Chapter 5 United Again
Christina finished her story, her eyes flickering with shame as she cast her gaze downward.
"I remember when you revealed Ronnie Ann's confession."
"Hearing every detail, I figured out how to frame Lincoln with the sexual assault."
Girl Jordan's face was stone cold as she responded,
"Given how similar your accusation was, it fed the evidence to paint Lincoln in a terrible light."
"I should never have told you the full story. I regretted trusting you."
"Hell, you even convinced his sisters he was a creep."
Lucy, Lisa, and Lynn Jr. frowned upon hearing Girl Jordan's words. The weight of believing Christina's allegations hung heavy on them.
"I know it was wrong," Christina admitted, her eyes downcast. She twisted a strand of hair around her finger, a nervous habit.
"But oddly enough, my pursuit of Lincoln wasn't for me at first; it was for you, Jordan."
"That day in the cafeteria, I saw how you looked at him."
"You weren't just crushing on him; you were in love."
She glanced up, meeting Jordan's eyes.
"You two share a deep history, a bond so strong that even time apart couldn't break it."
"When you came back together, it was like nothing had changed."
Girl Jordan's expression remained unreadable as Christina continued, "The problem was, you were timid, afraid of voicing your opinion. So as a friend, I wanted to help you get with Lincoln.
"So I devised a plan to get closer to him behind your back, hoping I could pair the two of you. Unfortunately, my plan backfired," Christina admitted.
"How so?" Girl Jordan asked, her voice steady but her eyes filled with curiosity.
Christina sighed as she gazed away. "I started catching feelings for him too."
"So it began as an attempt to get us together, but once you got to know him, you went after him yourself?" Girl Jordan pressed.
"Yes, Jordan. Do you remember the day I asked if I could date Lincoln?"
"I took advantage of your timidness."
"It was clear as day you had feelings for him, but you seemed too scared to confess."
"So, I took that leap instead. I'm sorry."
Girl Jordan close her eyes, reflecting on the past.
"I still remember it as clear as day."
"Even though it was underhanded, you were right."
"I probably would never have told him."
"You and Lincoln were my friends, and when you got closer to him, I was happy."
"But a part of me was jealous. I didn't know I had a side like that."
"I envied how confident you were in chasing him."
"You would wrap your hands around his arm when walking to class."
"Play with his hair when we sat together at lunch, and laugh at his jokes like they were the funniest things you'd ever heard."
Girl Jordan sighed, her expression conflicted. "When he turned you down, I felt your pain too, but mostly, I was relieved. When it came to Lincoln, sharing him was one of my weakest traits."
They shared a quiet moment, both reflecting on the complexities of their love triangle. It had driven them apart, yet now, it was bringing them to a place of understanding and peace.
"I didn't even realize it at first, but ever since you and Lincoln met, I started getting more protective of him," Girl Jordan admitted. "It was like this sudden instinct kicked in, making me feel like I had to guard what was mine. So, I started spending more time with him."
She could still picture that day with such clarity. Lincoln just arrived at Girl Jordan's house. He rang the doorbell, and a woman with a braided ponytail answered.
"Oh hi, Mrs. Rosato. Is Jordan home? She said she'd help me catch up with my homework."
Mrs. Rosato smiled warmly. "Lincoln, what a surprise! I haven't seen you in ages. It's been almost a year since I last saw you."
"It's good to see you too, Mrs. Rosato. How's the salon holding up?"
"Stylish as ever," she laughed at her remark. "I'll call Jordan down for you. Jordan, Lincoln's here to see you!"
"Thanks, Mrs. Rosato," Lincoln replied, stepping into the house.
A moment later, Jordan came down, her eyes lighting up when she saw Lincoln.
"Lincoln! Come on up to my room; we'll get started right away."
Lincoln climbed the stairs, a wave of nostalgia hitting him. He stared at the living room where they used to have their annual movie nights. He remembered one particular night.
Lincoln and Jordan sat on the couch, a bowl of popcorn between them.
