Better Late Than Never
SCOTT
I raced over to the mall. It seemed like half the world was shopping because it took me forever to find a parking space. No surprise, it was crowded inside. When I got to the men's store, I had to go through fitting and then worse of all, find a suit I wanted. I mean, how many shades of black are there? Not to mention that they all look the same to me. Then I had to pick a shirt and a matching tie. The whole process took forever and on top of that, I had to wait for alterations. But it turned out good in a way. I couldn't remember if I had shoes to match so I bought shoes and heck there was a flower store so I went in and bought a corsage.
I was on my way back to the store to pick up the suit when I realized how late it already was. It was a good thing I told Jean to wait. It was 6:30 and everyone was leaving at around 7. If this lady in front of me didn't pay by check I would've left by now. It's alright, I'll arrive back at the mansion to see everyone leave. It'll only take me 15 minutes to get ready. We'll be there by dinner and besides Jean likes to take her sweet time getting ready anyway.
I guess I could be grateful about this whole mall experience. It diverted my attention away from all the junk Warren had put in my head in the first place. But now that the clock is ticking, I'm feeling more and more anxious. I'll curse Warren forever for putting this sort of pressure on me.
JEAN
"For the millionth time Jean, it looks fine."
"Fine?"
"I mean great, wonderful.. Scott will absolutely fall head over heels in love with you. Now can you do me now."
"Ok, fine!"
Jean finished touching up Ororo's make up and quickly went back to adjusting her's, despite Ororo's objection.
"Hey Jean, it's time for me to leave. Is Scott even back yet?"
"No, I don't think so. It's alright, it gives me more time to get ready."
"You've been ready for an hour now, you just don't want to admit it… but remember, the party starts in an hour."
"I know. Besides, Scott's a sucker for punctuality. I'm sure he'll be here any moment."
"I hope you're right."
"Ofcourse, I am now, tell me how I look."
"Your hopeless. Thank God I'm leaving now. I hope Scott appreciates all the work we put in."
"Knowing guys, they won't even notice. But anyways. See you in a few."
After the rest of them had left, I went back into my room. I was pacing like crazy. I was so nervous. But pretty soon my nerves went away and then I became worried. The clock was ticking and Scott was not back. I went to call his cell phone only to hear it ring from his room. My concern turned into anger as I started to realize that I got stood up.
SCOTT
I can't believe my luck today. As soon as I went to pay for my suit, I realized I left my wallet in the shoe store. I raced to the other side of the mall to get it, luckily for me the cashier was nice enough and held onto it. I had to run back to the other side of the giant ass mall only to race back to the other side where my car was parked. And just like my luck, I had to park on the top floor of the parking deck left while everyone in the whole world wanted to leave the mall. Needless to say I was late, very late.
When I finally reached the mansion, I had that scared for my life feeling. The idiot I am left my phone in my room. I turned to the living room to see Jean sitting down on the couch, legs crossed, looking very ticked. She stood up and for a second I was mesmerized by her. She usually wore her hair up but tonight she wore it up, with the most amazing dress on.
"I'm.. I'm sorry.."
"Save it Summer!" She stormed pass by, I quickly went after her.
"I don't know why I bother. I knew you didn't want to go, I don't know why I try. You're never late for class or for training exercises.. you're never late for anything but this!"
For someone in heels, she walked pretty fast. She was already on the staircase.
"Jean, I'm sorry it's just.."
"What Scott? You made it clear you didn't want to go and yes I did pull your leg a little bit about going but if you wanted to back out you could've at least told me so I wouldn't have wasted my time here getting dressed, getting my hair done, for what .. I'm not even at the party. Nevermind that Warren managed to get us a suite and everyone is now spending the night."
"We.. we can still go."
"How do you suppose that? Take the blackbird? Good luck getting the valet to park it. Ororo called me, she thought we got stuck in traffic cuz apparently a stupid tractor trailer flipped over and burst into flames, so even if we left now.. you know what it doesn't matter." And then she entered her room and slammed the door on my face. I rested my head up against her door. I felt horrible. I could even hear a faint sound that sounded as if she was crying.
"Jean, I'm sorry.. I really am. I'm not lying when I tell you that I had the most unbelievable streak of bad luck… Jean .." but she didn't say anything. I had to do something fast, something bold. "Jean! Please don't change .. please just give me 25 minutes .. no make that 20 minutes.. I have something to show you. Please let me make it up to you, don't change."
I guess her curiosity won out and she opened her door, her eyeliner ran a little.
"You have 15." And then shut the door again. And I ran off, not wasting a single minute.
JEAN
I don't know why I agreed to this I said to myself as I touched up my make up. It's obvious he didn't want to go.. especially with me. There's no way for it to ever work out between me and Scott. For starters, he has to like me first, which he clearly doesn't. As a friend yes but as something more, I guess not. And now everyone's at the party and I'm stuck here. Normally, I would've jumped on the chance to have the house to myself with Scott, but now.. I guess this is the wake up call I needed. There was a knock on my door. I opened it up to see Scott fully dressed, hair slick back. He looked so handsome, I think my heart really did skip a beat.
But I brought myself to realty, he's good looking, I'll give him that. But I'm done with him. Trying to compose myself.
"So what's this surprise?" I said blankly.
"Well if I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise."
He was trying to sound cute, playful but I wasn't buying it. I followed him with out saying a word. We were outside now where Warren's golf cart was waiting for us. Scott then pulled out a handkerchief.
"What's this for?"
"To cover your eyes, I told you it's a surprise."
"Fine, let's get this thing over with."
