Beauty and the Jock

This night

Jason.

"DUDE, why are you so hyper?" Daniel asked, laughing.
"It's nothing, just excited for the party I guess!" I lied, trying (and failing) to hide my enthusiasm. I could tell that he didn't buy my lie, because I was all bouncy and jittery.
"Do you think everyone will turn up?" I asked, while sticking a Tiki torch in the sand firmly.
"This is the hottest party of the month. If they know what's good for their social reputation, they will turn up," he replied. "And don't worry. Jennifer will be here," he added with an eye roll.
"Yea I hope so..." Watching the setting sun with Jen. It was going to be perfect. A little too perfect...
"Craig! Seth! Ashton!" Daniel yelled running over to the black jeep, which pulled over, filled with kids from my grade.
As I craned my neck I saw a couple of cars behind them.

I checked my cell phone.
5:00 pm.
People had begun to arrive and volleyball nets and barbecues were being set up.

The party was happening.
My golden chance.
Nothing could screw this up. Nothing.
I would not allow anything to mess it up...

"Ready to party bro?" Dan asked racing past me.
"I am going make this a night to remember!" I yelled outrunning him, making way to the sea as if it were calling me...

Jennifer.

"... I mean if you ask me, I don't think that black dress is too bad... but black isn't my color and it kind of clashes with my hair and then it doesn't even bring out my eyes! Can you believe it?" Amelia kept babbling during the car ride.
I nodded and kept fiddling with a stray lock of hair while looking out of the window.
Jason will be at the party...obviously. It's his party. Why wouldn't he be there?

God, why am I even thinking of him?

"So what do you think?" Amelia asked, interrupting my thoughts.
"About what?" I instantly felt bad for not listening to her.
"About the black dress I saw at Lacey's the other day," she replied.
"It's pretty." I answered, trying not to sound too bored.
"I know that! But what bout the clash?"
"What clash?" I asked, pretty clueless about what she was going on about.
"Jen! Have you been paying attention to me AT ALL?!" Amelia asked, sounding a little hurt.

"I...uh, yea! I was just, I don't know..." I sighed.
"You're just so...distant these days...what's up with you?" she asked rather concerned while a frown formed across her face, her eyes looking at the straight road ahead.
"Oh it's nothing. It's just...well, this is my first party at this school!" I said, managing a small laugh so she wouldn't question me further.
"Yeah I know. But you'll be fine! Besides, Val and Becky will be there, so no worries." she said, a lighter and happier expression taking over her face.

I looked out of the window as the beach came into plain view. It was decorated tastefully; everything looked bright, colorful and inviting.

"We're here!" she yelped, totally forgetting about the subject.

"I guess we are." I muttered under my breath, getting out of Amelia's car.

Jason.

It was almost 6.30 pm. Where is she? I wondered. I was constantly checking the entrance to see if she had arrived, but I was disappointed each time I looked. Had she changed her mind about coming?

The thought instantly made me frown. My mood plummeted and I went over to the bar to grab myself a bottle of beer. I won't lie; I do drink - but only at parties, never otherwise. Hangovers are too much of a pain to deal with, so I usually just stick with beer.

I was on the verge of giving up hope that she'd come, which is why when I finally spotted her, my heart stopped. Well not literally, but I'm sure it skipped a few beats.