*dot*

It was surprising that Jason had called a few weeks after the Vegas events wanting to meet up in LA. She tried to claim that she was spending time with friends for a graduation event that afternoon, but he offered to buy lunch for everyone, something that Carol wouldn't say no to. The small group, well it was really about fourteen of them, taken half of the Ihop for themselves, when Jason walked in with such swagger it made each of the girls swoon. Their male counter parts noticed but Miller simply stood up and fist bumped him welcoming him.

"Everyone this is my friend Jason," introduced Jess for him. He waved and showed an earnest smile before Carol pushed another seat between her and Jess motioning for him to sit. The group was enthralled with his words and laughed at most everything he said. What stood out about him was his obsessive need for ranch.

"I'm from the Midwest. Live and breath this shit," he chuckled before thanking the waitress for it. Clearly, they were smitten with him, and Jess could see he was blending with them well. Though he appeared unfazed by the girls around him, after a while people started to leave including Jess and Jason. Several of the groups went to hug him goodbye making their boyfriends annoyed. One eyes Jess softly before grinning.

"It's been forever since I've eaten there," he said loudly unlocking the dark blue 2-door Chevy Corvette looked even more beautiful than before. Probably because it wasn't under the glow of neon lights. Letting the top down and they chatted away as they drove the distance to her house for quick stop for her graduation gown, dress, and heels. After that, they went to the ceremony's location which was across town.

"So how does it feel to be done with school?" he asked smiling behind his sunglasses.

"It feels really good!" Jess said smiling as they approached a stop light.

"I finished a long time ago." Jess perked up at his comment.

"When did you finish?" Jason smirked and turned his head at her.

"Jess, I finished high school in 2005. I turn 22 next month."

"WHAT!? You're four years old than me?!" Jason laughed as Jess lightly hit his arm.

"HEY! HEY I told you how old I was! Did you forget?" he smirked.

They both shared a laugh as Jason turned up his stereo enjoying the music playing. ACDC blared as they raced across town. Finally, after nearly an hour, Jess stood in front of the building ready to accept her diploma and be done. Jason stood behind her and gave her a big hug.

"Congrats though really! This is big! I never went to mine in Missouri," he said sadly. "But this isn't about me!" Jason took a step-in front of her and smiled as tears begin to fill in her eyes. "Hey, hey! Please don't cry. You'll ruin your beautiful face —"

"Jason," she said reaching up to touch his cheek. "Thank you for being here. You didn't have to spend your evening with me here during this…"

His face lit up and a wide smile crossed his face. In his hands was her cap and gown. Helping her into it, a nearby person volunteered to take a take a photo of them. Jason wrapped his arm around her waist and they posed together for the camera.

"Oh my God…." said a voice behind them. Jess turned around after getting her camera back and saw Doug standing with Stu and Phil. Thankfully Alan was nowhere in sight.

"Doug!" she screamed running to him and giving him a big hug. He equally returned the hug and they both laughed as Jason walked over.

"Who's your friend?" asked Doug nervously pointing at Jason. He introduced himself to the others and they took an instant liking to him. Phil scoffed at Jason's closeness to Jess, but he remained unmoved by the boy. "Well hey man if you wanna sit with us... My wife is getting seats for us two."

As Doug, Stu, and Jason went one way toward the stands, Jess and Phil had to leave in a different direction. It seemed forever but finally she sat down with her friends. On the stage was Phil with the other staff members. Carol was a few seats from her and the two were waving franticly at each other with happiness. Up in the stands behind her, she prayed that Doug wouldn't find out how she met Jason. Hopefully he was playing it off like they knew the same people. Phil clearly his throat and gathered everyone's attention.

"Hello, and welcome to the 2009 class of Rochester Senior High School. This has been a fun filled year with so many bright minded young men and women. I feel honored that I had the privilege to teach them this year. Several of these seniors were among my first at Rochester and they made it special for me as well as other members of faulty. As sophomores, I knew these kids were different. They began to form who they wanted to be, and this sets each of them apart from the rest. But different in a way that made them. It was only the beginning…."