"I can't believe you've never seen Dumb and Dumber," Girl Jordan teased.
Lincoln shrugged. "Well, there's a first time for everything. Let's watch!"
As the movie played, they both laughed uncontrollably at the ridiculous antics of Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels. "I can't believe they did that!" Girl Jordan laughed, wiping tears from her eyes.
"I know, right? This movie is hilarious," Lincoln agreed, joining in the laughter.
Lincoln could smell Mrs. Rosato cooking, which brought back memories of when he and Jordan tried to bake crème puff cakes:
"Okay, so we just have to mix the batter like this," Jordan said confidently.
Lincoln nodded, but as he started to mix, the bowl slipped, and the batter exploded outwards, splattering the kitchen. "Whoa! We're under attack!" he joked, covered in batter.
Jordan laughed, her face also covered in batter. "Looks like we're not going to be pastry chefs anytime soon."
Mrs. Rosato walked in, her eyes widening in terror at the mess. "Good Lord, what happened here!?"
"We were trying to bake," Lincoln admitted sheepishly, looking at the chaos they had created.
Mrs. Rosato chuckled despite the mess. "Here, let me show you how it's done."
As they reached Jordan's room, the familiar smell and decor brought back another fond memory.
"Okay, so you take three strands like this," Jordan explained, her fingers deftly weaving her hair.
Lincoln tried to follow her instructions but ended up with a tangled mess. "This is harder than it looks," he said, frustrated.
Jordan laughed, helping him. "It just takes practice. Here, let me show you again."
Back in the present, they settled in to work on his homework, the atmosphere comfortable and familiar.
"Okay, so for this math problem, you need to isolate the variable," Jordan explained, pointing to the equation. "Just remember to balance both sides."
Lincoln nodded, catching on. "Smart as ever, Jordan. It's no wonder you're our class rep,"
Jordan chuckled. "Lincoln, we don't even have a class rep."
"Even if we did, it would be you. You're a natural-born leader that draws people in. Without you, Molly, Cookie, and Rachel's shenanigans would get the best of them."
"Like that time Molly almost got caught sneaking out of school to go to the mall, but you covered for her."
Jordan laughed, nodding. "I told her to say she was with me at the library working on a project. The teacher believed it, and Molly managed to slip away without getting caught."
"And remember when Rachel got stuck on the roof during that prank gone wrong?" Lincoln added. "You were the one who figured out how to get her down safely."
"Yeah, I got a ladder from the janitor's closet and helped her climb down," Jordan recalled, smiling at the memory.
They both laughed at those silly memories, finding relief in the nostalgia.
Lincoln's face relaxed, the laughter leaving behind a serene smile.
"Funny how your knack for taking care of others is what brought us together."
Girl Jordan smiled, her eyes reflecting a distant memory. "Lincoln, we first met in preschool."
"You know what I meant. We officially became friends in 2nd grade," Lincoln replied
Their minds drifted back to that time, like rewinding an old film. It was recess, and a mob of kids formed a circle around a colorful parachute, lifting it high in the air as one kid after another dashed underneath.
"Hurry, Girl Jordan, come across before you get trapped!" Andrew yelled.
"Not if I can help it!" Boy Jordan challenged, grinning.
As the kids laughed and played, Lincoln and Clyde approached, curiosity in their eyes. "Hey, can we join in on the fun?" Clyde asked, his voice hopeful.
The kids stopped what they were doing. "Sure, Clyde, you can play, but Lincoln can't," Richie stated bluntly.
"Oh, not this again. Guys, he's not sick. Just because he has white hair doesn't mean he's contagious," Clyde defended Lincoln, frustration in his tone.
"You don't get it, Clyde. Only old people have white hair. He has it now. What if he's really sick? "Trent speculated, his voice laced with fear.
"I'm not dying. My mom said I got my hair from my Pop Pop. She said it's what makes me special," Lincoln desperately explained, his voice shaky.
"I wouldn't call it special. You're the only kid here with white hair. It's kinda freaky. We don't want to catch what you're having," Chandler said, taking a step back.
