April
When I walk into English the following week, I'm shocked to see Jackson in the room. He's sitting behind a student desk beside the teacher's desk.
"Jackson?" I ask, "What are you doing in sophomore English?"
"Ms. Johnson needed a teacher's aid, and I was available this period. Plus, Coach said it would look good on college applications," Jackson says.
"O-oh. Well, it's nice to have you here with us! We're going to be reading The Scarlet Letter, reading Shakespeare, doing some essays and writings, stuff like that," I said. Jackson just smiled at me, a knowing look in his eye. I'm sure I'm as red as a tomato.
"I-I mean obviously you know what we're going to be doing. You took this English class before I did, so I'm sure you're familiar with our curriculum and… all of that," I say. Jackson keeps smiling at me and nods. Jo, clearly sensing my embarrassment, comes up to us.
"Hey, Jackson. April, I need some help with the homework, do you mind?" she asks. When I nod at her, she grabs my arm and walks us back to our desks.
"Thank you," I say. Jo just smirks at me.
"April, you've known that boy since you were five, I figured your social skills would improve since then," Jo says, laughing.
"Jo, am I that awful at talking? It's so embarrassing," I groan. Jo frowns and shakes her head.
"April, he's your older brother's best friend, gorgeous, and your crush. You're fine. Plus, I bet he just thinks you're shy. You don't really talk to anyone but me, Lex, and your family," Jo says gently. Before I can respond, Matthew Taylor sits in the seat to my left.
Matthew Taylor is in my grade. He's a football player, like Alex and Jackson. Jackson is the quarterback, Alex is the tight end, and Matthew is the kicker. Matthew is nice and funny, but he's somewhat dense. I find him attractive, but not Jackson attractive.
"Hey Jo, April. You ready for the football game tonight?" he asks.
"Yeah, we wouldn't miss it," Jo says. Matthew smiles and nods.
"Cool, cool. Owen is having a party after the game. You should both come." Matthew says.
"Oh, I-"I begin, but Jo cuts me off.
"We will be there!" Jo says excitedly. I whip my head towards her. Jo knows I have a curfew. My parents want me home as soon as the game is over, with no exceptions (except homecoming). Matthew smiles and turns towards his football buddies.
"Jo! You know I can't go to that party. My curfew," I groan. Jo smirks at me.
"Just tell your parents we have a project and you're staying at my house. Dad won't care. Plus, you need to experience an actual high school party for once," she says.
"I-" I begin to say.
"Ms. Karev, may I begin my lesson?" Ms. Johnson asks me.
"Yes, Ms. Johnson. I'm sorry," I say, letting her continue. Jo smiles at me and I give her a pointed look. This will never work.
It worked. Somehow my parents believed my story about Jo and me having a project. They let me stay the night with her and Jo was beyond excited to take me to my first party. After the game, Meredith, who was also going to the party, was driving us there. When we asked if Lexie wanted to come, Meredith gave us a deadpan look and simply said Ellis, so that was our answer.
Jo and Meredith were casually chatting about the party, who would be there, and what to expect. I was silent the entire way there. I was worried about the entire thing. I'm not a party person and I don't want to be left alone in someone's living room while Jo is drunk or if she walks off somewhere. Meredith parks on the curb and kills the engine. We all exit the car and head into the house.
The party is in full swing when we walk in. Everyone has a beer in their hand, the keg stand is already in use, and there are some people making out against the walls. The house is practically shaking due to how loud the music is. There are people on the dance floor grinding and dancing together. I notice Jackson and Stephanie flush against each other. Her back is pressed to his front and he's whispering in her ear. I tear my eyes away when I manage to hear my name over the loud music.
"April, Jo! You made it!" Matthew yells, a red solo cup in his hand. I smile politely and wave at him.
"We wouldn't miss it for anything!" Jo yells back.
"Well, there's beer in the kitchen and a keg stand over there. Help yourselves!" Matthew says, smiling. Jo looks over at me.
"Do you want something? I'm about to grab a beer from the kitchen," Jo says.
"A water? Coke?" I ask, smiling. Jo smiles brightly and nods. When she leaves us, Matthew speaks up.
"No beer?" he asks.
"I've never had it," I say. He offers me a sip from his cup, and I shake my head. He chuckles.
"You're cute, April. I've always thought so," he says.
"Really?" I ask him.
"Yeah. You're cute, especially when you stutter because you don't know what to say."
I blush. No boy has ever called me cute before.
"Thank you, Matthew."
"April, I want to know if you would be my date for homecoming."
"Really? Me?"
"Yeah, you. I think we would have a great time. Plus, I could take you to the after-party."
"Um, well, yes! I would love to be your date for homecoming," I say. Matthew beams at me. We exchange numbers and he excuses himself when he sees a friend from one of his classes. I'm standing where Jo left me and decide to glance back at the dance floor. Jackson and Stephanie have disappeared, but I see Alex and Leah dancing together. Leah looks like she's having a much better time than Alex, who's looking everywhere but at her and that's when he notices me. He drops Leah's hands and storms over to me.
"You little shit!" he yells over the music. I'm thankful the house is dark because I know my face is burning.
"Alex, I-" I start, but I'm interrupted.
"April?" A voice calls. I turn and see Jackson. He's hand-in-hand with Stephanie and both of their clothes are disheveled. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm here for the party," I say.
"Oh, cut the shit! You hate parties so why are you here? How are you here?" Alex asks, his temper rising.
"She came with me. We were invited," Jo says from behind me. Alex shuts up immediately, but I can still tell he's mad.
"Does Mom know you're here?" he asks.
"I could ask you the same thing!" I yell. Jackson and Jo laugh from beside me, which seems to make Alex angrier.
"That's it. I'm taking you home, now!" Alex says. He grabs my hand and starts dragging me out the front door. Jo and Jackson run out after us.
"Alex, dude, just calm down. You've had a lot to drink, so you don't need to drive anyone home. Let me drive you guys," Jackson says.
"I came with her, so you'll have to drive us back to my house," Jo says. Alex looks between the three of us and groans. He throws Jackson his keys and storms to his truck.
The truck is quiet when the drive home begins. Alex and Jackson are in the front seat and Jo and I are in the back.
"April, I just want to know why you came to that party. It's totally unlike you," Alex says. I shrug. He sighs and hits his head against the headrest.
"Matthew invited us," Jo says confidently.
"Matthew Taylor?" Jackson asks. Jo and I nod. Alex scoffs at the name.
"He actually asked me to homecoming," I say quietly. Alex and Jo's heads whip toward me, while I notice Jackson's eyes cut to me from the rearview mirror.
"He asked you to homecoming? April, that's amazing! We'll have to tell him what color dress you pick so he can match!" Jo exclaims. Alex rolls his eyes.
"Small problem with that. Matthew will be on the field, so he won't need to match April," Alex says.
"I don't think you should go with Matthew," Jackson says. Every head turns to him.
"Why not?" Jo asks.
"He's not a good guy," Jackson says, his eyes flickering to me. I furrow my brows as we make eye contact. Alex and Jo are quiet at this revelation. The entire car ride is silent until I speak up.
"Jackson, um, thank you for telling me that. B-but I… can make my own decisions and I want to be Matthew's date for homecoming," I say. He nods and no one speaks for the rest of the car ride. After what feels like an eternity, we make it back to Jo's house. We climb out of the backseat and Jackson drives away. Jo and I look at each other.
"What was his deal about Matthew?" I ask.
"Maybe he's jealous?" Jo asks.
Jackson Avery was not jealous of Matthew. Jackson Avery feels wary of Matthew and only time will tell me why.