(A/N: Thank you for the reviews, follows, and favs:) They really mean a lot to me:))
...
Saturday afternoon arrived sooner than Rose had expected it to. In fact, she had nearly forgotten about Tommy's party with all that had happened in such a short time after receiving the invitation. The confrontation with her mother, the first kiss with Jack, and the following confrontation with Cal. They had all pushed the party to the very back of Rose's mind. It was a phone call from Jack that was the reminder.
"So are you ready for tonight?" Jack had asked.
"What's going on tonight?" Rose asked, completely clueless. She had planned to just stay in and watch a movie with Katarina and daydream some more about kissing Jack, something that she was positive would never happen again.
"Tommy's party. You were invited, remember? We're supposed to be going together?" Jack chuckled. Then his voice lowered in concern. "Unless you don't feel like going. There's nothing that says that you have to go."
"Oh right! I can't believe that I had forgotten. Of course I'll go tonight. You're taking me, right?"
"Of course," Jack chuckled. "Remember, wear something to swim in and maybe a sleeping bag in case we spend the night on the beach."
"Sure," Rose chuckled.
"I'll pick you up at seven," Jack smiled, hanging up.
At Jack's house, he turned around to find Julie glaring at him. He sighed. She was going to question him about Rose again. She's been doing that since they had gotten home yesterday and he had remained quiet. Now she was just getting on his nerves.
"So she was raped by that Hockley guy, right?" She again questioned.
"You know the answer, why do you keep asking me?" Jack turned on her, finally at his wits end. He wished that she would just mind her own business and leave him alone.
"Because now this little thing you have with her makes perfect sense. You feel guilty for not being able to help Lisa, so you're helping Rose, another rape victim, maybe not as damaged as Lisa, but still. But she's not Lisa Jack and what you're doing is…"
"Oh my god shut up! I know perfectly well that she's not Lisa! That kiss in English class was proof enough of that! But I am her friend because she needed one and I helped her because she needed it! She needed a friend. Someone to believed her and be on her side and I was, I am, and I know she's not Lisa. I would never have kissed her the way I did yesterday if I thought she was and I know she's not some second chance. She was a girl in trouble that I could help and I like her. I genuinely like her and want to help her and be there for her and you are not going to get in the way of that!" Jack glared at his cousin, saying more than he had meant to say. "Besides, it's always been you and Tommy. Fabrizio and Helga. Now I have Rose, whether we're just friends or something more and you are not going to get in the way of that Julie."
"Oh my god. You are in love with her. Fabri was right…"
Jack shrugged, not in the mood to deny it any longer. Not to himself and not to Julie. "Maybe he is. He always had a knack for spotting amour before anyone else did. But it doesn't matter. I'm not going to act on it. I'm not telling her how I feel about her. It doesn't matter."
"What do you mean it doesn't matter? You're in love with her and all that is going to happen is that your heart will get broken. That's all these rich bitches do. They break hearts."
"Don't call her that. And she's not like that and you know it, and like I said. She's not going to know. She doesn't need me crushing on her. Not after what she's been through with Hockley," Jack shrugged. "For all that Rose knows, I like her as a friend and a friend only. I want her to feel comfortable around me. If she knew my real feelings, it would just complicate things that don't need to be complicated."
Julie still didn't like her cousin's involvement with Rose, but as long as it didn't go beyond friendship, she was not going to make any waves. After all, if they were just friends, her cousin couldn't be hurt, at least not too badly when Miss. Dewitt Bukater showed her true colors.
…...
It was time for the party and Rose found herself nervously waiting at the door, her overnight bag packed and ready to go.
"And Hockley won't be there?" Her father questioned, still not sure about the party.
"No he won't. He and his crowd are too good to attend parties with JFK students," Rose rolled her eyes at the snobbery of her old crowd. She was go glad to be rid of them to be honest.
"Have fun sweetie. I think you deserve it," Her father nodded, satisfied with her answer. "Tell your young man that I trust that he'll take good care of you."
Rose blushed. "I wish Jack was my young man. He's just a friend."
William only smiled. He didn't want to tell his daughter that a boy wouldn't do all that Jack has done for Rose for just a friend. He believed that the boy loved his daughter. "If you say so."
Rose sighed in relief at the sound of the doorbell. This conversation was becoming rather awkward.
"Bye." She opened the door to Jack, who wore a bright smile.
"Ready?" He asked.
"Of course," She stepped out of the door. Jack only had time to give a small wave to Rose's father before she dragged him off towards his car where Julie and Tommy waited.
