Jackie sighed as she brushed a strand of her hair out of her face awkwardly. All the boys were celebrating Peter's return out in the foyer. A few Indians were invited, including Tiger Lily and her new beau. But, for some reason, Jackie didn't feel like celebrating.
She stood up and teetered over to Peter's bed, which still had her messenger bag sitting atop it. Not even noticing that her camera was gone, Jackie yanked out her yearbook and opened to eighth grade. Her eyes skimmed the pages of the faces she knew all too well.
First she saw was the first friend she had ever made when she arrived at that school: Andrea Craine. She was popular, pretty, and extremely nice. She accepted Jackie right away and even invited her to sit with her friends at lunch. Naturally, as Jackie became more accustomed to the school, their friendship dwindled until they were just acquaintences.
Next she saw the only girl friend she had up to present day: Samantha Green. Samantha, or "Sammi," was the only girl that Jackie knew that was just as adventurous as she was. Ofcourse, she was a humungous flirt, and dated Ryan before Jackie did.
Next, she smiled back to all her guy friends: Mike, Randy, Max, Cameron, Brandon, Austin, and...Ryan. Ryan was the most popular boy in the history of that school. Almost every girl "liked" him, and all the guys wanted to be his best friend. He was charming, handsome, funny, and extremely sweet. Especially for girls.
No matter where he was, at a football game, joking around with his friends, or at church, if anything happened to his girlfriend, he was next to her at the drop of a hat. Boys all over the school knew to keep a safe distance from "Ryan's girl" lest they desire to be beaten to a pulp if even the slightest gesture that could be interpreted as "making a move" slipped out.
At first, Jackie and Ryan were just buddies. They talked, they looked over each other's work, things like that. Being the new kid, Jackie had no idea how fortunate she was that Ryan Johnson was spending time with her. She had no idea that he was the king of the school, the "Zac Efron" that every girl wanted for herself. She had no romantic feelings for him at all. That is, until Sammi asked him out.
He said yes, obviously, and they had been going out for a week by then. Jackie was becoming steadily aware of the growing jealousy inside of her, but she didn't let it go to her head. Ryan still talked to her, but Sammi didn't. And she got upset whenever she caught Ryan flashing her a smile.
Ryan wasn't exactly too happy about that. He tried his best to sit with Jackie at lunch, but Sammi caught him. Every single time.
Finally, he snapped. It wasn't in public, but at his house that Ryan blew up at Sammi. They weren't alone either. Jackie and Mike were over there as well, staring back and forth awkwardly. Sammi ran home immediately, whilst Jackie and Mike tried to console Ryan. His good nature made him feel guilty about yelling at her.
"Jackie?" Jackie jumped and slammed the yearbook closed as her eyes shot to the door. Peter was walking in the room, a worried look on his face.
"Yes, Peter?" she asked nervously.
"Why are you in here?" he asked innocently as he plopped down next to her. "They're having a party, you know. Why aren't you celebrating?"
Jackie just shrugged and placed the yearbook beside her purse. "I don't know..." she sighed.
"Do you feel alright?" he asked as he stared at her intently.
"I suppose." Jackie said as she leaned back onto the wall. "I mean, I don't feel sick or anything. I just...I don't know."
"Are you sad?" he asked. He is such a quizzical child.
"Yes." she whispered quietly.
Peter's eyes widened as he scooted next to her. "Why are you sad? Don't be sad."
Jackie closed her eyes. "I guess I am just tired."
"Well, it's like, 12:00. Do you want to sleep? I could send everybody home." Peter offered.
"No, go have fun." she pushed as she shooed him away.
"I won't have fun unless you're there." Peter smiled as he scooted closer to Jackie.
Jackie smiled and kissed his cheek. Peter's goofy smiled crept onto his face as Jackie batted away the curl in his eye. She placed her head on his shoulder and sighed. "Peter..."
"Yeah...?" he cooed.
"Um...I need to get something." she began steadily. Oh, how to tell him???
"What?" he asked.
"Just a few things." said Jackie quietly.
"...allright. Where are they?" Peter asked.
"At my house." Jackie seethed. Peter tore away from her and stood up.
"What?" he asked.
"I need to get a few things from home." Jackie whispered.
Peter gulped and looked away from her. "Why?" he squeaked.
"Because, I am going to need them if I stay here." Jackie argued.
"If?" Peter cried.
"What--no, Peter! I'm going to! I promised you!" Jackie yelled.
"Amy promised too!" Peter shouted.
"Don't you dare compare me to her!!" Jackie screamed as she jumped up as well.
"Well, what am I supposed to do?!" Peter yelled as he threw his arms into the air.
"You're supposed to trust me, like any good boyfriend does!" Jackie cried.
"I trusted Amy!" Peter argued, tears welling into his eyes. "I trusted her forever! Yet she lied! She decieved! She left me, even when she promised not to! Why should you be any different!?"
Jackie's heart stopped. Did he just...? Her brow furrowed as she scowled, on the verge of tears, and grabbed her yearbook. She stuffed it into her messenger bag and pushed past Peter. He just stood there, his head hanging low.
Jackie burst out of the room, hot tears staining her face. Everyone around her was dancing or eating, and she even saw Tiger Lily laughing with that boy. Jackie still didn't know his name. Not that she cared.
Jackie burst out of the Underground Home, charging for who knows where. All she had to do was get away from Peter. She could not believe he had the nerve to say that to her.
Peter's head snapped up as he turned to the door. "Jackie?" he whispered, though he knew she wouldn't hear him. He whimpered and ran out the door, past all the people, and out of the house. "Jackie!" he called louder. Jackie ignored him, her head held high as she strode along. Their relationship was over before it started. Peter had been percieved dead not but 3 hours ago.
Peter groaned and flew into the trees. He smacked into her and they both tumbled to the ground. "Get off of me you freak!" Jackie screamed as she kicked Peter in the gut.
"No!" Peter yelled as he pinned her down.
When Jackie stopped struggling, he began again. "I am so sorry!"
"You should be!" Jackie spat.
"Please forgive me!" Peter begged. "I love you, Jackie, I didn't mean it."
Jackie couldn't help it. She softened up. She sat up, but Peter didn't try to hold her down. Instead of replying, Jackie pressed their lips together. Peter smiled yet again and turned pink.
"You big flirt." Jackie teased as she flicked his cheek.
Peter laughed and tickled her.
Jackie burst out laughing and toppled over. "You--stop--I--ha--you're mean--stop it!" Jackie shouted between laughs.
"Make me!" Peter called loudly.
Jackie didn't make him.
Aw...how cute. This is better, right? There is no gap, except for Peter coming home. Peter almost lost his girlfriend with that remark. He needs to watch his back. Jackie doesn't take crap from anybody. But will Peter allow Jackie to get whatever it is she wants. Wait...what does she want so badly??? ;)
-- Risea Moone