Of Poetry and Prose
Chapter One
Usually when I am working on a math or science problem nothing can distract me. My brain just takes over and I don't stop until all is right in my little mathematical world. Today, however, I can't seem to stop myself from glancing up across the table every few moments. I don't know what is different about today, but my eyes seem to have a mind of their own and they've decided that the mysteries of Jacob Stone were what should be solved today.
Said mystery was sitting just a few seats down, his end of the table covered with what looked like a pile of literature books. He had finally found some semblance of home in a place where his never-ending thirst for knowledge could begin to be quenched. Usually he would pour over art portfolios, but every so often you could find him murmuring lines of poetry under his breath as he read. He is a sight to behold whenever I get the chance to really observe him. I like the way his hair falls over his forehead and the way the lights in the annex seem to cause his light blue eyes to shine. He's a bit like a line of the poetry he loves so much.
I almost jump out of my seat when Ezekiel sets himself in the chair next to me and whispers in my ear.
"If you keep staring like that he's going to catch you," he mused with a smile upon his lips.
"I was just thinking," I muttered in reply before glancing back down at my notebook.
"I'd say admiring Stone's many assets is more likely," he taunted before moving in a bit closer. "I have a theory about this little poetry kick he's on. Want to hear it?"
"He likes to read, why should you have a theory about what he's reading?"
"Because when we were in Chicago he came face to face with one of his fears."
"What are you talking about?" I asked glancing back towards Jake who was now headed back to the stacks upstairs, most likely in search of another book.
"Well, do you remember asking me who I was in high school?"
"Yeah, I guess, I mostly remember being excited about the science fair," I murmured my eyes still following Jake as he moved about upstairs.
"Where do you think our favorite cowboy with an IQ of 190 fell? I can tell you it wasn't with the smart kids."
"He told me no one back home knows how smart he is," I quietly replied as if repeating a secret. I look up at Ezekiel in hopes that he'll understand that this isn't a subject he should be taking lightly, but he is often one of the hardest to read. Granted reading people isn't exactly my forte, give me math and science over people any day.
"Well I might have overheard him talking to Amy's friend Dashell. He basically told him the same thing, and that he shouldn't let who he really is stand in the way of his feelings for Amy." Why does he always have to look so smug? Does he even realize that he's going to overhear something that will end up hurting him one of these days?
"Eavesdropping you mean," I spat at him angrily, "What does any of that have to do with reading poetry?" My patience with this little charade of his was starting to wear thin. Usually I can deal with Ezekiel's overly mischievous nature, but today was apparently not going to be one of them.
"Well, I think maybe he's tired of trying to be someone he's not, and just maybe there's someone he'd like to let past some of those tower walls he's built around himself."
"So you think all this," I said motioning to the piles of books at the other end of the table, "is for a woman?" I asked hoping my voice wasn't filled with the jealousy I could feel creeping into my heart.
"Yep." I notice that Ezekiel is looking at me with mischief in his eyes which is worrisome.
"Are you planning something? You shouldn't play with people's emotions Jones," I chastised. I don't want to see Jake get hurt by some prank. And I really don't want Ezekiel to bite off more than he can chew by making Jake angry.
"Too late," he said getting up.
I have no idea how long a sat there slack-jawed and staring after Jones had walked away. What was it that he was up to? Was he trying to help or hinder Jake with this endeavor of his? Should I say something? I want to be a good friend, but the thought of Jake with someone else (not that I actually have any sort of claim on him) makes my heart ache with a pain I've never known before. However, I want him to be happy, to have someone he's willing to tear those walls down for, someone he can trust.
And there it was the word that defined my entire relationship with Jake. Trust. No matter how I try I never can seem to find a foothold into getting back into his good graces. I want him to trust me so badly, for him to see me the way he saw me when we first met, but I'm starting to believe it's an impossible task. After becoming a L.I.T. I started to believe that anything is possible. I mean Santa Claus is REAL! How could anything be impossible when he's real? I was, however, finding that earning Jacob Stone's trust back was a never-ending uphill battle.
"What was all of that with Jones?" Jake asked, coming back downstairs with another stack of books, breaking me out of my train of thought.
"I'm not really sure exactly," I replied. It wasn't exactly a lie. I have no idea what Ezekiel was trying to accomplish with our little conversation.
"And what exactly about it has you perplexed?"
"On the surface it was a normal enough conversation I guess, but I think maybe he's up to something."
"What sort of devious plan is our resident thief cooking up then?"
"I don't know. Do you have a new girlfriend or something?"
"No. Cassie why would you think that?"
"Ezekiel was saying that's why you've been on this poetry kick lately," I said pointing to the mountains of books on the table. "He said maybe you had met someone you would be willing to let past your walls and see who you really are."
"Damn Jones. He sees too much, and it's going to get him into trouble one of these days," he stormed slamming his books down on the table before plopping himself back into his chair.
"So you do have a new girlfriend," my heart broke a little bit as I replied.
"No, I mean there is someone, but it's not like you think," he revealed.
