Seated at the lunch table, Hamilton looked at Jake. "I assumed you'd want to work with me?" He said.
"I guess." Jake replied smiling back at him.
"Want to start tonight?" Hamilton winked at her.
"Ahem" Scout interrupted. "I'm eating here."
"Jealous?" Jake asked him.
"Of course." Scout admitted.
Melanie carried her tray across the cafeteria and found the smiling group. She set her tray down. "Hi."
"Hi," Scout said enthusiastically. "Would you like to join us?"
Jake and Hamilton looked at Scout. Melanie didn't answer him, she simply pulled out an empty chair and sat next to Hamilton.
"So, Melanie...what brings you here to New Rawley?" Scout asked.
Melanie ignored his question and focused on the side of Hamilton's face. "Mr. Finn said that I could get a tutor to help me catch up in English." Melanie started, seemingly unaware of the other two at the table. "Could you tutor me?"
Jake exaggeratedly pretended to choke on her bite.
"Not if you plan on passing." Hamilton said sarcastically as he smiled at Jake.
"I would be willing to help you." Scout said as he sat up straighter in his chair, "I'm doing very well in English.
Melanie ignored him. "Would you think about it Hamilton...I really need the help."
"You can sign up for a tutor through the English department, I know Will Krudski is a great tutor." Jake said.
"Will Krudski...yes...he's my roommate, not to mention a close personal friend, I'm sure that I could..." Scout's words were cut off.
"I really need your help Hamilton. You're my only friend here at the moment. You're the only one I'd feel comfortable with." Melanie batted her eyes at him.
Jake stretched out her long legs and gently kicked Hamilton under the lunch room table. Hamilton stifled a grin.
"Look, Melanie...I don't mean to be rude...but, I have a lot of things going on here and even if I could tutor you in English...I just don't have the time right now. Sign up through the English department...or talk to Will. That's my best suggestion." Hamilton said matter-of-factly and he resumed eating his lunch.
Melanie slipped her hand under the table and placed it on Hamilton's thigh. "At least think about it." She said sweetly.
Jake was seething in her own seat. Scout watched Jake's reaction and glared his eyes at her...he shook his head slightly reminding her to be cool...not to give away her charade.
Jake got up from the table and took her tray to the trash. She dumped its contents and walked toward the exit door of the dining hall.
Hamilton sighed out loud. "Damn" He said under his breath.
"Well, this has been pleasant. If you change your mind Melanie..." Scout began and decided to save his breath. She wasn't noticing him anyway. Scout got up from the table as well, he gave Hamilton a look that Hamilton interpreted as, Don't worry...I'll find her and make sure she's ok. "See ya later at the diner" Scout said to Hamilton.
"Thanks, man." Hamilton responded. Hamilton turned to face Melanie.
"What's up at the diner?" Melanie said in a perky tone, oblivious to the events that had gone on before.
"Melanie..." Hamilton turned to face her. He thought for a moment unsure of what he should say. "I didn't want to be rude before...but...I need you to listen very carefully to what I'm saying...Ok?"
Melanie looked into his sapphire eyes...she was completely mesmerized. "Sure." She said in a soft moaning tone.
"I can't help you. I don't want to be your English partner. I don't want to be your tutor. And, I am not your friend. Please..." He stopped.
"My God, you have the most beautiful blue eyes I've ever seen." She said smiling at him.
Hamilton sat stunned. He shook his head, picked up his tray and left her sitting alone at the table.
******************************
Scout headed for Jake's room. He knocked on the door. "Jake?" He said.
Jake opened the door. Her reddened eyes made it obvious to him that she'd been crying. Scout stepped through the door and closed it behind him.
"Jake...come on. Don't worry...really. Fleming is head over heels...nuts about you. And, ONLY you. Trust me." He said.
"How can I compete with her?" Jake stuttered. "She's beautiful. Every guy on campus is drooling over her. And she's falling all over Hamilton."
"You don't have to compete with anybody. And yes, some of us are drooling...but Ham's not. He's not even looking twice." Scout tried to reassure her.
"Look at me." She said as she glanced in the mirror. "Why would anyone want me when they could have someone like her?" A single tear fell down her cheek as she looked at her masculine reflection.
Scout stood behind her in the mirror. He placed his hands around her waist and gave her a gentle hug. "Give that guy some credit will you. You're beautiful inside an out. Hamilton knows that...Will and I know that. Bella knows that too. We like what we see. But Hamilton...that guy LOVES what he sees."
