Jazmine stretched before lying down on the soft couch. It was so warm, and snug. She felt as if she was in an oven.
"Oh come on, Grandad!" Riley whined. Grandad charged through the hallway.
"No, there's no chance." He responded.
"But you said yes to Jazmine staying over, and I can't get nothin'?" Riley said. He gestured to the sheet of paper in his hand. The ink from the crudely written requests bled on to the paper's flipside.
"That's unreasonable! Go to bed." Grandad said, crossing his arms.
"This some bullshit."
"Watch your mouth."
"But it is!"
"Boy you watch yourself! Maybe I'll think twice about taking you with me to Bora Bora! What if I leave yo' ass in a burlap sack on the edge of Woodcrest?" Grandad's eyes were fiery. His tone wasn't explosive, but the potential for destruction, and horror lurked behind his eyes. The attitude streamed to the rest of his face: his brow was stern and furrowed, the lines in his face deepened into portals to hell, and his mouth was fixed in the most furious expression he could muster.
Riley looked at his Grandfather, knowing he meant business. Riley narrowed his eyes. "Fine."
"Alright. Go to bed." Grandad said. Riley walked upstairs.
Jazmine sat up on the couch, in awe of the scene before her. It was as if a film had unravelled in front of her. She didn't know if that situation was appropriate, acceptable, or diurnal.
But she knew that she wanted to stay awake.
Grandad turned to her. His expression melted away into a genuine smile, and a warm attitude.
"Good night, little baby." He said, standing on the last step.
She felt reassured. "Good night, Mr. Freeman." She said, happily.
Grandad walked up to his bedroom. Riley quickly ran down the stairs. His speech matched the speed of his descent down the stairs.
"Go home tomorrow."
"Boy!'
Riley ran upstairs.
Huey came out of his room, and he walked downstairs. His brother was in their room.
"You still up?" Huey asked Jazmine. He was standing in the living room.
"Yeah." Jazmine said. She peered out of the window. She saw the lights were on across the street in her house. "Riley doesn't seem to want me here, though." She replied.
"Don't worry about him. He won't bother you again." Huey said. Jazmine thought he seemed more empathetic. "Can I sit?" Huey asked, he pointed to the couch. Jazmine snuggled her legs in, giving Huey more space.
Huey sat down. "My parents actually wanted me to stay over 't that cool? I think they're still awake." She sat back down, she leaned forward, and touched Huey's shoulder.
"Is there something you want to talk about?" She asked.
He looked at her. The lights were still on, she looked so beautiful. Her skin was illuminated by the glow of the light, her hair was still in its two gossamer puffs, strands gracefully fell from the orbs, and her eyes were bright with curiosity, love, and there was an underlying intelligence in her expression. She had this aura of charisma, peace, kindness, and optimism around her, with a soft touch to match.
Memories rushed back to Huey, about her. He remembered that when they met, they weren't always on the same page, but as time went on, they became closer. They were happy together. This new found love caused him to feel things that he couldn't explain. Now, Huey tried to think back about WHY he loved Jazmine. But he could no longer find one, he could simply associate these feelings of happiness to her. .
He loved her, but this form of love felt new to Huey. He felt out of his element. For the first time, he couldn't predict what she would do, or how she would respond. Love could leave you feeling incredible, but also frustrated.
"Uh...I liked your paintings." He said.
"Really? Oh thank you Huey! I thought you would!" Jazmine said, enthusiastically. "What did you like about them?"
He felt his confidence rising again. "Well first of all the paintings each had their own memorable features, such as how the painting of your imaginary escapade captured the turbulence, fear, and isolation of the high seas, and the pessimistic attitude of your aunt. The paintings each seemed to project genuine emotion, and posses an atmosphere that the viewer can interpret, enjoy, and experience."
Jazmine nodded, excited that he appreciated her work. "I wanted the viewer to feel what I imagined."
"You executed that very well. The paintings seem to capture the way you felt as you painted."
"I guess that's true."
"Although each of your paintings are different, they do have simillar qualities: your paintings have unique beauty, intricate design, imaginative concepts, and alluring images."
Jazmine was surprised. Huey was never really this flattering. What happened to him?
"Thank you Huey." She said with sincere affection. "That's probably one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me."
Tell her now! Tell her now! Huey's internal voice screamed.
