One morning in registration, there was a notice which got the majority of the form group talking: there was the idea of a Christmas dance being spread around to see if there was enough interest. The instant way that people began talking spurred Mr Jenkins into sending an email to Mrs Grayson saying so. Jac looked around the room, wondering what to do. She doubted that she had enough money for a dress that would be up to everyone else's standard, and who would she go with? Joseph was her first thought, but whether he would want to go with her was another matter entirely; from what small snatches of conversation she could pick up on, she knew that several of the other girls were planning on asking him. She decided to just leave it, and see whether it was actually going to happen first – there was no point in worrying over uncertainties.
The day passed with relative ease; the main topic of conversation was, of course, the dance. Some of the 'populites' even spoke to her, joking that she would be going on her own, or in jeans; for once Jac did not bite at the bait – she could work out the stress later. She quickly went to her locker and grabbed her kit bag from it and shoving her school bag and folder in it. Avoiding the crush of people, Jac went to the changing rooms and slipped a pair of shorts, polo shirt and trainers on. The P.E. teacher had said it was okay for her to go running after school anytime she wanted to, and Jac intended to take advantage of it.
The Astroturf was devoid of any life form, so Jac slipped out her scuffed MP3 player, put the headphones into her ears, and started to play music with the heaviest bass line she could find. She took a quick look at her watch – 15.52 – and began running. She aimed to run continuously for the next 20 minutes; it had previously been proved as the most effective time for her to lose track of everything. Her feet began to pound against the floor and she steadfastly looked ahead; very soon there was nothing going through her mind except for the heavy bass of the music, and the resounding thump of each foot. Her breathing stayed calm, in through the nose and out through the mouth, there was some mist as she breathed, but it did not deter her at all; the cooling temperatures were welcome.
With about three minutes left, Jac started to speed up, transferring the intensity from a blank mind to her speed and the space in front of her. She was so focussed, that she did not notice the dark figure approaching; when it came nearer, she was so startled at it appearing that she skipped sideways a little, before her feet got tangled and took her to the floor. Her earphones got dislodged and the MP3 player flew out of her pocket, but all Jac could hear was the pounding of her heart. She could feel the extra adrenaline surging within her, and the sharp sting of grazes on her arm and knees. Slightly disorientated, she scrabbled around to pick up her music player, and came face to... face... with a hand. Her eyes travelled up the arm and met with the 'baby blues' of Joseph Byrne. He seemed to be saying something to her, so she took a couple of shaky, but deep, breaths to calm herself, and then accepted the proffered hand.
'Sorry, what were you saying Joe? I completely zoned out.'
'I was, eh, just apologising for scaring you.'
'Don't worry about it, I was nearly finished running anyways. What're you doing down here? I mean, no offence, but you clearly don't want to run...' She gestured at his shoes and shirt/smart trousers combination.
'I came to see you. I've been waiting in the school because mother's organised a party, and our chauffeur was too busy running errands to collect me before half past four. I couldn't help but see someone running; when I realised it was you, well, I had to come down, even if it was to simply ask why you've been doing it for so long.'
'You have a chauffeur? Wow... We-ell, I just run to get things out of my mind. It just helps to clear it all and stuff.'
'What sort of 'stuff', if you don't mind me asking.'
'School things, things back at the home, life things; everything really.'
'But why today? Did something happen?'
'Not really.'
'Would you tell me if I told you something?'
Jac let an involuntary smile escape onto her lips; this bargaining was an amusing way to get information from her.
'Sure, why not.'
'There's this girl I want to ask to the dance but I'm not sure whether she'll say yes or not. This may come as a surprise, but I'm scared of rejection – I'm not nearly as forward as people think I am.'
This made Jac swallow hard. That was that sorted then – he was not interested in her like that; why else would he ask her for advice?
'Just ask her – from what I could hear this morning in registration I doubt she'll say no...'
'Your turn to talk, and would you, eh, like to go to the dance with me?'
'Me?'
'You.'
'Wow, um, I'd love to! Thanks!'
'Good, that's settled then, and don't avoid answering Jac.'
'Damn... Ah well. I guess I was just stressing over the dance a bit, and then I just keep thinking that those jerks are going to come back. It's all quite petty really.'
'Nothing's petty – there's always a reason for any worry. That's partly why I'm here Jac – use me to talk to, talk about everything that's crap in your life, anything you're stressing about; if I can help, I promise you I will. And you shouldn't have to worry about those jerks, and you don't have to, not while I'm here. Ever.'
'Thanks sounds pretty pathetic after your speech, but... Thanks.'
'Nothing you say sounds pathetic; you just need to believe that a bit more.'
'Well, thanks.'
Silence surrounded them as they stood facing each other, Jac's green eyes fixed on Joseph's blue ones. The only sound that Jac could hear was the exhaling of breath, and her heart beating a tattoo in her chest. Tentatively, she took a small step towards Joseph, almost sighing in relief as he did not back away. Instead, her lifted his hand to her cheek, and traced the line of her jaw with his thumb; she leaned into it, and closed her eyes. His thumb briefly brushed her lips, and she fluttered her eyes open in time to see him lean down. Their lips touched gently, and there was a moment of surprise, before the kiss deepened. Jac could not believe that she was really kissing Joseph, but she was not going to complain – that was for sure; this was the one most enjoyable thing in her life. She linked her arms behind his head, moving closer to him, standing flush against his body. His hands were on her waist, stroking her lower back and sides.
Jac only realised how long they had been standing there when a mobile phone went off – it was Joseph's mother.
'Yes? I'll be there in a minute mother, yes of course I will. See you soon.'
'What, no chauffeur?'
Joseph grinned sheepishly. 'Apparently he's buying sandwiches. Um, what I said about the dance, I was really trying to ask, do you want to go out with me?'
'A date to the dance and a date... Of course I will, today's been one to remember, and I sure will. See you tomorrow, yeah?'
'Of course.'
Joseph pressed a quick kiss to Jac's lips before running from the Astroturf, towards the main building. Jac was left watching him, touching her lips and smiling at the thought – for the first time in her life, she had a boyfriend.
*
Hey, sorry for the late update, hopefully this doesn't disappoint! Next xhapter will include the start of another pairing – cookies to those who guess!
Extra cookies to those who review =D
Woody2792x