"Really?" She asked, grinning slightly
.
"Really." He said. "So...are you OK?"
"I guess." Jake responded, " I trust Hamilton. I'm just not so sure that I trust Melanie."
Scout smiled at her. "I gotta run...I'll see you later at Friendly's?" He said moving toward the door.
Jake nodded her head. "Scout..." Scout turned around. "Thanks." She said smiling at him.
Scout winked at her and left.
******************************
The crowd was exceptionally light at Friendly's that evening. Will stood at the head of the booth, an apron wrapped around his waist. He took Jake's order. Jake was seated next to Hamilton and across from Bella. Scout was behind the counter topping ice-cream sundaes with mountains of whipped cream. "It's almost closing." Will said. "But I think I can get that fountain guy to squeeze in one more." Will said with a grin.
"Thanks Will." Jake said.
"So...what's up?" Bella asked. They had come to use the diner as their own local meeting spot. Since Bella attended a different High School she didn't get to see as much of her friends as she would have liked during the week. The five tried to meet here as often as they could.
"Not much, really." Jake answered.
Hamilton looked at Jake. He was surprised that she wasn't filling Bella in on Melanie and the days events. He thought that might be a good thing...maybe Jake had finally cooled off a bit.
Scout approached the table with a dripping ice-cream sundae in hand. "Made with love..." He said as he set it down in front of Jake.
"Hey Calhoun...are you flirting with my girl?" Hamilton said smiling.
Scout looked at Jake and smiled. Jake smiled back.
"Thanks Scout." Jake took the cherry from the top of the sundae and automatically held it up to Hamilton. Hamilton responded by opening his mouth and allowing her to drop the cherry in. He secured it between his teeth and she pulled off the stem.
"You two better be careful." Bella said as she smiled. "Ryder is sitting right over there." Bella pointed to the stools that surrounded the counter.
Jake and Hamilton looked over their shoulders, and then at each other. "Ooops," Jake said as she grinned.
The little bell on the top of Friendly's door jingled announcing another customer.
"Oh my God" Bella said as she looked at the newest patron. She wore a short leather mini skirt and a powder blue tank top that was, in Bella's opinion, cut way to low in the front.
"What?" Jake asked. Before Jake had a chance to turn around...Melanie was standing at the end of the booth.
"Hi Hamilton" She smiled.
Hamilton looked down and gave out a long exhale. "Hi." He said.
"Fancy running into you here tonight." Melanie said.
"Not really...considering you heard us talking about coming here earlier today." Hamilton said sarcastically. Jake had to turn her head away to keep from grinning.
"Can I join you?" She said as she seated herself next to Bella.
"Hi. I'm Bella Banks." Bella said as she extended her hand.
Melanie didn't even turn her head to look in Bella's direction. "I was thinking about you this evening Hamilton. I don't really know my way around here yet...and I was thinking you could show me the sights."
"Welcome to New Rawley.." Hamilton said, "Where there are no sights."
"Well, maybe a movie or something. I'm free tomorrow night."
"I'm not" Hamilton responded.
Bella sat in stunned silence. Who was this girl? And, why was she flirting with Hamilton right in front of Jake? Of course, she thought. She forgot sometimes that only a select few knew Jake's secret.
Bella looked at Jake and saw the daggers in her eyes. "Hamilton...you already have a date tomorrow don't you? With your GIRLFRIEND?" Bella said, emphasizing the word, girlfriend.
"Uh huh." Hamilton replied.
"Is there a movie theater around here?" Melanie asked him.
"Uh huh" Hamilton said...knowing it was pointless to talk to this girl.
"Hello...." Bella said trying to get Melanie's attention. Bella felt compelled to fight on behalf of her best friend, especially since she was not in a position to fight for herself a the moment.
"Do you want to pick me up...or should I pick you up?" Melanie asked.
"Neither..." Bella chimed in. "He's not going to the movies with you...tomorrow night or any night."
"I just bet you like action movies." Melanie said as she reached her finger into Hamilton's empty ice-cream dish and removed the last bit of fudge. She put her finger into her mouth and slowly extracted it. "I like action too." She smiled.
Bella's mouth fell open. She looked at Jake who's teeth were clenched together tightly.
"What is your problem?" Bella said as she grabbed the girls shoulder. Finally Melanie looked at her.
"What?" Melanie barked at her. "Remove your hand from me." She said her sweetened voice now a full octave lower.