We drove off. I was still angry. I tried to get a reading from Scott, but I couldn't. He was what the professor called "naturally guarded." He didn't project any thingy emotionally or physically. I had to admit I was curious. The cart stopped and Scott guided me out. He stood behind me and undid the handkerchief covering my eyes.
I was surprised. We were at the Lake House. The front deck was big and spacious, which looked out over the lake. The place was lighted by Christmas lights and candles. On the deck, there was a table set up. As I walked closer, I noticed that it was the china from the main dining hall. My anger was now fading away from me.
"Jean.. I know this might sound cliché-ish .. but since you didn't get to go to the party.. I thought I'll bring the party to you."
"Scott this is beautiful. Haha, you even used the Christmas lights and the good China."
"Well come on, I'm starving, but first I have something for you." He lifted a corsage that was on the table and placed it around my wrist. He was acting like a proper gentleman. He opened the chair for me and even placed the handkerchief over my lap.
"And now madame, dinner is served. Bon a' petit." He lifted the cover of the serving dish and I couldn't help but chuckle, as it was last night's left over pizza. My heart couldn't help but melt again. I didn't realize how beautiful the Lake House at night was. The moon shined bright and reflected off the Lake and the candles and lights gave the place a certain ambience to it. He must've thought he was still in trouble as he had one of his worried smiles on.
SCOTT
I could tell she was having a good time, much to my relief. And so was I. She put let her hair down but this time it was more curly and had more volume to it than normally. Just when I didn't think she could look any better, she does.
"So you mean to tell me that all that happened this afternoon." Jean said taking her last bite of pizza.
"Yep."
"God Scott, and I thought Bobby had bad luck."
"Well that over turned truck, that wasn't me."
She laughed. "Well Scott, I have to admit it, this isn't no fancy country club but this is nice."
"Oh you just reminded me." I stood up and walked down the stairs and pulled a boombox from the back of the cart. "I hope the batteries are still good." I knelt down and placed it by the stairs and turned on the radio to a station, which played soft jazz. I walked up a couple of steps and reached my hand out towards Jean. "May I have this dance?"
She took my hand and we walked down. She wrapped her arms above my shoulders and I placed mine on her back. I couldn't believe what I was doing. I guess I was so busy before that I completely forgot everything and now reality was hitting me.
"Bobby owes me 20."
"Why?"
"He said you couldn't dance."
I laughed, which helped easy my nerves a little.
"Scott, this is nice. I'm sorry for being so angry with you earlier."
"No, are you kidding me, it's my fault. I was late."
"Well I know I forced you into going."
"You didn't force me."
I was already nervous as it is and then she rested her heard on me. Even with her heels on, I was still taller. I took a deep breath and I could smell her sweet fragrance. My heart was beating so fast I'm not surprise if she could feel it, which she did. She looked up at me.
"Scott are you ok?"
"Yeah.. I'm fine." I looked down at her. Although I see everything in shades of red, I know her eyes are green and in my mind's eye I see it as green. I was caught in her gaze. Warren's pesky voice rang in my ear again. When I'm out on the field I just go, no thinking, no debating, like the ad says, "Just Do It." I could think of a million ways why it would never work between Jean and I. She sees me as a friend and I cherish her friendship more than anything. But I couldn't hold back. Not anymore. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. I opened them and let everything go.
"Truth is I wanted to go."
"You? Really?"
"Well I wanted to go .. as.. as long as it was with you." The words came out and we both stopped swaying to the music. Still holding on to each other, she looked straight at me with a blank face. For better or for worse, there was no turning back now.
"I'd do go anywhere with you.. do anything for you.. because.." I stopped talking and her expression changed. I didn't know if she was happy, sad or what. But the words were coming out and there was nothing I could do.
".. be... because I.. I love you." I said it and Jean had a look of shock and surprise. "And that I've always loved you .. ever since you made me carry your heavy ass luggages up to your room." I pulled away from her now and took a couple of steps back. "And I understand how you might be freaked out right now .."
"Scott.."
".. I am a little too myself.. I know it's stupid.. we should just go back in and forget .."
"Scott!.. shut up." And she walked up towards me, grabbed my face and kissed me. It lasted only a few seconds but in that few seconds it felt like time had stood still. She let me go and looked right at me. Despite my glasses, she knew where my pupils were. And she said softy. "I love you too." And for a second my whole body stopped as my feeble brain tried to comprehend what she had just said. Then I quickly reached out and kissed her again, this time more force, more passion. Our lips finally parted and our foreheads were pressed up against each other. We both had the biggest smiles on our faces.
Then she started to laugh and she hit my arm and walked away.
"This whole time, this whole time you've known me you had feelings for me."
A simple "Yes" was all I could say.
"I'm such an idiot, all this time and you wanted me too."
"You mean.."
"Yes" she hit my arm again. "We're both idiots." She had loved me this whole time as well. I was beside myself with joy and happiness I thought I could never feel. I kissed her again and we slow-danced the night away, despite the boombox's batteries dying. We eventually sat back down at the stairs I leaned in against the railing while I had Jean wrapped around my arms. We stared out onto the lake, talking, laughing, kissing, holding hands. Her touch was intoxicating and sometimes we just did nothing but bask in the splendor of each other's presence. We watched the sun slowly come up, though as soon as the sun's rays reflected off the water, Jean had finally succumbed to slumber. I kissed the top of her head and embraced her a little stronger. And I continued to look out over the Lake.
End?
Author's Note: Hope you enjoyed. I do have a little something more in mind as to what happens next. If there is enough interest, I may add it in.
