A/N: I'm starting to think that this may have the potential to blossom into something pretty great.

Still thinking about it.


...

The bell had rung, signalling the start of the last class of the day.

I was pretty bored throughout the lesson, so my thoughts slipped into what I was thinking about all day: the boy from this morning.

He was on my mind all day: his composure, his cool attitude, the scent of his beautiful blonde hair- oh fuck. Things got way creepy there. But still, I wasn't able to think about anything else, let alone the teacher's lesson.

Before I knew it, the bell rang again, and everyone darted out, leaving me behind without my book even opened.

"Excuse me, miss... Harley, is it?" the teacher asked.

"Hmm?"

"I see you haven't even opened your textbook. Were you even paying the slightest attention at all during the class?"

Oh shit. I wasn't. "Umm... Of course!" I quickly lied. "I just loved your lesson about... stuff."

Okay, wow. That really was the crappiest lie ever.

"Mm-hm. Miss Harley, next time, please pay attention during the lecture. If you keep this up, your grades won't do so well."

"Oh, sorry." Quietly, I put away my school supplies and left.

Heading to History class for my punishment, I realized it's been my first one since elementary school. I think the classroom walls were still stained from that day. It's not really a memory I like to remember.

I felt a little nervous about going to detention, but then again...

At least I'll get to see Dave.

I wasn't even sure this was detention. It seemed more like one hour of "do whatever the fuck you want, as long as you stay in the classroom". So Jade and I just chatted away, while the teacher was pretty much sleeping.

"It doesn't seem like much of a detention, does it?" I asked her.

She shrugged. "I don't really get into trouble often, so I wouldn't know."

"Well, aren't you the goody-two-shoes." I teased.

Giving a frown, (which was actually really fucking cute) she retorted, "No! I just know how to act respectfully!"

"Mm-hm. Right. Because it is respectful to punch the shit out of a cripple."

Her cheeks started to burn red. "Oh my god, he tripped me! That would be a natural response!"

"Yeah, I'm joking. That guy doesn't know when he's getting set up. Kinda feel bad for him." I said. "Clearly fallen in love with that bitch, you know, the one with the weird name? Virisker, was it? Eh, I don't really give a shit."

Jade laughed a little, which made me smile on the inside, but I didn't let it surface. "Yeah, I don't really know what's her problem with me. I came to school early to read a book, and all of a sudden I found myself under fire." She extended her hand out to me. "Thank you, by the way, for scaring them off. It helps when you have a friend."

Looking back at the teacher, I whispered to Jade. "Wanna ditch? This classroom is really boring. I'd rather talk somewhere other than in front of a teacher. Especially in front of this smug asshole."

She started to look worried. "I don't know, Dave. He'll be pretty upset, and, even though it's been fun, I don't think detentions will look good on my record."

"Nah. It'll be fine. We only have half an hour left anyway." I tried to sound as convincing as possible.

Jade silently thought about it for a minute. "...okay, but if we caught, I'm not going to be happy with you." she threatened, though I passed it off with a shrug.

Quietly, we stood up from our seats and snuck over to the door. It would seem that the teacher was quite the heavy sleeper, seeing as a fly that was flying around the room was on his face for the hour or so that we were there.

Once we were out of the classroom, we practically sprinted, as if the building was on fire.

And I felt pretty fucking great.

Dammit. Why did I let myself ditch detention? I should've stayed in detention like a good student, instead of running off with hot… attractive…

You know what, fuck detention. I'd prefer Dave over the stupid classroom any day. He understands me like no one else, pays attention to me more than anyone else. Well, that is, other than Bec.

We found ourselves hanging out at the neighborhood park, about a block up from the school. It was pleasant: the green grass of summer, the colorful trees, the lively people spending time together. Almost dream-like, really.

But it was too amazing to have been a dream.

We made our way over the swing set, which swayed back and forth from the light breeze blowing through the park. Sitting down, we talked more about each other, and I learned a lot, actually.

Jade tells me she lives alone, with her dog, Becquerel, in a large house. Sounds like a lonely life to me. But I guess she's used to it by now.

I just told her about my bro, and how he keeps his creepy-ass puppets around the house. Some in weirder places than others.

Somehow, she found my brother's obsession with puppets funny.

It's never funny once you know what being smothered in smuppet dong feels like.

...

By sunset, we were still talking, but our conversations never got stale to me. His cool exterior really just hid a sweet guy underneath, and I'm sure he knew I thought that.

"So what's it like being raised by your bro?" I asked him.

He shrugged. "Eh. It's okay, I can't complain. He's a really cool brother. Pretty much the father figure in my life, so I guess it's not much different from a dad."

Silence. I wasn't sure what to say next.

We laid there, watching the colors in the sky evolve in its cycle from blue to orange, and to the black of night. The stars dotting the heavens above looked beautiful, the moon being the main attraction in the darkness. Everyone else who were visiting the park left by now, leaving the two of us to ourselves.

Tonight seemed perfect, a night to remember. Hanging out with a close friend is fun, but under conditions like these, it'd be just right to ask a simple question. But I felt a little hesitant.

What if he doesn't reciprocate? I'd look like a complete idiot, not to mention possibly scaring off my only friend I had now. Maybe I could ask later, when we-

"Jade…" he said, pulling me out of my thoughts.

"Jade…" I was gathering all my bravery, like a damn knight going off to battle. Part of me wished I said that softly, so she wouldn't hear, so I wouldn't have to carry on with the rest of what I was going to say.

Fuck. She's looking at me. Okay. It's now or never, I guess.

"So… tonight's been fun. I've been having the time of my life. Like, really. And I'd love to do this again with you." I paused a moment, calling on any and all the courage I had that wasn't accumulated before. "In fact, today as a whole got me thinking." With a last deep breath, I said it.

"Would you… I dunno… maybe... Go out with me?"

Everything went quiet.

God dammit, I knew I was too eager. We just fucking met today and I already popped the question.

I started to apologize when I was cut off-

Jade rolled over and kissed me.

It was long and endearing, and my mind went erratic. Her tender lips melted across mine as we shared this absolutely amazing moment. Fireworks went off inside my head, one after the other with every movement she made. I felt like the luckiest guy ever to be spending this time with Jade. Pulling her closer, our shared warmth fought off the cold night breeze.

As she wrapped her arms around my neck, I wrapped mine around her waist, bringing us even closer together. Even after what I thought was minutes, my thought processes were still out of control.

I couldn't think straight, my brain was in autopilot.

My movements relied on instinct.

With my mind operating like clockwork, I let go of all my thoughts and insecurities.

This beautiful moment was all I needed to think and worry about.

I don't know what came over me, but when he asked me out, it was the perfect timing to show him my feelings for him. Honestly, I have no knowledge when it comes to romance, but when I was with him, everything just seemed so… so...

Natural.

It was almost as if we had done this before, and this was just routine. Yet at the same time, the experience felt so exhilarating that I could never get tired of it.

The only reason I had for pulling away from such an amazing sensation was to get some air. I wonder how long we laid there, indulging with one another. It must have been only minutes, but to me, it felt like an eternity. Snuggling up close to him, I gave a deep sigh of content.

"So… I'm guessing that's a 'yes'?" he asked.

I chuckled to his question. "Yes, that means a 'yes'."


A/N: To be honest, I think this chapter is the most emotional and romantic one I've ever written. Like.

Ever.

In fact, I think I convinced myself to like the ship more than I did when I started.

But whatever.

Until next time,

~ATJKU