Wednesday
Jane doodles in her notebook as she sits at the table in the library on Wednesday afternoon. Maura Isles sits across from her, studying for their Advanced Placement Psychology test on Friday. Jane knows that Maura is different and that other kids tend to pick on her and bully her, but now that Jane hangs with Maura, the bullies keep their distance.
Jane really likes to hang out with Maura. Maura is funny, smart, nice... pretty.
"Pssst. Maura."
Hazel eyes look up.
"Want to do something on Friday night? Movies or something? You know, to relax after the test?"
"That sounds very pleasant Jane. What would you like to see?"
"Your choice, BUT, it has to be in English. None of those subtitle movies that you trick me into sometime."
"SHHHHHH! Ladies! Please remember that you are in a library."
Maura ducks her head and smiles at Jane."I'll give you my suggestion tomorrow," she whispers quietly.
Jane smiles in return and goes back to studying.
Thursday
Jane is on her way to PE when she sees Maura coming her way. She is wearing a skirt that shows off her legs and her top makes her eyes sparkle. Jane shakes her head.
"Oh, Jane! I did a little research last night and I believe that the movie, 'Hitch', will be the movie we see on tomorrow night. It is listed as a comedy, has an actor named Will Smith in it, and is in English, so that qualifies for what you asked. "
"Sure, Maura. That sounds great. I'll see you at lunch?"
"Yes. I will see you then Jane."
Jane waves goodbye to Maura and continues to PE. She changes quickly and heads out to the basketball court where she sees her best friend, Barry, practicing his foul shots.
"Yo! Barry!" Jane holds out her hands for the ball and Barry passes it to her. Jane makes a graceful jump and sinks the ball. She retrieves the ball and dribbles back to Barry.
"What are you and Allie doing tomorrow night?"
"Don't know yet, why?"
"Want to go the movies with me and Maura?"
"What? Like a double date?" Barry chuckles until he barely catches a basketball aimed at his head.
"It would NOT be a double date Barry! Maura is a FRIEND."
"Whatever you say, Jane. Hey, the new Batman movie is out. Wanna see that?" Barry dribbles and passes the ball to Jane.
"Ya, that does sound good, but Maura has picked Hitch."
"Aw, c'mon Jane, that's a chick flick. You are so whipped." Again, the basketball is aimed at his head.
"We are NOT dating, so I am NOT whipped."
"Hey! If you two are through playing 'catch', maybe you can try to shoot some baskets?"
"Yes, Mr. Dowd."
"You go to your chick flick, Jane, Allie and I will see Batman and we'll see who has a better Friday." Barry chuckles.
"Fine, Barry."
After PE, Jane quickly changes and heads to lunch. Thoughts of her conversation with Barry have Jane thinking of asking Maura to go see Batman. She sees Maura sitting at their table.
"Hey, Maura."
"Hi, Jane. I'm very excited about our movie date on Friday night. It stars an actor by the name Will Smith and it is listed as a comedy. It seems that Mr. Smith is a popular actor."
Jane opens her mouth to correct Maura's use of date and to ask to switch the movie to Batman Begins, but quickly shuts it. Maura is excited to see Hitch, a comedy and if that is what Maura wants, that is what Maura will get.
Oh, hell. Barry is right. I am whipped. Damn!
Jane smiles and nods as Maura rambles on about the movie, Will Smith, lunch nutrition and classes.
"How shall we get to the movies, Jane? My parents are going to the opera, but we might be able to borrow the driver and car."
"I think I can borrow my father's car. Is that ok with you?"
"Perfect. Will I see you in the library after school?"
"Yes, I need to study and it's quieter there than at home with Frankie and Tommy goofing around."
Friday
Jane wakes up feeling pretty secure about the Advanced Placement Psychology test she will be taking today. Studying this past week with Maura for the test gave her a firm understanding of the concepts they were being tested on.
Get through the test and then it will be movie date night with Maura. No! It's MOVIE night with Maura. Period.
Jane shakes her head at the way her thoughts are going as she gets ready for school. She grabs a Pop Tart as she runs out the door.
"Jane! That is not a breakfast! Get back in here and at least drink some orange juice!"
"Ma! I've got to get to school!"
"Jaaannne..."
"Ma!"
"JANE!"
"ALL RIGHT! Give me a glass."
"Now Jane, was that so hard?"
"Seriously, Ma?"
"Have a good day dear."
Jane rolls her eyes as she runs out the door. She wants to catch Maura at her locker before classes started. Jane makes it to school and doesn't see Maura. Jane stops at her own locker and quickly heads to her first class, the AP Psychology class, and finds Maura in her seat.
"Hey."
"Good morning, Jane. Did eat a nutritious breakfast? Did you know that students do better on tests when they get a good night's sleep and eat a good breakfast?"
"Suuuure I did. Are you ready, Maura? What am I asking, of course you're ready. Let's get this over with!"
The girls settle in their seats and soon the teacher passes out the tests and gives the instructions. For ninety minutes, Jane works diligently on the test. She sneaks a peak at Maura after 75 minutes and sees Maura's test face down on the desk with Maura's hands folded on top. Jane rolls her eyes and continues her test.
"Time."
Jane puts her pencil down and breathes a sigh of relief. Whew! I think I did ok, maybe not an A, but ok.
The bell rings and the girls file out to their next class. "Hey, Maura. I have to meet with Coach Dowd at lunch to talk about defense strategies. I'll pick you up tonight at six thirty?"