"Is the princess ready to go?" Julie asked.
"Hush, Jules. This is my first party of the year. No negativity," Tommy quieted his girlfriend, earning a look of thanks from Jack. "Come on Jack! I don't trust Fabri in charge! He'll be playing Celine Dion if I don't get there in enough time to stop him."
Jack laughed as he opened the passengers seat for Rose. "Not to worry Tommy. Fabri may be a romantic, but he knows that there's a time and place for everything."
It didn't take them long to reach the beach. Tommy and Julie were the first ones out, running down to where a crowd of students awaited, dancing to music that was not Celine Dion.
"So this is Tommy's real party?" Rose looked down at the beach full of dancing teenagers.
"Yeah. All of his parties are pretty awesome," Jack took her hand and smiled at her. "No worries. Just stick with me, Rose."
Rose blushed. "I wouldn't stick with anyone else."
He lead the way down to the dancing crowd, keeping her hands in his. It didn't long for them to find Fabrizio and Helga by the DJ booth where Tommy and Julie were already examining the play list that Fabrizio had made up while they were with Jack.
"Jack!" Fabrizio waved, giving his friend a high five. "Hi Rose. I'm glad that you came."
"Hi Fabri. Hey, nice music," Jack grinned, remembering Tommy's concern.
Fabrizio pouted. "I wanted to play some Bryan Adams and some Bon Jovi ballads, but Helga wouldn't let me. She insisted to be in charge of the music. I was totally hijacked."
"Thank god for Helga," Tommy snorted.
Fabrizio glared at Tommy and said something in Italian before dragging Helga onto the dance floor.
"I think you made him mad," Jack chuckled.
"He'll get over it," Tommy shrugged. "Well everything here is set. Go, mingle, party, sample the food!" Tommy chuckled, waving Rose and Jack away. "Go enjoy yourselves."
"Not too much though," Julie frowned, still not liking that Rose was Jack's date.
"Hush," Tommy chuckled. "Don't listen to her. She's Ms. Grumpy pants as always."
Jack just laughed and looked off towards the cave that Rose had stayed in before getting in touch with her father. He turned to her and squeezed her hand. "I'll be back, alright?"
"Ok,"Rose nodded, forcing herself to be brave. It wasn't like he was leaving her alone for long or with strangers. Tommy was nice enough and Julie, well she was pretty sure that Julie hated her guts, but she was nowhere as bad as her old crowd used to be.
"Tommy you invited more White Star students," Julie frowned, looking towards a group of students that Rose had seen around but never really got to know.
"Why not? They go to JFK too and it was just them and they're cool. Why not invite them?" Tommy shrugged, ignoring Julie's frown.
"If it makes it better, they're not a part of the crowd I used to hang out with," Rose tried to lighten the mood. "Mother calls them the 'new money' kids, which is ridiculous."
"You swells discriminate against each other?" Julie frowned.
"Of course. You don't think the people who were rich for generations would just accept those that have just earned their wealth, do you? It's ridiculous."
Tommy laughed. "You got mailed to the wrong address Rose. You're not like them."
Rose just chuckled. "I guess you can say that I was."
"You're not friends with them, so that remains to be seen," Julie looked her up and down, as if challenging her to a dare. "Go ahead. Make friends with the new money kids, since you're so different."
"Why Rose go check out the food. It's everything all of us teenagers love. Lots of junk food," Tommy suggested, giving Julie a glare. It was probably best to keep Julie and Rose separated, especially when Jack wasn't around.
"I think I'll do that," Rose nodded, also wanting to avoid a fight with Julie, who seemed to be in an even more aggressive mood than usual.
Sighing, she left them at the DJ booth to head for the refreshment table just to bump into the crowd that she was just discussing.
"Oh pardon me," Rose apologized and found herself looking into weary green eyes. She took a step back and noticed Derrick Watson. Brother of Annabelle Watson. "You're Rose Dewitt Bukater, aren't you? Hockley's new girlfriend?"
"Actually his ex-girlfriend," Rose grimaced. Well, this making new friends thing was surely getting off to a fine start.
"Do you know what he did to my sister?"
"Derrick, stop," a girl, African American and pretty placed a hand on his arm. "Not here. Not in front of all these people."
"I know exactly what he did to her. He did the same to…look, I know that he's a monster. I'm sorry for what happened to Annabelle."
"Yeah, I bet your whole group is," Derrick crossed his arms.
"They're not my group. Not anymore."
