Hearts of Deception

Gratitude

As the bell rang, signaling the start of the next class, Jessie and Summer parted ways, promising to catch up later. Jessie headed to her next class, her mind preoccupied with thoughts of Summer and her mysterious past. But as she walked, she couldn't help but notice Jackson watching over them from afar, his eyes scanning the crowd.

Jessie felt a surge of gratitude toward Jackson for stepping in during the confrontation with Beatrice. She decided to thank him in person and quickened her pace to catch up. As she approached him, she smiled warmly.

"Hey, Jackson, thanks for your help back there," Jessie said, her eyes shining with appreciation. "I really appreciate it."

Jackson's expression remained neutral, and he shrugged off her thanks. "No big deal, just keeping the peace," he said curtly before turning to leave.

Jessie felt a pang of disappointment but refused to give up. She fell into step beside him, trying to engage him in conversation. "So, do you always step in when there's trouble?" she asked, curiosity getting the better of her.

Jackson's responses remained brief, but Jessie persisted, determined to show her gratitude. As they walked, she noticed the way Jackson's eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled, just barely. Her heart skipped a beat.

In class, Jessie couldn't focus on the lesson, her thoughts drifting back to Jackson. She found herself wondering what lay beneath his tough exterior. Was he always this serious, or was there a softer side?

After class, Jessie spotted Jackson outside, his eyes fixed on his phone. She approached him again, this time with a small gift – a coffee from her favorite café.

"Hey, Jackson, I got you a coffee," Jessie said, holding out the cup. "Thanks again for your help."

Jackson's gaze flicked to the coffee, and for a moment, Jessie thought she saw a glimmer of appreciation. But he shook his head. "You don't have to do that, Jessie."

Jessie's smile faltered, but she refused to give up. As she walked away, she felt Jackson's eyes on her, and her heart fluttered. She couldn't help but wonder if she'd misread the situation entirely.

Despite Jackson's aloofness, Jessie found herself drawn to him more with each passing day. She admired the way he stood up for what was right, even when it meant going against the crowd. And those fleeting glimpses of softness only made her more curious.

As the days turned into weeks, Jessie continued to show her appreciation for Jackson in small ways – a smile, a kind word, a gesture of gratitude. And though Jackson never openly reciprocated, Jessie sensed a subtle shift in his demeanor. Maybe it was the way he looked at her a fraction longer or the hint of a smile that played on his lips.

Whatever it was, Jessie felt her enthusiasm grow, her crush on the hard guy blossoming into something more. She couldn't help but wonder if Jackson might feel the same way, deep down. Only time would tell.

Jackson's POV*

I sat with Kyle in the campus courtyard, enjoying the warm sun on our skin. We chatted casually about our classes and upcoming exams. As we talked, I noticed Summer walking by, her eyes fixed on a book in her hand. She seemed lost in thought, oblivious to the world around her.

Kyle followed my gaze. "Summer's always so focused," he said, a hint of admiration in his voice. "I don't know how she does it."

I nodded in agreement. Summer was indeed a dedicated student, always buried in her books or notes. But what really caught my attention was Jessie, who walked past us with a bright smile on her face. Her eyes lit up when she saw me, and she waved enthusiastically.

Jessie's enthusiasm was infectious, and I found myself smiling back at her. But I quickly looked away, trying to brush off the feeling. I didn't want to encourage her, not yet.

As Jessie walked by, I couldn't help but notice the way she looked at me. It was as if she saw something in me that I didn't see myself. I felt a pang of curiosity, wondering what lay behind her bright smile and sparkling eyes.

Meanwhile, Beatrice watched from afar, her eyes narrowed in anger. She had always had a crush on me, but I had never given her the time of day. Now, she saw me smiling at Jessie, and her jealousy simmered just below the surface.

"Jackson's got a new favorite, it seems," Beatrice said to her friends, her voice dripping with venom. "That country girl thinks she's so special just because Jackson smiled at her."

