The Circle of Friends

IX - A Challenge and a Decision-2

Jason returned his handshake, too stunned to speak. John led him into the hall and up the staircase. Jason followed silently, still dazed by what had just occurred.

At the top of the stairs, John clapped him heavily on the shoulder. “I knew you’d do it!”

“Yeah,” said Jason. “Thanks for making it interesting!”

John chuckled. “I actually saved you! Marcus had something far worse in mind. But I’d heard the way you talked about that girl of yours and knew you’d stay true to her. And after seeing her picture, you’d be an i***t to risk that beauty!”

Relieved, Jason finally smiled. He enjoyed hearing Lori’s stunning appearance praised.

“Besides, I know how you feel,” assured John. “I have someone special waiting for me back home. Don’t plan on disappointing her, either.

Now, let me show you the four rooms we have open.”

When he returned to his dorm room for one last night, Jason immediately called Lori. He felt proud of his ability to resist temptation and wanted her to know what that devotion had achieved. She sounded wary at first as he described his evening, and he could tell by her silence she feared he had already broken his promise. Once he explained Marcus’s reasoning and reaction, Lori’s delight simply bubbled through the phone line. Once again, Jason felt relieved he had not elected to cheat on his girlfriend.

“Lori, I made a promise and I don’t intend to break it,” he said. “I love you.”

“I love you,” she answered, her voice trembling with emotion.

“Now, you sleep easy tonight and I’ll call you tomorrow night once I’m all settled in. Hopefully Chris will help me move my stuff tomorrow.”

“Did he make it?” she asked.

“Don’t know,” said Jason with a shrug. “He’s not back yet. Love you, Baby!”

“Love you,” answered Lori. “Goodnight!”

The next two months found the couple very busy. Lori poured herself into her training in preparation for the upcoming season. Competition would be much stronger at the college level. Those on Florida’s swim team were more experienced than she, too. Her accomplishments in high school meant nothing to her teammates and she would have to prove herself in the water. Their first meet was scheduled for mid October and Lori spent over six hours in training throughout each day, pushing herself to the limit. She still had no intentions of finishing second.

Jason also spent many hours a day at football practice and studying the playbooks. He wouldn’t get much playtime this year, but he wanted to be prepared. Next season would provide many more opportunities. Marcus and John continued to give him pointers, mentoring Jason in all he needed to know regarding college ball. His main goal was to become proficient at his position this year by studying Marcus and Kurt, the other quarterback. Despite his size in high school, Jason also needed to bulk up his frame. He now stood at just over six-foot-three and needed to put on a few more pounds of muscle to be competitive. The coach had him putting in extra time with the weights to accomplish this goal.

Obviously it was working, for Lori commented the next time she saw him that he had definitely grown. Delighted by her reaction, Jason was quite willing to let her see and touch his now prominent muscles. By comparison, Lori appeared even thinner. He expressed concern over her slender figure and she assured him it was simply a conversion of fat to muscle. Jason feared she might not be eating enough, but she ate well when he took her to dinner that night.

His room at the frat house was a total blessing. He had not minded rooming with Chris, but it was nice to enjoy his own personal space once again. Jason had selected a room not far from the foot of the stairs. The largest of those available, it provided easy access to the bathroom. Chris, who never mentioned his challenge to Jason, had chosen a room on the third floor.

Lori felt some trepidation regarding her upcoming swim meet. It would be her first competition in meters instead of yards. She had already calculated how fast she needed to swim to finish with an acceptable time. At the meet, she paced nervously around the pool, eyeing the girls she would be competing against. Her teammates were busy with their own preparations and Lori felt grateful they ignored the shy freshman. In time they would understand her needs and provide space out of respect.

She was able to slip into competition mode by the first race. When the gun sounded, she blocked out all distractions and focused on the water, concentrating on her movements and breathing. Lori hit the final wall and surfaced, looking for the clock. Her time of 48.5 was satisfactory for now, although she would have to improve in order to make the Olympic team. Belatedly, Lori realized she had also come in first and markedly ahead of the other swimmers.

Her time for the 200 meters was exceptional, although another girl had been close on her heels. Lori vowed she would improve enough by the next meet to put herself out of reach. This first meet was a practice run and learning experience. Now that she knew where she stood, Lori comprehended fully the effort required to become the best.

In the locker room, she received some positive feedback and encouragement from the other girls on the team. She merely smiled and thanked them, still uncomfortable with praise. The other swimmers dispersed, leaving only Cindy nearby. A freestyle swimmer like herself, Cindy had become Lori’s first friend on the team. Lori found her attitude and boldness similar to Sarah and wondered why she always attracted friends with those qualities.

“You were damned fast out there today!” exclaimed Cindy as she towel-dried her short, blonde hair. “I doubt anyone really expected that.”

Lori sat down on the bench, slowly pulling a brush through her hair. “That was the first time I’d competed in meters instead of yards, so I’m still adjusting to the distance. I’ll shave a few seconds of my times by the next swim meet.”

