To Catch A Dream

Jonah Part Five

Lately, Rose and I have been spending a lot of time together. I don't like her in that way. At least I don't think so. It ranged from studying to just hanging out, sometimes dinner. I like that she actually tells me how she actually feels, unlike my other friends.

Tonight, she invited me to hang out and stargaze with her at the park. This part of the area has hardly any noticeably visible amount of air pollution, and the stars are beautiful to look at.

"Hey McAdams?" she asks.

"Yes, Rose, milady?" I say, with a small smile.

"I know I always act like I don't care about you and I don't like you and all, but it's all just an act. If anything happened to you, I would have no one left. So, don't go getting hurt, alright? I... I like you. I mean like, as a friend. You're not bad." she mumbles out the last few words.

"What was that? Could you say that last part a little louder?" I ask innocently.

"Oh, you mean that part where I said don't go getting hurt?" Rose replies, equally as innocent.

"Are we playing this game now?" I say, just a little exasperated.

"Only if you want to, dude," she responds. At that moment I felt like a million butterflies exploded inside me. I slowly lean in, my lips softly touching her cheek.

"Wow," she says

"Yeah. That - That's what I was going for. Also please confirm- is that a good thing?" I asked nervously.

"Definitely," she softly mumbles.

"Hey... before I interrupted, what else were you going to tell me?" I asked.

"Nothing... I think you covered that part enough for me," she says, brushing her fingers across my lips. I bring her closer to me, hugging my chest. I run my fingers slowly through her soft, golden hair. So we lay there together. Maybe friends. Maybe more? But to be honest? All I wanted to do was lay there with her forever. Free of worries, commitments, and troubles, all of it forgotten. Because she was the one and only person who understood me, Jonah McAdams. So-called popular "player" and a football guy. No emotions whatsoever. Yet here I am. Pouring them out of me for the whole world to see.

...

It's been a week since that moment between us. Honestly, it kind of brought us even closer than we had been before. Right now we are hanging out at the lunch tables together, enjoying the sunlight. Rose. She looks beautiful. Her green eyes glint in the sunlight. Her golden hair looks almost magical. She notices me staring.

"You know, Jonah. I can't concentrate with you staring at me like a stalker," she said primly but humorously.

"What are you concentrating on? " I say, prepared to defend my side.

"The sun. The blue sky. It's really untouched and serene. Much calmer than the world around it, where war is constant, and there is never all world peace. People suffering every single day. We're really lucky, you know," she says thoughtfully.

I reach out tentatively, touching her arm. She doesn't seem to mind. I pull her closer to my chest, protectively, like we're the only two people on Earth. She smells nice. Like lavenders. She wraps her arms around me and my heart beats faster, her green eyes staring into mine. We sit there, gazing at each other. Like we're almost one. Her heart was in her eyes, begging me to take it. I look into her face. Emotion and love bubble up inside of me, waiting to be released. And it does.

You see, this is what I love about Rose Johnson. On the outside, she might look like she doesn't give anyone or anything the time of day. But on the inside, she's extremely observant and can appreciate the luckiness people like us have. It is honestly the most opposite derivation of character I have ever seen. And I'm not going to set her straight. Ever. While I was thinking these thoughts, Rose rolled her eyes, separating herself from me gently. This usually means that I was staring at her again, (which I totally wasn't), or some person she doesn't like comes over. Which is practically everyone. But the one person whom both of us dislike-Uh oh-Bree and Mark. The trouble couple. I think. I'm not sure what they're current status is. Sometimes they are something different.

"OMG. Hey goth girl and chill guy. You guys are like totes adorbs. You should totally get together, right after me and Marky of course. We could rule the school as power couples!" She blows us both kisses.

"*Mwah*," she blurts out on a high rant.

Rose couldn't contain herself any longer. "Bree. I don't care about your stupid offer for being the power couple of the school. WE don't even like each other in that way. So shoo. Pack up your bags and get the hell out of here," Rose almost screams.

Bree narrows her eyes. "Hey. I might look weak. But I have a reputation, unlike Johnson over here. You better watch what you say to me, sucker," she says super sassily. Then she stomps off in her designer shoes.

After she leaves, Rose and I erupt in simultaneous laughter, my arms slowly making their way towards her waist. Bree doesn't know it, but she always knows how to brighten up someone's day. Designer stilettos or not.