A/N: I could give excuses about why it took me so long to come back, but I won't. I'll just say that I'm sorry and hope you haven't forgotten about me. Thank you for your amazing comments, you rock!
"Well, don't you look nice," Mrs. Brown was the third person to tell her that that morning, and Kim blushed. Did she overdo it? This thing with Jared wasn't really a date, at least he didn't label it as such, but Kim felt the need to look a bit more put together. Was that a mistake? Would he think that she was trying too hard? Her stomach did a somersault as she tugged on her new red sweater. She'd been saving it for a special occasion, something really important. Was it really sad that the most important thing she could think of was a non-date with Jared, a guy who was probably just trying to be friendly? She huffed and continued working on her basket with trembling fingers. What was she even doing? What was she hoping for? She allowed herself to think for a moment that Jared seemed to be interested in her, but was that really possible, or was it just her imagination? Even if he was, then what? Was she hoping they would start dating? Yes, that's likely, she thought sourly, applying more pressure on her basket than needed.
"Careful now," Mrs Ateara said, gently touching Kim's hand. "Light fingers, remember."
It was Kim's head that felt light, like it was a balloon attached to her neck. It would come in handy, to be a balloon. If she were one, she could fly away and not deal with this kind of stress. What was she even going to talk to Jared about? She wasn't really interesting. She didn't know much about, well, anything. Maybe she should let Jared do all the talking. He's good at it. Oh God, what if he asks her questions? And she says something really stupid? Maybe she should cancel the date. The non-date. Please, let this class last forever.
"Well, that would be all for today," Mrs. Ateara said, and Kim sunk into her chair. "Your baskets are mostly done, as far as I can see. Next time we'll just decorate them and move onto the next project!"
No, I'm not done! Kim wanted to shout. She never wanted to be done. She would never leave the room, and she wouldn't go on the non-date, and then Jared wouldn't discover that she was so lame. She clung to her chair.
"Everything all right?" Mrs Ateara smiled at her. Kim nodded but didn't move an inch. Mrs Ateara raised an eyebrow at her. "Aren't you going to pack your things, sweetie?"
"Of course. Of course I am," Kim shook her head and started packing, slowly, slowly. She would be the last one out, let the ladies ogle Jared first and not tease her about him. She learned her lesson last time.
Before exiting the building, Kim reapplied her lip gloss and smoothed her jacket a couple of times. With a huff, she stepped out, and the cold wind came like a slap to her face, blowing her hair into all directions, some of it inevitably sticking to her lips. Great.
Jared was already there, this time leaning against his car, looking like a Quileute James Dean. How did he pull that off every time? Kim wondered if there was ever a situation where he looked really hideous. Like, clammy and snot-nosed? Violently ill, pallid and vomitty? She seriously doubted it. She huffed in exasperation. Well, at least they wouldn't have to walk. Small victories. He smiled at her as she struggled to remove the hair from her lips.
"Need a hand?" He said, and she almost shivered at the thought of him touching her hair, her lips. Horny much, Kimberly?
"I'm good, thanks."
"Shall we?" He motioned to the car. "I wanted to open the door for you, but my sister Alyssa had said multiple times, and I quote: "Women are able to open their goddamn door!", so I guess I won't?" He chuckled and Kim joined him. Ok, it isn't so bad, see? Now you say something. Ask him something. About his hoodie. About his sister. Anything!
"Um. Uh, is she your only sibling?" Good girl!
"No, I have two more sisters, Tara and Maisey," he said, starting the car.
"Wow. How's that working out for you?"
"It's not, trust me," he laughed. "My dad and I are grossly overpowered. I'm also the oldest sibling. I'm practically doomed, you could say. What about you?"
"An older sister. She's at college in Seattle."
"Ooh, so you're the baby of the family. I bet you're spoiled rotten, like all the youngest siblings," he snorted.
"Am not!" She rolled her eyes, and then a comfortable silence fell over them. She settled more comfortably into her seat and glanced at Jared. He was a good driver, but more careful than Paul. He drove more slowly, more gently, like there were boxes of precious cargo in the back. He also smelt nice, like mild fabric softener and a refreshing cologne. Kim could bet that the cologne was blue.
"Is your cologne blue?" She blurted out before she could stop herself. Why?! Why would you ask that?!
"Uh. I think so," Jared smiled. "Why?"
"Um, uh, no reason. I, um, it's nice. It smells nice," Kim stuttered, barely resisting the urge to close her eyes. Well, you blew it. He probably thinks you're a stalker now.
