Chapter 4: Movie Night

Taro was bored. Scratch that. He was so bored that he was literally clicking through the channels on his TV and finding nothing entertaining enough for him to actually watch. He stopped when he saw a documentary on Fast Food Restaurants and how unhealthy they were.

He instantly thought about how a week ago, how he spent an entire day with the girl across the hall from him.

That day was one of the best days he ever had. From going to museums, to eating out at restaurants, and going to that carnival was the most fun he had in a long time.

Unfortunately, while they exchanged numbers and talked to each other whenever they could, they both seemed to have busy schedules.

Jasmine was in college and therefore had to deal with loads of homework and studying. While Taro had to loads of training to do and had press conferences and other media stuff to do.

Taro now felt a part of him was missing when he was alone. When he was with Jasmine, he felt content, full and happy. And all his worries and stress went away. The smile he saw from Jasmine's face was the best thing he could ever see in his life now.

He was wondering what she was doing today. It was a Saturday after all. They were both free, and he wanted to see her again. But he was nervous since he didn't want to come off as desperate. He already spent several times at her apartment and vice versa. They didn't know each other that long, but he didn't want to imagine life without her now.

When he thought about her, he was filled with a warm sense of comfort. And he felt butterflies in his stomach. He was confused and didn't know what this feeling was.

Could I be in love with her?

His thoughts were snapped when he heard his phone ringing. Since when was he expecting a call today? Everyone he knew was busy today.

He answered the call and put the phone to his ear.

Hello?

And those feelings he felt when he thought about her instantly came back when he heard who was on the other line.

Taro? It's me Jasmine.

Taro instantly smiled when he heard her voice.

Hey what's up?

Jasmine smiled also when hearing his voice again.

Nothing much. I just finished all my schoolwork and am bored out of mind right now. What about you?

Finished my training and I'm bored as well.

Jasmine smiled at the thought. She wanted to be with him again. Her worries went away when she was with him.

Well mister then you wouldn't mind having a little movie night then would you?

Taro couldn't stand to be away from her from a moment longer.

Yeah I'll be over in 5 minutes.

Jasmine grinned and was about to squeal before she spoke.

Ok can't wait.

They both hung up and Taro immediately changed his outfit so he could look a lot more appealing to her. After all, he wanted to look his best for her.

Taro made sure to put on cologne and make sure everything in his apartment was off and in order before he left. He walked across the hall and knocked on Jasmine's door.

After a few moments of waiting, Jasmine opened the door with a big grin on her face and greeted him.

"Hey come in and make yourself at home! I'm just getting some food ready."

Taro smiled back before he walked in and took his shoes off. After that he went and took a seat on the couch before looking at his surroundings.

Jasmine's apartment was very familiar to him now. She had a flat screen in front of the couch. The kitchen was right by the door so he could instantly smell any delicious aroma she was cooking when he walked in. The red drapes covered the windows next to the TV. The teddy bear he got for Jasmine at the carnival was next to him on the couch with some pillows surrounding it. By now, this apartment was very familiar to him.

It was a second home to him.

He was interrupted from his thoughts when Jasmine spoke to him.

"So what's been going on with you soccer star? "

Taro turned around before answering.

"Not much. Just training and trying to not be annoyed with all these reporters following me."

He finished with a sigh on his face and Jasmine could notice how deflated he looked. After spending so much time together, she could tell what kind of mood he was in and vice versa.

"That bad huh?" Jasmine said with a sad look on her face.

Taro instantly saw the sad look and immediately gave her a smile.

"It's nothing though. I'm used to it."

Jasmine looked at him with her eyebrows raised but just shrugged her shoulders and continued preparing the food before speaking.

"Whatever you say." She said.

After waiting for 10 minutes, the food was ready and as usual Taro questioned how she planned to eat all the food she had in front of her while Jasmine chided him for being picky and not eating enough. As they bantered back and forth, it was almost like they were a married couple just enjoying each other's company.

"There is no way you are eating all that food!"

"This is nothing. You should see what I normally eat. This is like a snack."

"The food is bigger than you. Let alone your stomach."

"Are you calling me fat! I swear I will come over there and make you sorry mister!"

"Good luck. I'm in better shape than you, I'm quicker than you and stronger than you."

After their friendly banter, Jasmine lunged at Taro and they started wrestling on the ground until Jasmine grabbed a pillow and started hitting him with it.

"Hey stop that!" Taro said with a smile on his face.

"Not until you apologize you big meanie." Jasmine replied returning his smile.

"Apologize for what?" Taro acted innocent and Jasmine could only scoff in response.