"I'm Tiffany," the African American girl introduced.
"Hi," Rose smiled, hoping that the atmosphere would lighten some. She looked at Derrick who still looked rather unhappy and felt sorry for him. He reminded her of Jack in a way. "How is she?"
"She's healing. She'll be back in school next month. My father doesn't want her to go to JFK because Hockley and his crew are there, but we can't afford another private school right now and why should she have to hide when she didn't do anything wrong?"
"You're right. She shouldn't have to hide."
"Rose, there you are," Jack returned, jogging up to her. "Is everything ok?"
"Yeah. I was just talking to some kids who went to White Star as well. Jack, this is Derrick Watson and his date Tiffany. We were just talking."
"Nice to meet ya," Jack smiled, shaking Derrick's hand. "I hope you guys are liking JFK."
"It's nice. Better than White Star to be honest," Derrick nodded. "And this party is something else. I had no idea that there were beach parties here."
"Yeah, Tommy has them on the regular," Jack chuckled.
"Come on guys, I'm hungry," A blond girl that was eying Jack with interest spoke up.
Jealous, Rose linked her arm through his and stepped closer, silently telling the girl to back off.
"Come on Claire. Let's go see what they have. Nice meeting you Jack. Rose," Derrick nodded, leading the group away.
"They were nice. Why didn't you hang out with them instead of Hockley's cheer squad?" Jack chuckled.
"I ask myself that all the time," Rose shrugged. "So where did you go?"
"I placed our bags in our cave. I figured that would be a nice, out of the way place to sleep if it comes down to it," Jack grinned.
"Jack Dawson, you are a genius," Rose giggled.
Rose looked over towards the DJ both where Fabrizio was left alone. "Oh no…Fabri is at the station again…"
"Are romantic songs that bad?" Rose giggled.
"Not really, but they're usually slow and downbeat, something Tommy doesn't like his parties to be," Jack shrugged. "But since we're here and another song is to begin soon, do you want to dance?"
The current song was an Irish jig that Rose had no idea how to dance to. "I don't know if I can do this…"
Jack just smiled and pulled her close, taking her hand in one hand and placing a hand on the small of her back. "We're going to have to get a little closer, like this." He pulled her close.
Rose blushed. "But I don't know the steps."
"Neither do I. Just go with it, don't think!" He began leading her through the crowd, moving to the tune of the music in a fast past. Rose had no choice but to move her feet and try to keep up, crying out his name and laughing. In the middle of the song, Jack spots a clearing where people are doing a little dance. He pulls Rose to the clearing and lets her go and begins to dance to the music.
Laughing, Rose takes off her shoes and tosses them to Trudy who just happened to be in the front of the crowd. Looking at Jack, Rose copies his steps. Soon they're taking turns and before Rose even knew what she was doing, they linked arms and was turning each other around. Soon, Jack grabbed her hands and were twirling her around, laughing. Rose was having the time of her life. Finally the song ended and Rose fell against Jack laughing despite feeling dizzy.
"Oh my god, I haven't had this much fun in years," She giggled. "Mother would die if she saw me dancing like that."
"It's a good thing she's not here, isn't it?" Jack grinned, also catching his breath. That had been the first time he had danced like that with anyone. Having Rose in his arms, twirling her around, it was invigorating and how she kept up, despite not knowing the steps. It made him fall for her even more. Looking into those green eyes, he didn't know what he was going to do. He was in love with her plain and simple and wanted to see the light of happiness fill her eyes all the time.
Meanwhile, over at the DJ station, Fabrizio was looking for the perfect song. One to soothe his romantic soul yet not get him in trouble with Tommy, who had given him permission to choose the next song. He looked out at the dance floor, trying to gage what everyone was doing and smiled when he saw Jack and Rose, about to dance with one another. It was then that he knew what he needed. Something for them. A song about blossoming love taking the people involved by surprise. No matter what. He knew just the song and even Tommy couldn't argue against it. As the sultry music of the song Boom Clap began to play, he stood back and just watched, wondering how things would develop between Jack and Rose.
"Do you want to dance to this or sit down," Jack asked, not wanting to do too much.
"I can go for another dance. Besides, this one is a little slower than the last one," Rose smiled, watching as the clearing filled up with dancing couples. She didn't say anything when Jack wrapped both arms around her waist and held her close.
"We'll go slower this time."
"I think that's a good idea," She smiled, looking up into his eyes, so pretty and blue.