Jazmine yawned, she looked like a lethargic, and dazzling lioness. She laid her head down. "I'm getting tired. You can't sleep?" She asked.
"No, I've just been up thinking."
"Thinking? About what?"
Jazmine let those words sip from her mouth, before she had a realization.
Oh
My
God
The 10 year old thought. Her heart soared, and her upper body did the same. She studied Huey's expression. It was a look of deep thought, he looked so peaceful, and serene, as if he had gained a higher consciousness, or spoken to God.
The universe had lined up! She loved him. Jazmine had gone up to the hill before, and she wanted to scream "I'M IN LOVE WITH HUEY FREEMAN!" But she never had the courage to. She loved how he was different from some the people she knew, as if he had experience, and knowledge that would surpass his years. She had stayed up nights before, trying to analyze her love for him, but she had gotten to the point where she could no longer explain her full reason of her deep admiration.
Jazmine, Jazmine. This is it! But if he says those words, what should she say back? Should she say nothing, and give him a hug? What if she did something, or said something that turned him away? Oh, she'd be a fool!
Jazmine, you're over thinking it! Just let it happen, and what to say will come to you. Her heart raced, as she sat up, waiting.
Huey was at first startled by her sudden motion. She knows, he thought. Well, here goes.
"I was thinking about relationships in life." Huey said. "Life is so much more enjoyable when have someone, or something to accompany you, right? Especially if whoever, or whatever it is is suitable to you."
"What about improvement?" Jazmine asked, her eyes shining, her heart reverted to it's calm pace.
"Improvement?" Huey asked, raising one of his eyebrows, and resting his head in his hand. She liked when Huey did that, it made her smile.
"Well, I can't think of a better word, to describe what I'm saying, but what I mean is the person you are with makes you a better person, and vice versa. Like if you're an emotional and violent person, and you're with someone who calms you down." Jazmine sat closer to Huey.
Huey nodded his head. "That makes sense."
"Relationship includes friendship, right Huey?"
"Yes."
"Okay, how do you see our friendship?" Jazmine asked, waiting for the answer.
Huey knew this would come, he was still sitting up, and he looked at the floor. "I see it as an enjoyable experience I need." Huey responded, without his confession.
"Me too." Jazmine said. "I like talking to you, Huey. I always learn stuff." She smiled. "That's one of the reasons why I like being your friend. Do you think we would've been friends if we didn't live near each other?"
Huey would have answered "Probably not, proximity is a big reason why we're friends" But this feeling of love had a strange power over him. He became more sensitive towards her feelings.
This is ridiculous. He told himself.
But it also isn't. His voice responded.
This all started because of a drawing, and a letter.
"I think that we're both different from other people in this society. We would've found each other somehow." He said, trying to retain his monotone voice, so she wouldn't think he was acting too different.
"Like it was destiny, huh?" Jazmine said. She laughed. She now sat the same way he did,
"I guess." He responded.
"You know, I wanted to tell you about my dream." Jazmine said.
"Okay." Huey replied.
"In the dream, I was on the beach, and I was dancing. I was having so much fun! But then, this wave comes towering over the ocean. I looked at it, and I wasn't scared at all, in fact I was exhilarated, like 'this is it, the BIG moment.' and it came towards me at full blast, and I dove right in!" She continued.
"When I was swimming in the water, it was so clear. I could see all these sea creatures, and they looked so happy to see me! They were all following me around, as I swam, and we were all synchronized. They were all colours, and we looked like a dancing painting. But then, I got to this kingdom of clams, they all had their mouths open. But instead of pearls, they each had little shapes. Some had stars, others had crescents, and a few had hearts. A clam gave me their little heart, and I held it Huey! I could feel it!"
"But the heart started to turn from pink to gold, and it shimmered in my palm. Then I saw this dark figure standing in front of me, I never saw his face, but I could tell he was happy. He had the same golden heart in his hand. I swam over to him, excited, the glowing heart started beating faster and faster! But then...it breaks." Jazmine's face dropped from the excited expression, to a look of solemn loss.
"The heart shattered, and his faded away. Then he shot out of the water, and up to the sky. The water became gray around me, and the animals were gone! The clams hid in the dirt, and I was alone. I heard thunder from above me, and I felt as if everything went wrong! Then I woke up."
Huey looked at her, analyzing the dream. "You were scared?"
