Disclaimer: The following story is mine- Lurlene McDaniel wrote the books that inspired this story.
Bonjour, tout le monde! (Hello everyone!) I hope summer is treating you well.
I said that the next chapter would come soon- and voila! Here it is!
I thank my reviewers, every single one is appreciated and considered.
For those of you that were wondering were Ethan is- he will make an appearance (NOT a brief one, mind you ) in the story very soon.
So, take a sip of your lemonade (or whatever drink you like), lean back, and enjoy the chapter !
Have a great summer!
Leah slowly approached her teacher's desk after class, wanting to ask her something that has been on her mind for days.
"Professor Taylor? Can I have a quick word?" Leah asked.
(A/N: In case you were wondering, this is the English professor that I described in chapter 5 )
Marsha Taylor slowly pushed her glasses away from her eyes and looked up at Leah. "Yes?"
"I was wondering, was my English paper- "
Professor Taylor cut her off "First of all, we are no longer in class, so I would like it if you called me Marsha. And secondly, yes, your paper was fine."
Leah beamed. "Thank you so much,"
"Yet I have to wonder whether I was too lenient with grading your paper. Your
grammar and punctuation was atrocious!"
Leah's smiled immediately turned to a nervous frown.
"Pardon?" Leah said hesitantly.
Marsha's face broke into a smile, and she began laughing.
"I was joking. Sit down, please."
Leah sighed and sat, feeling relieved that what Marsha had said was not true.
"To begin with, I thought that in truth, your grammar and punctuation was perfectly fine. But, I have to inform you of what a great job you did on the paper. You're writing is excellent, but there are just several mistakes you might have overlooked."
"Okay," Leah breathed, "That is something I can digest peacefully,"
Marsha studied Leah for a second.
"You know," she said, "you'd make an excellent writer."
"Thanks," Leah said, smiling.
Marsha stood up and said, "Yet, that is a decision that is entirely yours to make."
Leah followed suit, and replied "I'll definitely keep that in mind,"
"Yes… oh! And don't forget to complete the assignment due Monday; regarding
Emily Dickinson's poem, "Success is counted sweetest","
"Okay, thank you for your time," Leah said as she turned to the door and left.
Leah was pouring over her homework when Sherry came in with Danny. Leah looked up and saw them. They seemed totally absorbed with one another.
Sherry was smiling prettily at Danny, and Danny leaned in and kissed her.
"Hey Sherry, Danny!" Leah called out.
They didn't seem to hear her. They continued kissing for maybe 10 minutes (during which, Leah tried to go back to her homework, but it became quite difficult, because by that time, Sherry and Danny had progressed to making out; and Sherry's soft moans were not helping the situation) when Leah decided that enough was enough.
She got up and gathered her things, and cast one last glance in Sherry and Danny's direction.
It appeared to Leah that the kissing was getting steamier-because Danny's hands felt up and down Sherry's torso, and he was kissing her neck.
Leah turned her head and closed the door.
Sighing inwardly, she thought, Ethan and I never shared such moments.
Another voice in her head said, But he is 'a man of honor'. He said himself: "I will not dishonor you". Making out can lead to such things, especially when Ethan is the one kissing me…
Leah shook her head. She was with Jordan now. Despite the fact that she tried to push those thoughts from her mind, she couldn't help but feel a blush creep up her cheeks.
Stop it! She told herself, I'm with Jordan now!
Leah headed to the library and continued to work diligently on her homework.
At around 9:00 in the evening, when Leah had enough of her homework, her eyes were watering, and, Leah believed that Sherry and Danny were finished with whatever they were doing, Leah decided to get up.
Leah got off her seat, stretched, and yawned. She spotted Jordan sauntering over to where she was standing. He was grinning, as if happy with a certain accomplishment.
"Hey," he said, smiling and taking Leah's hand in his own.
"Hey Jordan, how are you?" Leah asked, smiling at him.
"I'm fine- and you can take all the credit for that."
"Why is that?" Leah asked.
"Because I just got an A on the paper you helped me with!" Jordan said. He then gathered Leah in his arms and twirled her around.
"Well, someone is definitely happy- and with good reason!"
"I think that this calls for a celebration. Let's go get a cup of coffee!" Jordan exclaimed.
"That's the celebration!" Leah asked, laughing. "Let me enhance it."
Leah tugged on Jordan's shirt, causing him to bend over a little, and kissed him deeply.
Jordan broke the kiss, looking mesmerized. "This is a surprise. What's up?"
"I just think you deserved it- for pulling off such a great grade." Leah answered,
"If that is the reward I get for every good grade I get, I'll make sure to do well in class!" Jordan said with a grin.
"Ha, ha " Leah replied.
"Now how about that cup of coffee?" Jordan asked, taking Leah's hand in his and leading her out of the room.
The moon seemed to smile and the stars to shine even brighter than before as Leah broke the kiss and stared at the sky while coming up for air.
She looked back at Jordan and smiled, and resumed their kiss.
It started out sweet and soft; but made a transition to passion as Leah deepened the kiss.
She felt Jordan's arms pulling her closer, and Leah snaked her arms up Jordan's chest and placed them on his neck.
She inhaled sharply as Jordan stopped kissing her mouth, only to leave short, sweet kisses on her neck and collarbone.
Leah felt as if fireworks were exploding in the distance. Her hands found themselves playing with and messing up Jordan's hair as the kiss continued.
Leah found herself whispering, "Let's go to your place," with sincerity she felt she never felt before.
Jordan stopped and looked at Leah. "Are you sure?"
"Yes," she responded, not breaking eye contact with Jordan.
Jordan looked at the floor and then again at Leah.
"It's funny- you know- I never would have imagined saying this, but, we have been going out for maybe a month, and getting into bed at this time wouldn't seem a bit rushed to you?"
Leah continued to look at him, fully attentive.
"I respect you, Leah. I…well, it's kind of ironic, considering we are making out and all, but, I don't want you to feel pressured into committing to an act that you don't feel ready for."
"I understand," Leah said.
"No, you don't," Jordan said, and his voice cracked as he added, "I…I love you. I do."
"I love you too," Leah said.
"But I don't think that love should be the single reason that is considered before we get involved on such-"
Leah cut him off, "an emotional level," Leah looked down, and then looked back at Jordan and said, "I agree. It's good that we talked this out. I'm glad you feel that way."
Jordan smiled. "I want you to understand that because I love you, I …I know this sounds so cheesy, but- I honor you,"
Leah was forcibly reminded of Ethan Longacre. The night of the carnival, as she and Ethan got into their sleeping bags, Ethan told her, "I will not shame you"…
Leah pushed the thought out of her mind and looked at Jordan.
Emotion unfeigned, she looked at Jordan and whispered "I love you, Jordan," and gave him a final kiss.
"Come, I'll escort you to your dorm," Jordan said.
"I would very well like that," Leah said and smiled.
Leah and Jordan stopped by her door.
"Goodnight, Jordan," Leah said.
"Goodnight, Leah," Jordan winked and replied.
Leah entered her dorm room and closed the door. She sighed, but laughed when she heard Jordan singing:
"Prima Donna, first lady on the stage, your devotees are on their knees to implore you…"
I'm sure that this was a surprising chapter… especially due to Leah's behavior. I want to know what you all think. Well, you all will see what happens come the next chapter!
Hint: An Amish boy arrives at Leah's dorm… and why? You all have to wait.
What's going to happen between Nathan and Aurora?
That is going to be coming up soon!
A special thank you goes to my reviewers:
Pug princess, Zarroc, and jesse's1girl
I really appreciate it!
Until next time,
mymagic