Telepathic Angel: thanks for the review! I'm pleased that you find that "teddy bear" thing cute. I was kinda expecting that you guys would get mad and be disappointed that Scott didn't kiss Jean!

jott luuuuuuuuuver: thanks for the R&R! I love twists! Yeah… don't worry, I'll finish it!

Wen1: thanks for the review!

Ingrid: okay… I'll update once a week… I'm not promising though but I'll do it if I have time… hehe! I'm happy that you find last chap great even if Scott didn't kiss Jean… thanks for the R&R!

Diaz F: thanks for the R&R! Yup! Yup! I'll write more! How about you? Have you thought about continuing 'A Pleasant Surprise'? hehe!

Chapter 10 – getting along

Jean, with a tray on her hands, stretched her neck searching for someone in the crowded school cafeteria. She spotted the person she is looking for and approached him. "Oh! Hey Jean," Scott greeted as Jean put her tray down on the table.

"Hey, Scott! I'm just reminding you about this afternoon."

"Yeah. I'll be there as soon as I can."

"Okay. I'll go now. Thank you!"

"What's with that man?" one of Scott's teammates mischievously asked. "Nothing! I'm just helping her out with her campaign," Scott defended.

"Don't worry man. She has our votes, right guys?"

"Of course!"

"I'll bet Summers will do more than just help his girlfriend's campaign," others teased.

"What?" Scott asked innocently.

"You don't know anything about the rumors?" it was more of a statement rather than a question.

"Yeah. People noticed that you and Jean have been going along really well," Paul, one his friends said continuously, "and people saw you drove off together yesterday afternoon. And you also came to school together."

"Right, that sounds not logical because we just live under the same boarding house!" Scott replied sardonically.

"So, the rumors are true," Taryn grinned as Jean approached their table. "What rumors?" Jean placed her food on the table and took a seat. "Don't hide it from me, Jean. You and Summers are getting along pretty well…" "There's nothing going on between us," Jean cut her off. "I didn't say that! Somebody is so defensive," Taryn mocked. "Just eat. I'm hungry," Jean took her spoon and fork and gets ready to take a bite. "If you're worrying about the campaign, don't be. Actually, people find you and Scott cute together. I think it would help you win if you two hook up or something," Taryn replied while chewing her food. "Whoa. Taryn, I'm not going to pretend to be with him just for this election. I'm not that desperate," Jean clarified. "Whatever Jean, I'm suggesting it for your own good," she replied.

Dismissal came. Jean, Taryn and others who are supporting Jean gathered in one of the unused classrooms in the campus. They put on a loose white shirt and prepared some paints. Jean's group is going to design banners, flyers and other campaigning materials.

"Coach, please," Scott pleaded. "No! Summers! You're the team captain and you don't want to practice?" the coach wanted to make him feel guilty. "No, I'm just saying that I could extend my practice some other time. I have to do something," he explained.

"Something more important than the upcoming league?" Mr. McCoy, the coach, retorted.

"No. but…"

"Then, get back playing!" the coach ordered.

"It's already 7 o'clock guys!" Jean clapped her hands three times. "Let's pack up. Thanks for helping me out." "Okay Jean, anytime," some responded. "Hey, he didn't come," Taryn tapped Jean's shoulder and whispered. "Don't worry, we don't need his help anyway," she replied in a low-spirited tone. "You could go home. I'll clean up the mess," she added.

One by one, the students left the room.

