Jason was still smiling when Martha walked him to his car later on that evening. He had stayed with her and Grace for the majority of the day, even going so far as to eat supper with her and her parents. He thought that the elder Coxes had probably gotten the wrong impression about the current nature of his relationship with their daughter, though.
Oh well. Maybe with some luck Mr. and Mrs. Cox could be proven correct. But he would have to start down that road with Martha first. Maybe that start could happen something like this…
"Hey, Martha?"
She looked up at him through the twilight as they stopped by his car. "Yeah?"
He froze for a minute, unsure of himself and of how to phrase the question that he so badly wanted to ask.
Apparently he had been silent for a second too long because the pretty dancer cocked her head to the side, laid a hand on his arm, and asked, "What is it, Jason?"
He took a deep breath and took the plunge, hoping no sharks were lurking to bite him when he hit the water. "Do you want to go out Friday night? Maybe get some pizza or burgers or catch a movie?"
"You mean… like, a date?" Martha asked.
Since the sun was setting, he couldn't quite tell whether or not she was smiling as he nodded nervously. But then she did smile, widely enough that there was no mistaking it for anything but happiness, pure, plain and simple joy. Warmth spread through his face and ears as she ran her hand down his arm until her hand was cradled in his.
"Yeah," she answered. "I would really like that."
"Great," he stammered.
She smiled, nodded. "Well, good night, Jason."
"G'night."
Martha rose up on her tiptoes, gave him a quick peck on the cheek, and darted back into her house. She shoved the curtain aside from a window and waved at him. He waved in return and climbed into his car. Not realizing that Martha was still watching him from inside the house, he threw his hands up in the air, releasing a triumphant, "Yes!"
Jason never noticed how he had made Martha laugh, and he never saw the way that she spun away from the window, performing an impromptu dance.
Okay, I just want you all to know that this chapter chronologically takes place after the upcoming chapter 11. Sorry that this chapter is so short! Reviews would make my day full of unicorns and rainbows, though! Thanks, everybody!:)