"Hey," I say shyly approaching the apple tree. I see Jasper's smile widen as he sees me from above. He jumps down and hugs me as I pull the blanket closer to me. He doesn't ask if I'm okay he knows I'm not. He doesn't ask about it either and I'm fine with it, I just don't know what I'm sad about, maybe it's that time of the month again.
"Shall we?" he gestures to the blanket, noticing I brought two. I'm irresponsive as Jasper helps me lay a blanket on the ground. We sit down in a way his arm automatically goes around me as I tuck my knees close. "Ella, I know I told you I wouldn't force you to tell me why you were crying earlier, but it has been bothering me that the only time I saw you smile today was when we were looking at the swans."
"Oh, you know life," I say, putting my legs in front of me.
"Well, when life gives you lemons," he starts.
"You make lemonade?" I finish, he shakes his head. Funny, it's the correct saying. "Arrange the letter until they spell smile?"
"Nope," he laughs, "give them back and ask for chocolate, speaking of which," he pulls out a small chocolate bar from his back pocket and hands it to me. I look at it in shock; it's the fancy kind that I could get probably only once every few months. I gaze at it for so long I don't notice that Jasper pulls out a burgundy rose. I take it gently, careful not to stab myself with the thorns as he kisses my ear. I lay it beside me so it won't get crushed as he leans into me, putting his head on my shoulder. I stroke his hair slowly as I smile. I carefully pull the other blanket on top of us, covering the both of us in warmth and happiness.
"Hey Ella," He says softly, "can we talk about something?
"Anything," I respond sweetly, "what's on your mind? Wait, are you breaking up with me?"
"Not in a million years," he protests. I look at him in disbelief for a few seconds as I look down at the ground and start pulling up grass.
"Sorry, I just…" I start. He lifts my chin so I can look him in the eye.
"It's fine really," he promises.
"So what did you want to talk about?" I respond. He shrugs his shoulders and gives me a really cheeky look.
"Can we talk about sex?" he stutters.
"Jasper," I slightly gasp. "We are still fourteen. Fourteen, think about it. I don't even know if you're the one…I didn't mean it like that, I'm sorry."
"No, I just wanted to see your reaction," he says, gazing upward.
"Jasper, you're lying to me." I say sternly, I pout for a few seconds as he moves in a little closer to me.
"I know Ella, I'm sorry, it's just that, well we are the only couple that hasn't had it yet?" he asserts.
"Really, because Smalls and Specs never had it; Star and Blink never been alone I don't think, they both are at the lodging house with Race so, and Elsie and Les haven't." I pout.
"Elsie and Les aren't even ten." He argues.
"They are little kids!" I shout. "Star and Blink never had sex, why should we?"
"Having sex will strengthen our relationship." He implies.
"No it won't, sex makes a family. Did you learn anything from Hype?" I scowl.
"Yes, and now she has four wonderful kids. She's lucky, two are twins." He smiles playfully. He sees my reaction and has the opposite expression. I shake my head.
"I can't believe we are talking about this, why do you even want it? What brought this up? Puberty? I'm not sure, but I do know we aren't having it," I frown. I pick up the tiny rose he gave to me and finger the petals. Daring to play 'he loves me, he loves me not', in frustration, I slam it down, stabbing myself with the thorn; surprisingly I have no expression towards it.
"You would if you really loved me," he whispers, his words are barely audible.
"Are you serious?" I explode. "We are fourteen. Fourteen as in one four, add one and four together, you get five. And that's what you're being right now: a giant naughty five year old."
"Am not," he whines.
"Are too!" I yell at him, not noticing Race snuck up to us, he stands towering over us as he snickers.
"Well, looks like you guys are into your first fight." He sneers.
"And you know that how?" I sass. I don't want an answer and Race gets the hint, but gives it to me anyways.
"I could hear you from the other side of the park. Bet you Spot and his gang heard it in Brooklyn." He laughs, pulling a cigar from his pocket and lighting it.
"Race, shut up, choke on your cigar and leave so I can yell the ear off my boyfriend." I snap.
"Well, that's a lot anger. But I don't think I will, considering you knocked me unconscious with an apple." He reasoned.
"Sorry," I whisper.
"Race leave," Jasper snaps.
"I want to be the first to know if you guys will break up." He smirks.
"Race, go jump off the Brooklyn Bridge and die okay, no one likes that you cat call the same people every single day. Just leave us alone?!" Jasper screams. I smirk at him, I was right. He is acting like a naughty five year old.
"Whatever, now I get to say you guys were talking about sex" Race scoffs, he sounds like a whimpering puppy that got dragged by a train.
"Race, have you ever heard of confidentiality?" I smirk, uh oh, big words for Race.
"Have you guys ever heard of sympathy? "He smirks kicking a rock to the end of the small sidewalk and runs in the direction of the lodging house.
"Ella, I want to handle this in the most mature way we can." He starts somewhat calmly.
"Thank you God." I exaggerate rolling my eyes.
"I'm just asking you a little favor of having sex, and then in a few hours, we can pretend none of this ever happened." He says rolling the tension out of his shoulders.
"Jasper, it's not like I don't want to have sex with you, I do. Really, but were too young and I'm just not ready for it." I whimper.
"Well, when are you ready?" he asks quietly.
"Are you seriously asking me that?" I scoff. "Are we seriously fighting about this?"
"Ella," he whispers slightly. "It's raining."
"What?" I ask softly.
"It's raining," he smiles. It's not really raining, it's sprinkling but that just makes it seem better. He knows how much I love the rain. It's one of those things that are still authentic. I break out a big cheesy smile as he drags me away from the tree and gives me a broad smile.
"We'll compromise about it later," I whisper in his ear. He smiles at me as we slowly get soaked.
"May I?" he smiles, mock bowing slightly. My prince I think. Hey, sometimes he may not be in shining armor, but just some idiot in tin foil. But he's mine and that's all that matters now.
"Why of course," I smile as he takes my hand and gently guides us around our tree. Slowly getting soaked, we're freezing, but the rain is warm and just has a soft feeling. It feels like pure bliss really.