"Hey, I got an idea for a game you could play with us, Lincoln," Chandler suggested slyly.
"Really? What is it?" Lincoln asked, his excitement bubbling up."
"Let's play tag, and Lincoln's it. If he touches you, you're dead and your hair turns white!"
"This sounds like a fun game. Run!" Artie shouted, and the kids scattered in all directions, laughing as they tried to escape Lincoln.
Clyde sighed, placing a reassuring hand on Lincoln's shoulder. "I'm sorry, buddy. Maybe next time,"
He releases his hand leaving Lincoln behind, joining the rest of the kids as they call him to hurry up.
Lincoln clutched his shorts, seeking comfort in the fabric. His eyes filled with moisture, and soon, he couldn't hold back the wails. Streams of liquid sorrow traced down his face. Amid the retreating kids, only Girl Jordan remained. Seeing Lincoln's tears wasn't something she could ignore.
Jordan walked up to him and gently placed a hand on his chest. Lincoln sniffled, "Why are you touching me? Aren't you scared you'll get sick too?"
"No. If what Chandler says is true, then I'm hoping I'll get white hair."
"Why?"
"Because I think your hair is beautiful, Lincoln."
"Really?"
"Yes, really," she said earnestly. "My mom's a hairstylist. She knows a thing or two about hair. It's a rare trait people wish to die for. Well, not literally, including in this case."
They both laughed at her statement. Lincoln, feeling at ease, stopped crying and wiped away his last tear.
"Well, that also means you won't get white hair," Lincoln said, a small smile forming.
"Hey, a girl can hope. What if I touch your hair? Maybe it'll rub off on me," she reached her hand toward his head. "May I?"
He nodded, and Girl Jordan gently touched his hair, feeling its soft texture and smoothness.
"Wow, Lincoln, your hair is so silky. It definitely makes you unique."
Lincoln placed his hands on top of his head where Girl Jordan was touching. Their fingers met, and an unexpected warmth spread through him. As their eyes locked, it felt like seeing someone truly special for the first time—a moment where the world faded away, leaving just the two of them. Lincoln felt a glimmer of hope brightening his heart.
As they let go, Jordan asked, "Lincoln, why don't you play with me? They did leave the parachute here."
"Sure, but won't it be hard with just two people?"
"I'm sure we can think of something. Why don't we build a fort out of it?"
"Sounds like a plan, Girl Jordan."
"Call me Jordan. Only my closest friends call me that."
"So does that mean...?"
"Yes, it does," she said, smiling.
Lincoln beamed with a smile of his own, while they ran to find something to hang the parachute.
As the echoes of their younger days faded, Lincoln looked at Girl Jordan with a smile.
"It was thanks to you that I was able to have friends beyond Clyde," he said.
Girl Jordan nodded, pride evident in her voice. "Sure, I introduced you to Molly, Rachel, and Cookie, but you won their hearts. They were reluctant at first, but when I refused to be with them because of how they treated you, they compromised and gave you a chance. Now, they think you're one of the coolest guys to be around."
Lincoln chuckled. "I hear that. And once I got along with them, they convinced the guys in our class that I'm not strange at all." His laughter faded, replaced by a look of unease. In a stern yet gentle voice, he asked, "Jordan, why did you distance yourself from me? Did I do something to upset you? Do you not like me anymore?"
Jordan was stricken with fear by Lincoln's words. She immediately tried to console him. "Of course not, Lincoln! You've done nothing wrong! It's just..." She paused, fully aware of why she had kept him at arm's length for nearly a year. The truth was, she had been keeping Lincoln away from her close friends.
By the end of 2nd grade, they found Lincoln's company acceptable, exchanging only greetings and goodbyes. When 3rd grade came around, he was invited to join them in school activities. They still wouldn't consider him a friend—more of an acquaintance at best.
4th grade is where Girl Jordan grew concerned. Lincoln, now well adjusted to his classmates, had friends of his own. There was Clyde, his loyal friend from the beginning. Now, there was Zach, Liam, and Rusty.
