Days went by and I kept sneaking into Jessie's study hall and driving her to her house after rehearsals even though Grace could sometimes drive her. Though I don't think Grace cared because sometimes I'd catch her smiling at Jessie and me when we're talking or laughing together. She even began to sit at our lunch table with the other guys and Tad seemed to enjoy that factor very much. It seemed everyday Jessie and I became closer and closer and we talked about everything and we we're really comfortable in a laid back, open sense. We talked about everything except if she wanted Tad to ask her out or if I wanted to date any of the guys at school. I keep thinking to myself Tad is my best friend, I shouldn't like this girl, I shouldn't spend so much time with her and I shouldn't be interested in her, but I don't think you can help who you're attracted to. It's not a choice; it's a mix of emotions and those ever pesky hormones.
That day in school was painfully dull and seemingly more useless than usual since it was a few days before break and the teachers really didn't care to stick to their lesson plans if they had any at all. I coerced Jessie into skipping the last four classes with me and go to her house to just talk. I mean, the way I see it there's only so much we can learn about the Pythagorean theorem anyways and all that other math work. It's not like I'm going to go to a grocery store and pick up a can of tomato sauce and say-hey what's the radius of this? So I drove to her house, we lay down in her bed and began to talk…about the future and what we wanted in general. I wanted to live in London and work, idealistically have an art gallery, enjoy the city and bask in the culture and get away from this boring, suburban town while Jessie wanted a ranch and horses, she said she wanted me to come visit her. My heart couldn't take anymore, she looked at me with these hopefully, soft eyes and it made me want to kiss her. I moved my whole body over more so I wouldn't have to lean over and see a freaked out face. She didn't seem to mind that I moved closer, she moved closer too. I can't screw this up. I need to remain calm. I'll let her move closer if she wants to, but I won't do anything in the mean time. Ah, Jesus, she thinks we'll be a friend in the future, that's so sweet. She thinks we'll get to the point that I'll stay at her house and she'll visit me in London. She's just staring at me…maybe because I'm staring at her…
The door just opened and there's...Lily? Crap, kill me now. We must look as though we've seen a ghost. Why is Lily here?
"Girls, what are you doing here?" She asks mirroring my thoughts, "school doesn't get out for another hour. Did you come home sick..or are you skipping," she asks in a parental tone.
Jessie glances at me worried. I figure if I want to be let in this house ever again we might as well tell the truth. So naturally I speak up so Jessie doesn't get into any more trouble.
"We skipped, I just couldn't stand to be there anymore and I asked Jessie if she wanted to come. It's not her fault at all," I say almost pleading.
"Well Katie you might have simply persuaded her, but she should have known to not skip, she can talk to her dad when he gets home. Thanks though Katie for telling me, I can't tell you how many times I get lies at work. I don't want it following me home, but if you wouldn't mind I think you should go to your house and Jessie will talk to you in school tomorrow," she says in a tone that isn't up for debate but still manages to be nice about it.
"Alright, I'm sorry Mrs. Manning," I say back sincerely, after all she could have been really mean about it. As I head for the door I worry a little in the back of my head. It's not that I think what we did was horrible. I just don't like people thinking I'm corrupting their children.
Soon I'm in the car and heading to my house. After I think it over some more I realize Jessie has a trick her dad may not know about. I call it the blue eyes power. All she has to do is look at him, open her eyes a little bigger, smile and say Daddy and she pretty much gets what she wants. Maybe she won't get such a big punishment. I know this power works cause she does it on me when she knows I'm willing to budge; I swear she times it just right. She's gotten so many things-candies from the machines at school, the occasional hot chocolate and hugs. The hugs part I don't mind. Anyways Jessie calls me later than night; she sneaks away after she asks Grace to cover for her.
"Hi there," I say almost happily, still nervous I got her into trouble.
"I'm ok, it wasn't so bad. I got three days of being grounded so I can't talk on the phone and I can only go to school, the rehearsals, home and only go outside when my family does, but," she says in a sneaky tone, "I can go online, because I told my dad that I had to do a project and it involved a lot of intense internet searching." She says in a happy tone.
"Mhmm I doubt that was the only thing that got you only three days with the internet," I say teasing her.
"What are you talking about," she asks in an exasperated tone as though she's completely innocent. She doesn't even realize what she does to him half the time, it comes so second nature to her to pull one over him. I've seen it done again and again and she learnt it from her mother no less! She learned that crafty skill from her own parent to use against the other parent, its madness, amusing madness though.
"You did your thing you do," I say continuing to tease her.
"Really, what are you talking about?" she asks becoming confused and annoyed by her confusion.
"You did that thing, with your eyes…that puppy dog thing that you learned from your mom," I say with complete confidence. Jessie thinks it's funny when I get that tone because I can't be argued with. I am highly skilled in being stubborn.
"I do not do that," she says defensively.
"Do too. You Sammler women have a thing that puts your victim into a trance and leaves then unable to say no and before it hits them they've been swindled and disoriented to the point that they don't remember what they intended to do. That's your trade mark, you learned it from your mother and she probably learned it from her mother. You're witches I bet. The secret is learned!" I say with a certain tone that seems as if I've discovered the city of Atlantis. Jessie seems to find this very funny and still denies it, but she laughs so my goal is accomplished.
"Again, Miss Singer, I have no idea what you're talking about," she says playfully.
"Fine, fine, but next time your mom does it or you do it I will gladly point it out to you as if my reason to live is to point it out to you," I say back with mock humor. "By the way, you have her eyes, that's how all this magic and witchcraft is carried out, blue eyes," I say as if I'm trying to solve a mystery.
Jessie just laughs some more and doesn't stop until she tries to quiet herself down. Grace apparently tells her to get off the phone because her dad needs it and she's covered for her long enough. Jessie quickly says she's gotta go and says goodnight in her sweet voice. I smile and say the same.
