Author's Notes: Hey everyone! I think I already said a mouth-full in my previous chapter, so I'll keep the Author's Notes short this time lol.

Anyway, I hope you all are enjoying the story so far. More and more developments will be surfacing soon! It gets GOOD! ^_^ I'm doing my best to write as fast as I can so that I can get more updates to you guys. So many things are going on right about now, especially with the summer approaching. Plus, I might be moving too! So, I'll do my best to try to still write in between these other life events.

Thanks for being patient with me!

I would LOVE more of your input as well! Let's get some more reviews! Are you enjoying the story so far? What do you like/dislike? Also, let me know what YOU would like to see happen in the story! I already have sort of an idea of where I want the story to go, but...who knows? I'm AlWAYS open to suggestions and comments from readers. I may even use some of your ideas and dedicate a chapter to you. Feedback is AWESOME! It would help me improve in my writing as well. :)

Thanks again for reading!

Ttyl!

~Destiny

Chapter 5

The following week, Crystal met up at Jason's house to help work on the project.

Jason's house was located in a wooded area not too far from her own house. About less than 10 minutes to be exact. His home was a fairly modest rustic-looking house, with a wooded appearance, lots of trees, and a cabin-like feel. Inside, the home had a very warm appearance to it. There was a nice warm fireplace in the family room, a pretty country kitchen, and pictures of family that lined the walls.

Jason was very hospitable, and tried his best to make Crystal feel welcome and at home.

"I know you're used to more upscale accommodations at your own manor, but I hope you can find our humble abode to be satisfactory", he joked as he led her to the kitchen to begin their work.

"Oh please, stop it!" Crystal playfully pushed his arm. She knew that she grew up in a pretty nice family home, but never once did she ever think that her home was out of the ordinary. She didn't see it as extravagance or anything fancy. She just saw her house as...'home'.

"Oh by the way, guess what?" Jason turned to face Crystal and was beaming from ear to ear.

"What?" Crystal asked excitedly. His enthusiasm was contagious.

"I'm going to try out for the football team this week", Jason says proudly.

"REALLY?", Crystal's eyes sparkle with delight.

"Yep! I was told that if I wanted to try to get on the team, they have their last try outs this Friday at 3pm. So I'm going to try out and see if I can make the team."

"Oh that's great Jason! I hope you do well." Crystal grinned.

Jason hoped he would do well during tryouts also. Football was one of his favorite sports, and he had played little league football when he was in grade school, and regularly played with his brother and with his friends on many occasions throughout the years. But was he good enough to play on the Varsity team? Let alone...Junior Varsity? Whether he made the team or not, just hearing the encouragement from Crystal was enough to put him in a good mood and do the best he could during tryouts. He had only known her for a few weeks, but already Jason had enjoyed spending his time with her. She had a way of putting him so at ease and relaxed with just a smile and a laugh. Her laugh...he was beginning to notice...was infectious. It was so playful and open. She seemed so comfortable with herself. He could definitely see her being a cool friend to hang with.

After about an hour or so of working on their class project together, Jason and Crystal both look up as Jason's father walks through the front door, coming from working at the garage.

"Hey dad...I want you to meet a friend of mine from school. Crystal Jackson", Jason motioned over to Crystal.

Friend? Hmmmm...that's interesting, Crystal thought to herself. She didn't realize that he had considered them to be "friends" already. Either way, the term felt more familiar than the word "acquaintance". She supposed that due to working on their Sociology project so closely together for the past couple of weeks, that they probably were a little past the "acquaintance" stage.

"Hello Crystal. Nice to meet you", Mr. Evans said while extending his hand for a handshake.

"It's nice meeting you Mr. Evans." Crystal replied with a smile.

"Sorry my clothes are a little greasy. I just got back from work. I feel bad for not having a meal cooked or anything for you guys", Jason's dad looked slightly embarrassed.

"Oh it's okay, no worries", Crystal interrupted.

"Jason, why don't you call Luigi's Pizza and order something? I'll pay for it. That way you guys can have something to eat", Mr. Evans offered.

"Thanks dad," Jason took out his cell phone to call the pizza delivery restaurant.

"I'm sorry, usually my wife would have had something made..." Mr. Evans' voice trails off and he looks down.

Feeling sorry for Jason's dad Crystal interrupted yet again, "Oh no...don't worry about it. Honestly. It's okay. We'll be fine...I love pizza!" she added with a reassuring smile.