Zach, a short redhead with a fascination for the unknown, always searched for aliens and beefed up his technological defenses. Liam, a country bumpkin, lived for the farm life. And then there was Rusty, the self-proclaimed "Ladies' Man" of the group. His deluded confidence often got the best of him. He had the potential to get a girlfriend if only he realized he just needed to be himself. Sometimes Lincoln's group of friends mingled with hers during special outings.
One of those events was at Gus' Games and Grubs. Everyone had a blast competing on Dance Dance Revolution, trying their hand at ball toss, or winning a prize on the claw machine. It was then and there that Lincoln cemented his relationship with her friends. He would often join the group when invited; afterwards, each of them would try to spend one-on-one time with him.
One day after school, Molly approached Lincoln with an invitation. "Hey Lincoln, are you into wrestling? They're showing a big match after school at my place. Want to watch it with me?"
"Sure, Molly! That sounds fun. My sister Lynn and I enjoy wrestling, I'd love to check it out," Lincoln replied.
"Awesome! I'll get the snacks ready. It'll be a blast!" Molly beamed.
Another day, Rachel invited him to go to the mall with her.
"Hey Lincoln, I was thinking of going to the mall this weekend. Want to come with me? Just the two of us?" she asked, hopeful.
"The mall? Sounds great, Rachel. I'd love to go. What time?" Lincoln responded.
"Let's meet at noon by the food court. It's going to be fun!" Rachel said with a smile.
And then there was Cookie, who asked Lincoln if he wanted to try some mini golf.
"Hey Lincoln, do you like mini golf?
There's a new course that just opened up, and I was wondering if you'd like to check it out with me."
"Mini golf? I'm in! just to let you know, my sister Lori taught me a thing or two about golf." Lincoln said, confidently.
"Oh I beg to differ, how about this Saturday afternoon? It'll be a great day to take you down." Cookie said, challenging him.
"Your on, Cookie!" Lincoln accepted.
Girl Jordan was glad they were getting along, but she noticed their behaviors towards Lincoln became more intimate.
She reflected on a time when Rachel had dropped an eraser on the floor. Lincoln had picked it up and handed it to her.
"Thanks, Lincoln," Rachel had said, their hands brushing as he handed it over. Rachel let out a soft gasp, "Ah," as if their touch was electric. "No problem, Rachel," he smiled warmly, his eyes meeting hers. A soft glow spread across Rachel's face. As he returned to his textbook, Girl Jordan noticed Rachel slumped on her desk, dreamily watching Lincoln."
Another time, the class was short on textbooks, so students needed to share.
"Lincoln, come sit with..." Girl Jordan started, but Molly cut her off. "Lincoln, come share with me."
Lincoln happily obliged, and they scooted their tables together. Molly traced her finger along the text as the teacher spoke, inching closer to Lincoln until their arms touched, shoulder to shoulder. They laughed and doodled, ignoring the boring lecture. Meanwhile, Jordan watched them, her anger boiling, snapping her pencil in two.
And then there was Cookie, the shortest of the group, who would ask Lincoln for assistance during one recess.
Hey Lincoln, can you help me with the volleyball net? It's too high for me to adjust. You're so tall and reliable." she winks playfully.
"Sure, Cookie. Where do you want it set?" he starts adjusting the net.
"Just a bit lower. Thanks, Lincoln. You're always saving the day." she smiles, batting her eyelashes.
watching from a distance, Girl Jordan scoffs and mutters under her breath, "Seriously, Cookie? There's a step stool right there."
Jordan's thoughts dissolved, focusing back on Lincoln. The teasing from their friends about her obvious liking for him echoed in her mind, but she knew they were just as guilty. None of them had crossed the boundaries to admit their feelings for Lincoln. Perhaps it was because she was friends with him first, or maybe they had accepted that Lincoln and her were meant to be.
