233Over 130 reviews! You guys are too much! Wow! I feel special. Ok guys, we're getting to the end of the rope here. Only one more chapter to go, unless I'm inspired to write two, which I highly doubt. This is my, *sniffle* sad chappie! But anyway, here are my notes to my wonderful reviewers:
Pandapotato: Thanks! I really loved that first paragraph too! I'm glad you feel that the descriptions are flowing well. I'm happy she's with Jake too. I'm not going to make it official…well, not in the next chappie anyway. Haha, I have something planned for Jesse, although its not exactly what you suggested. I'm too much for realism. Thanks for your review though. It's so uplifting! You make me feel as though I really write well. ~Lisa~
RC: You know why the sensitive guy won? For real for real. Cause I'm pissed at the real Jesse. Haha! Plus the sensitive guy is just kewler anyway…haha. I'm sad for him too, well the Jesse in the story. Just wait and see what I do to him…muah-hahahaha. I'm glad the plot has been to your liking, it makes me think I've done my job correctly. I'll try to keep my updating as quick as possible with "Coming Undone" and then with "Raine" which is how I think my schedule will go. I think only 2 or 3 chapters or left, including an epilogue if I choose to stick that in there. Don't worry, not going to beat up Nicole anymore, although that sounds like a fun idea….j/k. I'm turning my attention elsewhere. I'm gonna miss it too! It'll be another bittersweet, although not as much as Coming Undone, ending. Thanks for your awesome review. More people should review like that! ~Lisa~
EmNight87: Addicting eh? I guess I'll have to write some more, although there will only be a few more chapters…then I'll be working on my new story.
Egdiugs: You're back! I'm happy she's with Jake too! *ducks behind a chair, again* I know the drill, I swear! Another chappie, coming right up! Would you like fries with that? :0)
Luckynumba7: Ok, let's make you like Jake…need to find a way to make him not a wimp…hmmm. Should he get in a fight? :0) Sorry 'bout that, I hope the story is still good anyway. I haven't put a bunch of stories on the fav list 'cause I filled them up my first 3 days and then I just stopped putting them. You're on my author alert though, so I always know when you update! J That's more important. Don't pay attention to that. I'll change it soon. Just wait to see what I do to poor Jesse.
Beautifuletdown: I definitely would have shoelace-related thoughts. Most of those types of things come from my actual behavior, which is pretty sad when you think about it, but oh well. I like the long chappies too. The only reason I made a few of them short was because it gave that certain point in the plot line an extra *umph* if you know what I mean. But ya, it does make it feel more novel-ish. :0). I love Billy too! Without him, everything would fall apart! Hehe. I'm going to have to find him a lady…haha. Thanks for your review. ~Lisa~
Starsprinkles9604: You spent the morning reading it? Wow! I feel bad for Jesse too! I feel bad for what I'm gonna do to him, but oh well. That's how the story goes! I think Jake is less wimpy and more shy. If he was wimpy he wouldn't have done anything else at all. But I guess I did make him give off that vibe. Well whatever, at least he gives vibes. Haha. Thanks so much for your review. You're a very perceptive reader and writer.
Shadowgirl618: I know, poor Jesse…sniffle. Nicole is happy, well sort of. You'll see. :0)
Jaden Anderson: Hehe, you like the semi-hook up. I didn't think an immediate hook-up would've been real. It's a slow process, unless you're a mongo slut, which she's not, so I took it slowly. Hehe, sorry about messing with your mind…mwua hahahaha. :0). Haha, You know how it all ends! Haha, at least I think so…ok. I'm glad you're *inspired* by a certain boy to read romance. Haha. Thanks for your review. Love ya, Lisa
Butthead: I told you it was weird when people watch you type over your shoulder…which you did while I was writing most of this chapter! Gosh, maybe you'll stop now, although I highly doubt it. Hehe, I like the shoelacey thing too. Hmmm, I wonder where I got that. :0)
All Over a Boy
Chapter 14: Holding On
Recap from chapter 13:
Walking out into the parking lot, Nicole spotted Jake getting into his red mustang.
'That's a hot car,' she thought as she walked up to its even hotter owner.
"Hey Jake."
"Hey Nicole!"
Then there was a silence, but it wasn't awkward. Another rarity of their relationship; silences were never awkward, just comfortable. They were just two people who reveled in each other's company.
For a moment, they just looked into each other's eyes. Jake was the first to break contact as he looked down at his feet.
"Um, Nicole…" he began, suddenly getting nervous.
"Me too, Jake," she cut him off, putting her hand on his arm. He just smiled like a fool and raked his hand through his shaggy mop of hair. Even so, a stray hair or two found its way across his forehead. Nicole gently brushed them away and smiled at him.
'Wow, she is so amazing,' he thought as he melted under her touch.
"I'll see you tomorrow," she said as her hand came to rest on his cheek. She stood on her tip-toes and kissed his full lips before moving gracefully away.
'I can't believe I did that!'
'I can't believe she did that!'
They both drove home extremely happy.