Jess listened and tried not to roll her eyes. She could feel everything he said was a stab at her directly. After about five and half minutes, the audience clapped and the ceremony continued. Rather than listen to the people speaking on stage, she withdrew her cell phone from her pocket that was hidden under her graduation robe.

You look so beautiful in your gown. Blue really does suit you – Jason

Jess felt her cheeks redden as the memory came back to her.

I like blue… – Jess

I liked that dress – Jason

Why did you like my dress? – Jess

Because your body looked amazing in it – Jason

But she couldn't reply because the person beside her was pulling her to stand. They were walking to the stage as she put her phone back in her dress pocket. Watching as Carol strolled across the stage, her diploma in hand, a smile on her face, Jess felt her feet made contact to the polished wooden stage. There was a deafening silence as she began walking with confidence to the people who taught her for four years at this school. These were the same people who opened their arms to her at fourteen when she had been shy and nervous about making new friends. It was hard to imagine that she was really there smiling brightly as her family and friends cheered her on. There at the end was Phil holding her diploma. His lips displayed a smirk she was well use to being his student. It was a similar smirk that she knew in her private life with him.

"Congratulations Jess. Happy times ahead," he said with the simple most important piece of paper of her life in his hands.

"We can be together now," she whispered taking a hold of the paper, but he wouldn't let it go. Their eyes connected for a second, and there was a wider smirk.

"I know," he beamed before letting go. As she walked away, his eyes followed her briefly but his attention was broken as the next student came up; a dork with mossy brown hair and an ill-fitted collar on.

I can't wait to have you alone again, thought Phil as he continued to hand out the senior's diplomas.

*dot*

Later that summer

Box after box, Jason and Jess wiped their brows trying to sort their belongings. It was a beautiful little apartment for them to start off in. Jason had moved into this apartment when his prior roommate didn't turn up for the lease signing. Instead, he offered for Jess to stay as she had taken to staying several nights at his home. Jess noticed that he didn't seem to be ever unpacking and that boxes were lined up everywhere. He had barely any furniture and there was never food in his refrigerator. After Jess began leaving her belongings there, she started to keep track of her expenses more because she felt she needed to contribute toward the apartments keep. Jason had constantly assured her she didn't need to worry about that. Finally, Jason caved when he asked her to acquire a living room set and bedroom set to her liking. After that, Jess began to make the apartment a home.

It had a small little entrance area where Jess had nailed a coat rack for guests. Jason had taken to finding a carpet runner for the foyer at her insistences. The living room opened revealing the solid oak coffee table and a new leather couch thanks to Sid. From the living area, guests were able to see a portion of the kitchen, but it was mostly hidden by a low wall. Turning down a short hall, guests could reach either of the bedrooms and the bathroom. One could also reach the patio from the living room.

Inside one room was her bed positioned near the window, but pushed against the opposite wall to save space. This gave a little more room for her oversized dresser, which sat near the door, and her computer desk. Inside her closet was filled with a number of things, from her actual clothing to serving as storage for old well-kept items. In the other was Jason's bed as well as his dresser. He had a taller one filled with an assortment of business casual clothing. He had a small safe that he emptied out only for moving. After he returned his items in the safe, Jess saw him lock it tight and cover it like it were an end table.

"Jason?" He turned suddenly at her voice. Jess was scared a moment that maybe she wasn't suppose to see the safe.

"What?" he asked standing up.

"There isn't anything bad in there is there?" Jason shook his head.

"No, nothing bad. Just items I need no one see. Personal items and Medical documents for me."

Jess nodded, turning away from his room toward the kitchen. She sat out three boxes containing many kitchen items and found homes for it all.

"This is definitely yours," said Jess sitting down several mugs on the counter. They were sports teams from the Midwest and it made Jason smile at them. He picked up a blue one for the Royals.