"For calling me fat you jerk!"

Taro started rubbing his chin and pretended to look deep in thought.

"I don't seem to recall saying you were fat once." Taro said with a cocky smirk on his face.

Jasmine pouted for a minute before responding.

"You implied it you jerk."

She then proceeded to stand up and turn her back to him while pouting. Taro knew she had a habit of acting difficult and she expected him to be annoyed by that. Instead, Taro chuckled before going and put his arms around her and pulling her close.

"Aw come on I didn't mean it. Please forgive me?

Taro finished by giving her puppy dog eyes that he knew she couldn't resist and soon enough she relented and hugged him back.

"Oh alright but only because you apologized but you better not do that again." Jasmine mumbled with a small smile.

They both knew that they would be more moments like that going forward and neither of them had a problem with that. They both enjoyed these nice, tender moments they had with each other.

Jasmine let Taro pick the movie since she picked last time. Taro picked a horror movie since it was October and Halloween was coming up. Now they were watching Michael Myers and Taro couldn't help but chuckle with how Jasmine was hiding her face behind her blanket and would peek occasionally. Eventually, he pulled the blanket off her and pulled her close. After yet another time when Jasmine screamed because of the movie, her hand found his and squeezed tightly.

Taro's feelings of warmth and happiness came back after that. And they both kept holding each other and continued watching the movie. With Taro chuckling and Jasmine glaring but getting scared every time she watched the movie. By the end of the movie, Taro was laughing and Jasmine continued to glare at him.

"Why are you laughing at me? That was the scariest movie I ever watched."

Taro finished laughing before answering.

"Oh nothing. Just how big a scaredy cat you are."

Jasmine looked shocked before she once again glared at him and pounced on him.

"Take that back. I'm not a scaredy cat!"

Taro continued to taunt her as he ran from her.

"Scaredy cat! Scaredy cat! Scaredy cat!"

Eventually Jasmine caught up to Taro and they found themselves on the couch with Jasmine straddling Taro.

"I got you now mister." She said with a mischievous smirk on her face.

Taro fake yawned before replying.

"About time slow-poke."

Jasmine acted taken aback before playfully beating his chest.

"You're such a meanie."

Taro smirked back at this.

"I know."

After realizing their positions Taro began to sit up and Jasmine adjusted herself but wouldn't leave her position. Their faces were inches apart and they were both blushing but they never took their eyes away from each other.

"Taro."

"Jasmine."

As they were leaning in closer inch by inch, Taro's phone rang from the counter. They both cursed whatever gods they believed in before begrudgingly, Taro picked Jasmine off of him and went to pick up his phone and answered the call.

Hello? Taro said with a slight annoyance in his voice. Whoever ruined this moment was gonna pay.

Misaki-kun? Tsubasa answered back.

Tsubasa-kun? What's up? Misaki asked.

Jasmine looked on and wished their conversation would end so he could come back and they could have their moment back. She was sure of her feelings for him now.

Taro felt the same so he tried to hurry up his conversation so he could go back to the girl he was sure he had feelings for her.

I'm outside your apartment. Where are you?

Taro immediately was concerned. Why was Tsubasa even in France?

Oh well I'll be right there. Did something happen?

No nothing like that. Sanae went to visit her cousin in the US and I thought I could come on a trip as well and I thought I could see you.

Taro was usually always happy to see Tsubasa. But right now he was neglecting the girl that was a few feet away from him. And he wanted nothing more than to kiss her.

Um ok Tsubasa I'll be right there. Just wait there for a minute alright?

Ok I'll see you when you're here.

They both hung up and Taro turned to Jasmine with a sad look on his face before speaking.

"My friend just came back from Barcelona and he's in front of my apartment right now. I have to go now. I wish I could stay though."

Jasmine had a sad look on her face as well and she got up and hugged him tightly.

"I understand. But I'll see you tomorrow then?" Jasmine asked hopefully.

"Of course." Taro replied with a smile on her face while wrapping his own arms around her body as well.

They both looked at each other for a moment longer before Jasmine kissed him on the cheek.

"Well go see your friend. And I'll see you tomorrow."

Taro nodded his head before opening the door and giving her smile before leaving. And he spent the night catching up with Tsubasa while Jasmine cleaned up after them and went to bed as well. However one thought went through their both heads.

This is love.

A/N: To be honest, this story is to vent some frustrations I'm dealing with. Jasmine is actually the name of my ex and writing this story helps get rid of the sadness I feel when I thought about her. I've since gotten over her and I like this story even though it isn't that good. Thank you if you read it so far.