The First Time

Thank you, next

It's been a couple of weeks since Jackie has broken up with Jack and she feels a little better. Even though he hurt her, she does miss him.

Jack is the first guy she's ever had deep feelings for and he is her first lover. She loved the feeling of being in his arms and the many nights they used to make out in the back of his car.

Even though he got her pregnant, she can't help but be glad that it's by him. Still, it's best that they not be together.

She is at her locker getting some of her books when Brad from her chemistry class, comes up to her.

"Hey Jackie," Brad says.

She turns to see Brad standing behind her.

"Oh hi Brad," she replies giving him a friendly smile.

"Hey, just wondering did you want to walk to chemistry together?"

"Sure," Jackie replies before closing her locker.

Since she has returned from Thanksgiving break she's noticed that Brad has been asking her to walk to class with him every day. She thinks he's a nice guy but she can't help but wonder why he wants to be around her all of a sudden.

They walk towards class when Brad turns to Jackie.

"Here let me take your books," he offers.

"Oh thank you," she says handing him her books.

They continue to walk in silence before Brad decides to speak again.

"Oh Jackie, so how's Jack doing at Harvard?"

"He's doing well."

"That's good."

Again they continue in silence until Brad decides to get up the courage to ask Jackie a question he's been wanting to know.

"Jackie I know that this may be personal, but are you and Jack still together?"

Jackie is shocked and doesn't really know what to say. Why would Brad want to know about her and Jack's relationship status?

"Oh wow, Brad. That's really personal."

"I'm sorry Jackie, it's just I noticed that you don't wear your ring anymore."

Jackie looks down at her naked hand, then at Brad.

"I don't mean to come off weird Jackie since you came back from summer vacation I noticed that you wore a ring on your left hand. Then when you came back from Thanksgiving break, I noticed that you weren't wearing it."

She doesn't really know how to respond, let alone notice how close Brad is watching her.

"It's just I have always had a crush on you and I still do. I think you're so beautiful and intelligent Jackie because you were with Jack I didn't want to try to come between you two. Then I noticed that you stop wearing the ring and I thought that I could shoot my shot."

"Oh wow Brad, I'm flattered," Jackie responds. In her mind, she's trying to decide whether she should share the news.

"I want to ask you out, but I didn't want to ask and you're still with Jack."

"We're just friends. But you do know that I am pregnant with his baby," Jackie asks looking into Brad's eyes.

"Yeah, I know. I really like you Jackie and I hope that you would go out with me?" Brad asks nervously.

Jackie blushes. She does find Brad to be a nice guy and he's very cute. Besides she's single and one little date wouldn't hurt. Jack is living his life at Harvard; why can't she live hers.

"Yes Brad, I'll go out with you."

Brad smiles as if he just hit the lottery. "Wow, great! Uh, what about this Friday night? Maybe we can catch a movie?"

"Sounds good," Jackie replies smiling.

—————

Later on that night Jackie is in her room doing her homework when there's a knock on the door.

"Come in."

"Hey Jacks," Lee says coming into Jackie's room."

"What do you want Lee?"

"Good grief I can't come in and talk to my sister, and see how my niece is doing?"

Jackie shakes her head. "We don't know if it's a girl Lee, and usually when you come in here it's also to borrow something."

"You're having a girl Jackie, I'm calling it."

"Ok Lee, it's not like you're going to win a prize if you're right," Jackie giggles.

"So what, I get to say that figured out what my sister had for the rest of our lives!"

"Ok, Lee. So what do you want to borrow now?"

"Nothing Jackie, I'm serious. I really came in here to talk to you. I know once the baby comes, we're not going to be able to spend much time together anymore."

"That's not true Lee. I'm still going to be here for you, it's just I won't always be available."

Just then Jackie's phone dings indicating she has a new text.

"Is Jack still texting you trying to get back with you?" Lee asks sounding slightly annoyed.

"No it's not Jack," Jackie replies picking up her phone. Smiling when she reads the text from Brad.

"Then who is it, because I know that's not Tucky? Not the way you're smiling."

"Just a friend," Jackie says replying to Brad.

Lee looks into Jackie's phone and see's Brad's name and message:

"My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun;
Coral is far redder than her lips' red;
If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun..."

Lee reads the text. "What is he saying?"

Jackie moves her phone. "It's Shakespeare's Sonnet 130,"

"He couldn't just tell you that you're pretty in English?"

"It is in English Lee."

"Whatever. Then who's Brad and why does he have you smiling so hard?"

Jackie sighs and puts her phone down. "Brad is just a friend."

"Yeah right, and Liam Hemsworth is my husband," Lee responds rolling her eyes.

"I'm serious Lee, he is just a friend. It's nothing serious."

"So why are you going out with him on Friday?"

Jackie's cheeks turn red. "We're just going out as friends."

"Look Jackie I'm not here to judge. Besides, I think that it's good you're getting back on the dating scene. You're beautiful, you're smart and a lot of guys are attracted to you. You shouldn't sit around and wait for Jack."

"Thanks, Lee. I thought you were #teamKennedy."

"I like Jack don't get me wrong, but what he did was messed up and you deserve better. You shouldn't be putting your life on hold while Jack is doing whatever with whomever at Harvard. Like Ariana Grande said, "Thank you, next."

Jackie giggled as her sister's song reference.

"I'm serious Jackie since you broke up with Jack; I've never seen you so upset. Plus it's not good for you or the baby. Go out with Brad, experience something new. It's time for you to be happy and like mom said if it's meant to be, you and Jack will get back together."

"You're right Lee. You know you pretty wise for a sixteen-year-old."

"I get it from my big sister," Lee says putting her arm around Jackie; causing Jackie to smile.