"Jesse's Girl"

Chapter Two

"I cannot believe we just did that," Kim laughed as her and Jesse made their way out to their cars. The sun was still high in the sky as they walked side by side, hand in hand.

"Come on now," Jesse said. "I could so see us doing that." He kicked a stone to the side as he glanced back, watching the crowds disperse from behind them. The event was now over with and they had just rode go-carts for the first time in years. He felt like they were kids again, and he took a deep breath taking everything in, enjoying the moment.

"What are you thinking?" Kim asked disrupting him from his thoughts, as she noticed he was off in his own world.

He opened his eyes and looked into hers. "How much fun that was and that I'm sorry about earlier. I didn't mean to…"

"Hey," she said squeezing his hand. "I'm sorry too. I guess I just had all these feelings inside that I wasn't letting out until now. I shouldn't have taken them out on you. Do you forgive me," she asked pouting her lips into a puppy dog face. "I'll make it up to you," she added.

Jesse looked at her carefully contemplating her forgiveness, with his one song in the back of his head. "Yeah of course. What are friends for?"

'We're the best of friends
And we share our secrets
She knows everything that is on my mind
Lately somethings changed
As I lie awake in my bed
A voice here inside my head
Softly says'

'Why don't you kiss her
Why don't you tell her
Why don't you let her see
The feelings that you hide
'Cause she'll never know
If you never show
The way you feel inside'

Shaking his head, Jesse looked at her.

"Are you sure you are ok," Kim asked as she looked at him. "You seemed gone this time."

Jesse nodded his head. "Yeah, I, I had a lot of fun, and I missed this, missed us hanging out like this; missed us having fun together."

Kim suddenly became nervous as Jesse seemed to move closer and closer. 'Why am I like this,' she thought, as the palms of her hands started getting moist and her heart started pounding faster.

"I mean I really missed this, missed us," Jesse said again, emphasizing his words carefully. "And we could always have this much fun, together, as more than just friends."

"I don't know Jesse," she said half-heartedly. "I told you, things have changed."

"But things can be normal, even sane." He looked into her eyes as he spoke.

"I, I."

"Kim, hey over here."

Kim looked over to see Brit and Vin walk up to them.

"Hey girl," she said giving her a hug. "So I see you finally met your man," Kim teased as she looked up at Vin. "I am Kim, and this is, well, you know."

Vin shook Jesse's hand.

"And this is my good friend Brit," she said introducing her to Jesse. "We met last year on the Internet and have been best friends since. She actually grew up not far from where we grew up," she told him.

"Oh, well, it's nice to meet you." He stuck out his hand to shake hers.

"It is, wow, you know him?" She asked Kim. "You have never mentioned it before."

"Long story," Kim said looking at her. "I will catch you up at lunch sometime, my treat."

"Sounds good girl, and sorry to cut this short, but Vin here is going to take me out to lunch. Want to join us?"

"Actually, I was just on my way to the store to pick up a couple of things. Thanks anyway, and have fun."

"Oh, we will," she winked as she said good-bye. "Talk to you soon."

"Bye girl," Kim waved.

Jesse looked at her. "She seems really nice."

"Oh, she is the best. We talk about everything and anything. I am so glad I have her in my life."

"But you haven't told her about knowing me?" Jesse asked concerned.

"Well, it isn't a subject I think about," Kim said as she searched for her keys to her car. "Please don't tell me I left them in the car again," she said to herself, but loud enough for Jesse to hear.

"Having some troubles," he said laughing as he watched her dump out the contents of her purse.

"I would shut up if I was you," she said to him, getting aggravated. "Ugh, they are not in here." She threw her purse to the ground.

"Just calm down," Jesse said bending over to pick up her purse.

"I will not calm down. My father is going to kill me for calling him." She bent down as well, picking up a few things that dropped. She caught his eyes looking at her. "What?"

"You know you are cute when you are angry like this?" He asked her.

"Ugh." She threw the few contents at him as she stood up.

He continued to laugh as he stood up himself. "Your father is a great guy. Besides, why don't I just take you wherever and I can drop you off. We only live like next door to each other."

"No, no way," she said as she ran her hand through her hair.

"And why not? Are you afraid of me or something," he asked, sensing he was getting to her.

"Of course not, it's just."

"Just what?"

"Just that I might do or say something I will regret later on," she finally blurted out.

"Like what? Name one thing; saying you will go out with me, and try this?"

"Maybe," she said looking around for some other help she could get.

"I won't ask and it doesn't have to be brought up, ok? Just let me do this, as a friend; as a best friend who just wants to hang out with the girl next door." Jesse placed his hands to his heart.

Kim looked at him. "Ok, fine, but just because I haven't seen you in three years, and because maybe I missed you a tiny bit."

"Only a tiny bit?" He showed her how much by his fingers.

"Ok, maybe a little more than a tiny," she said, as she made his fingers wider.

"No more than that?"

She looked up into his eyes. "You know I have."

He drew her into a hug. "I have missed you too, now lets get out of here," he said, not really wanting to get out of the embrace, but knowing he would want more to happen if he didn't.

"Yeah, sounds great." She smiled as he handed her the purse.

"Good." He grabbed her hand as they made their way to his car. "Oh, I know this is out of the blue, and you probably already have plans for the night," Jesse said. "But someone is singing downtown tonight and I was wondering if you wanted to join me." He looked at Kim as he dug in his pockets for his own car keys.

"May I ask whom?" Kim asked, as she looked at Jesse, curiosity in her eyes.

"Not me," he said as he unlocked the passenger side door. "However, I am sure you will enjoy them just as much."

"So, you aren't going to tell me in other words?" Kim got inside the car as she looked at Jesse.

"Nope, it's a surprise," Jesse said as he leaned against the car looking inside at her.

"Can I think about it?"

Jesse closed Kim's door and hopped into the driver's seat. "Sure…did you think about it," he joked.

"Jesse," Kim said as she looked at him. She looked into his pleading eyes. "Friends, nothing more."

"Cross my heart," Jesse said. 'Nothing more, for now.' He started the engine and they roared off; content and excited of what the future could possibly have in store for them both.