Beauty and the Jock

Thunder

Jennifer.

When I got out of bed the next morning, I felt as if a huge weight had been lifted off of my shoulders. My thoughts drifted to last night's events. I still couldn't believe that Jason had said he loved me. Me.

He got into a fight for me, pummeled that scumbag for me, he'd been there for me, comforted me without even being aware of it, he took me to the police station, stood by my side until the important stuff had been taken care of, he'd even driven me home...but most of all, he made me feel safe and wanted. He didn't have to say a word; his presence was all I needed to forget everything that hurt me.

I'd done nothing to deserve his love.

I slipped on a pair of jean shorts, a gray top with a red heart in the middle and black converse. I decided to head out early for school to visit the old park I'd been to months ago. I remember how calm I'd felt and chided myself for not being there more often.

I passed the school gates and noticed a bunch of guys heading to basketball practice. Wait, Jason was on the team. He should be around here somewhere...

And there he was, laughing as he spoke, gesturing wildly with his hands.

I went up to him. "Jason?"

His entire face lit up when he saw me.

"I know you probably have practice and I honestly wasn't expecting to see you, but I'm so glad you're here. Can we talk...alone?"

He nodded and took my hand, ignoring the knowing smiles he got from the other guys. "Sure Jen."

Turning to the team, he said, "You guys go on ahead, I'll catch up with you later!"

"So...where do you want to go?" he asked me, playing with my fingers while I tried to ignore the butterflies in my stomach.

"The park behind school," I told him.

"To the park it is!" he said, making me smile.

"So, how are you?" He asked when we got there. Concern was clearly etched onto his face and it warmed my insides, knowing that he really cared.

"I'm fine," I told him, and we knew it was true. We sat down on the grass and I took in the environment. The leaves of the trees were a mixture of bright orange, red, and yellow. Beautiful.

We got busy talking and lost track of time, missing first period. We told each other about our families, our likes, dislikes, pet peeves, favorite food, movies, music and other little things that made me realize how much I'd missed by not getting to know him before.

"Jennifer...I just wanted to let you know that nothing happened, you know, when I invited Brittany over. I'm really sorry. I feel horrible about it."

"It's okay Jason."

"Still...that's no excuse for making you feel as if I gave up on you. Because I would never do that." He looked so apologetic, so sincere - I couldn't help but smile.

"You're forgiven."

His face broke into a relieved smile.

"Lie down on the grass," he said, patting the spot beside him as he sprawled himself on the ground. I watched as he closed his eyes, soaking up the sun.

"Jason?"

"Hmm?" He asked, squinting up at me.

"Do you believe in destiny?" I asked, curiously.

An unreadable look crossed his face. Nodding slowly, he replied, "If it weren't for destiny, we wouldn't be here now. Together. Like star-crossed lovers."