"Yeah, at the gray water part." She said.
"You were probably just dreaming about falling in unrequited love: at first you are on the beach of, then this tidal wave of an emotion heads towards you, you dive into love at full speed. At first everything seems clear, and bright, until you hold that heart. The tangibility of your heart, might mean that you are exposing your feelings, and the figure was someone you wanted to show your feelings to. But sadness kicks in, and your heart breaks. The love you seek is unattainable, and doesn't reciprocate your feelings. He disappears, leaving you alone in a sea of despair, and loneliness. The distant thunder is your unleashed anger, which will approach eventually." Huey said.
Jazmine thought for a while. "Wow." She said, amazed. "I never thought of interpreting dreams before."
"A lot of people do it." Huey said.
"I'm going to do that from now on." She said, happily. The reality of the interpretation sank in. Had she been wrong about the way he felt about her? Huey was the one she wanted to show her feelings too, was he the one who flies out of the ocean? Should she ask?
"Who do you think that person was?" Jazmine asked.
"The figure? Oh, that was probably the person you love."
"Oh, do you think my dream was right? You know, about that person not loving me back?"
Huey wanted her to feel reassured, he loved her after all. "Jazmine, whoever that was wouldn't really do that to you."
"You know that for sure?" Jazmine asked. Please say 'yes I'm sure.' Huey, Please say it!
"He loves you Jazmine." Huey said. He was surprised with what he said. He, Huey Freeman indirectly admits to loving Jazmine DuBois, he felt a slight speed in his heart rate, but a burden had lifted off of his shoulders.
There was a short silence.
Jazmine was left with her thoughts. She looked at Huey, in that loving way. She smiled.
"I'm glad."
They spent another hour talking, the clock ticked quietly. They talked about whatever they could think of, except for how they felt about each other. They both laughed over some of the subjects. They started to wrap their conversation up after some time.
"Do you laugh with anyone else besides me?" Jazmine asked.
"Sometimes. I give off the impression that I don't."
"It's because no one sees it. Your laugh is like the tooth fairy."
"It doesn't give people quarters."
Jazmine laughed. "I've gotten other things besides a quarter before. Once I got a cheque for 25 cents! Even though it's the same value, it's different."
"It's not better," Huey said, smiling humorously.
"Yeah. It's not. You can't even use it to unlock a grocery cart! You should've seen me, trying to roll it up so it could fit."
Huey laughed, "When was that?"
"Last month." Jazmine said, she laughed at the memory.
"I think I should get back to bed." Huey said. "Oh, right, here." He handed her the letter she sent to God.
"Thanks." She said. Huey still wanted to keep the picture. It was marvelously beautiful. It seemed to predict tonight's events.
"Huey? Do you want to come over to my house tomorrow?" Jazmine asked.
"Okay." He said.
"Wow, you sure are acting different today, Huey Freeman."
"Maybe it's for the better, Jazmine DuBois."
Jazmine loved the way he said "DuBois." something about his voice, softened when he said it. She remembered when they were walking home together last week, she got him to read her Family reunion guest list. She was glad it was long too! The DuBois were just rolling off his tongue.
"Okay." She laughed. She got under her blanket. "Good night, Huey."
"Good night, Jazmine..." He turned off the lights, and went up the stairs.
He walked up to his room, and collapsed on his bed.
"I love you." He just couldn't tell her yet, he wasn't sure if the love would blow over soon. Maybe he was just going crazy. He suspected so. What was so great about her? Come on! Sure she's supportive, and kind, and smart, sweet, fun, talented, funny, beautiful...
Damn it! Huey thought. Those qualities weren't the only reasons why he loved her, he was frustrated because he couldn't rationalize this feeling.
He wasn't sure how long this feeling was going to last. Maybe he shouldn't tell her just yet. If it was that easy to fall in love, it would probably be easy to get out, right? Huey felt slightly confused, which he usually wasn't. He felt exhausted. But he also felt happy, excited, exhilarated, and knew he wanted to be with Jazmine.
He was also heading straight for that wave.
"I love you." He said, loving the feeling of saying it. The truth hurts, but can also be exciting, and liberating.
"You love me? Nigga you gay." Riley said. His voice filling the darkness.
Huey didn't respond. He closed his eyes, and felt at peace.
"I heard you twice, by the way. I ain't deaf." Riley said, his words affected no one.