"Thank you..." Mr. Evans responded with a smile that seemed both relieved and grateful for her understanding.

Jason and Crystal ended up working on the project for almost 2 hours in between pizza eating, laughing, joking and small talk.

"Okay...this is about as long as I can stand to work on THAT", Jason exclaims as he throws his pencil down on the kitchen table."

"You and me both!" Crystal giggles. "I mean how much research can one person do on teen pregnancy and abortion rates in this country! Yikes! I feel like my brain is about to explode. Who knew this project would be so involved?", Crystal covers her eyes with her hands.

"Yea...tell me about it", Jason says.

After a long pause, he scratches his chin and asks, "Hey, you feel like going to take a walk? There's this pretty pond not too far from my house we could walk to."

"Hmm...I don't know...isn't it kind of chilly outside?", Crystal said with uncertainty.

"Oh come on...it's not THAT bad. Actually it's a pretty nice late afternoon. You can borrow one of my jackets if you want."

"Okaaaay...sure..why not?" Crystal playfully grumbles.

While walking around the pond, Crystal had to admit, the pond was pretty nice. It was so peaceful and tranquil. The leaves on the trees had started to turn for the fall, so the pond reflected green colors sprinkled with an array of red, orange and rusty-brown hues.

"Wow...this is really pretty! It's funny, I live like 5 minutes from this pond but I've never actually been here", Crystal gushed.

"I know right? We discovered it a few years back. I like coming here to decompress I guess", Jason says as he picks up a rock and throws it into the pond.

"Hmm...sounds like you come here often. Do you do a lot of thinking while you're here?"

"Yeah...yea I guess I do. I tend to contemplate a lot while here. Sometimes I jog the trail. Other times I walk it. But every time I come I always feel better afterwards."

"So...here's a contemplative thought for you", Crystal slowed her walk and glanced at Jason. "What do you want to do in the future? You know, after high school." Crystal asked with the curiosity of a child.

"Oh boy..." Jason smiled and drew a deep breath in. He wasn't expecting that question. Crystal always had a way of throwing a curve ball and making him really stop and think.

"Umm...well, I'm not 100% sure yet what it is that I want to do, but I know one thing...I definitely want to eventually stop working at the car garage", he replies with a chuckle.

"How long have you been working there?", Crystal inquires.

"Since the summer. Don't get me wrong...my dad works hard, and he's good at what he does. But, I don't think I want to go into the family business. At the same time though, I don't want to go to medical school like my brother is intending on doing. I want to go to college, but I think I'll probably major in business, or something having to do with the technology field. What about you?"

Crystal took a deep breath. "Hmmm...Wellllll...Like you I haven't really set anything in stone yet about what I want to do, but it does cross my mind every now and then. I mean, we still have time of course, but part of me wonders where I'll be in 5 years", she ponders as she looks out over the water. "To be honest with you, I would love to do something creative or something having to do with music and musical artistry. But...I know my dad would NOT have that."

"How come?", Jason asked curiously.

"Oh...I don't know... I think he would just feel like it wasn't something that would help pay the bills and sustain me in the long run." Crystal looked down.

"What kind of music are you talking about?", Jason asked with growing interest.

"Well, I play piano. I've been playing since I was like 7 years old. I don't really take lessons anymore, but every once in a while I'll pick up some pieces and play a few things."

"Wow...that's amazing", Jason was impressed. "You'll have to show me a few things on the piano one day", he smiled.

"Okay...sure! Just make sure to wipe the dirt from your fingernails Mr. Football player before touching my gorgeous upright Kawaii", Crystal teased.

"Oh excuse me!" Jason laughs defiantly. "Is that some kind of threat?" he balks as he reaches over to tickle her on her neck.

"Oh my gosh!" Crystal screams in laughter. "I'm going to get you for that one!" Crystal shrieks, as she chases after Jason who has now started to run along on the path.

It was amazing how comfortable she felt around him. No drama. No weird awkward tension. No nervous butterflies in her stomach like she would have around a guy she had a crush on. No...just pure easiness. She didn't realize how fast he was! When she finally caught up to him - he must have slowed down on purpose - she reached over and ruffled up his hair.

"Ouch!" Jason laughed playfully.

"ANYWAY...as I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted", Crystal joked. "In all honesty, I'm thinking that I may major in psychology and eventually become a psychotherapist like my mom. I really like helping people", she said earnestly.

"Oh wow...that's a really nice goal. I'm sure you'll make a good therapist. You're a good listener", Jason said sincerely.

