Keith
"Hey, Jana."
Jana Morgan looked up from where she was studying her history book at the library table. Her face showed her surprise at seeing me, but she immediately went blank and quickly answered,
"Oh, um, hi, Keith." She turned back to her reading and I sighed and set my book down in front of the chair across from her. I wasn't surprised her answer was so unfriendly. We hadn't been on the greatest terms since last year when I tried to get her to go out with me and she had refused me over and over, and then when my plan to get back at her by telling everyone something was going on between us backfired... well, it didn't help things. (There really hadn't been anything going on between us, but I wish there had been. I still couldn't help wishing that could happen someday.) Of course her boyfriend who she had been broken up with at the time, Randy Kirwan, was furious when he realized I had been, well um, lying about how Jana had a thing for me and that I actually DID have a thing for her, and - needless to say- we're not exactly what you'd call friends today. And naturally, Jana treats me the same as Randy does. (They're back together again, by the way.)
"Do you mind if I sit here?" I asked, motioning to the chair.
She shrugged without looking up.
"I don't care. I don't own it."
I slid in to the chair, and opened my book, but I didn't start reading it. I wished that I was at least friends with Jana again. She had ignored me all year, so far, and even though I knew I didn't have a chance dating wise right now, I'd NEVER have a chance to date her if I didn't start out being friends again. I shifted in my seat and tried to muster the courage to say something to her. It was hard, though, because she was totally ignoring me at the moment... reading a bit in her book, then jotting down notes in her notebook. I tried not to stare, but I couldn't help but notice how the light from the window shone on her dark wavy hair, making it seem to shine even more. At the moment, she was skimming a page, her beautiful brown eyes taking in all the lines quickly. Her cheeks were slightly flushed and I wondered if she was getting too warm- she had a pretty heavy sweater on. But it looked nice on her, fuzzy looking and a deep lavender- my favorite color on her, even though I think she'd look great in anything, probably even, like, a burlap bag. I sighed. No doubt about it. Jana was definitely one gorgeous chick. I had thought she was really pretty last year, but amazingly, she'd actually gotten even CUTER over the summer. Her figure had improved a lot over the summer, too, if you know what I mean. Suddenly, Jana looked up and frowned slightly when she caught me staring at her.
"What?"
I grinned. "What what?"
She rolled her eyes and shook her head. I had her attention though. It was now or never.
"Hey, Jana, I know there are still some hard feelings from last year. You know, when I kind of told everyone that, y'know, there was something kind of going on between us..."
"You LIED and practically ruined my social life, and any future chances with Randy, you mean," she snapped. Ouch. She was definitely still sore over the whole thing. I wondered if I should continue, she looked pretty mad; but then, what did I have to lose?
"Yeah, yeah, I know. I was a real jerk then, and I'm SORRY. Really, really sorry. I mean, I know what I did was wrong. I was upset and really immature."
"What are you trying to say, Masterson?" Jana asked with a frown. I looked down at the table, then back up again and right into her eyes, speaking with as much feeling and sincerity as I could.
"What I'm trying to say is, is, well, I want you to forgive me. Really. I want us to be, like, friends again. It hurts that we can't even TALK to each other. I know it's hard for you to forgive me and everything, but I'm sorry. I mean, we've known each other so long and I think it's sad that you won't even forgive me. I'm trying to-"
"Whoa, whoa." Jana held up her hand, I looked up to see her smiling slightly. "Hold on, Keith. It's okay, really. You don't know to give a speech." She sighed and played with her pencil for a few minutes. I bit my lip and waited. It was so important that she chose to forgive me. What would I do if she didn't? Finally, she sighed again and said, "It is kind of hard for me to totally forget everything you did then, but it hasn't made me any happier to be upset with you. You were a jerk, but if you're trying to change.... that's not very cool of me not to give you a chance, right?" She tilted her head, then flashed me her knockout smile. "So... sure. You're forgiven. I'm willing to bury the hatchet if you are."
I was entralled. "Wow, really? I mean, wow. Thanks, Jana. You have no idea how great that makes me feel." How cool was she?! I mean, how many girls are willing to forgive a guy for something like that?
She laughed. "Me too."
We smiled at each other, then she returned to her writing for a minute and I pretended to read my book, even though I was too happy to think about it at all. I was turning the page (without having read anything) when suddenly a familiar voice called Jana's name, one that made me freeze in my seat.
Oh. My. Gosh. Randy! What would he think when he saw me sitting right across from his girlfriend?! Especially when he pretty much hated me right now and practically forbid me to even LOOK at Jana. But that was when Jana was mad at me too. Maybe now if she was nicer to me, he would be too. Not like I really liked being around Randy or anything anymore, but he was very popular and I guess cool and it would be great to get back into his crowd again.
"Randy! Hi!" Jana grinned, waving at Randy, who came over and had kissed her (argh) before he even noticed me. It was obvious when he did though. He immediatly straightened back up and his face went from happy to angry in about 2 seconds.
"What's HE doing here?" He demanded, directing his question at Jana but glaring at me.
"Randy- hey, Randy- it's okay-" Jana started, putting her hand on Randy's arm.
"Hey, man," I tilted my chin up at him and then stood up, holding my book. "Nothing. I was just doing some reading."
"Yeah, I'll be you were," Randy snapped, ignoring Jana.
"Really! Isn't that what you do in a library?" I tried to defend myself, glancing at Jana for help who was darting worried looks between Randy and me.
"Amazing choice of seating. There's only about 100 empty tables here today."
"I can sit anywhere I want, and besides, the light's best here. What, do you own the library?" I retorted, feeling my blood beginning to boil. I'm what you would call an agressive person. I love a good challenge and especially a good fight.
"Listen, Masterson, just because-" Randy growled, taking a step closer to me and I instinctively took one towards him.
"Hey, guys! Please!" Jana begged, in a hushed voice. We both stopped and looked at Jana, her eyes pleading with us. "Don't get the librarian over here!"
Randy and I glared at each other a moment. Then I broke the spell.
"Bye, Jana. I'll see you at school." I smiled at her, ignored Randy's furious look, and sailed out of the library. Take that! I thought. Randy was such a jerk. I don't know what Jana in him anyway. It would serve him right if Jana and I started to be friends again. In fact, I couldn't wait to go back to school so I could start talking to her again. What could Randy do if Jana stood up for me?
I smiled to myself as I left the library. I was happy to be Jana's friend again, but I couldn't help wishing for more. No, don't start, Keith. I told myself. Stop while you're ahead.
But someday. Someday, I would be more then Jana's friend.