"I went to a game last year and had a blast with my buddy Seth," he commented sitting it down on the counter again and inspecting another one which was red. "It's been forever since I went to a Chiefs game. I never find time to go in the fall. Hey is that my shaving kit?"

Jess had opened a lone box in the corner that was pretty small. Inside it was as old fashion shaving kit resting in a blue velvet lined box. There were also a few medicine bottles that were empty.

"What are these for?" she asked him taking one of the bottles.

Jason froze a moment before answering. "It's for a medical thing…"

"Jason, do you wanna tell me? I'm not trying to pry," she offered putting the bottle in his hand. He stared at the bottle and then looked up at her. His clearly his throat and answered her.

"I suffered from anorexia and depression when I was younger. It started around when my mom was diagnosed with cancer but I couldn't eat nor could I do much of anything. The doctors thought because I was exercising so much, but they noticed I was losing way too much weight for a male my age. Finally, I was prescribed this and things have evened out. I still take it but in small doses."

Jess listened and felt her eyes begin to water as her own memories of her mother came. Jason noticed this and went to hug her.

"I keep this from people; it's been used against me," he confessed waving a moment then sitting it on the counter. "I can't let it out that I suffer from it but I know I'm not alone with these feelings."

"My mom killed herself in front of me when I was ten," confessed Jess grabbing his hands. The man froze and he grasped Jess' shoulders in shock.

"She what?" he asked again.

"My mom raised my brother and I but when Doug left for college it left me with her," she explained. "I hated it but she was my mom. Surely what she did for me was right? But it wasn't and I accept that her death isn't and never was my fault." Jess felt herself thinking back to that morning when she confessed to Phil her freshman year. "I just wish that I had been a better daughter to her. I still feel bad that she hadn't gotten to see all the things I've done since."

"I bet that you'd be a different person if she were alive though," he whispered giving her a huge hug. Jason looked down and gave her a sweet kiss. Jess felt her chest burst open and she wrapped her arms around his neck. He guided her one of the bedrooms and there they kissed the night away.

*dot*

They lay on the sofa, her hair cascaded everywhere including on Jason's face as they watched a movie, her stomach doing backflips and the small pieces of bread wasn't helping. It worried her because she had missed her July period and it was already late August meaning it should come again. Maybe she was just off because of all the stress of finishing school and moving in with Jason. Each night, he spent typing on his laptop or talking to people in hushed voices that it concerned her a bit, but they were just roommates.

One night after eating a large bowl of chicken salad, she had spent much of the morning puking in the toilet not feeling at all good. Jason had come running to her, holding up her hair as she did so. Laying in a heap of blankets on his bed, he cuddles her as she continued to feel sick.

"Adam," said Jason suggestively playing word association.

"Apple," said Jess turning over onto his chest.

"Bakery," he replied quickly. "Oh hey, is Carol Baker your friend?" Jess sat up with her mouth open.

"How do you know Carol?!" she exclaimed. "Is she doing volleyball?"

"I saw her at the store the other day and she asked about you."

He kicked the blanket off his long legs while grabbing for his phone to order some pizza. Instead he found it was near ten o'clock and the pizza parlor was closed. They gathered some footwear and went to a convenience store near their home for a late-night snack. Jason had on a white loose t-shirt on his chest and a pair of black short, while Jess wore an x-large lilac tank top with a pair of booty shorts. Entering the store, the cashiers started at them as they rounded up an arms full amount of potato chips, candy, and sandwiches with a soda bottle for each.

"I got it," he said pulling out his card to pay for everything. The man on the other side of the counter stared at Jess as they bagged the items. Walking out Jason grabbed for the heaviest bags and they walked out. Just before they exited the store, he gave her a quick kiss at the door just to piss the guy off at the counter. Devouring the snacks and soda, they were helping the other with her homework. Only that their attention was also on the other's body. Jess looked up at the clock and saw it said 1:10A.

