The Boy Next Door

Chapter 13

Chapter 13

“Jesse and Katie,” Ms. Wither said. “you two are partners.” She was talking about our English project. We have to write an essay on a historic figure and why we chose them.

“Hey partner.” Jesse said, coming up to me as we walked out of class, that bright Thursday morning.

“Hey, do you know who we should write about?” I asked him.

“Not a clue, but we’ll figure it out. We’ve got time.”

“Ok…you know what?”

“What?” he said.

“We haven’t hung out, just me, you, and Jessica, in a while.”

“You’re right. Why don’t we go to the beach tomorrow after school?”

“That’s a great idea. I’ll call Jessica after school today.

“Ok, well I’ve got to go meet up with Angela. I’ll see ya later.”

“ ‘K, bye!”

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The next day Jessica, Jesse, and I headed over to the beach after school. It was a really nice day, perfect for swimming.

Once we got there, I raced over to the water, while taking off my clothes (which were over my bathing suit) and jumped in! The water felt so good. If you can’t tell, I love to swim. Anyway, as I looked up to the shore I saw Jessica getting in. I also saw Jesse taking off his shirt. He was…he um…he looked very nice. I should not be thinking this. No, Katie, look away, bad Katie. I turned around while thinking this.

“Hey, Katie! Whatcha looking at over there?” Jessica said swimming up next to me.

“What, oh nothing.” I replied turning around to face her as Jesse came up to us. I pushed all of those thoughts away as we began to swim farther out.

“I’m so glad we were able to hang out again, just the three of us.” Jessica stated.

“Agreed.” Jesse and I said together. We ended up swimming for a couple of hours, just goofing around and having fun. We went up to the shore and laid down in a line, Jessica, Jesse, and me. I turned over on my stomach and looked over at Jesse. I had never really looked at him before. I don’t know why, but him lying there on his back with his hands behind his head, made something spark inside me. I’m not sure what it was, but then Jessica glanced over at me, so I turned over on my back. I laid there for a while looking up at the sky, trying to figure out what that feeling was. I looked over at Jesse again but this time our eyes met. Neither of us looked away. His eyes were saying something to me but I couldn’t figure it out. He gave me a little smile and returned to looking at the sky. What was that? I thought. My body still had that exciting tingle from him looking at me like that.

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Jesse seemed to be occupying my mind for the past week. Ugh! What is wrong with me? I’m going out with Adam and Jesse has a girlfriend! Oh man, this is gonna get complicated.

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I’ve got to keep my mind off of Jesse, I thought while logging onto the computer. You’ve Got Mail! it said once I got online. It’s from Bookie! That will keep my mind off of Jesse…or not.

Bookworm, 

How are you? How’s your week goin’ so far? Well, I’m kind of confused right now and I don’t know who else to talk to so… I hope it’s ok that I’m letting this stuff out to you. Ok, so I’m really confused about my feelings for one of my best friends (a girl obviously). We hung out a few days ago and…I don’t know, it feels like something has changed. I see her differently now.