Warning: Profanity.
7teen: The Love Club
That state of love where all Nikki wanted to do was be near Jonesy and talk to him for ages continued to linger, even a week after they'd confessed their feelings to each other. It would take her a while to get used to the random butterflies she felt when they were together, but, now with their feelings exposed, she didn't mind them as much. They were pesky, but they wouldn't deter her from hanging out with him. They didn't deter her from asking him to hang out with her at the Khaki Barn, since she was closing up for the Clones and all.
He agreed to stop by and now she could only anticipate his arrival.
As soon as he arrived, her stomach did somersaults. He placed an arm around her waist and grinned. "Hey, baby."
"Well if it isn't Casanova," she said before caressing his cheek. "You wouldn't believe the day I've had."
"Tell me all about it and I'll see if I can make it better." He winked at her.
She grinned. "I just might."
As he slid his hand past Nikki's waist and closer to her rear, Sydni felt the store's temperature spike, prompting her to grab her things and take her leave. On her way out, she said, "So... I guess I'll see you guys tomorrow. Have fun, but not too much fun." She chuckled.
"Don't worry, mom," Nikki said with a snort. "We'll try our best."
Once Sydni made her exit, Jonesy pulled Nikki close again and grinned. "So, about that day you were gonna tell me about..."
Caitlin stood inside The Big Squeeze, eager to close the stand for the day after picking up her duties from Tricia. Their bet's consequences were over and Caitlin had to get on her grind again. As she wiped the blindingly yellow counters, she watched Jen slump and mope on one of the Lemon's stools.
"Doesn't Jonesy know that the mall is closing in less than twenty minutes? Why can't he meet me on time so we can just go home?" Jen groaned. Why do we have to share literally everything? If only our parents could see that we cannot share a car. Then I'd be driving home right now and he'd probably be locked in the mall overnight. The thought of him being stuck in the mall momentarily lifted her spirits. "What could he be doing that's so important?"
"Maybe he's with Nikki," Caitlin reasoned. "You know how close they've been to each other lately. Besides, there's still time before the mall closes."
She conceded. "You have a point, but I should at least remind him that I'm here waiting for him."
"While you do that, I'm gonna close the lemon for the day."
As soon as Caitlin closed her mouth, Wyatt rushed towards the Big Squeeze, in dire need of a drink. "Hey, I know you're probably closing, but do you think you can make me a lemon squishy for the road?" he asked with a sheepish grin.
Caitlin, being ever-resourceful, didn't want to turn away a friend. Wearing a friendly smile, she said, "Of course I can."
"Thanks, Cait. You're the best."
"Aw, thank you!" While blending his drink, she couldn't help but wonder what he had been up to. Over the noisy blender, she asked, "I barely saw you today. Busy at work?"
"Nope. Just needed a day to clear my head and do some songwriting," he explained, pointing to the guitar case slung over his shoulder.
While turning the blender off, pouring his drink, and placing a straw in the final product, she said, "Oh, that's nice. The squishy's on the house, by the way."
"Thanks again, Caitlin. Gotta go!" Wyatt swiped his drink off the counter and sped away.
Caitlin gave Jen a bewildered look.
Jen opted to shrug instead of saying, "Beats me." Standing up, she said, "I'm gonna go walk around for a bit until Jonesy decides to show up."
"Okay. While you do that, I'm gonna close the lemon... for real this time," Caitlin said, taking off her apron and hat.
Just like Wyatt clearing his head by working on new music, Jen too cleared her head by taking a stroll through the mall. There were no yells from Coach Halder and no annoying stepbrothers. Just some peace and quiet. She found this to be the most relaxing time of day, mainly because the all-day shoppers were leaving around this time. It took her a moment to realize that not everything was clear from her mind, due to her still having to text Jonesy.
Grabbing her cellphone, she typed,
Jonesy, where r u?! Meet me at the mall entrance b4 closing.
As much as Jonesy adored Nikki and holding conversations with her, nothing beat a little "tonsil hockey," as he so gracefully called it. He kept kissing her in her favorite Khaki Barn stall with a smile on his face, making her sigh when he kissed and gently sucked her neck.
Interrupting his make-out time, his cellphone vibrated, though he opted to ignore it. Nikki didn't.
"You might want to answer that," she said as she pulled away from him.
"Aw, but I don't wanna," he replied, sounding like a five year-old.
Despite his protest, she crossed her arms and sent him a striking look.
He, realizing her expression meant she could make him do it the hard way, did not want that, which was why he swiftly grabbed his phone. He read the text from Jen aloud, then dismissed it. "Jen can wait." He leaned over to steal another kiss from Nikki, but she pressed her index finger against his lips, denying him.
"Go meet up with Jen," she insisted.
"What about us?"
"You and I can go out for lunch tomorrow. Just go home so you won't piss Jen off."
"Okay." He leaned over to peck her on the cheek before leaving. "Love you, babe."
"Love you too," she said as she watched him leave. Those butterflies in the pit of her stomach fluttered like hell.
Jen sighed when Jonesy replied,
Fine. Be there in a few.
With that out of the way, her mind was totally at ease. As she walked around the mall for a moment longer, making her way past The Penalty Box, her sneaker crushed a flat object. She looked down to find a folded piece of paper, bending over and grabbing it.
Upon unfolding it and letting her eyes scan its words, she asked herself, "Is this a love letter?" Her blue eyes gaped at the very last sentence—"You and I should meet up tomorrow at 5:00 in the back service hallways so we can talk a little more; I would really enjoy that…"
The letter was well-written, making her feel quite special. Arguably, as special as Nick made her felt.
"Wait a second," she said, her eyes widening. The letter was outside the Penalty Box—maybe Jen didn't notice it before clocking out for the day. Maybe it was for her. Maybe if was from Nick.
I've gotta find Caitlin! She'll know, she thought while running in the direction of the food court.
Caitlin placed a hand on her chin, intrigued. "This is definitely a love letter."
"I know that, but I think it's from Nick," Jen said.
Her blank expression asked, "How so?"
"I found it outside the Penalty Box. I think it was there for me when I left my shift—I just didn't see it at first. Plus, he's super poetic; he told me how he does spoken word at Grind Me sometimes and he even won a talent contest at his school by reciting something he wrote."
Now Caitlin understood why Jen so heavily suggested that it could be from him. "Aw, love letters are so romantic, but why would he want to meet you in the back-service hallways?"
Jen replied, "I have no clue, but I still want to go."
"Oh, I don't blame you," Caitlin giggled.
"Maybe he wants to officially make me his girlfriend!" she said, exchanging squeals with Caitlin.
While the girls were busy gossiping, Jonesy finally made his way to the mall entrance just a few minutes before the mall was supposed to close. He shook his head in mock disappointment.
"Jen, Jen, Jenny-Jen-Jen." He rolled his eyes. "She's always mad at me for not being on time, but look where she is now. So hypocritical."