

Chapter 7

[mature content in this chapter.]

"When do classes start for you?" Justin asks, while picking up our garbage from supper.

I brush off the crumbs from our blanket, "Three weeks. I just purchased my text books." I'm attending college in Charleston to get my teaching degree. "I'm not really looking forward to four more years of school but I'm hoping the elementary school will have a position for me when I'm done."

Justin walks over and sits back down beside me. "You're gonna be a good teacher Sel."

"Thanks," I say giving him a smile. "So tell me what all this training is going to entail for you?"

He looks at me doubtfully, "You really want to hear about it?"

"Of course I do." I scoot closer to him and get into our familiar position of me wrapping both my arms around his one and lean back on the log behind us. We stare out at the sun that's just starting to set.

"Well BUD/S, which stands for Basic Under Water Demolition/SEAL, is a 6 month process with different stages. The first 8 weeks are the toughest on recruits, both mentally and physically, or so I hear. They call it 'hell week'. They put us through a lot of shit to see how much our mind and body can endure. I've heard a lot of people drop out before the 8 weeks are finished because they can't handle it." Jaxson stops explaining when he looks over and sees my horrified expression, "Ok, that's enough info for you!" he says chuckling.

I stare at him like he's crazy, "What if something happens to you?"

"Sel I'm in training, they're not going to try and kill us. They're just gonna make us we wish we were dead," he laughs at this while my stomach clenches and my throat tightens.

"It's not funny Justin," I say quietly.

He puts his arm around me, "Hey, I'll be fine, I can handle it Sel. Nothing is going to happen to me, I promise."

We're both staring at each other now; we're so close that I can feel his breath on my face. It wouldn't take much to have our lips touch. I see him stare at my mouth and I wonder if I should make my move now. But then he looks away and the moment is gone. Darn! It's kind of awkward so I decide now is a good time to give him his present.

"I have something for you," I sit up and start digging in my purse.

"What? Why the hell did you get me something? I don't need anything Selena." I know he doesn't like receiving presents, but I don't care.

"Stop your grumbling, it's nothing big. It's important to me for you to have this." I turn back to him and hand him the small wrapped present. He looks at me annoyed and then starts unwrapping it. When he gets to the small jewelry box he stares at it uncomfortably.

"Don't worry, it's not an engagement ring," I say teasingly. Justin grins while opening the box. He looks confused at the stainless steel chain with the medal pendant, I can tell he's wondering what it is, so I explain: "It's a medallion of Archangel Michael, it's for protection. I had Father Gabriel bless it for you. Promise me you will always wear it Justin, no matter what you're doing, or where you are, you'll always have it with you." He's staring at me with an emotion I can't decipher and I start feeling unsure, thinking he might not like it.
"How much was this?" he asks suspiciously.

I roll my eyes, "Not much I swear. I already had the pendant, I just bought the chain."

He looks back down at the necklace, "The pendant was yours?"

I take a deep breath knowing he's not going to like what I say next: "Ya, my mom gave it to me."

He drops the necklace back in my hand so fast I barely have time to register it before he shouts, "Fuck that Selena! I'm not taking something your mom gave to you."