For a moment, we all looked at each other in a panic, before I took a deep breath and headed towards the door. I watched as Jeff grasped Abed by the arm and pulled him over to Troy. "You two?" Troy exclaimed excitedly, as Jeff silenced them, whispering under his breath "You two need to keep quiet about this" he whispered sternly, as I turned back to the door, placing a wide smile across my lips, I opened the door to my friends. I greeted them all as I invited them in, Jeff still standing next to Abed and Troy near the kitchen. Everyone didn't seem shocked to see Jeff there so I didn't bring it up, as we all gathered around the living room, pulling out different homework assignments for different classes.
A couple hours later I sat at the dining room table, Jeff sitting next to me, the rest of my friends spread out between the living room and dining room. I focused on the laptop in front of me, as Jeff read the essay in his hands. I watched as Jeff laid the paper down on the table "This paper is really good, Hope" I blushed as I grabbed the paper with my own hands, nodding my head in disagreement. "I just threw it together, I need to fix it.." Jeff leaned forward, pushing my hands to lay the paper on the table, resting his hand on top of mine, his blue eyes looking into mine "I'm serious, it's a good paper..." I smiled as I looked back to my laptop, tapping my fingers on the small computer. My eyes focusing on the illuminated screen when Jeff spoke again, his voice a little lower so the group couldn't hear "Why do you let it hold you back?" I leaned back in my chair, my eyes meeting his when I spoke "Let what hold me back?" Jeff leaned back in his chair, matching my body language when he spoke "I don't know, but whatever it is, it holds you back from trying your best, from taking a chance...from everything." I laughed as I leaned forward on my forearms, as I glanced at the paper, when Jeff continued "Do me a favor...Turn this paper in, the way it is." I went to protest, before Jeff cut me off "Do it for me, I think it'll show you what happens if you take a risk and trust yourself." I ran my hand through my hair, contemplating it, when Jeff made the deal sweeter "If you don't pass this paper, I promise to write your next one to make up for the grade alright?" I smiled as I nodded my head, putting the paper in my bag. I didn't get what Jeff was trying to prove, but he seemed bent on proving it.
A few days later I sat in my English class, anxiously waiting as I watched my professor slowly pass out the essays, as he talked about the papers as a whole. I nervously fidgeted as I watched him get closer to my desk, slowly lowering the paper to my desk face down. I looked up as a slight smile crossed his lips before walking away, I took a deep breath before turning it over. I closed my eyes as I turned it over, and slowly opened one eye to peek at the grade and what I saw amazed me. Plain as day, there it was in red ink, the grade of A. I fought the urge to jump out of my seat and do a victory dance, as I looked at the grade in shock. I've never gotten an A on a paper, I was fighting to pass this class. I couldn't help the smile that was on my face when I heard the professor excuse the class. My paper in hand I jumped from my seat and hurried across campus.
Making my way to the softball field, I hastily dropped my bag near the dugout and ran as fast as I could out to the far outfield fence. I was only dissappointed for a moment, until I saw the perosn I was looking for coming out of the equipment shed. The smile returned to my face as I hurriedly ran my way towards him, Jeff was just locking the door to the shed as I wrapped my arms around his body. His back against my front as I squeezed him tight. I felt his body tense up immediately, before my grip loosened and he turned his body around in my arms, his body finally relaxing once he noticed it was me. I smiled as I felt his arms pull me tight to his body as he spoke "So what's this for?" I let go of him, as I showed him the paper proudly. Jeff smiled as he grabbed the paper out of my hand, looking at the notes my professor left for me as I rambled on "I've never gotten an A in English before! I mean I never thought I was any good, maybe it was a fluke...maybe.." I was brought to a stop when Jeff reached over, laying a sole finger across my lips, a small smirk on his lips when he spoke "Maybe it was you." he stated calmly.
I refused to believe that as the blush covered my face, as I shook my head "Nah...It was probably just a fluke or something." Jeff simply shook his head, his eyes connecting with mine when he spoke " I told you, you need to trust in yourself." I shook my head as I looked anywhere but into his eyes, I felt his arms reach over resting on my shoulders, forcing my body to face his. His one hand moving from my shoulder to cup my chin, forcing it to look into his eyes as he spoke "You need to trust in yourself. Trust in yourself, and you'll learn just how special you are!" I couldn't help the response that flowed out of me when I spoke "But I'm not special." Jeff smiled, his face leaning in, his lips only mere inches from mine when he spoke in a whisper "Your more special than you know" his body lunging forward, connecting our lips once again. My whole body sighed, when our lips connected, his lips dancing with mine, sucking my bottom lip in between his as his tongue grazed over it. My body jumped with butterflies, the sensations that flew through my body, setting my skin on fire.
The kiss had just broke, as both of us tried to catch our breaths, when we heard a deep, gruff voice boom through the air. "Alright you two!" Jeff and I looking towards where the voice came from, watching as Coach walked on to the field. A smile on his face as he shook his head, finally turning back to the dugout. I gave Jeff a quick smile before I headed back towards the dugout with Jeff right behind me. Practice went quick, we had to get ready for the tournament coming up, we were determined to win. I did find it distracting how Jeff felt the need to pour water over my head on every break, although he claimed it was only to cool me down under the hot equipment. Of course, once I noticed my shirt was also soaked and clung to my body tightly, I began to wonder if he had other reasons.
Coach had finally ended practice, as I watched my teammates file off of the field towards the showers. I stood in the dugout, slowly taking off my equipment, when I felt two hands undo the clasp on one of my leg protectors, then the other. I spun around as I noticed Jeff knelt down behind me, as his hands guided the protectors off of me. "You scared me.." I spoke honestly, as Jeff smiled, pushing himself to his feet, tossing the protectors into the bag. Turning back to me, Jeff wiped the sweat from his brow, as I watched his large hands reach forward removing my catcher's mask. Once I felt the mask loosen, I was able to remove the helmet myself and tossed it on top of the mask. I felt Jeff's eyes burning into me, as I slowly looked up into his blue orbs, a small smile laid on his features as his large hand reached out, smoothing a sweaty drenched piece of my bangs to the side. I blushed at his action, turning my attention to my chest protector, when Jeff spoke softly "What are you doing tonight?" It caught me offguard at first, as I stopped what I was doing for a moment, then continued on. I took a deep breath, my skin on fire at just the thought of being alone with Jeff again, then I spoke "Um...babysitting." I finally unlatched the last latch of the chest protector, and tossed it into the bag with the rest of the equipment. I reached for my water bottle, as I leaned against the wall of the dugout. It took only moments for Jeff to take the few steps, his body now pinning me to the wall, his hands placed on the wall on either side of my body as he spoke with a sultry tone "You mind if I tag along?" I looked into his blue eyes for a moment, until Jeff leaned his body forward, his sweat covered body pressing agaisnt mine, his lips just outside my ear. My body shivered as he grinded gently against me when he spoke "We could play house" I laughed a little before I spoke "I don't know, I'm kind of sweaty" Jeff's lips connected with my neck, his tongue snaking out licking a small piece of my skin before a small throaty moan escaped his lips. I closed my eyes when I felt his tongue on my skin, then I heard his voice as he spoke "Well then, I guess we need to take a shower." I smiled at the thought, before the moment came to a stop by my ringtone blaring through the dugout. Jeff lifted one arm, letting me escape to answer my phone. I looked at the text message, and took a deep breath, before closing it. Turning to Jeff I spoke "alright cowboy, If you wanna tag along tonight...you can" Jeff's smile grew wide as he simply nodded his head, grasping the bag of equipment as I made my way to the locker room.