Ocean Eyes . Jonathan Brandis

Fourteen

After leaving the main building, I meet up with Sam and Connie. "Sarah has practice today so she said to go on without her," Sam tells us. "I told Hudson I was walking home with y'all today," Connie adds and we nod. "How far do you live?" Sam adds remembering she hated exercise. "Just a few blocks down, not too far. Hudson just likes taking his truck to school," she explains. "Okay then, let's hurry so we don't miss them," Sam adds.

I wasn't really in the mood for this right now. I just wanted to see Jonathan. I knew I couldn't let myself forgive so easily but I still loved him, even more than I hated him.

The walk wasn't too long, proving Connies directions. We saw Hudson's truck, confirming he was home. We follow Connie inside. Hudson, Jared, and two other guys were in the living room laughing at something on tv. No one except Jared noticed us. He locks eyes with me and smiles. I force a smile back in politeness. "Hudson!" We hear Connie yell. My attention immediately moves to her. "You know mom hates it when you leave your crap on the floor," she says referring to his gym back and letterman on the ground in front of her stairs. "Then move it," he mocks her. She immediately kicks it out of the way with attitude. Jared and I were the only ones watching this confrontation since Sam had already gone to the kitchen to grab a glass of water and Hudson's friends were hooked to whatever show they were watching. Jared and I hold back a laugh. "You're such a pain Connie, you know that?" Hudson hops over the couch and grabs his bag glaring at her. She shrugs carelessly. He walks past us, towards the kitchen and bumps into Sam. He keeps her from falling and drops his back to grab her glass of water. "My bad," he helps her regain her balance then hands the glass back. He picks his bag up and continues on his way to put it away. Sam stood there, shocked at what had just happened. I immediately take action and lead her upstairs with Connie helping.

Once we arrived to Connie's room, we all start laughing. "Why didn't y'all tell me he was on his way into the kitchen?" Sam pretends to be mad but can't help laughing. "I thought you'd be way smoother than that," Connie adds making us laugh even harder. "He touched me! I'm never showering again," she pretends to faint. "Disgusting, I'd shower even more now if I were you," Connie jokes. "That was amazing, I can't still feel his had on my arm," Sam collapses on Connie's bed. "Oh, get a grip, Sam," Connie tried to calm down from laughing so hard. "I know, I know. We're on a mission. Get Grace a date with Jared," she sits up and becomes more serious. "Oh yea. I forgot to tell y'all. He invited me to the drive in Friday night," I remember. They both look at me with their jaws dropped. "What!" Sam squeals. "The drive in!?" Connie's eyes couldn't grow any wider. "Yea," I laugh at their expressions. "Do you know what that means?" Sam grabs my shoulders. "Oh no," she looks to Connie worried then back at me. I look at her confused. "Oh no, this isn't good," she begins walking back and fourth contemplating something. "What?" I question curious to why she was acting this way. "No way," Connie watches Sam. "Maybe it's not like that," Sam looks to Connie. "Not like what?" I ask getting impatient. "Jared's not like that, is he?" Sam looks at Connie confused. "Not like what?" I watched them exchange worries looks. "Tell me what this means!" I almost scream and they both look at me. Sam sits down beside me. "You said drive in correct?" She raises her eyebrows. "Yes? They're playing that new Halloween thriller," I tell her. "Maybe he doesn't know either, he seems innocent enough," Sam looks to Connie once more. "Doesn't know what!?" I was getting angry now. "Grace," Sam begins. "The drive in is a popular date spot for guys to take girls on 'hypothetical dates' and try to-," Connie says for Sam but doesn't finish the sentence. "Try to what?" I was confused and also scared now. "No way that's his intention," Sam says to Connie. "What aren't you guys telling me?" I stand up frustrated. "They try to—well, you know—do it," Sam finally spits out. I don't say anything. All I could do was try and process what that meant.

A minute went by and I hadn't said anything. "Grace," Connie breaks the silence. "That's not like guaranteed is it? Jared doesn't seem like that, well, he seems like a nice guy," I was confused. "That's what I'm saying. I don't think he'd do that. He's like a big teddy bear," Sam adds trying to make me feel better. "Besides, that's just what I heard from my sister," Sam adds again. I look at Connie. "I just hear my brother talking sometimes about how he's done stuff with girls there. He's a douche bag so I don't know about Jared," she shrugs. I try piecing it all together. "What if he's just trying to make me think he's nice then bam he's just like every other jock," I sit down to process it all. "No way. Plus, Connie and I will be there in case he tries anything," Sam adds giving me an assuring smile.

I can't help but wonder what would happen. I knew it seemed too good to be true. But he called me smart. So he should know that I would've figured that out. Or maybe he knew I wouldn't know.

"Do you have any aspirin? I'm getting a head ache," I ask Connie. "Yea it's in the kitchen cabinet beside the fridge," she tells me. I get up and go downstairs. Hudson and his friends were still watching tv but Jared wasn't there. I walk into the kitchen and see him pouring a glass of water. He looks back, hearing me. "Grace. Hi," he smiles widely. "Hey Jared," I force a smile. After what I just learned, I don't know how to act around him anymore. He sees me pull out the aspirin and hands me the glass he just poured. He pulls out another for himself. "Thanks," I smile. "Are you alright?" He questions concerned while leaning against the counter. "Yea, just a head ache," I swallow the pill. "So about Friday," he begins. I almost choke on the water. "What about it?" I question after swallowing hard and almost killing myself. "If you'd rather do something else, we can. We can go to Phillie's diner or-," he stops. There wasn't much to do in this small town. "I just didn't know if you wanted to see a scary movie," he adds. "The drive in is fine," I add with a chuckle. I realize that he had good intentions. He probably didn't know the reputation it had. "Or are you too scared to see it," I tease him. "What? No way, I was just asking for your sake. It sounds pretty nasty," he laughs. "I think I'll be able to handle it," I smile. "Great. Well is 6 o'clock alright? Or is that too early?" He adds. "No, that's perfect," I add. "Jared! Dude come here! You have to see this chick! Her tits are huge!" We hear from the living room. I try to hold back my laugh. "I've been summoned," Jared smiles, probably relieved I wasn't too judgmental. "Sounds pretty important," I laugh. "Oh, extremely," he says sarcastically. "I'm looking forward to Friday though," he smiles. "Me too," I say before he leaves. I sigh indifferently. I kinda wish it were Jonathan taking me instead. As nice and handsome as Jared was, Jonathan would always have my heart. I felt almost bad, but I was a sophomore, I don't think a senior like Jared would be too disappointed.

Yay, longer update. My writers block isn't as bad as it used to be so I'll try to start writing more. I only have two weeks left of my first semester of college then like a whole month off until the next. College has its benefits lol. I hope y'all enjoyed this chapter!!