Screeching into the parking space, Jesse leapt out of his car and made a bee-line out of the crowded parking lot. He was going to be late to class, again. As he hurried through yellowing, dim halls of the school, dodging loitering students, he caught snatches of different conversations.
"Did you get number 17?"
"I have the best lunch today!"
"Do you wanna go out sometime?"
"She's such an idiot!"
"Did you hear Nicole kissed Jake yesterday?"
'WHAT?!'
Jesse halted in his tracks, his mission to get to class on time momentarily forgotten. Heading back towards the idle gossipers, he interrupted their conversation.
"Is this Nicole Crystal?"
The girls were annoyed at first, but when they saw how beautiful Jesse was, they readily answered his question.
"I think so," the blond one said in an appallingly high voice and an extra flip of her long hair.
"She's a senior I think," the brunette added, batting her eyelashes so quickly that Jesse thought they were going to fall off. "She has long-brown hair, kinda wavy, brown eyes; she's kinda short, really pretty."
Jesse gave a curt nod and left the two to gossip without another word.
"He's so hot!"
"I know!"
Both girls squealed as the bell rang to join their choir of shrieks.
"NICOLE!" Billy bellowed, calling to her from across the hallway.
Nicole whirled around, searching for the person who would dare to make so much noise at nine o'clock in the morning; much less direct that racket at her.
"Billy," she whined as she spotted him guffawing in a corner. "Why'd ya do that?" She slapped him in the arm to make herself feel better.
"Ow," Billy exclaimed, although the slap really didn't hurt at all. "I did it just to see that look on your face. Now, gimme the big one. You know you can do it! Come on," he prodded as Nicole struggled not to smile.
"Ah, there it is," Billy said as she gave in and flashed him a million dollar smile….right before she socked him in the arm...again.
"Ouch woman! You are getting overly fond of doing that!"
Nicole just gave a smug smile and continued on her way to class. Jogging lightly, Billy caught up with her, looping his arm in hers.
"Sooo. I hear a certain someone got a little somethin' somethin' in the parking lot yesterday," he gossiped, wiggling his eyebrows and looking at Nicole, anticipating her response.
"Who told you that?!" She said blushing.
'Whoa! Nicole just…blushed! She's got it bad. I never thought I'd live to see the day.'
"I'd never thought I'd live to see the day," he voiced.
"What?" Nicole demanded angrily to hide her embarrassment.
"I'd never thought I'd live to see the day when Nicole Crystal blushed like a virgin bride! It's so sweet, I think I'm going to cry, sniffle, sniffle," he articulated as he mimed wiping a tear from his eye.
Nicole dropped his arm and gave Billy a good shove. She laughed triumphantly when she heard a dull thud; he'd hit the lockers.
"And they say men are violent," Billy said, holding his arm and limping.
"Oh come on," Nicole said as she reached for his arm.
"No way! You're not touching me again!" Then he paused and grinned down at her evilly. "Not unless you give me some of that sweet lovin' you gave Jakey-boy yesterday."
This time, Nicole was not completely paralyzed by her embarrassment. "You wish, Billy-goat!" And with that, Billy received another smack, this one to his chest.
"Ok, I'm staying away from you woman! I want to go home in one piece but I don't think Jake's gonna be that lucky when you're through with HIM," he said as he walked away, laughing hysterically at Nicole's expression which resembled something between a tomato and a gaping fish.
Two muscular arms wrapped around Nicole's midsection from behind and she heard a deep baritone whisper in her ear.
"Hello beautiful."
Twisting in his arms so that she faced him and putting her hands against his chest, Nicole flashed him her movie star smile and stood on her tip-toes to kiss him hello. She giggled when she felt his heartbeat quicken under her palms and hugged him around his waist.
"Hey Jake," she said with an extra squeeze, then looked back up at him to gaze into his sapphire eyes.
He gently twisted a strand of her wavy hair in his fingers and smiled dreamily.
"You look so cute when you do that," Nicole said, looking at how his face lit up when he smiled like that.
"You look beautiful all the time," he replied, then, "I'm not going to be in fourth period today."
"What? Why?" Nicole asked, sorely disappointed.
"I've got an appointment with the CAP counselor," he sighed. (A/N: CAP counselor is the college counselor)
'She looks disappointed. Does that mean she's gonna miss me?' He grinned at the thought.
"I don't know why you're smiling," she said pouting, although she loved it when he smiled.
"Just happy to know that you care," he said, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "I'll see you later, ok?"
"Definitely," she whispered, taking his hand. He squeezed it, then disappeared in the bustling crowd of high school kids.
Jesse was gazing at the door so intensely that he nearly jumped out of his chair when Nicole entered the room. She looked absolutely radiant, smiling all the way to her seat, and joking with that redhead Billy when she got there. Mustering up his courage and wondering why he was suddenly afraid to face a girl, Jesse walked casually over to her desk.
"Hey Nicole," he said suavely and winced when her smile faded and was replaced by a look of fear.
'What is she afraid of?'
"H-hey Jesse," she said in a quivering voice, tossing a glance at Billy, who shrugged as if to say, "It's your problem kid."