She pondered over why Lincoln never seemed to romanticize any of them, including herself. He always claimed he wasn't ready for a relationship, but was that the whole truth? Her biggest fear was that Lincoln would eventually find that special someone, and it wouldn't be her. When she heard Ronnie Ann's story, it only cemented her fears. The way he blushed at her confession still nagged at Jordan.
Though Lincoln denied Ronnie Ann's proposal, Jordan knew there would be others willing to take that step. Eventually, he would say yes. Keeping Lincoln away from potential girlfriends consumed her thoughts. Yes, it was controlling, even selfish, but when it came to Lincoln, she was shamefully okay with that.
However, Lincoln needed some honesty. He needed to hear the truth. Not all of it, but enough to satisfy him. For her sake, at least.
The room felt heavy with unspoken words and unresolved feelings. She took a deep breath. "Lincoln, the reason I kept you away is because I was jealous," Jordan began, her voice raw with honesty.
"Jealous?" Lincoln raised an eyebrow, surprised.
"Yes, jealous. You've been spending more time with the rest of the gang. Although I'm happy you finally got along with them, you have less time for me. I know it sounds counterintuitive, but I thought if I stopped inviting you to get-togethers with my friends, they wouldn't have an excuse to go places with you. It worked, I guess, but I wanted to spend some alone time with you, like you did with them. I've never intended to neglect you. I'm sorry, Lincoln," she finished, her frown deepening as she confessed her feelings.
"So it wasn't anything I did? You just wanted to spend time with me alone?" Lincoln sighed in relief. "Oh, thank God. I thought you were embarrassed of me. I was so worried you didn't want to be friends anymore."
Jordan, with a concerned look, asked, "Lincoln, is that how you've been feeling all this time?"
He nodded, pain evident in his eyes. "Yeah, Jordan, can you blame me? I'm starting to see the pecking order of the school popularity chart, and I don't think I'm high up there. Ever since first grade, I've always been treated differently. I'm always the outcast, the loser. Sure, I act natural, pretending it doesn't faze me, but it does. Everyone judges me before they even know me. Sometimes I ask myself, why bother connecting with them when they don't even try to know me? So when it came down to you, I thought you abandoned me. I thought I was holding you back."
Jordan's lips began to quiver. She stood up, her voice rising. "Lincoln, I'm so sorry! If I had known what you were going through, I would've been there for you! I will never be ashamed of being your friend! You may not know it, but to me, you're my best friend!"
Lincoln's heart warmed at her words. He stood up, feeling a rush of emotions. "Wow, Jordan, you feel that strongly about me?"
"Yes, Lincoln, yes!" she began to sniffle. "It hurts me to see you in pain. The thought of losing you, I couldn't bear it! You mean that much to me!"
Lincoln couldn't hold back any longer. He pulled Jordan in for a hug. As she accepted the embrace, her left cheek lay on his shoulder as she squeezed the life out of him. They stood there, holding each other.
"There's so much we need to catch up on. I'm hoping we could have more days like these," Jordan said, smiling ear to ear.
"Then let's make it happen. From now on, let's plan some exclusive events just for the two of us."
"Sounds like a plan," Girl Jordan agreed.
They stood there, embracing each other's warmth, neither wanting to let go. To Jordan, the feel of his arms around her was a comforting safety net. If she ever fell, Lincoln would be there to catch her. For Lincoln, he could hug her for hours. Her softness, the smell of her hair, the need for her touch reassured him he wasn't alone.
For 15 minutes, there was silence in the air until Jordan broke the ice. "Hey, Lincoln."
"Yeah, Jordan?"
"Promise me you won't ever leave me."
"I promise."
"Jordan."
"Yeah, Lincoln?"
"Promise you won't do the same."
"I promise."
They reluctantly broke the hug, but their arms still clung to each other. Their eyes locked, drawing them closer until their lips were just a breath apart. Suddenly, the door swung open. "Hey kids, I thought I'd bring you some snacks..." Jordan's mom froze, taking in the scene. "Oh my," she murmured, her eyes wide with surprise.