"Thanks!" Crystal said with a smug smile.

"You might want to work on your bed-side manner though. I'm not sure if too many patients will like having their hair ruffled on a regular basis", Jason added with a devilish smile.

"Oh my god...you know what?" Crystal retorted with a laugh. Jason had this funny way of being serious and sincere one moment, and yet in an instant he could switch to teasing her mercilessly over the smallest things.

"On a more serious note, I can't believe the project is completely over next week!" Jason mentioned.

"Oh I know..." A wave of sadness came over Crystal. "It feels like it was just yesterday we got the assignment!"

"I know! Gosh, time flies fast".

"Yeah..." Crystal looks out at the pond. The sky was getting darker and darker. "You know, I'm going to kind of miss you and your quirky ways. You know...hanging out, working on the project and stuff."

Surprised that Crystal admitted she would miss him, Jason searched her face closely, looking for any trace of sarcasm. He could tell that she was actually being serious. It came as a relief to him because he was surprisingly feeling the same way.

"Yeah...Same here." Jason said looking down. "That doesn't mean though that we can't still be friends and hang out and stuff. I mean, we'll still be in the same classes."

"Yeah, that's true. I guess you're right." Crystal smiled at him.

Suddenly, Jason stops dead in his tracks, and his shoulders slump forward.

"Oh no...", he utters, finally realizing something.

"What? What is it?", Crystal says, growing concerned.

Jason hangs his head down low. "We're such bad parents. We left our baby at the house!", Jason shakes his head in playful disbelief.

Crystal then immediately bursts into laughter at Jason's stark revelation. Sure enough, they had forgotten to bring their 'bundle of joy' with them on their outing to the pond.

"Oh my gosh", Crystal manages to make out through giggles, "somebody...call...child-services!", Crystal can barely manage to get her words out.

Jason then chimes in, "who's going to know?"

They then both turn and look at each other with a knowing glance. "I won't tell if you won't!", Crystal looks him in the eye.

"Deal!" Jason says instantly.

They both then erupt into laughter in unison as they continue to walk down the path back towards Jason's house.

The following week came by so fast. It was already Wednesday and in two days the Sociology project would be over completely. The feeling was bitter-sweet for Crystal. On one hand, she really enjoyed Jason's company. They both had unexpectedly started to form a friendship, and getting to know somebody new had actually been quite fun. Yet, at the same time, she certainly didn't want to keep doing the weekly assignment projects and lugging the baby doll in the basket everywhere she went. Those aspects of the project had been annoying and time-consuming.

After lunch, Crystal and Jason were walking and talking to each other in the hallway. Suddenly, a tall, handsome, caramel-colored figure started heading towards them, closing in on their proximity. Trevor Davis. Trevor Davis, with his mega-watt smile and cool, confident demeanor, it was hard NOT to spot him out in a room. He glided effortlessly down the hallway and came up to Crystal and Jason chatting by one of the lockers.

As soon as Crystal laid eyes on Trevor in the hallway, it was like a gun had shot her in her chest and she had stopped breathing. Why wasn't I looking in the hallway to see him making his way over to us?, Crystal thought to herself. At least then she would have been prepared for their interaction. Now, it was too late. She was so not prepared for this. Crystal's heart began to beat wildly in her chest. She was literally speechless. She couldn't breathe. She couldn't speak. She couldn't even make out a smile. All she saw was TREVOR. Oh gosh...he's SOOO much better looking up close! She thought to herself. All the times she had watched him from afar, and fantasized about him from a distance, she had almost forgotten how good-looking he was up close when he stood face to face with her.

"Hey man! How's it going? Trevor comes up and clapses hands with Jason.

"I'm good. What's up?", Jason greets Trevor.

"Oh nothing much. I think I saw you trying out for the football team last Friday." Trevor mentioned.

"Oh yeah, that was me", Jason says with a smile, happy to see that his football skills didn't go unnoticed at tryouts last week.

"Yea, not bad...not bad at all. You seem like you've been playing for a while", Trevor nodded. It was obvious he was quite impressed.

"Yea I used to do little league when I was younger, but I've always played with my brother and with friends for years. Football is number one on my list of sports."

"Oh okay that's cool. Coach is supposed to be picking additional players for the team by the end of this week. I think you're definitely a sure bet...especially compared to some of the other guys trying out, no offense", Trevor adds with a smirk.

Before leaving, Trevor then looks over and points at Crystal.

"Crystal...right?" Trevor flashes a mega-white smile.