Jean held a brush in one hand. "Right… here!" She added some final touches to her banner. She suddenly heard some footsteps and turned around. She saw Scott moving towards her, with his sports bag dangling on his shoulder while he ran in an unbelievably fast pace. Jean put her arms on her waist, foot tapping on the floor. "Scott! What time is it?" "I'm sorry! I'm really really sorry! Coach didn't let me out of practice," he reasoned out while panting. Scott crouched, palms on his knees and tried to catch his breath. "Put this on," Jean threw him a shirt. Scott gradually wears it. "Come on! Help me with the other banners," she ordered. "Wait. I'm still tired." Scott rebutted. "You're pathetic!" Jean rolled her eyes. "Oh…really? I think I'm too nice to you Red! I've even bought you a burger; I was just thinking that you're already pretty hungry!" Scott showed him a paper bag with two hamburgers inside. "Too bad… you're not nice with me, these are mine," Scott raised the paper bag high with one of his hands. "Give me that Summers! I'm hungry," Jean tiptoed, trying to reach it. "Haha! Look who's pathetic now!" Scott mocked. Jean, who lost her patience, smudged the paint from her palm to Scott's face. Jean was shocked in what she had done. "Oh! I'm sorry!" she clasped her hands. "You! I'll get you!" Scott stashed the burgers in his bag and chased Jean. Jean ran as hard as she can but could not win against him. Scott grabbed her by her waist "gotcha!" and tried to put paint on her face. "Stop it!" she shielded her face with her arms. "What will you say?" Scott said like talking to a child. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Jean pleaded, hands still covering her face. "Okay" he replied. Scott and Jean relaxed, both still are panting.

"Umm… Scott, your hands."

"Oh… Sorry," Scott didn't realize that his hands was still enveloping Jean's waist. He removed them.

"So…" Jean obviously can't find the words to say. "Let's eat!" Scott went to his bag and got the burgers. They ate silently, legs crossed and both sat on the floor. For the first time, both felt at ease with each other.

After eating, they both cleaned up the mess. "You have to help me finish these banners at home," Jean commanded. "Alright. I promise. It's late, let's go home," Scott gestured. Jean giggled, "Aren't you forgetting something?"

"What?"

"The paint on your face," she pointed out.

Jean waited Scott outside the boy's restroom. She leaned her back against the wall. She stared blankly at the ceiling. A small smile crept in the corner of her lips as she remembered their 'chasing scene' between Scott and her. "Let's go!" her chain of thoughts ended as Scott spoke.

The drive home went on very smoothly. The surrounding was serene and the cold December breeze made Jean and Scott felt relaxed despite the long and tiresome day they've been through. Scott noticed Jean rubbing her two palms firmly. "You're freezing," he looked at her at the corner of his eyes. She just nodded in reply. Scott stopped his car at the side of the road and reached for his sports bag at the back seat. "What are you doing?" she asked. Scott searched something in his bag; he then pulled out his red polo. "Here, this will keep you warm," he handed Jean his shirt. "Oh… thank you," she didn't expect Scott to be such a… gentleman. She wore the polo and sat quietly. "Umm… you're not feeling cold?" Jean pointed Scott's clothing. He was only wearing a cotton practice shirt and basketball shorts. "Nope," he replied, not knowing what else to say. "Umm… you want music?" Scott asked as he felt Jean being uncomfortable with the stillness. "Okay," she replied abruptly. Scott turned on the radio. It was playing Passenger Seat by Stephen Speaks…

I look at her and have to smile

As we go driving for a while

Her hair blowing in the open window of my car

And as we go the traffic lights,

I watch them glimmer in her eyes

In the darkness of the evening

And I've got all I need

Right here in the passenger seat

And I can't keep my eyes on the road

Just knowing that she's inches from me

We stop to get something to drink

My mind clouds and I can't think

Scared to death to say I love her

Then the moon peeks from the clouds

Hear my heart it speaks so loud

Tryin' to tell her simply...

That I've got all that I need

Right here in the passenger seat

And I can't keep my eyes on the road

Just knowing that she's inches from me

I know, this love grows...

And I've got all that I need

Right here in the passenger seat

And I can't keep my eyes on the road

Just knowing that she's inches from me

And I've got all that I need

Right here in the passenger seat

Neither of them spoke. They just hummed along with the song as they drove home with smiles on their faces.

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