"And what is it I am supposedly thinking Jake?" I asked with a bit more venom in my voice than I had anticipated. I found myself standing with my arms braced on the tabletop. First Jones with his enigmatic conversation and now Jake telling me 'it's not like you think,' I was itching for a fight, and I rarely get angry.
I knew that I shouldn't be so interested in the conversation Jones is having with Cassandra, but she has bewildered look on her face and even though I can't hear what they're saying her voice is terse when compared to Jones's. Cassie is quite like Jones as they're both usually smiling and have a jubilant air about them, but right now the only smile is the smug one that Jones is wearing. I decide to pick up a few more books in an attempt to avoid further temptation, not only in their conversation but Cassie in general.
As I peruse the many shelves I can feel her eyes on me. I don't know why she's watching me, but I like the feeling it brings. The two of us have been dancing around each other since we met all those months ago. Then again I have a feeling I was and am doing most of the dancing. While I know she's been doing everything possible to regain my trust I've been doing everything I can to keep her near me without letting her get close enough to know that she never really lost my trust.
I find that I can't be more than a few feet from her at all times, and I have this need to know everything I possibly can about her. I want to be there to catch her whenever the visions become too much, and yet I push her away at the same time. Ever since I met her my life has been turned upside-down. She is like a magnet that just keeps pulling me ever closer to her, but I know that she'll eventually break my heart. However, I'm starting to understand that the heartbreak will be worth any amount of time I can spend with her. Between the way her smile can light up a room and her effervescent personality I'm surprised I didn't breakdown sooner.
I notice Jones leaving the table as I start to head back down the stairs, Cassandra is watches him with confusion in her eyes. And now I find I'm too curious to ignore whatever just happened.
"What was all of that with Jones?" I asked.
"I'm not really sure exactly," she replied as her eyes come back into focus and she looks my way.
"And what exactly about it has you perplexed?" I questioned all the while studying her face for any clues as to what went on during their conversation.
"On the surface it was a normal enough conversation I guess, but I think maybe he's up to something."
"What sort of devious plan is our resident thief cooking up then?" I was trying to be funny with the jibe about Jones, but she didn't seem to notice.
"I don't know. Do you have a new girlfriend or something?" She looked up at me expectantly as she asked her question. He bright blue eyes filled with something I couldn't quite place.
"No. Cassie why would you think that?" I'm sure that the words were a bit harsher than I intended, but this was not what I expected when I started this conversation.
"Ezekiel was saying that's why you've been on this poetry kick lately. He said maybe you had met someone you would be willing to let past your walls and see who you really are."
And there it was, the reason for that strange look in her eyes. She had been trying to work her way past those walls since we met. She was afraid that I was going to let someone else in and I'd leave her behind.
"Damn Jones. He sees too much, and it's going to get him into trouble one of these days," I ranted as a slam the books I'd been holding onto the table. . Of course Jones figured it all out though. He's always somewhere watching and listening. He apparently didn't take the time to point out that I spend all of my free time here in the annex just feet away from her.
"So you do have a new girlfriend," she replied with a heartbroken look on her face.
"No, I mean there is someone, but it's not like you think," I found myself babbling. She makes it so hard to find the right words sometimes.
"And what is it I am supposedly thinking Jake?" she demanded, her stance was stiff and filled with anger. She had her arms braced on the table and I hope it was due to emotion and not a need for support.
The pain in her voice is what ultimately does me in though. I never thought I'd be standing here having this conversation with her. Why did Jones have to step in and try to play matchmaker? Sometimes I think that kid has a death wish with the amount of trouble he causes. The problem is that he loves to stir up trouble.
"Cassie," I make sure to keep my voice calm and even as I walk towards her. "There's no reason for all the poetry other than the fact that I love reading it. As for a girlfriend, I don't know when I'd have time to meet someone when I spend every waking moment here or out on a mission."
"You said there was someone."
"You're right I did," I said trying to gather my thoughts. I need to make sure I get the words out right. I reach out taking her hands from where she still has them braced on the table. She looks confused, but doesn't comment on it. Now how do I say this? "Cassie, you do realize you're the only woman in my life, right?" I was happy to see a smile returning to her face.
"What does that mean exactly?"
"It means that I care about you sweetheart and that I'd rather spend all my free time here next to you than looking for someone who is never going to understand me the way you do." The next thing I know she's thrown her arms around me in a hug.
"I'll be sure to point out to Baird that you don't see her as a woman the next time I see her," Jones chuckled. Of course everyone's favorite resident thief decided to wander back into the main room of the annex at the precise moment. Granted he was probably off in a corner somewhere eavesdropping the entire time. "Oh, and I would have thought with all of that poetry you've been devouring you could do better than 'the only woman in my life' line."
"Just be glad I'm not getting punchy with you Jones," I growled in his direction.
"Thanks Mate," he replied with his ever present smirk.
"Cassie, why don't we go for a walk, I think we have a few things we need to talk about," I suggested all while leading her out of the annex and away from Jones before I change my mind about hitting him.
I hope you all enjoy this little story I've started. I have a few more chapters planned, so I hope you'll enjoy enough to stick around. I love hearing from you so I know what works and doesn't. I really appreciate all of the love so thank you for reading!