But Jared just beamed at her. "Thanks, I thought so too. It's new. It's important for me that it isn't too strong. If it is, it bothers my nose, messes with my senses. Do you think it's too strong?"
"No, no, it's... the right amount of... strength." Use your words, Kimberly. Preferably in English.
"Well, I'm glad you like it. I... also like your perfume. Very subtle, but super nice. Like you," he smiled and Kim felt her face burn.
"Yeah, um, mine's not new. I've been using it... forever. It's called Spring Blossoms, and it's like a flowery-fruity mix. It isn't even expensive," she ranted.
"But, is it blue?" Jared grinned.
"Shut up," she smiled and blushed a little deeper.
He did open the diner door for her in the end, and Kim silently swore she would never admit to anyone how much she liked it. They chose a cozy, secluded booth, the one where couples usually sat. Kim's heart wiggled hopefully. Maybe he actually liked her? Shut up, heart.
"So, what will you have?" Jared rubbed his hands together gleefully, and his eyes lit up at the mention of food.
"The fish burger."
"Kim, ew. Seriously? All of this unbelievable, cheesy, gooey goodness and you're choosing… fish? It's like I'm witnessing a crime."
"I like fish! It's my favorite."
"I can't believe it," he mocked in horror.
"I can't believe you live in an oceanside town and don't like fish," she countered.
"Never have and never will," he said solemnly.
"What are you having, then?"
"My usual."
"What's the 'usual'?"
"The Forest burger; double, extra cheese, extra bacon, with the side of curly fries and onion rings. And maybe a piece of blueberry pie after," he recited.
Kim's nose scrunched up. "That's basically like they took everything they had in the kitchen, and dumped it onto your plate."
"Exactly," he grinned. "That's the point."
"Yeah, but, how do you taste any flavor?"
"I taste it fine," he smiled. "I'll definitely taste more than you will, with the… fish," he shuddered.
"Fish is awesome. And healthy. And won't give me a heart attack when I'm 35."
"No heart attack with this metabolism, baby," he patted his belly and gave her a wide smile.
Baby? Whaaat. Kim felt her eyes going wide and her cheeks crimson. Jared cleared his throat and fumbled with the menu.
"Is it me or is this waitress taking forever?" he mumbled.
"Mhmph," Kim nodded and busied herself with the menu, too.
"And that's how we started calling Johnson 'Tush'," Jared said proudly. Kim burst out laughing. She'd been scared their conversation would lull, come to uncomfortable pauses, but it never did, mostly because of Jared. It was a gift, Kim thought, to be able to talk like he did, to tell an engaging story while also including her, not minding her questions, cherishing her digressions and interruptions. When he listened, he paid attention, asked questions, looked interested. Kim could easily imagine him leading important meetings, talking his way up the business ladder. She felt a pang of sadness when she realized he probably never would.
As the waitress cleared their (mostly Jared's) ridiculous number of plates, Kim remembered something.
"Oh, no," she slapped herself on the forehead.
"What?"
"We forgot to take a picture of the food for Paul!"
"Oh, right," Jared said sheepishly, like he barely had an idea what she was talking about. "Well, we can still take a picture?" He said and slid to her side of the booth. "Is that cool? He'll know where we are."
"Oh. Ok," Kim said, her pulse suddenly quickening as he moved closer. Could he feel it?
When her arm was pressed against his ribcage, Jared seemed satisfied with their distance. He put his arm around Kim and snapped a selfie, then he showed it to her. In the photo, he was smiling widely, all straight teeth and dimples. Kim, on the other hand, looked blushy and shy.
"I look stupid, delete that," she said, trying to take Jared's phone.
"Not a chance, you look great," he said, easily moving it out of her reach.
"Come on, Jared," she struggled to grab the phone, pulling his forearm, but it was like pulling iron - completely useless and it just made him laugh. Only when he snorted with laughter and his breath brushed her cheek did Kim realize how close they were. Her pulse went through the roof and she stopped reaching for the phone. Jared's smile slowly waned and his eyes went wide. He slowly put his phone on the table. They stared at each other for a few seconds. Is this… is he…? Kim's brain was incapable of a complete thought as Jared leaned in a little. He is, he is! You can do it, Kim! You can- Before she had the time to finish that thought, Kim heard a small gasp. Both she and Jared turned to look at the source of the sound, breaking the magic. Not far away from them, two girls from their school were whispering furiously. And with them a livid-looking Sophie.