Jack looked into those green eyes, letting them fill his world. Her perfume was wonderful, making her smell like the sweetest flowers that he couldn't name and she fitted into his arms perfectly. It was as if he was made to hold her. He was made to love her.
Before she had met Jack, when Cal had attacked her, Rose had been sure that she would never ever want to be near another man again. She had sworn them off really and the thought of even dancing with a man like this would have sickened her. But here with Jack. Here in his arms, all she wanted to do was fly and just drown in his blue eyes. Cal may be rich, but he was the very definition of a monster. Where Jack, who was poor, was a true gentleman. Her angel. Cal and his crowd could keep their money. She'd take Jack's affections over silver and gold any day of the week.
When White Star Academy closed and she had first started at JFK, her world had been dark with shadows and depression, but Jack had came in and lit it up with friendship and love. He had never willing left her side, he had never judged her. At times, he was the only one she could depend on. He had saved her and she loved him for that.
Jack couldn't help himself. She was so close, and her perfume was intoxicating and her beauty…he just couldn't stop looking at her. Her hair, her eyes, her lips…her kissable lips that were parted and just waiting for him to claim them. So he did. He leaned in and gently pressed his lips to hers.
Rose at first was taken by surprise by the kiss. After all, he didn't have to kiss her. There was no school assignment. He didn't have to put himself out there like this. Then it occurred to her, he wasn't kissing her because he had to, but because he wanted to. He wanted to kiss her and she wanted to kiss him. She's been wanting to kiss him all night, so badly that it had almost hurt. So she kissed him back, letting him know that she welcomed the kiss. She wanted it too. She didn't know what was going to happen after this, but right now she was in heaven. The boy she liked was holding her, and kissing her. It was everything she could ask for and and more….
The kiss ended just as the music did, leaving both Jack and Rose dazed and confused, wondering what had just happened here. Well, they knew what had just happened. They had shared another kiss, this one more wonderful than the first because it wasn't a school assignment. It was something that they had both wanted. So what did this mean for their friendship? Where did it leave them? Neither one had the answer.
Jack looked over towards the the DJ booth where Fabrizio was looking at them, a smile on his lips that threatened to split his face. Then he looked over towards the refreshment table where Tommy and Julie was. Julie who was openly glaring at him, or rather at Rose. Tommy seemed to have his hand on her arm.
"Let's go somewhere more private. Where we can talk," Jack took her hand and lead her away from the crowd. There was only one place that he had in mind where they could have total privacy and would be away from Julie and her stupid over-protectiveness. The cave where he had already stored their belongings.
Meanwhile Helga walked up behind Fabrizio and smacked the back of his head. "You did that on purpose."
"The amour was already there. I just had to give them a nudge with the right song," Fabrizio chuckled.
"Well you've completely ruined Tommy and Julie's night. She's going to be on the warpath all night," Helga shook her head, watching Tommy argue with his temperamental girlfriend. "I think they're not long for each other."
"Go distract Julie. I'm going to go get Jack and Rose some of the food here. Who knows how long they'll be. Can't let the lovebirds starve," Fabrizio winked, kissing his girlfriend.
"Oh Fabri, you are such a romantic. That is why I love you," Helga sighed before going to pull Julie away from Tommy for a chat.
…..
Jack and Rose sat in the mouth of the cave, listening to the far off music of the party and watching the crash of the waves. Both of them sat in silence, not knowing where to begin. Both of them had doubts running through their heads, thinking that the kiss had been unwelcomed, that the other deserved someone better, that all they could be were friends. Then they would look at each other and know that there was no going back to friends, not after that kiss had opened a treasure trove of feelings and emotions.
"Wow," Rose was the first to break the silence. "I…I never expected…just…wow…"
Jack chuckled. "Yeah. I guess that's all either of us can really say."
"Did you want to?" Rose asked, her insecurities coming to the forefront. Maybe the kiss had been an accident. Maybe he hadn't meant to.
"Of course I wanted to. I wouldn't have done it if I didn't want to."
"You did in English class."
"I wanted to in English class. I've wanted to kiss you for a good while now."
That song fitted them perfectly because her heart just boom clapped at that admission. "I did too."
"Ok. That's settled. Both kisses were completely consensual. We both wanted them," Jack chuckled.
"Which leaves us with what now? I mean, what are we now? I like you Jack, I like you a lot. I want to kiss you again, even now."
"Me too. I like you a lot too and of course you know that I like kissing you, but .are you ready for this to be more than a friendship?"