Oh my god he remembers my name?, Crystal thought to herself in shock. Just the realization of that fact alone was enough to make Crystal's day.

"Yes...hiiiiii Trevor" , Crystal gushes...with a wide-eyed grin on her face.

"You're in our Sociology class with Ms. Steinberg aren't you?" He asks.

Crystal's voice gets stuck in her throat. Come on...say SOMETHING! she thinks to herself. For some reason, being in Trevor's presence turned her brain to jello.

"Yep!" Crystal finally blurted out. She cannot stop smiling. She couldn't believe that Trevor had remembered the fact that they were in the same class together. Hoping that her nervous giddiness doesn't show, Crystal tries to calm the mental chatter going on in her head.

"Oh okay...well, maybe I'll see you in class tomorrow then", Trevor grins.

Crystal's eye's glaze over and she's looking at Trevor longingly. "Yes...tomorrow. Right! Tomorrow 6th period right? Yep...see you in class tomorrow. Heehee!" Crystal manages to stumble out the words.

Jason meanwhile is looking at Crystal with a slight smirk on his face, wondering, What on earth has gotten into Crystal?

Trevor smiles and says, "Okay, see you man..." and clasps hands with Jason.

Next, Trevor turns to Crystal and says, "See you Crystal" , and flashes his signature mega-watt smile her way with a wave.

"Byeeee..." Crystal sings with a sigh, as she watches Trevor walk on down the hallway.

Jason just looks at Crystal with a smirk on his face, and glances back at Trevor as he's walking away down the hall. He then turns to look at Crystal again. Crystal is grinning from ear to ear. Her eyes are glazed over.

"Okaaay...care to share what THAT was all about?" Jason asks with a grin.

Snapping out of her infatuation-induced daze, Crystal turns to face Jason, "That? What? What do you mean?", she asks defensively.

Jason then mimics her with a fake high-pitched voice, "Oh trevor...it's soooooo good to see you! Oh yes...we're in 6th period class together...see you tomorrow...HEE HEE!"

Oh...how embarrassing! Was I really acting like that? She thought to herself in horror.

"I was NOT acting like that! Whatever Jason!" Crystal retorts, playfully pushing Jason on the shoulder and into a locker.

"Yes you WERE! You turned into a love-sick puppy dog around him", Jason laughed hysterically.

"Oh my gosh...no I didn't! I don't know what you're talking about!" Crystal said while covering her face.

Her heart was beating faster. How embarrassing could this get? She had not been this embarrassed in a very long time. Why did she have to go into a love-sick Trevor-induced coma around Jason? Of ALL people?! Great...she thought... Now he probably knows about my crush on Trevor. Arrrgh!

"Riiiiiight...", Jason says sarcastically. He just kept smiling and glancing over at her with a sly grin on his face.

Crystal could feel his eyes glancing upon her. It was almost as if he could read exactly what was on her mind. They continued to walk down the hall slowly in silence. She was hoping that if she didn't say anything, maybe Jason would just forget the incident with Trevor even took place at all.

As the uncomfortable silence lingered on, Crystal began to feel uneasy. She couldn't take it anymore.

Crystal then glances over at Jason. "Ugh... okay so tell me the truth, do you think he noticed?", Crystal finally asks.

Jason laughs. "Oh? Noticed what? That you sweat him and worship the ground he walks on? Hahaha...yeah...I think he notices", Jason rolled his eyes with a grin.

"Ugh...how embarrassing!" Crystal replies in horror as she feels her cheeks flush warmly. "Also, I'll have you know, I do NOT worship the ground he walks on!", Crystal raises a finger in protest.

"Yeah...sure...okay Krista." Jason gives her a look of disbelief. "Why don't you just admit it? You like him, I can tell", Jason replies earnestly.

"I do not - I don't...", Crystal tries to refute Jason's claim, but the words just won't come out of her throat.

Jason then looks at her with a raised eyebrow and a slight grin.

"Ohhhhhh...alright..", she broke down. "Okay so I DO like him. It's not a crime! But you better carry that little piece of information to your death-bed Jason Evans!" Crystal backs Jason into a locker in the hallway.

Laughing with glee in his eyes. Jason finally gives in. "OKAY okay!" Straightening up his clothes, he then quips. "So hostile!" he jokes.

Crystal just shook her head and walked ahead of him. She was so embarrassed. Jason was the last person she wanted knowing about her obsession with Trevor Davis.

She knew she would probably never hear the end of this.