"Man it's late," he whispered as she got up. They retreated to their beds with another sweet kiss. As the clock struck 2:00, the tossing and turned never stopped for Jason. He had tried to sleep but just could not do so. Getting up a moment, he walked over and saw the other door was cracked open. There was Jess; sleeping peacefully under her blanket. She turned a bit revealing her body more, but Jason frowned, and he closed her door completely. He heard his phone vibrating on the table. Going to check it, he saw his father had tried to call him. Seven times since midnight he thought checking through the messages once before shutting it off completely.

"I find a beautiful girl I actually like, and you are going to drive her away," he muttered at his phone as his eyes closed to sleep.

*dot*

One Saturday evening Jess returned home to see Jason passed out on the floor, his pillow tucked under his head and laptop in sleep mode laying nearby. She picked it up and saved his work before putting it on the charger. Finding his blanket and covered him so he wasn't cold, Jess showered and worked a bit on her homework before retiring to bed. The next morning, Jason exited his room to find Jess cooking up some breakfast. She was wearing one of his hoodies which fell well under her bottom and nothing else underneath. He came around her kissing her on the neck as she turned to smile at him.

"Good morning!" she said reaching up to grab their plates. She served eggs and toast with a side of fruit. On one plate were strawberries and kiwi, while the other had apples and bananas.

"Mine?" he asked pointing at the second plate.

"You said you couldn't eat berries and a kiwi is technically a berry," she said picking up hers.

"True but the main allergy is strawberries. The others I have an intolerance for but can digest," he smiled picking up his and taking it to the island bar. "I'll savor this. Hey remember I said I was heading out today and tomorrow with some of the guys. Got some job site to be at all day. I should be back by nightfall."

Jess nodded to Jason's words and quietly munched on her toast. After a few minutes, he went to collect his backpack and extra clothing before departing.

"Bye Jess," he called closing the door.

Silence erupted in the apartment as Jess sat thinking about the day, she had planned for herself. Settling into the sofa, she studied for a while and texted Phil asking him to stop by. They hadn't seen each other for a week nearly and it was killing her inside. Terribly she ached for Phil. Music filled the apartment that afternoon before he stopped near 3:30. After so much of her day spent working on school work, the sight of the man, holding a bouquet of flowers, was delightful to say the least. Jess grinned as she pulled him in by the collar of his loose jacket.

"I'm well missed," he commented before slamming the door closed and capturing her lips with his own. He gathered the end of her shirt and pulled it quickly over her shoulders. Throwing the shirt across the room, Phil savagely began kissing and savoring every inch of her body, his fingers played her body like a bow on a stringed instrument. Like music, Jess hummed against the pleasure that Phil drew out from her. The thrill enticed her with every flick. Jess was on fire more than she had ever been before. Finally, after enduring Phil's torture and pain, she pulled him onto the bed and allowed the man a break. Sinking to her knees, she took occupation of his jeans pushing them down. Phil held on to her as she acted and from there she claimed what was hers to take. Take hold of her hair to steady her, Phil took pleasure in their act while Jess later screamed his name time and time again.

Sometime after they both showered and redressed, Jess whipped up some food for them to eat.

"I must say this arrangement is working out," he laughed taking a bit of his food. "I've never been happier." Phil tapped her nose and exhalated deeply leaning against the chair he sat in. His hair was tussled as he tried to dry it.

"I know! I feel finally free!" she said thankfully reaching for another eggroll. "I just hope that Doug isn't too butt hurt about everything with us. I love him dearly too. And what would he think about us?"

"Pff! Fuck him— fuck them all! We got each other," proclaimed Phil holding her hand tightly, a wide grin crossing his cheeks.

"I don't even have a real job yet and —" he kissed her suddenly stopping her from speaking.

"I can support us both and anything life brings us. I promise you everything and more. We are meant to be together," he said resuming his attention to his food. "Besides I am the best fucking man ever."