"If it's with you," Rose smiled, touching his hand. "I trust you completely. You know that."
"I know," Jack smiled, taking her hand in his and kissing it. "So how about you be my girl?"
"I'd love to be your girl," Rose blushed, as he pulled her closer to him so he could wrap his arms fully around her, hugging her to his side. "I already am, really."
"Rose," He kissed her head, then her nose, her cheek, then finally his lips met hers again. "You won't regret this."
"I know I won't," Rose returned the kiss giggling. She suddenly stopped, remembering how Julie glared at her back at the party. "Jack wait, what about Julie?"
"You're not kissing Julie," Jack chuckled, kissing her again.
Rose giggled. "I know…but she's not going to be happy about us," She pulled away and sighed. "I don't want to cause trouble between you two. She barely tolerated us being friends."
Jack sighed, knowing that Rose had a point. Julie was an issue that he was going to have to deal with. She wasn't going to tolerate a new status of his relationship with Rose. There was no way that it wouldn't cause trouble with her. He sighed, annoyed. It wasn't fair. He had finally found a girl that he liked enough to date. Someone that he really cared a lot about, but he had to consider his cousin before he could even consider being with her. "She doesn't have to know I guess. For now, we can keep this just between us. As far as anyone else knows, we're just friends."
"Kind of like, Romeo and Juliet? Without the suicide?" Rose grinned.
Jack laughed. "Right."
Rose couldn't help but smile, kind of liking the idea of a secret love affair with Jack, at least for a while. She knew that sooner or later, she was going to want to tell everyone else, but for now, while it was new… "Ok. I think it'd be romantic to keep this just between us for a while."
"It won't be forever, Rose. I promise. Just until she accepts you into the group or finally sees that you're not at all like what he thinks you are," Jack touched her face.
"Just as long as we're together, I'm fine Jack."
They kissed again, tuning out everything but each other, that was before Fabrizio arrived with a sigh.
"Amour…I knew it."
Jack and Rose nearly flew apart and stared at Fabrizio with wide eyes, neither one of them were expecting him to show up. At least it wasn't Julie.
"Fabri, what are you doing here?," Jack stammered, trying to think of an excuse of why he was kissing Rose so deeply.
"I brought you two food, in case you get hungry tonight. Do not worry, I won't tell where you are," The Italian grinned happily. He was overjoyed for Jack. He knew that Jack had been lonely. This was good for him.
"Thank you Fabri. For everything," Jack chuckled. "Especially that song."
"Sometimes amour needs a little nudge in the right direction," Fabrizio winked. "We all like Rose, Jack, except Julie, but we are happy to have her amongst us."
Jack sighed, feeling bad that for now, not everyone can know about him and Rose, but he couldn't lie to Fabrizio. He was his best friend in all the world, plus he had championed for him and Rose before Jack was even aware of his feelings for her. "That's great Fabri, but you can't tell anyone else. Rose and I have decided to keep this between us for the time being. We're together, but as far as anyone else besides the three of us knows, we're just friends."
"I can't even tell Helga?" Fabrizio frowned, not knowing if he liked keeping a secret from his girlfriend.
"You can't even tell Helga. I'm sorry Fabri. I know that I'm asking you to lie, but Rose and I just want to enjoy this without the trouble that Julie knowing can bring. You know how she feels about Rose."
"Mama mia, don't I," Fabrizio sighed and bowed his head. Yes, he hated keeping secrets, but this was necessary. "Alright. No one will know. Not from me."
"Thank you Fabri," Jack smiled as Rose examined what Fabrizio had brought them. "If anyone asks where we are, just tell them that Rose and I took a walk."
"Ok. You two enjoy yourselves," Fabrizio grinned before leaving the cave to return to the party.
"So we're still a secret?" Rose asked, opening up a coke.
"Yeah. Fabrizio won't tell. This is probably filling up his romance quota for the next two months," Jack snorted.
Rose playfully hit his arm. "You and Tommy should stop picking on him so much. It's nice that he's not afraid to be romantic. More men should be like that."
Jack frowned. "He's not the only one that can be romantic you know."
"Really?"
"Really. Let me prove myself, Miss. Dewitt Bukater," Jack smiled enticingly.
"Feel free," She smiled, wrapping her arms around his neck and sighing as he kissed her again, carefully wrapping his arms around her. She felt her heart beat faster, knowing that he was careful so not to scare her. She pulled away and looked into his eyes. She really had fallen hard for him. It had been so unexpected, taking her by surprise. He had come into her life at the lowest moment she had ever been at and lifted her up to levels she had never known existed.