"All right, Jane. I will see you then. I'm very excited about seeing the movie."
Jane smiles as she runs down the hall. She's looking forward to going on a movie date with Maura. What? No, it's not a movie DATE. I'm JUST going to the movies with Maura. We're hanging out together tonight. As friends. Period.
Jane shakes her head. It's amazing, the day seems to crawl by, but all of a sudden it's six o'clock and she's on her knees looking under her bed. "Ma! Have you seen my black boots?"
"Aren't they in your closet?"
"No, Ma!"
"Well, if you put them away in your closet like you should, you wouldn't be looking for them now."
Jane growls. She hates when her mother is right. "I know, Ma, but could you maybe help me look for them?"
Jane and her mother tear her room apart and then head downstairs to look in the living room. Tommy is sitting on the couch playing Nintendo.
"Tommy. Tommy." Jane throws a sofa pillow at him. "TOMMY!"
"What!"
"Have you seen my boots?"
"I don't know."
"What do you mean, 'I don't know'?"
"Look in the basket behind the couch. Last time it was my turn to clean, I threw everything in the basket and hid it behind the couch."
Jane and her mother look behind the couch and sure enough, there is a basket filled with dirty socks, a baseball glove, library book, and Jane's boots.
Angela shakes her head as Jane puts on her boots. "I don't know if I should yell at him or tell him good job. At least the living room is clean."
"Ma, he hid everything behind the couch."
"Jane, I think it's rather creative."
"Whatever, Ma. I'll be home by midnight."
"Have a good time dear. Drive carefully."
Jane grabs the car keys and heads out She makes it to Maura's house at 6:26 without speeding, well, without speeding much. She walks up to Maura's door and rings the bell. She nervously shuffles her feet until Maura opens the door.
"Hi, Jane. Please come in while I get my jacket."
"Hey, Maura." Jane smiles at Maura as she enters the house. Maura is dressed casual - for Maura, designer jeans and sweater. She is SO pretty! Why am I noticing these things?
"I'm ready, Jane. Jane?"
Jane shakes her head to clear it and opens the door for Maura. "Your chariot awaits, Maura."
"Chariot? Are we taking a horse-drawn carriage ride, Jane? I thought you were borrowing your father's car?"
Jane rolls her eyes. "It's a figure of speech, Maura. I did borrow my dad's car."
"Ah. I do find contemporary slangs and figures of speech somewhat challenging in conversations."
"Really? I never noticed." Jane smiles.
The drive to the theater is filled with Maura giving Jane the history of films.
"Did you know the first 'talkie' film was, The Jazz Singer? It was released in October, 1927."
"Did you know the first full length, color film, was Becky Sharp."
"Did you know that Charlie Chaplin's full name is, Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin?"
"Did you know... "
"Oh, look Maura, We're here! Why don't you go buy the tickets and I'll stand in line and get some snacks?"
"All right. Can you get me an apple or some other fruit please?"
"You don't go to the movies much, do ya, Maur?"
"Is it that obvious?"
"Maura, you are going to have the full movie experience tonight, I promise!" Jane smiles at Maura as they go their separate ways.
When Maura next sees Jane, Jane has her arms full of snacks and drinks. "I wasn't sure what you liked, so I bought Skittles, Milky Ways. a Coke and you always have to have buttered popcorn when you go to the movies."
Maura looks doubtful at the choices in Jane's arm. "I don't see much in the way of nutritional value, Jane."
"Maura. I told you that you are going to experience the movies fully and that means JUNK FOOD! Relax and enjoy, Maura."
The girls walk into the movie theater and see someone waving at them.
"Oh, look Jane. It's Allie and Barry!" Maura waves back and moves to sit next to them.
Jane leans over to look at Barry; she raises an eyebrow and smirks. "What a nice surprise to see you here. Isn't the new Batman movie playing?"
Barry scowls and sinks lower in his seat. Allie smiles at Jane, "Yes, but I told Barry that I really, really wanted to see this movie and he said ok."
"Awww, Barry. You are just so sweet." Jane leans back in her seat as the previews start. At least I'm not the only one whipped.
Everyone watches the movie. Jane watches the movie and watches Maura watching the movie. She loves to see Maura laugh at Will Smith and pop buttered popcorn in her mouth. I'm watching her watch the movie. Sigh. Admit it to yourself Rizzoli, you like her more than a friend. Stupid romantic comedy!
The lights come on at the end of the movie and the friends discuss how fun the movie was. Even Jane and Barry whispered to each other that they actually enjoyed it.
"So, what are you two gonna do now? Want to go with us for a pizza or something?"
"Thank you, Barry, but I'm expecting a phone call from my parents, so should go home."
"Ok. Well, see ya on Monday."
Jane drives Maura back to her parent's house. Maura is still chatting about the movie as Jane walks her up the steps. "Do you want to come inside, Jane?"
"Na, I gotta get home soon before Ma starts to worry."
Maura is fiddling with her keys and thanking Jane once again for going to the movies with her.
Without conscious effort or thought, Jane is leaning closer to Maura, about 90% closer.
She closes her eyes.
And feels soft lips press against hers.
She opens her eyes as she hears the keys in the door. Maura looks back over her shoulder and smiles. "Good night, Jane."
"Good night, Maura."
The door closes. Jane grins and punches her fist into the air. "Yes!"