"Remove yourself from our table." Bella said holding her own.
Will and Scout had busied themselves cleaning up the restaurant in time for closing.
"Ryder...do you want anything else?" Scout asked him.
"Maybe a saucer of milk for table two." Ryder said watching the whole show with a smile.
"What?" Scout asked, now following Ryder's stare. "Damn," Scout remarked.
Will beat Scout to the booth. "Closing time kids. School day tomorrow" He said trying to lighten the mood.
"Hamilton will you walk me back to the dorm. I'm afraid I'll get lost in the dark." Melanie said.
Jake sighed out loud. She wanted to say something. Instead she folded her arms across her chest and seethed.
"Ryder can probably give you a ride back. I'm sure he wouldn't mind." Hamilton said as he stood up.
Hearing that Ryder approached the table. "I'd be happy too accommodate you Melanie." He smiled at her. She didn't look up.
Melanie stood up from the booth. "Well, Munchie...I'll give you a call later. Ok?"
"Don't waste your time" Bella said. Melanie ignored Bella again. "He's taken." She said for emphasis.
"He certainly is." Melanie said. She extended her finger and ran it under Hamilton's chin. She walked past Ryder and out the door.
"Who...or what...was that?" Bella said her eyes bulging and her mouth still open.
"That...was Melanie." Jake said with an obviously uncomfortable look. "Quite a piece of work isn't she."
"She certainly is." Ryder said smiling.
"Not exactly what I was thinking." Bella said blushing. She smiled at Jake. Jake returned the grin.
Hamilton walked Jake back to her dorm. "Can I come in for a little while?" Hamilton asked.
"If you want." Jake answered less than enthusiastically. The pair walked up the steps and quickly walked the length of the familiar corridor that led to Jake's room.
"Jake...come on. Don't worry about her. She'll eventually give up and go away." Hamilton said.
"Don't be so sure. She strikes me as someone who goes after what she wants and then gets it." Jake said pacing. Hamilton sat down at Jake's desk.
"You don't have to worry." He said.
"Who says I'm worried."
Hamilton laughed. He stood up and went to Jake encircling his arms around her. "You're the only girl I want." He said kissing her forehead. He hugged her tighter. "I love you."
Jake buried her face into his shoulder so that he wouldn't see her worried look. She didn't doubt that he loved her or that she loved him. She just hoped that would be enough.
The inclement weather had not lent itself to an outdoor English session. The dismal day saw Finn standing in front of a less than enthusiastic class. Finn seated himself on the edge of his desk. He held his paperback copy of Othello and bookmarked the page with his finger. "Although Othello is an accomplished professional soldier and a hero of sorts, he is also a minority and an outcast in many ways. He was a black man and he was a Moor." Finn saw the puzzled look on more than a few faces. "Which means he was a Moslem. He was married to a caucasion woman named Desdemona. Something not as readily accepted in Elizabethan times as it may be in today's society. Hence, the derogatory remark, 'the ram hath topped the ewe'."
Finn heard the chuckles coming from the back of the room, prompting him to chuckle too. "Mr Fleming, how do you think Othello felt? How do you think he dealt with being considered an outcast?"
Hamilton fidgeted in his seat. "Maybe he took up photography?" Scout smiled and Will covered his mouth to keep from laughing. Jake didn't laugh. She thought it was somehow sad that Hamilton felt he could relate to being different. He had always felt removed from the group just because he was The Dean's son.
Finn smiled. "Mr Pratt. Any thoughts on the subject?"
Jake thought for a moment. "I think everyone feels like like they don't belong at some point in their lives. But, once you find something or someone..." She avoided looking at Hamilton although she wanted to. "...special in your life, it helps to make you feel included...or like you fit in."
"Very good, Mr Pratt Now, before we end for today... is there anyone else without a partner for the essay assignment?" No one responded. "Ok...Ms Manos...why don't you work in a threesome with..." He scanned the group. Hamilton lowered himself down in his seat hoping to disapear from the other contenders. Jake's stomach knotted tightly. "...Mr Pratt and Mr Fleming."
"Great..." Melanie smiled and winked as she glanced over at Hamilton.
"Great" Jake mumbled into her hand.
Hamilton ran again to catch up with the sprinting Jake.
"Jake, would you stop worring. I'm not the least bit interested in her."
"But...she's interested in you!" Jake protested.