The rest of the evening, Jack and Rose spent playing in the ocean together, dancing under the moonlight and then returning to the cave where they cuddled together, talked and kissed until they both fell asleep, happy in the new turn their relationship has taken.
…..
When they reached the car, Julie and Tommy were waiting. Julie looked at them suspiciously, remembering the kiss that she had witnessed the day before. She wanted to interrogate her cousin about it, but knew that doing so would get her nowhere.
"Ready to go?" Jack asked, avoiding his cousin's glare.
"We've been ready. Where have you been all night. I almost thought you had gone home," Julie questioned, at least knowing that he was somewhere with Rose.
"Rose and I went somewhere to talk in private," Jack shrugged. "No big deal. Come on, let's load up and get out of here. I'm sure Mr. Dewitt Bukater is waiting by the door."
Rose laughed. "I doubt that. My father is probably too used to not having to even think about such things."
"You'd be surprised Rose. I remember when Fabrizio brought Helga home late. For a while they had to sneak around because her father had banned Fabrizio from the house," Tommy laughed. "Fabrizio was on cloud nine the whole time, thinking that he was some romantic Romeo. He was so disappointed when Helga's dad lifted the ban two weeks later."
Rose couldn't help but giggle, finding Tommy's stories amusing. Julie just rolled her eyes annoyed.
"So is your old man going to have a fit that you're dating my cousin?" Julie placed her hands on her hips, cutting down to the matter, her glare daring Rose and Jack to talk their way out of the question.
"What are you talking about Julie? Rose and I aren't dating," the lie came smoothly and without thought as Jack returned his cousin's glare.
"Really? Is that so? That lip lock you two were in before disappearing yesterday says differently," Julie clenched her fists, pushing back her annoyance.
Rose blushed and looked away. "If you must know, Jack and I were contemplating it, but we decided with all that's happened to me in the past month alone, it would be best just to remain friends."
"Yeah. Dating would just complicate everything and that's not what she needs right now," Jack sighed, giving his most disappointed expression. "So no, we're not dating. So don't worry. I'm still third wheel Jack."
"Boy-o..." Tommy began, feeling bad for his friend.
"I'm sorry Jack," Rose looked down at her hands, trying her best to give a good performance at least.
"I wish I was ready for more...if I was to have a boyfriend right now, it would most definitely be you."
Jack just smiled. "Don't worry about it. The friend-zone isn't so bad and who knows, maybe you will be ready sometime down the road. I have plenty of time to wait."
Julie couldn't say that she was unhappy that there wasn't anything more going on between Jack and Rose. She did want Jack to be happy, but, she just didn't trust a girl with a last name like Dewitt-Bukater to not break her cousin's heart. She just wanted to protect him as much as she could.
It didn't take long to reach Rose's house. Rose pulled Jack into the house after her and closed the door, blocking them from sight of the two people in Jack's car. Rose didn't give Jack time to speak, she just immediately kissed him, something she's been wanting to do since they got into the car.
Jack wrapped his arms around her and returned the kiss before pulling away a little bit breathless. "Do you think they brought it?"
"Yeah. Julie doesn't look homicidal anymore," Rose giggled. She sighed, pressing her forehead to his. "Jack, I don't know how much longer I can keep this secret. I want to kiss you all the time."
"I want to kiss you all the time too, Rose. It won't be long. I promise. Just until she sees that she has it all wrong about you."
"I don't even see what I've done to make her not like me anyway," Rose sighed. "Not that it matters. She's not the one that I want to date."
Jack laughed. "She had better not be. Don't worry about Julie. We'll give her until the Senior dinner dance. We'll come out then. If she hasn't accepted you by then, well she'll just have to deal with it."
"When is the Senior Dinner Dance?"
"It's the formal in October. It gives her plenty of time," Jack kissed Rose again before reluctantly pulling away. "I better get back before they do think that I'm hiding something."
"I wish that you didn't have to go."
Jack's smile was sad. "I wish that I didn't have to go either, but I do. I'll call later. We'll plan to meet up before Monday. "
Rose just smiled and kissed him one last time before letting him slip out the door. She glanced out of the nearby window and watched as Jack got into the car, saying something to Julie as he pulled out of the driveway and drove away. She closed her eyes and sighed. Yes, a secret romance with Jack did seem romantic, but she had to wonder if she could keep it up until October. Already she wanted to let the world know that she was dating the most beautiful boy in California.
