"How would you like to go out sometime? Maybe to the Dairi Burger
or out for a cup of coffee?" Jessica smiled brightly and ran her
fingers through her hair.
"I'm sure the water fountain is very flattered," Lila said giggling.
"Very funny," Jessica said putting her hands on her hips.
"So, you're going to ask Ken out?" Lila said giving Jessica a knowing
smile.
"Yeah, but I'm really nervous…I guess I'm starting to see Ken as
maybe more than a friend."
Lila smiled. "I'm so happy for you. You guys are going to be the
'it couple'!"
"What if he says no?" Jessica said pausing outside the cafeteria
door.
"He's not going to say no," Lila said giving her a shove. "Now go
ask him out!"
Jessica walked slowly into the cafeteria, hugging her books to her
chest. Why was she nervous? She was never nervous around guys.
She saw Ken sitting at a table towards the back of the room with a
petite brunette that Jessica vaguely remembered seeing at
cheerleading tryouts. She was a sophomore and one the junior varsity
squad, Mandy, or something like that.
"Hey Ken!" Jessica said smiling brightly and she sat down across
from him. "How's it going?"
"Hey," Ken said surprised. "Haven't talked to you in a while."
"Yeah, well…you know. I've just been…around." Jessica cleared her
throat. "Listen, there's something I really want to talk to you about."
"Okay," Ken said smiling at her. "What is it?"
"I kind of need to talk to you alone," she said giving a pointed
glance 'Mandy'.
"It's okay, I don't mind," the girl said smiling brightly. "Ken and I were
having lunch." She giggled and raised her shoulder, causing her shirt
to fall off her shoulder, revealing her pink bra strap.
"Isn't that nice," Jessica said sneering. She gave Ken a look.
"Uh, Sandy. I'll catch up with you later," Ken said looking apologetic.
"Sure," Sandy said huffily.
"Listen, I'm sorry. I'll give you a call."
Sandy smiled and gathered her books. "Sure." She gave her shirt a
tug, giving Ken, and Jessica, and eyeful. "Bye, Ken."
Ken looked after her then turned to Jessica.
Jessica was confused. She was so sure that Ken liked her. Actually,
she was portative he did."
"So, uh, you and Sandy. She seems…rounded."
"Yeah, she's great. Listen, I heard about you and Jason…not
working out."
"I guess some things aren't meant to be," Jessica said lightly.
"You deserve a lot better than him."
"Really?" Jessica said smiling seductively.
"Maybe some day you'll find someone great, like Sandy."
"You know, she doesn't seem like your type."
"Actually, I liked this other girl, really popular, really sweet and
pretty. But she made it pretty clear that all I am is a friend to her."
Ken gave Jessica semi-smile, then walked away to go join Sandy.

"You know Conner, I'm beginning to think you made this girl up,
no one's that great," Evan said.
"I think she's standing Conner up," Andy teased.
"She said she's going to be here, so she's going to be here,"
Conner said.
"Yeah, because she's like, so trustworthy," Tia sneered.
"Tia, you've seen her," Evan said. "What's she like?"
"She didn't seem that great to me. She was kind of the bland
stereotypical California girl. Nothing special."
"She's gorgeous," Conner corrected. Suddenly he saw her walk
through the door. He blinked, she looked awesome. She was
wearing a strapless lavender dress and her hair fell in soft curls
around her shoulders. "There she is," he whispered and gestured.
Evan choked on his punch.
"Fantabulus," Andy breathed.
Conner saw Will Simmons do a double take."
"Wow…" Angel said. "Ow! Tia!" he said rubbing his arm where
Tia had smacked him. "Let a guy finish his sentences! I was
going
to say, 'Wow, she's not that great.'"
"Hey Conner," Elizabeth said coming up behind him and wrapping
her arms around his waist.
"Hey," he said smiling at her. Conner smirked when he saw that Angel,
Evan, and Andy were practically drooling.
"Come on, Angel," Tia said through clenched teeth. "Let's dance."
"Hey, you want to dance?" he said taking her hand.
"Sure," she said smiling slightly. It was a slow song and Elizabeth
closed her eyes, enjoying the feeling of being in Conner's arms.
"Listen, there's something I need to tell you," she said not looking
directly into his eyes. "This is probably the hardest thing I've ever
had to say but…"
"You're going to stay with Todd?" Conner said coldly.
Elizabeth nodded. "It wasn't easy…but I think this is the best thing
for both of us."
"Right," Conner said icily.
"Please don't be mad," Elizabeth pleaded. "I care about you so
much…I love you Conner. In a way, you're my soulmate."
"So, don't leave me," he said embarrassing himself with how
pathetic he sounded.
"Todd is my best friend. And I love him too. We're so right for
each other. I'm really sorry."
Conner brought her closer. "I love you, too. Will you stay for
the rest of the dance?"
Elizabeth nodded. "Yes, but then we can't see each other again."
The closing chords of 'I Will Always Love You,' sounded and Elizabeth
and Conner continued to stay wrapped in each others arms for the
last time.

"So he told you he liked you?" Lila said stirring her coffee.
"Not directly," Jessica said quietly. Lila had brought her to the House
of Java to vent her problems over a cappuccino.
"Basically, he meant that I waited to long and he moved on."
"With Sandy Jenkins though? How sad. He's obviously trying to make
you jealous."
"She was like all over him. And it was disgusting when she pulled down
on her shirt. It was like, 'Look, Ken. I have breasts!' It was so pathetic."
"Oh, come on!" Lila said rolling her eyes. "He's totally into you."
"Look, it doesn't matter anymore," Jessica said. "I'm through with him."
Lila gave Jessica a sympathetic gaze. "I'm sorry, but I'm going to have
to run. I have a massage in ten minutes!"
Lila hurried out of the coffee shop and Jessica sat by herself, staring
at her coffee.
"Can I get you anything else?" a deep voice said and Jessica looked up
to see the waiter. She recognized him as the guy she had flirted with
at the concert.
"Uh…no," she said listlessly.
The guy sat down in that chair that Lila had occupied. "I don't mean to
be nosy, but are you okay? You look kind of down."
Jessica stared at the guy. He was kind of cute. She gave him a bright
smile. "I'm okay. Two guys have rejected me in the space of a week…but
hey. I'm not upset!"
"What guy would turn you down?" the guy said incredulously.
Jessica blushed. "By the way, I'm Jessica Wakefield."
"Jeremy Aames."

That's the end! Look for a new story by me called Summer Nights.