"So what. Look, there's only one girl I'm interested in." He lowered his voice. Hamilton wished he could reach out an fold her into his arms. He wished he could kiss her...touch her. But, they were on the front steps of Rawley Academy and they both knew that was impossible.
"Look, I'll see you tonight. Ok? Hamilton asked.
"Ok." Jake said. "I'm looking forward to spending a little quality time with you anyway...Munchie." Jake mimicked.
"I could almost learn to like the way it sounds when you say it." Hamilton grinned.
"Bring your book with you." Jake reminded him.
"Why?" He asked
"It'll be easier to study that way." Jake shook her head and laughed as she answered him.
"Right..." Hamilton drew out the word.
******************************
Later in the evening Hamilton had arrived in Jake's dorm room, book in hand. He kissed her lightly on the lips and she responded with a soft moan. "So, what do you want to study first?" He winked at her.
"Hamilton...I'm sorry." She said.
"Sorry?"
"I know I've really been a real jerk about Melanie." Jake looked down embarressed. "It's just that I can't stand to see her throwing herself at you."
"Throwing herself is OK...as long as I don't catch her, right?" He said smiling. "Jake...what do I have to do to make you believe that I don't care about her?"
Jake looked into his eyes, "Care about me?" She said softly.
Hamilton reached for Jake without hesitation. He enveloped her into his outstretched arms and kissed her forehead. "I do." He whispered softly into her hair. He pulled her body into his. He hugged her as if he would never let her go. He loosened his hold and looked at her face. "I love you." He said. "I love YOU Jake" He said again. "Are you listening...I love you!!!" He said getting slightly louder each time.
"Shhh" Jake whispered. "Someone will hear you."
"I want you to hear me. Can you? Can YOU hear me?" He asked raising his voice again.
Jake nodded her head. "I know...and I love you too." She said as she playfully put her hand over his mouth.
"I'm sorry...what did you say?" Hamilton put his hand to his ear.
Jake grinned, "I love you too."
"What?" He laughed.
"Stop it Hamilton." She giggled. Hamilton pulled her mouth to his. He held her tightly as his tongue reached out to melt with hers. Hamilton walked forward, backing Jake up in the process. She felt the back of her knees against her bed. Hamilton pressed his body into hers and she fell backward pulling him down on top of her. They laughed once more and then their lips met again.
"I guess." Jake replied smiling back at him.
"Want to start tonight?" Hamilton winked at her.
"Ahem" Scout interrupted. "I'm eating here."
"Jealous?" Jake asked him.
"Of course." Scout admitted.
Melanie carried her tray across the cafeteria and found the smiling group. She set her tray down. "Hi."
"Hi," Scout said enthusiastically. "Would you like to join us?"
Jake and Hamilton looked at Scout. Melanie didn't answer him, she simply pulled out an empty chair and sat next to Hamilton.
"So, Melanie...what brings you here to New Rawley?" Scout asked.
Melanie ignored his question and focused on the side of Hamilton's face. "Mr. Finn said that I could get a tutor to help me catch up in English." Melanie started, seemingly unaware of the other two at the table. "Could you tutor me?"
Jake exaggeratedly pretended to choke on her bite.
"Not if you plan on passing." Hamilton said sarcastically as he smiled at Jake.
"I would be willing to help you." Scout said as he sat up straighter in his chair, "I'm doing very well in English.
Melanie ignored him. "Would you think about it Hamilton...I really need the help."
"You can sign up for a tutor through the English department, I know Will Krudski is a great tutor." Jake said.
"Will Krudski...yes...he's my roommate, not to mention a close personal friend, I'm sure that I could..." Scout's words were cut off.
"I really need your help Hamilton. You're my only friend here at the moment. You're the only one I'd feel comfortable with." Melanie batted her eyes at him.
Jake stretched out her long legs and gently kicked Hamilton under the lunch room table. Hamilton stifled a grin.
"Look, Melanie...I don't mean to be rude...but, I have a lot of things going on here and even if I could tutor you in English...I just don't have the time right now. Sign up through the English department...or talk to Will. That's my best suggestion." Hamilton said matter-of-factly and he resumed eating his lunch.
Melanie slipped her hand under the table and placed it on Hamilton's thigh. "At least think about it." She said sweetly.
Jake was seething in her own seat. Scout watched Jake's reaction and glared his eyes at her...he shook his head slightly reminding her to be cool...not to give away her charade.
Jake got up from the table and took her tray to the trash. She dumped its contents and walked toward the exit door of the dining hall.
