Loved the reviews, thank you. Phil isn't in this chapter, but there's still a lot going on.
Glad you liked Cody in the last chapter. I'm thinking of including him more. Also more of Evan being a protective big brother!
Maria carefully arranged her clothes. Today would be her first official date with Jeff. She picked out denim Capri pants, lime green vest, white waistcoat and white pumps.
The redhead scooped her hair up into a ponytail, secured with a daisy clip.
Adding silver hoop earrings, Maria heard the familiar sound of the pick up.
"Maria!" Evan shouted up the stairs.
"I know, Jeff just pulled up!" she shouted back at him.
"Don't keep him waiting." Her brother added, before heading back into the kitchen.
Maria grabbed her bag and went downstairs. She opened the door and ran over to the waiting vehicle. Jeff smiled as she climbed in to the passenger seat.
"Good morning." He said, leaning over to kiss her cheek.
"Morning." Maria blushed.
They arrived at the school, pulling into the car park. Phil was sat a few cars along, talking to some other guys. Jeff avoided eye contact with him.
"Gym class is gonna be so boring." Maria sighed.
"No more than usual." Jeff replied.
"Yeah, but Ashley's sitting out and Mickie…"
"Is drooling over Randy?" Jeff finished.
Maria nodded and held Jeff's hand as they walked to their first class. It was biology for Maria. Mike was already in his seat.
"You're not usually this early." She stated, taking her place next to him.
"I got a ride with somebody." He replied.
"Are you going to the opening night party?"
"I don't know." Mike sighed.
"Are you ok?" Maria asked, tilting her head to the side.
"I got dumped."
"Oh."
"I'm a great guy, right?" he looked at Maria with puppy dog eyes.
"Of course you are Mike." Maria smiled, patting his shoulder.
"I suppose you're gonna ask who she is?"
"You don't have to tell me."
"Maryse." Mike sighed again.
"The blonde French girl?" Maria asked.
"French Canadian, yeah." He shook his head.
Maria glanced over at Dolph, who still had a visible bruise. She heard parts of what Mike was saying. She wanted to let him get it all out, until she heard something.
"Whoa! Go back." Maria said.
"Maryse cheated on me." Mike shrugged.
"No, the other part."
"She cheated on me with Randy Orton." He finished.
Maria looked stunned. Surely, when Mickie was so in love with him…he wouldn't cheat on her…would he? Mike looked concerned.
"Are you ok?"
"I just can't…are you sure?" Maria stammered.
"She told me herself." Mike groaned, resting his head on the table.
This was completely unexpected. Should she tell Mickie?
At lunch, Maria met up with Jeff. He could tell that she was preoccupied.
"Come on, you can tell me." He said, leaning across the picnic table.
"Mickie will be devastated." Maria bit her lip nervously.
"Why?"
"Maryse broke up with Mike. She told him that she cheated on him with Randy." Maria frowned, pulling her sandwich to pieces.
"Oh, I see." Jeff frowned too.
"What do I do?"
"Nothing."
"What?" Maria gasped, looking right at Jeff.
"You don't know all the facts. Think about yourself, just for today." Jeff smiled.
"I suppose I can do that." Maria rolled her eyes.
"I don't want you to be depressed on our date." Jeff said.
"How can I be, I'll be with you." Maria giggled.
"Good. I'll pick you up after the last bell." He grinned.
Maria headed off to gym class. Mickie was there, but Maria refrained from saying anything about Randy and Maryse. After all, Jeff was right. Supposing Maryse made it up as an excuse to dump Mike? There was no reason to panic Mickie yet.
"Maria, you're looking pale." Kelly walked by.
"Am I?" the redhead shrugged.
"I suppose her vampire boyfriend's been sucking her blood." Michelle cackled.
"Aren't you getting bored of this?" Maria snapped.
"No way. You keep giving me more reasons to dislike you." The tall blonde smirked.
"Come on Michelle, you don't wanna catch anything." Kelly called to her friend.
Maria glared at the two blondes as they walked off. Mickie hadn't noticed, she was too busy chatting to the cheerleaders Layla, Melina and Candice.
When the final bell rang, Maria made her way to Jeff's pick up as quickly as she could. He arrived a couple of minutes after her. Maria smiled as he started the engine.
"Where to?" Jeff asked in a funny voice.
"Jeria." Maria smiled, leaning back in her seat.
"Your wish is my command."
Maria enjoyed the feeling of the cool breeze as they sped past the greenery. Soon they arrived at the field surrounded by trees. Maria stepped out of the car and admired the peace and serenity of it all. Jeff took a rucksack out of the truck.