Jess laughed as she suddenly felt a strong shake in her stomach. It was so strong that it forced her to stand up and run quickly to the bathroom, throwing up the content of her dinner. Phil had followed and watched in anguish at the sight because he really couldn't help her. Jess held her hair up and continued to do so for several minutes until she was hyperventilating on air. Rushing to get a glass of water, Phil held the glass up as she sipped it slowly. While she tried to stand up, she reached for Phil to guide her.

"Are you okay?" he asked seating her on the edge of the tub.

"Yah. Just a stomach bug going around. I'll be fine," she said quietly staring back at him. He caressed her face until her eyes began to flutter. "Phil?"

"Yes," he answered kneeling before her, watching her closely. "What's up?"

Jess sat up fully once more and stared into his blue eyes seeing everything in his world staring back at her. Tucking loose hair strands behind his ear, he gently placed a kiss on her cheek and rested his forehead on hers. He reached up and caressed her cheeks once more before giving her another kiss and taking her to laying her down.

"I love you," she said before her eyes shut closed as sleep overtook her.

Watching her peacefully, Phil wrapped her blanket around her shoulders and finished cleaning the dishes they used. When he was done, he went to retrieve his briefcase and continued to grade his student's assignments. It was only a few weeks in the new term, but it was overwhelming the stress he felt he was placing upon himself.

Jess, who had never asked for anything but love from him, was laying on his lap resting her mind and body. She put herself into a fit about their relationship too, but the torment that he put himself through every day as he continued to lie about their relationship was slowly eating him alive. Devastatingly, Phil knew he would be caught one day. He was cleared from being her teacher and he knew that he was ready to leave his wife. That much he was granted. But watching her chest puff in and out with every breath, he was reminded of the many times he had her in his private quarters. Maybe he wasn't sure about his life and the direction it was going but the parts that involved Jess, he knew he wanted to keep safe.

*dot*

It was typical that she arrived early to work at Stu's clinic but this morning she was rubbing her eyes after a night of throwing up repeatedly. She has not had much sleep over the last two weeks and with Jason being in and out many times during the day for work. After everything lately with her illness and trying to hold things down, it was difficult to even bare when it happened so suddenly. Leaving the apartment early that morning, Jess made her way toward the highway trying to block the sun's rays form hitting her in the eyes. Only she didn't know that something else would hit her next.

*dot*

"Hello this is Tracy," she answered the phone call. Tracy nearly dropped the phone in shock but she ran over to hand it to Doug as they both listened to the caller. They shared a worried expression before hurrying out the door, Doug grabbing the keys and locking the door. while Tracy called Stu, Phil, Jason.

"Dr. Price?" asked the receptionist to Stu. He replied he was in the office as she entered the room. The dentist looked up from his notes and eyed her with curiosity before taking the phone call she said he needed to take. His eyes widened as he listened to Tracy explain, before standing up, informing his fellow dentist partners of the emergency, and rushing out the door.

"Mr. Wenneck? You have a phone call waiting for you in the office. Please come down." Phil got a para to watch his class long enough to walk down and take the call but upon hearing Tracy's rushed words, he fell into a vacant chair in the office. Collecting himself, he told an administrator that he had to leave for a family emergency. Hurrying back to his room to gather his car keys, then turning and leaving the building in a near run. He could feel his heart beating in his chest as he raced across town.

"This is Jason," he replied excepting Doug's voice, but hear his wife. "What's up Trace?" As Tracy explained, Jason felt his heart drop into his stomach, and he took several steps back into the aisle he stood in. Grabbing a hold of the display rack, he could feel his heartbeat racing as he abandoned his small basket with a cashier at the front, and ran out of the store to his Corvette, and jetted off.

Neither Doug or Tracy could stand to bare entering the room alone to see Jess as she lay in the emergency room covered in road debris as well glass shards in her hair and face. They could barely speak once much less three times to each of the men, but this was dire. For once Doug didn't know what to do, but at the moment, Jess was barely breathing and struggling to keep conscious.

"I need you come to the hospital. Jess was in an accident."

*dot*