Hamilton sighed out loud. "Damn" He said under his breath.
"Well, this has been pleasant. If you change your mind Melanie..." Scout began and decided to save his breath. She wasn't noticing him anyway. Scout got up from the table as well, he gave Hamilton a look that Hamilton interpreted as, Don't worry...I'll find her and make sure she's ok. "See ya later at the diner" Scout said to Hamilton.
"Thanks, man." Hamilton responded. Hamilton turned to face Melanie.
"What's up at the diner?" Melanie said in a perky tone, oblivious to the events that had gone on before.
"Melanie..." Hamilton turned to face her. He thought for a moment unsure of what he should say. "I didn't want to be rude before...but...I need you to listen very carefully to what I'm saying...Ok?"
Melanie looked into his sapphire eyes...she was completely mesmerized. "Sure." She said in a soft moaning tone.
"I can't help you. I don't want to be your English partner. I don't want to be your tutor. And, I am not your friend. Please..." He stopped.
"My God, you have the most beautiful blue eyes I've ever seen." She said smiling at him.
Hamilton sat stunned. He shook his head, picked up his tray and left her sitting alone at the table.
******************************
Scout headed for Jake's room. He knocked on the door. "Jake?" He said.
Jake opened the door. Her reddened eyes made it obvious to him that she'd been crying. Scout stepped through the door and closed it behind him.
"Jake...come on. Don't worry...really. Fleming is head over heels...nuts about you. And, ONLY you. Trust me." He said.
"How can I compete with her?" Jake stuttered. "She's beautiful. Every guy on campus is drooling over her. And she's falling all over Hamilton."
"You don't have to compete with anybody. And yes, some of us are drooling...but Ham's not. He's not even looking twice." Scout tried to reassure her.
"Look at me." She said as she glanced in the mirror. "Why would anyone want me when they could have someone like her?" A single tear fell down her cheek as she looked at her masculine reflection.
Scout stood behind her in the mirror. He placed his hands around her waist and gave her a gentle hug. "Give that guy some credit will you. You're beautiful inside an out. Hamilton knows that...Will and I know that. Bella knows that too. We like what we see. But Hamilton...that guy LOVES what he sees."
"Really?" She asked, grinning slightly
.
"Really." He said. "So...are you OK?"
"I guess." Jake responded, " I trust Hamilton. I'm just not so sure that I trust Melanie."
Scout smiled at her. "I gotta run...I'll see you later at Friendly's?" He said moving toward the door.
Jake nodded her head. "Scout..." Scout turned around. "Thanks." She said smiling at him.
Scout winked at her and left.
******************************
The crowd was exceptionally light at Friendly's that evening. Will stood at the head of the booth, an apron wrapped around his waist. He took Jake's order. Jake was seated next to Hamilton and across from Bella. Scout was behind the counter topping ice-cream sundaes with mountains of whipped cream. "It's almost closing." Will said. "But I think I can get that fountain guy to squeeze in one more." Will said with a grin.
"Thanks Will." Jake said.
"So...what's up?" Bella asked. They had come to use the diner as their own local meeting spot. Since Bella attended a different High School she didn't get to see as much of her friends as she would have liked during the week. The five tried to meet here as often as they could.
"Not much, really." Jake answered.
Hamilton looked at Jake. He was surprised that she wasn't filling Bella in on Melanie and the days events. He thought that might be a good thing...maybe Jake had finally cooled off a bit.
Scout approached the table with a dripping ice-cream sundae in hand. "Made with love..." He said as he set it down in front of Jake.
"Hey Calhoun...are you flirting with my girl?" Hamilton said smiling.
Scout looked at Jake and smiled. Jake smiled back.
"Thanks Scout." Jake took the cherry from the top of the sundae and automatically held it up to Hamilton. Hamilton responded by opening his mouth and allowing her to drop the cherry in. He secured it between his teeth and she pulled off the stem.
"You two better be careful." Bella said as she smiled. "Ryder is sitting right over there." Bella pointed to the stools that surrounded the counter.
Jake and Hamilton looked over their shoulders, and then at each other. "Ooops," Jake said as she grinned.
The little bell on the top of Friendly's door jingled announcing another customer.
"Oh my God" Bella said as she looked at the newest patron. She wore a short leather mini skirt and a powder blue tank top that was, in Bella's opinion, cut way to low in the front.
