Chapter 4: The Football Practice

Jasmine POV:

Saturday had finally come around and I was overcome by happiness. I haven't seen Mason sense a couple days ago. I could barely sleep at all last night because of how excited I was for today.

I approached the football field to see Mason holding a bag of footballs. I smiled at the sight of him. Making my way across the field, I see him wave at me once he sees me. I wave and smile back politely. Once I approached him I put my hands in my pockets.

"I'm so glad you came," chimed Mason. I smiled at him.

"I'm glad you invited me," I blushed.

There was a moment of silence between us. It was very awkward. Thank God Mason said something before it got too awkward.

"So should we get started?" he asked.

"You bet!"

Mason brought me over to the middle of the football field and taught me the basics of throwing. Me being a greaser and all made it hard to understand football. Greasers enjoyed music, cars, and fights. We never went to football games, or enjoyed the sports. Yea, Darry taught us some acrobatics, and Ponyboy was the star of the track team, but other than that we never really focused on sports during our free time.

Mason got behind me and put his hand on my hand that was holding the football. I was blushing so much.

"Now let the ball roll off you hand to make it spiral," Mason instructed, making my arm do the motion he was doing.

I nodded and he backed up. I took a small step forward and threw the ball the way he instructed. I watched it fly far away. I have to say that for my first time at this, I did one hell of job. I looked back at Mason. His eyes were wide and his lips were slightly apart.

"How'd I do?" I asked blushing. He looked at me with the same expression on his face.

"Wow, I've never seen a girl throw like that before," he said still dumbfounded.

I giggled, "Thanks."

He nodded in return. "Well, it looks like you got throwing down, so let's go on to practicing field goals."

We began by Major holding down the ball for me while I made a running start. I kicked and missed the ball making me fall. Major looked concerned for a second, but then I laughed. He started laughing too. After we were done laughing we tried it again. I ran and kicked the ball. It didn't go into the goal, but it went high enough.

"Nice try," Mason smiled.

"Thanks."

We tried a couple more times, and finally by the fifth time I made it!

"YES!" I screamed jumping up in the air. I stopped when I saw Mason grinning at me. "Sorry," I said shyly.

"No it's okay. You're cute when you're excited," he said putting a hand on my shoulder.

We stood there starring at each other. I was lost in his eyes until I saw a group of girls walk up. I recognized who they all were the most popular girls at my school. Those girls happened to be Annabell Charleston, Ofelia Stone, and worst of all Cleo Cunningham. I could hear Mason growl under his breath.

"Oh hey there Mason," Cleo smirked. "Who's your friend here?"

"This is Jasmine," he said proudly introducing me.

I waved awkwardly in return. Cleo looked at me in disgust.

"Why is she here alone with you?" asked Ofelia.

Mason looked like he was going to kill himself, "Because she's my friend and she's a lot more fun to hang around with than you guys."

Cleo was fuming. It was kinda funny to be completely honest. I snorted with laughter, which was followed by Annabell stepping up right in my face.

"What are you laughin' at greaser?"

"Wait, how do you know she's a greaser?" asked Cleo.

"Because she goes to our school Cleo," Ofelia sighed.

"She was in all of our classes too," Annabell said rubbing her temples.

"Really? I've never seen you around before. You're like invisible!" Cleo said in amazement.

I mouthed the word Wow! to Mason, and he nodded in agreement. This girl had to be the most stereotypical blonde I have ever met. I honestly felt bad for her.

"Anyway, Mason," Cleo said licking her lips. "how would you like to get away from this no good greaser, and come to the drive-in with me later?" Cleo then whispered something in his ear that made his eyes grow large.

"Okay," he said in a serious tone. My heart felt like it was being torn apart.

I looked at him with tears in my eyes, "What?"

"I'm sorry Jas, but I've decided to go to the drive-in with Cleo," he said bitterly.

Once Cleo and Mason walked off Ofelia put her hands on my shoulders,"Oh sweetie, you don't think he actually likes you, do you?"

I pushed her away and ran too Jane's house. I needed to be with friend right now. All I know is that I won't be talking to Mason for a while.

Ponyboy POV:

Three Months Later:

It's the night before the first day back to school, and I was sitting on the porch watching the sunset. Sitting next to me was Nichole. She and I sat on the front porch to watch the sunset every evening. She seemed to enjoy it, and so did I.

Nichole had to work a lot over the summer. She worked one job as a waitress during the morning, and another stocking food at a local grocery store in the afternoon. The only time I got to see her was around five which was right before dinner. Now that's she's starting school, she only has to work her waitress job during weekend mornings. She didn't look so great by the end of the summer, but she still manged to keep a smile on her face. The smile I had come to love.

I, on the other hand, turned fifteen. I was going to be a Sophomore, and I felt bad that I wasn't going to be in Nichole's grade even though I was her age. She said that it was okay, and she understood. That's another thing I loved about her. She was very understanding.

Nichole actually got her own room in the tiny house. It was probably the smallest room in the whole house. Nichole didn't seem to mind though. She only used it for sleeping and reading.

Nichole seemed happier than when I'd first met her. She smiled a lot more. She had made life a lot easier for Darry, Soda, and I. She made us forget about how bad things were. She made me forget about how terrible I felt about Johnny. She made me feel better when I was sad. It's amazing how she showed up at such a perfect time.

"Are you excited about school tomorrow?" asked Nichole.

"No not really," I replied. She tilt her head to the side.

"Why?"