Girl Jordan and Lincoln let go of their embrace, both blushing furiously. Girl Jordan's mom grew a smirk, staring at the two. She narrowed her eyes at Girl Jordan.
"Mom, this isn't what it looks like! We were just hugging," she stammered.
Her mom's eyes widened, still with a smirk. Then she shifted her gaze to Lincoln.
"She's right, Mrs. Rosato. We weren't doing anything else,"
Lincoln tried to back up Girl Jordan's claim.
Mrs. Rosato playfully kept on smirking.
"Seriously, Mom, this is ridiculous," Jordan said, clearly annoyed. "Can't two friends hug without it meaning anything more? Boys and girls can just be friends, so stop jumping to conclusions."
Jordan groaned in exasperation. "Mom, you're embarrassing me!"
Mrs. Rosato decided she'd teased enough. "Alright, sweetie, it looks like you two need some alone time... but," she stressed, "the door stays open. And, I would like a word with Jordan afterwards.
Mrs. Rosato left the drinks and snacks on the table and stepped out. They both tried to shrug off the awkwardness. Girl Jordan tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, while Lincoln swiveled his foot.
"Soooooo," Lincoln said, elongating the word. "That was unexpected."
Girl Jordan laughed it off. "Yeah, she thought we were kissing,"
"I know, right? We weren't going to kiss."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Definitely not. You've already made it clear to Ronnie Ann that you're not ready to date," Girl Jordan pointed out. "So me asking you out is pointless."
Lincoln hesitated. "I guess... Even though I turned down Ronnie Ann, it made me think I should give dating a try." Girl Jordan's heart raced, her worst fear surfacing. She hesitated. "Really? Is there someone you have in mind?" Lincoln smiled, confidence growing. "Actually, I do. When Lori mentioned that special someone you want to date, I didn't get it at first, but now I do. This girl means a lot to me. I know my life won't be the same without her.
Girl Jordan focus on his confidence and directness. Curiosity got the better of her. "Who is this girl? Is it someone I know? Is it... me?" She clapped a hand over her mouth, realizing she let the last question slip.
Lincoln's face went pale. "What? No! Of course not. No offense, Jordan. I care about you a lot, but I only see you as my best friend."
Girl Jordan's face sunken. The strength she had mustered crumbled with those words. She begins to clasp and unclasp her hands repeatedly, a sign of discomfort. "Oh, right. I mean, it's not like I feel the same way either."
Lincoln's brow furrowed, his expression shifting to one of slight offense. "You don't? Well, that's... good, I guess. So, is there someone you like?"
Girl Jordan thought deeply. She had been keeping up the facade for so long, she could manage it a bit longer. "Yes, I do. He's not someone you know, Lincoln. But every time I see him, my heart leaps for joy, even on the cloudiest of days."
Lincoln's mind raced, recalling what Lori had said about that special someone. Jordan had someone special in her life, and it wasn't him.
"Lately, it feels one-sided," she continued. "I want him to pay attention to me, to notice me, to tell me he loves me." As she said those final words, The thought of never hearing them weighed heavily on her, making her cry.
Lincoln's jaw dropped slightly. He'd never seen Girl Jordan express such deep feelings about anyone. This guy clearly meant a lot to her. Lincoln felt a pang of insecurity, wishing he could be the one she admired. But seeing her so vulnerable, he pushed his feelings aside. He knew he had to support her, just like she had always supported him.
In a soft tone, he said, "Jordan, don't cry. I'm sure he feels the same about you." He put a hand on her shoulder.
Jordan wiped away her tears and snapped, "How would you know? You can't see into my heart."
Lincoln flinched but kept his hand on her shoulder. "No, I don't know. I worry a lot about connecting with you. You're always so good at cheering me up, and it hurts me when I can't do the same. Forgive me, Jordan, but that guy's an idiot for not seeing you. What's not to like? You're smart, kind, thoughtful... pretty."
Lincoln's eyes widened at his own words, and Girl Jordan mirrored his reaction.