Kneeling down and leaning his arms against her desk, Jesse looked up into her beautiful brown eyes.
"How was your day?"
'What a stupid question. How was your day? I'm so lame.'
"Pretty...," she began, glancing at Billy, who was pretending like he wasn't eavesdropping on their conversation. "Pretty...um, uneventful. You know? Boring classes, 7 hours too long in this God forsaken place." She ended with a smile, to try and curb her obvious nervousness.
'I love it when she smiles at me.'
"Oh ya, me too," he said, then looked down, remembering the gossip he'd heard that morning. "Um, I wanted to ask you something."
"Ok."
"Well, I was walking through the halls this morning when…"
"Jesse, get in your seat, unless you find Ms. Crystal much more interesting than Shakespeare," the English teacher said with a raised brow.
"No, of course not," Jesse replied in exaggerated tones, glancing back seductively at Nicole, letting the whole class know who he thought was the most interesting. There was a small chorus of, "oooh" as he headed back to his seat. Nicole found herself blushing for the millionth time that day.
'God he's so hot, but…'
"So Horatio was the only one left after the killing escapade in the court," the English teacher began.
"Nicole!"
She turned looking for the owner of the voice. A tall, well-built Jesse was walking her way.
"Hey."
"Hey…so, um, what did you want to ask me?" Nicole asked, stopping in front of a group of lockers.
"Well, first I kinda wanted to tell you something."
"What?" She was suddenly apprehensive and sick to her stomach.
'I don't if I want to hear what he has to say anymore, although I would have killed to just a few months ago…'
"Well, um,…God this is so hard," he said, running his hand over his short brown hair and turning his brown eyes to the ground.
"You don't have to if you don't want to," she said, putting a hand on his arm. He jumped at the contact, feeling a jolt of emotion. The feeling was not reciprocated and Nicole felt like crying when she realized it.
"You remember how we met? In 8th grade?"
"Ya," she said, smiling.
"Well, I think I've liked you since then, but I was afraid to say anything, so I didn't."
"But why…"
"No wait, let me finish, or else it won't come out."
She nodded, tears filling her eyes.
'God, no. This can't be happening to me,' she thought desperately.
"I hardly saw you during high school, so I had other girlfriends and stuff and I got more openly flirty with everyone." He wasn't sure what to think of her steady, tear-filled gaze, so he just continued.
"Then, finally, this year, I've had the chance to get to know you again, and that feeling I had for you returned, 10 times over. And, well, something I heard today finally pushed me over and I just had to tell you."
She was silent, staring once again at her shoelaces, wondering if many other girls had found respite in the pastime.
'What could she tell him? She thought she would've waited 'till the end of the world for him to say that, but her heart felt otherwise. Sorry, but I love…someone else? Oh God! Ah!'
"Please say something," he pleaded so softly she could barely hear him.
"What did you hear that made you tell me this?" Nicole asked to buy herself some time.
"Well, ah," Jesse said, looking very awkward. "I heard to girls gossiping about how you'd…um…kissed Jake yesterday.
Nicole looked stricken. Her face visibly paled and she felt her knees go weak.
'Oh my, oh God. What do I say? Poor Jesse!' A tear spilled over the corner of her big, brown eyes. Jesse's heart constricted painfully as he felt an unfamiliar sting in the back of his eyelids. He lifted her face with his hand and searched her watery eyes.
"Is it true?"
She nodded mutely. Jesse tried to swallow the growing lump in his throat, but it wouldn't budge.
"Did you, um, ever like me? 'Cause I thought you did…" he said, hoping in some way to erase the devastating information he had just uncovered.
"Yes," she breathed.
"Do you still?" he asked with hope.
There was a strangled sound in her throat, and Nicole tried to look down, but his hand was still under her chin. "No," she choked out.
"Is it him?" His voice cracked and he had trouble breathing.
"Jesse, please don't ask me," Nicole sobbed, tears flowing freely.
"Please tell me, I need to know," he whispered, stepping closer so that their faces were inches apart.
"I can't, please, don't," she pleaded, not wanting to hurt him because in some way, she still loved him; just not in the same way.
"Nicole," he chided, dreading the answer, and yet anticipating it.
Taking a shaking breath, Nicole tried to ignore the tears slipping down her cheeks and the kind finger under her chin.
"Yes, it's Jake," she said after a long and strained pause. He dropped his hand, feeling like a thousand bricks had just been dumped into his stomach and that he'd had a boulder lodged in his throat.
Nicole turned away, tears streaming down her cheeks and sobbed, "I'm so sorry, Jesse. I'm so sorry." Then she slowly walked away, missing the tears trickling down his cheeks.
Dedication:
I know this chapter is pretty sad, and it doesn't seem like the greatest chapter to dedicate to anyone, I'd like to dedicate it to someone anyway. This person really loved Jesse and was/is very sad to see him get the boot. So, since this is Jesse's chapter, or that's what I call it in my mind, I'd like to dedicate it to my biggest Jesse fan: Luckynumba7.
Suggested Reading:
Katelyn Devaney:
Is Love Enough?
An Untimely Romance
Forever Friends 2