"Because I'm usually left out at school because I'm older and the fact I'm a greaser."

Nichole nodded showing she understood. "Are you nervous?" I asked.

She nodded. "Yea. I don't know anyone there except you."

"You know if you need anything, I'll be there right?"

"Yea," she smiled with hope.

We were interrupted by Darry opening the front door.

"Dinner's ready."

We both got up and walked inside. The summer was ending that night. I was definitely starting to get depressed now.

I woke up the next morning to the voice of Darry telling me to get up. I groaned and pulled myself up. I looked to my left to see that Soda had woken up because he was gone. I got out of my bed and grabbed black t-shirt, a pair of blue jeans, and my white converse along with socks.

After I took a shower, I walked into the kitchen to see Nichole and Soda engaging in conversation. I sat down at the table to see a plate of eggs and bacon sitting in front of me.

"Good Morning!" Nichole chirped. I smiled at this.

"Morning," I replied. Darry sat down at the table and looked straight at me.

"Now Ponyboy,"he began. "Make sure you show Nichole around the school, and Nichole if you have any questions just ask Pony okay?

Nichole and I nodded in agreement.

After breakfast, Nichole and I headed to school. When we got to the front door of the building I stopped her from walking in.

"Hey," I said putting my hands on her shoulders. "If you need me I'll be there for you."

She smiled at this. "I know, and I'll be there for you."

I grinned. "Always."

Finally, we walked in to see that there were tons of kids in the hallway. Everything was so loud. I looked over to see that Nichole looked as if she felt uneasy. I took her hand in mine, and I squeezed it. She tried to give me a reassuring look to show she was okay, but I knew she wasn't.

"They're sure are a lot of big kids here," she exclaimed.

"Yea, I know."

I decided on walking Nichole to her home room, because I didn't want her to get lost. When we got there I realized that she had some of the meanest girls there were in my old middle school in her class.

"Do you have your schedule?" I asked stopping her before she could go in.

"Yup!"

"Do you have your locker number?"

"Yes I do," Nichole chuckled.

"Alright," I said embracing her in my arms. I was upset when she pulled away. She fit so perfectly in my arms. "I'll see you at lunch."

"Okay," she replied disappearing into her classroom.

Jasmine's POV:

Great! School's starting again! Fantastic!

I really don't wanna be here. I haven't talked to Mason sense that dreaded Football practice, and now I have to walk by him every day. This sucks. I feel like such a loser right now! I don't understand why I can't get over him.

As I walk into homeroom I see that Mason is there. I want to scream at the top of my lungs, but I know I can't. Why does the universe have to do this to me! I sit down at a seat on the opposite side of the room that Mason's on. I feel relaxed once I sit down until I hear a far to familiar voice.

"Jasmine!" Mason calls out. I cringe at him calling my name.

"What do you want?" I hissed.

He looked down at his shoes and then back at me. "I just wanted to say I'm really sorry for what happened three months ago."

"And you decide to apologize to me now!" I shouted.

"I just thought you needed space!" he exclaimed.

"Why did you go with them anyways?" I asked changing the subject ever so slightly.

"I-I can't tell you."

"And why the hell not?" I asked in frustration.

"Because, well, because" he started to stammer. "It has nothing to do with you."

I stared at him in awe. "Well you made me feel like such a loser over the summer! I felt so neglected after that day."

It was at the point where everyone in the class was starring at us.

"Look I said I was sorry!" the bell rang immediately after he said that.

I got up grabbing my books. "Bye Mason," I said, and then walked off too my first class.

Why do guys have to be such idiots? All I know is that this school year is going to be a living hell.

When lunch time came around I was not looking forward to it. I wanted to avoid Mason as much as possible, but lunch was going to be tough. I walked through the cafeteria doors and immediately see the popular table. They all looked at me and laughed except for Mason.

I rolled my eyes and went to get my tray of food (or so they call it food). I saw Jane sitting at our usual table, and I walked over to sit down. All of a sudden something caught my foot and I fell face first into the tray of "food" I had in my hands. I wipe the gunk from my eyes to see Annabell and Ofelia laughing and Cleo smirking. I knew Cleo was the one who tripped me.

I was so filled with embarrassment that I ran out the cafeteria doors crying my eyes out. I locked myself in the school bathroom and cried. Why did I have to get involved with the popular guy? I'm a greaser for God's sake! I'm not supposed to associate with them.

All of a sudden I heard a knock on the bathroom door.

"Jasmine," called out a familiar voice. "It's me Mason. Open up."

"No!" I shouted. "Go away!"

"Jasmine please just open up!" he said gently, but loud enough so I could hear him through the door.

I decided to open the door. I don't know why I did it, but I cursed my self in the process. I was greeted by his soft brown eyes.

"I'm sorry," he said quietly.

"Sorry for what?" I asked. "It's not your fault they did this."

"No, I'm just sorry for everything." he said sincerely.

I sighed. Now that I think about it, I might have been a little too harsh on him. I think he deserved forgiveness afterr apologizing so many times. "It's alright."

"Really?"

"Yea. I'm sorry too, for being too stubborn," I apologized.

Mason chuckled. "It's alright."

We both smiled at each other. He hugged me. I was surprised at first, but I hugged back. Then and there I knew that Mason wasn't such a bad guy. All the drama was cleared up for us...or so I thought.

Yes OK! I know! I haven't updated in a while, and I'm sorry! So here you go! I hope you like it! R&R!:-)