No longer in a sad state, she laughed wholeheartedly. "You're right, Lincoln, he is an idiot. He can't see what you can." Her tone was almost flirtatious.
Lincoln's face grew red as he tried to correct himself. "No, no, no, Jordan, I didn't mean it like that. I mean, yes, you're pretty, but in a platonic way! Like, as a friend."
Girl Jordan raised an eyebrow, still smirking. "Pretty in a platonic way? How does that work, exactly?"
"Well," Lincoln stammered, "I mean that you're pretty, but it doesn't change our friendship. Like, it's just a fact. You're pretty, just like you're smart and kind. It's not a romantic thing, it's just... you know, acknowledging that you're a great person, inside and out."
Girl Jordan giggled. "So, I'm a 'pretty friend'?"
Lincoln nodded furiously. "Yes, exactly! You're a pretty friend. That's what I meant. Nothing more, nothing less."
Her laughter softened into a genuine smile. "Alright, I'll take that. Thanks, Lincoln."
Lincoln exhaled, relieved. "I'm glad you understand. You really are one of my best friends, and I don't want anything to mess that up."
She went back into a hug. "This is for cheering me up."
Lincoln brushed up a smile, his eyes closed, savoring the moment. "I'm glad I can."
He opened his eyes and saw Mrs. Rosato glaring at him. He screamed, "Ahhhh," as he let go of Jordan, flinching.
"Oh, don't mind me, just pretend I'm not here," said Mrs. Rosato.
"Mrs. Rosato, how long have you been standing there?" Lincoln asked, startled.
"Oh, long enough," she replied. "It's good to hear you two are getting along again."
Lincoln sighed, unimpressed with her antics. "How... you know what? It doesn't matter at this point." He turned to face Girl Jordan.
"Are you free this Saturday?"
"Want to head to Jean Juan? It could be our first reunion where we can be 'alone,' like we planned." He emphasized "alone" with a glance at Mrs. Rosato. She nonchalantly whistled a tune, pretending to look away.
Girl Jordan smiled. "Sure, it's a date," she said, playfully punching Lincoln's arm.
"It's not a date, Jordan," Lincoln replied defensively.
"Got ya!" she giggled, enjoying the tease.
Lincoln threw his hands up in annoyance. "Goodbye, Jordan. I'll see you then." He gathered his belongings and headed home.
He mutters to himself, "Always lurking around every corner and Jordan's constant teasing. It's like I'm living in my personal sitcom." As Lincoln left, the two couldn't help but laugh at his expense.
"Ha, ha, ha, oh, it feels good not to be on the receiving end for once," said Jordan.
"It's good to see you two still playful as ever. Now that he's gone, I would like a word with you, young lady."
"Am I in trouble?" A hint of worry glossed through her body.
"No, you're not. You're just growing up. Sweetie, you're at that age where you see Lincoln as more than just a friend. Don't fight me on this; I'm your mother, and you can talk to me. The point is, Jordan, I'm very happy for you, and you're free to express your interest. Just be careful with love. You can hurt yourself and others if you don't play your cards right."
Jordan could see her mom meant well, and she opened up to her. "You're right, Mom. I love Lincoln more than just a friend, and I'm sure now he feels the same." She couldn't contain her delight as she smiled broadly, pressing her fists under her chin. She nuzzled in joy, her whole body expressing the happiness she felt inside. "The way he told me how pretty I am..." She giggled softly, basking in her excitement. Then she took a deep breath, her tone turning more thoughtful and firm. "But I kind of understand Lincoln's hesitation with dating now. We're at that age—too young to date but old enough to love. I think Lincoln and I aren't at that threshold just yet."
Her mother chimed in, "Or maybe he's just waiting for you to tell him," placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"Perhaps, but I want him to say it first. I know now I shouldn't worry about any potential competition, because when he asks me out on a date, I'll be ready to say yes."
Mrs. Rosato's heart swelled with warmth and pride. "My little girl isn't so little anymore."