At seven forty-five JT stood by the arcade in the mall, waiting for Laurel. He tried to ignore Spinner who was making cracks about how she had stood him up. Paige kept scolding him but JT knew she was laughing too. Rolling his eyes he walked towards the door, giving up on his one shot at love.
"Hey JT where are you going?" he heard Laurel ask.
"I was just going to call you and see whether the aliens abducted you or you just didn't feel like coming," he cracked, the bitterness shining through his voice.
"I'm so sorry I'm late it's just that I couldn't decide what to wear and then I got a little lost on my way here," she said, slipping her sunglasses off. JT suddenly noticed her outfit and felt his eyes nearly pop at the sight of her.
"So I take it you like this look?" she asked, twirling around gracefully. Lost for words he nodded. She looked absolutely beautiful in a ruffled periwinkle tank top and crisp black jeans. Her clothes weren't skintight like Paige in Manny's but they did allow a nice peek at her small frame. Her makeup was hardly noticeable and not caked on like frosting.
"Why don't we hit the arcade?" he asked, ready to show Spinner what he was missing out on.
"I love video games!" she exclaimed, making him realize that she was the girl for him. Taking his hand she dragged him over to Spinner and Paige, ready to play.
After nearly an hour of arcade games and mall grazing JT and Laurel sat together on a bench, talking but hardly listening to what the other was saying.
"So do you like Degrassi?" JT asked nervously, his stomach twisting.
"I like it now that I've met you," she said, scooting closer to him.
His stomach afloat JT grabbed her hand and squeezed it gently.
"You definitely brightened up my day. And not just because of your orange hair." Laughing, Laurel leaned over and gave him a quick kiss. JT eagerly kissed back, allowing his mouth to open against hers.
"I should go." Laurel pushed him off and stood, ready to walk away.
Standing JT called after her, "Look if you don't like me you can just tell me okay."
"I like you JT." Laurel walked back over to him, reaching her hand up and placing it on his shoulder. "I like you a lot. But we just met and I don't want to move too fast."
"I'll make you a deal," he offered. "You keep on not acting like another one of those clones and we'll move just as fast as you want."
Laurel gave him a hug goodbye before leaving him to just stare.
Manny stood in the door of FYE with Craig on her arm, glaring out at Laurel. As she hugged Craig she started to wonder what would have happened if she hadn't broke JT's heart but told herself not to.