"What?" Jake asked. Before Jake had a chance to turn around...Melanie was standing at the end of the booth.
"Hi Hamilton" She smiled.
Hamilton looked down and gave out a long exhale. "Hi." He said.
"Fancy running into you here tonight." Melanie said.
"Not really...considering you heard us talking about coming here earlier today." Hamilton said sarcastically. Jake had to turn her head away to keep from grinning.
"Can I join you?" She said as she seated herself next to Bella.
"Hi. I'm Bella Banks." Bella said as she extended her hand.
Melanie didn't even turn her head to look in Bella's direction. "I was thinking about you this evening Hamilton. I don't really know my way around here yet...and I was thinking you could show me the sights."
"Welcome to New Rawley.." Hamilton said, "Where there are no sights."
"Well, maybe a movie or something. I'm free tomorrow night."
"I'm not" Hamilton responded.
Bella sat in stunned silence. Who was this girl? And, why was she flirting with Hamilton right in front of Jake? Of course, she thought. She forgot sometimes that only a select few knew Jake's secret.
Bella looked at Jake and saw the daggers in her eyes. "Hamilton...you already have a date tomorrow don't you? With your GIRLFRIEND?" Bella said, emphasizing the word, girlfriend.
"Uh huh." Hamilton replied.
"Is there a movie theater around here?" Melanie asked him.
"Uh huh" Hamilton said...knowing it was pointless to talk to this girl.
"Hello...." Bella said trying to get Melanie's attention. Bella felt compelled to fight on behalf of her best friend, especially since she was not in a position to fight for herself a the moment.
"Do you want to pick me up...or should I pick you up?" Melanie asked.
"Neither..." Bella chimed in. "He's not going to the movies with you...tomorrow night or any night."
"I just bet you like action movies." Melanie said as she reached her finger into Hamilton's empty ice-cream dish and removed the last bit of fudge. She put her finger into her mouth and slowly extracted it. "I like action too." She smiled.
Bella's mouth fell open. She looked at Jake who's teeth were clenched together tightly.
"What is your problem?" Bella said as she grabbed the girls shoulder. Finally Melanie looked at her.
"What?" Melanie barked at her. "Remove your hand from me." She said her sweetened voice now a full octave lower.
"Remove yourself from our table." Bella said holding her own.
Will and Scout had busied themselves cleaning up the restaurant in time for closing.
"Ryder...do you want anything else?" Scout asked him.
"Maybe a saucer of milk for table two." Ryder said watching the whole show with a smile.
"What?" Scout asked, now following Ryder's stare. "Damn," Scout remarked.
Will beat Scout to the booth. "Closing time kids. School day tomorrow" He said trying to lighten the mood.
"Hamilton will you walk me back to the dorm. I'm afraid I'll get lost in the dark." Melanie said.
Jake sighed out loud. She wanted to say something. Instead she folded her arms across her chest and seethed.
"Ryder can probably give you a ride back. I'm sure he wouldn't mind." Hamilton said as he stood up.
Hearing that Ryder approached the table. "I'd be happy too accommodate you Melanie." He smiled at her. She didn't look up.
Melanie stood up from the booth. "Well, Munchie...I'll give you a call later. Ok?"
"Don't waste your time" Bella said. Melanie ignored Bella again. "He's taken." She said for emphasis.
"He certainly is." Melanie said. She extended her finger and ran it under Hamilton's chin. She walked past Ryder and out the door.
"Who...or what...was that?" Bella said her eyes bulging and her mouth still open.
"That...was Melanie." Jake said with an obviously uncomfortable look. "Quite a piece of work isn't she."
"She certainly is." Ryder said smiling.
"Not exactly what I was thinking." Bella said blushing. She smiled at Jake. Jake returned the grin.
Hamilton walked Jake back to her dorm. "Can I come in for a little while?" Hamilton asked.
"If you want." Jake answered less than enthusiastically. The pair walked up the steps and quickly walked the length of the familiar corridor that led to Jake's room.
"Jake...come on. Don't worry about her. She'll eventually give up and go away." Hamilton said.
"Don't be so sure. She strikes me as someone who goes after what she wants and then gets it." Jake said pacing. Hamilton sat down at Jake's desk.
"You don't have to worry." He said.
"Who says I'm worried."
Hamilton laughed. He stood up and went to Jake encircling his arms around her. "You're the only girl I want." He said kissing her forehead. He hugged her tighter. "I love you."