Her friends giggled and snickered, but Beatrice's anger only grew. She couldn't stand the thought of Jackson paying attention to anyone else, especially not Jessie.

As the scene unfolded, I remained oblivious to the drama brewing around me. My mind was preoccupied with thoughts of Summer and her mysterious past. But I couldn't shake off the feeling that Jessie was trying to get my attention, and I wondered what she saw in me that drew her in.

The atmosphere was charged with unspoken emotions, and I felt like I was caught in the middle of something I didn't fully understand. But as I watched Jessie walk away, I couldn't help but feel a spark of curiosity about this bright and enthusiastic girl.

*Jackson's Observations*

As the days went by, I continued to notice Jessie's enthusiasm whenever she saw me. She would smile and wave, and sometimes even try to strike up a conversation. I couldn't help but feel a sense of curiosity about her, but I didn't know how to respond.

Meanwhile, Summer remained a mystery to me. She was always focused on her studies, and I rarely saw her without a book in her hand. I admired her dedication, but I couldn't help but wonder what lay beneath her reserved exterior.

One day, as I was walking across campus, I saw Jessie sitting by the lake, staring out at the water. She looked lost in thought, and I felt a pang of curiosity. I wondered what she was thinking about, and whether she'd be willing to share her thoughts with me.

As I watched her, I realized that I was drawn to both Jessie and Summer in different ways. Jessie was bright and enthusiastic, with a spark that was hard to ignore. Summer, on the other hand, was quiet and reserved, with a depth that I couldn't quite reach.

I didn't know what the future held, but I was determined to get to know both of them better. Maybe then I'd understand what drew me to them, and what lay beneath their surfaces.

The sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the campus. I stood there for a moment, lost in thought, as the world around me seemed to slow down.

As I turned to leave, I caught sight of Beatrice watching me from afar, her eyes narrowed in anger. I knew that she didn't like Jessie, and I wondered what she'd do if she knew how much I was starting to notice her.

The tension between us was palpable, and I knew that things were about to get complicated. But for now, I just stood there, watching the world go by, and wondering what the future held.

Kyle walked up to me, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Hey, Jackson, what's got you so captivated?" he asked, following my gaze to Jessie and Summer by the lake.

I shrugged, trying to play it cool. "Just watching the scenery," I said, attempting to brush off the question.

Kyle chuckled. "The scenery? You mean the two girls who aren't exactly swimsuit models?" He raised an eyebrow. "You're not exactly known for your interest in bookworms, Jackson."

I shifted uncomfortably, feeling a bit self-conscious about my gaze. "I'm just curious about them, that's all," I said, trying to downplay the situation.

Kyle's grin grew wider. "Curious? About Jessie and Summer? Come on, Jackson, you know Beatrice has a serious crush on you, and half the school's female population is dying to get your attention. But you're staring at those two...interesting choices."

I rolled my eyes, trying to deflect the teasing. "There's something about them, Kyle. I don't know what it is."

Kyle's expression turned serious, his voice taking on a curious tone. "What could it be? I know you're a playboy, Jackson, and I know you're after Jessie. So, what's taking you so long?"

I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. "I don't know, Kyle. I just feel like there's more to them than meets the eye. And I'm not sure I'm interested in the same way I am with other girls."

Kyle's eyes sparkled with intrigue. "You think there's depth to them, huh? I'll give you that, Jackson. Summer's definitely got an air of mystery around her."

I nodded, my mind racing with thoughts about both Jessie and Summer. "Yeah, and Jessie's enthusiasm is infectious. But it's not just that. There's something about both of them that's...different."

Kyle leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper. "I know what you mean, Jackson. Summer's got this... aura around her. I've noticed it too."

Our eyes met, and for a moment, we just looked at each other, both of us curious about these two girls who seemed to have captured our attention in different ways.

Summer felt pairs of eyes watching her from her back as she turned to look she say kyle staring but before she could wonder why he looked away stood up bd followed Jackson out