They walked casually to the wooden hut. Maria climbed up first, Jeff followed. He emptied the contents of the rucksack. There was a grey blanket, a large bottle of juice, two candles and a portable radio. Maria watched as Jeff arranged them all in the hut.
"This is nice." Maria grinned, admiring the glow of the candles.
"I'm glad you like it." Jeff replied, sitting down beside her on the blanket.
Jeff kissed her on the lips, a sweet lingering kiss.
"So, tell me about Maria." He grinned.
They were soon talking, properly. Not talking about Phil or Mickie or Evan. They shared favourite memories, foods, music and movies. They had been there for about two hours when they finally stopped laughing. They caught each other's eye. Maria bit her lip, anticipating a kiss from Jeff. He leant forward and kissed her. Maria felt content, although it was more passionate than before. Something felt different, but in a good way. Jeff looked at her, their eyes meeting.
"Maria." Jeff said, standing up.
"Jeff?" she frowned.
"I want this date to be memorable, but I don't want you to feel like you have to do anything that you don't want to." Jeff shook his head.
"Don't you trust me Jeff?" Maria asked, her eyes pleading.
"Of course I do. I love you."
"Then trust me when I say that this is what I want…"
Maria pulled him back down to her. She caught his lips on the way down, a sweet kiss, turning slowly more passionate. Jeff ran his hand through her hair, using the other hand to slip off her waistcoat. Maria took the initiative to remove her vest while Jeff took off the tight black t-shirt he was wearing. Maria pulled him closer, willing for as much of her skin as possible to touch his.
"Jeff, I love you." She whispered.
He looked at her and smiled, placing a delicate kiss on her lips.
An hour later, Jeff and Maria lay entwined in each other's arms. Maria twisted a strand of Jeff's hair in her fingers. He looked at her.
"Maria, can I tell you something?"
"Anything." She sighed blissfully.
"You were my first."
"Really? You were mine too." The redhead smiled, snuggling in to Jeff's side.
"We were made for each other." Jeff smiled, kissing her forehead.
"You know what's annoying?" Maria asked.
"No." Jeff shook his head.
"I have to do homework when I get back." She groaned.
"I suppose we should make a move." Jeff said, sitting up and pulling his t-shirt back on.
"Do you still love me?" Maria asked nervously.
"Yeah, why wouldn't I?" Jeff frowned at her worried expression.
"I'm sorry, I know you're not like that."
"You mean the kind of guy who sleeps with a girl, then abandons her?"
Maria nodded. Jeff took her face in his hand s and kissed her.
Evan was watching TV when Maria arrived home.
"Good date?"
"The best." Replied Maria.
"I'm glad." Evan said.
"If I tell you something, do you promise not to tell anyone?"
"Hmm, ok." Her brother nodded.
"Tonight, me and Jeff…" she grinned.
"Whoa! Ok, did you want to?"
"Yeah." Maria rolled her eyes.
"Did you use protection?"
"Yeah."
"Was it…?" Evan frowned.
"Do you mean was I a virgin?"
"Keep your voice down!" Evan blushed.
"Yes I was. It was my first time." Maria nodded.
"But it was good?"
"Absolutely."
"Then that's what matters." Evan nodded.
Maria grinned, going up the stairs. She turned the tap on to run a bath. Her phone had two text messages.
The first was from Mickie.
Hey Maria, you ok? You looked worried in gym. Mickie x
Maria sighed, opening the second message.
Maria – Having second thoughts about Peanut. See you tomorrow? Ashley xxx.
The redhead frowned. As far as she knew Ashley had decided on keeping the baby. Did this mean she wanted an abortion?
Phil Brooks was still damaging people's lives. She hated the thought that Jeff could get hurt because of her. If Phil wanted something, he wouldn't give up. All she knew was, when he made a mistake, they had to be ready.
Maria shrugged and went to turn off the tap. Tomorrow she would worry about other people. Today had been about her and Jeff. It was beautiful and incredible. She smiled; twisting the friendship bracelet he had given her. It was more than friendship now; she was in love with him. The best part was that he loved her too.
What do you think? It turned out better than I expected.
Still more drama to come... And here's some questions for fun:
1. Do you think Randy did cheat on Mickie with Maryse?
2. Who do you think will persuade Ashley against an abortion?
3. What will Phil do next to ruin Jeff and Maria?
4. How would you like Kelly and Michelle to get their comeuppance?
PLEASE REVIEW! I love reading them. xxx