Jake buried her face into his shoulder so that he wouldn't see her worried look. She didn't doubt that he loved her or that she loved him. She just hoped that would be enough.
The inclement weather had not lent itself to an outdoor English session. The dismal day saw Finn standing in front of a less than enthusiastic class. Finn seated himself on the edge of his desk. He held his paperback copy of Othello and bookmarked the page with his finger. "Although Othello is an accomplished professional soldier and a hero of sorts, he is also a minority and an outcast in many ways. He was a black man and he was a Moor." Finn saw the puzzled look on more than a few faces. "Which means he was a Moslem. He was married to a caucasion woman named Desdemona. Something not as readily accepted in Elizabethan times as it may be in today's society. Hence, the derogatory remark, 'the ram hath topped the ewe'."
Finn heard the chuckles coming from the back of the room, prompting him to chuckle too. "Mr Fleming, how do you think Othello felt? How do you think he dealt with being considered an outcast?"
Hamilton fidgeted in his seat. "Maybe he took up photography?" Scout smiled and Will covered his mouth to keep from laughing. Jake didn't laugh. She thought it was somehow sad that Hamilton felt he could relate to being different. He had always felt removed from the group just because he was The Dean's son.
Finn smiled. "Mr Pratt. Any thoughts on the subject?"
Jake thought for a moment. "I think everyone feels like like they don't belong at some point in their lives. But, once you find something or someone..." She avoided looking at Hamilton although she wanted to. "...special in your life, it helps to make you feel included...or like you fit in."
"Very good, Mr Pratt Now, before we end for today... is there anyone else without a partner for the essay assignment?" No one responded. "Ok...Ms Manos...why don't you work in a threesome with..." He scanned the group. Hamilton lowered himself down in his seat hoping to disapear from the other contenders. Jake's stomach knotted tightly. "...Mr Pratt and Mr Fleming."
"Great..." Melanie smiled and winked as she glanced over at Hamilton.
"Great" Jake mumbled into her hand.
Hamilton ran again to catch up with the sprinting Jake.
"Jake, would you stop worring. I'm not the least bit interested in her."
"But...she's interested in you!" Jake protested.
"So what. Look, there's only one girl I'm interested in." He lowered his voice. Hamilton wished he could reach out an fold her into his arms. He wished he could kiss her...touch her. But, they were on the front steps of Rawley Academy and they both knew that was impossible.
"Look, I'll see you tonight. Ok? Hamilton asked.
"Ok." Jake said. "I'm looking forward to spending a little quality time with you anyway...Munchie." Jake mimicked.
"I could almost learn to like the way it sounds when you say it." Hamilton grinned.
"Bring your book with you." Jake reminded him.
"Why?" He asked
"It'll be easier to study that way." Jake shook her head and laughed as she answered him.
"Right..." Hamilton drew out the word.
******************************
Later in the evening Hamilton had arrived in Jake's dorm room, book in hand. He kissed her lightly on the lips and she responded with a soft moan. "So, what do you want to study first?" He winked at her.
"Hamilton...I'm sorry." She said.
"Sorry?"
"I know I've really been a real jerk about Melanie." Jake looked down embarressed. "It's just that I can't stand to see her throwing herself at you."
"Throwing herself is OK...as long as I don't catch her, right?" He said smiling. "Jake...what do I have to do to make you believe that I don't care about her?"
Jake looked into his eyes, "Care about me?" She said softly.
Hamilton reached for Jake without hesitation. He enveloped her into his outstretched arms and kissed her forehead. "I do." He whispered softly into her hair. He pulled her body into his. He hugged her as if he would never let her go. He loosened his hold and looked at her face. "I love you." He said. "I love YOU Jake" He said again. "Are you listening...I love you!!!" He said getting slightly louder each time.
"Shhh" Jake whispered. "Someone will hear you."
"I want you to hear me. Can you? Can YOU hear me?" He asked raising his voice again.
Jake nodded her head. "I know...and I love you too." She said as she playfully put her hand over his mouth.
"I'm sorry...what did you say?" Hamilton put his hand to his ear.
Jake grinned, "I love you too."
"What?" He laughed.
"Stop it Hamilton." She giggled. Hamilton pulled her mouth to his. He held her tightly as his tongue reached out to melt with hers. Hamilton walked forward, backing Jake up in the process. She felt the back of her knees against her bed. Hamilton pressed his body into hers and she fell backward pulling him down on top of her. They laughed once more and then their lips met again.