Still don't own anything except the new characters and the plot I aranged around them...

More than a week later Jack lay on the couch at home flipping a napkin between his fingers. The napkin was really a note that had been stuffed in his guitar case. He'd read it until he had it memorized.

"Jack

Give me a reason to skip class someday, huh? ;)

675-453-6099

Cal"

Apparently she preferred Cal to Callie. Not that he blamed her. She was probably trying to rid herself of all things Alex, including the nickname.

He hadn't called her. He wasn't sure he should. She was kind of a good kid and, well, he wasn't.

Still, she'd been interesting to talk to. She had a decent sense of humor when she forgot about being shy (not that he was any less shy).

But he was still 3 years older. Not that that was a big deal. Hadn't they been told in school that girls matured a few years faster than boys? But it still seemed weird that she wasn't even considered an adult yet. She was still in high school for God's sake.

What the fuck, why was he being such a "faerie" (as Bobby would have said). Standing up he snatched his jacket from the chair on the porch and started walking.

Cal zoned out as she stood in the outfield. Softball was so boring with these uncompetitive girly girls. Not one girl hit the ball for the other team. Almost as soon as they'd reached their spots they were headed back in to bat. As they did, another girl came up beside her and whispered "The guy on the bleachers is staring at you."

"What?" Utter disbelief creased her brows before she caught a glimpse of who her classmate was talking about. Shocked, but pleased, she smiled hopefully. She definitely her wild and crazy school-self this time. She had to keep his attention.

Her turn to bat came soon enough. Looking back at her teammates she nodded and motioned that she was planning on a homer. Some cheered, some laughed, but Jack was watching intently and that's what she was going for.

First pitch, strike. She took a breath. She was going to hit the ball. It was going to sail over the fence to the bleachers on the other side, and she was going to have her chance to flirt with the cute rocker guy.

Second pitch, she connected. She watched for a second, her only thought being "Holy shit!" The girls behind her were hugging her and shoving her to run. The ball went a little to the right of the intended target. Jack leaned over and caught it with one hand. Still in shock she smiled and began flamboyantly skipping past bases. She stopped to let him toss it back over the fence for her to carry back to home.

Two batters later she was in the outfield again. But she switched spots with a girl near the fence that protected the bleachers. Keeping an eye on the unskilled girl at bat Cal gripped the links of the fence, stepped up and balanced herself to face her invited stalker.

"You enjoying watching all us little girls run around in our short skirts?"

Taking a drag off his cigarette Jack nodded, but joked, "It'd be better without those stupid shorts underneath 'em."

"Yeah, it'd probably be more comfortable that way too."

He snorted out smoke as he laughed, and flicked the tip of his cancer stick away. "Aren't you supposed to be playing."

Cal looked over her shoulder, then shrugged. "Nah, she won't hit it very far, especially this direction." Then she turned back to him and lifted her chin. "Me on the other hand…"

Again smoke came out with a chuckle. "Keep it up, I might have to start calling you Ripkin."

She gave a short laugh as she hopped off the fence. "Someone knows their sports figures."

"I watched a lot of TV as a kid," he claimed. She nodded, not doubting it a bit.

Suddenly a whistle blew. Her PE class was over, time for the next thing on her schedule. Turning back to Jack one more time she asked, "You still got my number?" He nodded as someone called her name. She had to hurry. "I'm starving, and the food here's shit. Find someplace to eat then give me a call, I'll meet you there."

"I hope you're paying," he said as he climbed off the bleachers.

"Of course," she smiled, backing away, "I am a rich kid after all."

As a senior, Cal didn't have that many required classes left to take. As a result, half of her day was filled with study halls, like the one right after PE that she always used for showering. However, just as she was about to step in she heard her phone ring. Not even looking she flipped it open.

"That was fast," she pointed out.

"Yeah, well, I'm bored."

She laughed. "So where are we eating?"

"The sandwich place down the road."

"Good choice, love that place."

"Do I get a pat on the back for that?"

Another laugh. "You might. Hey give me a few minutes to grab a shower and I'll be there."

"Yes, by all means, wash off the stench of girl-sweat."

"Thanks for your permission, I feel better about it now."

"Glad I could help. Now hurry up, the smell of this place is making me hungry." He didn't wait for a reply before hanging up.

Cal couldn't wipe the smile off her face. This day was going to kick ass!