“You say you’ll be several seconds faster?” gasped Cindy in disbelief. She had finished a distant third in the 200-meter race. “I might as well hang up the 200, then! I’ll never catch up to you.”

“Cindy, don’t give up! Just work harder and do the best you can.”

“I could work ten hours a day and never improve enough to beat you,” she mumbled through her sweater as she pulled the garment over her head. “Rumor has you Olympic bound and I guess it’s true!”

“That’s my plan!” said Lori, shoving the last of her things into her bag.

“Well, more power to ya!” Cindy exclaimed, sporting a big grin.

Lori scampered out of the locker room ahead of the other girls. Tonight would be her first night staying with Jason and she was very excited. Now that the swim meet had ended, her thoughts shifted to Jason and the prospect of spending the night in his arms. If she got on the road right away, she would arrive by five o’clock.

She called Jason the moment she reached Tallahassee. He confirmed her directions and promised to be waiting out front. She pulled up to the house not ten minutes later, parking her car in the last available spot. True to his word, Jason was waiting on the porch and came out to greet her. She emerged from her car and he swooped down on Lori, lifting her right off the pavement.

“Jason!” she cried, wrapping her arms around his neck.

He laughed and returned her feet to the ground. “Just happy to see you,” he said, giving her a kiss. “Any problems finding the place?”

“Not at all!”

He released her long enough to retrieve Lori’s bag and closed her car door. “Well, let me introduce you to a couple of the guys and show you my room. Then I’m taking you out!”

Grabbing her by the hand, he led Lori up the sidewalk. Several players were lounging on the front porch, catching the faint breeze. As they mounted the steps, one of them arose and came over to greet Lori. A large man by any standards, Lori felt intimidated by the hand he extended. However, the smile on his face and friendly twinkle in his eye quickly put her at ease.

“So you’re the young lady Jason sneaks off to see all the time!” he said in a deep voice, his hand encompassing her own.

Lori just smiled, unconsciously stepping closer to Jason.

“This is John,” he told her, giving her fingers a reassuring squeeze.

“I’ve heard about you,” Lori said, c*****g her head to look directly into his eyes.

John just laughed. “Well, Jason’s told me about you, but obviously his words just can’t do you justice!”

Jason introduced her to the other three boys on the porch before escorting her inside. He briefly pointed out two more players on the way up the stairs and yelled at someone who whistled as they passed. Conscious of the scrutiny, Lori was thankful when they reached the sanctuary of his room.

It was not a large bedroom, perhaps twelve feet by nine, but it belonged only to Jason. He had a small bed, a computer desk and chair, a dresser, a TV stand and a mini refrigerator all in one small room. Seminole paraphernalia dominated the sparse decorations. The jacket she had given Jason last Christmas hung over his chair and Lori smiled. He had been so excited when he opened that box!

“I know it’s small,” said Jason, setting down her bag. He put his arms around her midsection. “I think we’ll fit on the bed, though.”

Closing her eyes, Lori leaned back and enjoyed his grasp. “We’ll manage, I’m sure.”

Jason nuzzled her neck for a moment. Suddenly he spun her around, his hands on Lori’s shoulders. “You haven’t told me how the meet went today!”

“It went fine.”

“You won, didn’t you?” he asked, concerned.

“Well, of course!” she answered. “And I think my times were decent for the lengths. Definitely need to improve to make the Olympics, though.”

Jason grinned and kissed her. “You will!” he said firmly.

Lori smiled, grateful for his never-ending confidence. Losing herself in his eyes, she reached up to lay a hand aside his face. As if he could read her tender thoughts, Jason grinned and kissed her again.

He took her out to dinner that night, enjoying Lori’s company for several hours. Upon returning to the house, they discovered a small party in progress. Half of the residents had taken off for the evening and the remainder were gathered around the billiards table. They decided to join in the fun for a while and Lori sat off to the side on a stool, content to watch Jason play pool.

John made it a point to sit by her and they engaged in casual conversation. Jason did not appear to object and she enjoyed John’s company. Despite his size, John was soft-spoken and very friendly. Judging from the conversation, he and Jason had become good friends. Lori was pleased, as she knew Jason missed Matt’s companionship. She had similar feelings regarding Sarah and wished her friend resided closer. At least she’d see Maria during her visits to Florida State. Next time she came to Tallahassee, she would spend time with her friend, as well.

At ten-thirty, the boys were still going strong, but Jason decidedly wanted to spend the rest of his evening alone with Lori. Enduring several suggestive comments as they departed, Jason just grinned and led Lori up to his room. Somehow they managed to stay on his tiny bed all night together. It forced them to snuggle close throughout the evening, but it certainly beat the alternative.

Time passed quickly and Lori realized Thanksgiving was the following week. She was still involved in her competitive swimming and would be through March. As she had predicted, her times steadily improved every week. She lost just one race during that time and then only by a tenth of a second. Losing aggravated her enough to work out an extra thirty minutes every day. Lori had not fallen behind again and definitely earned the respect of her teammates. Cindy continued with the 200-meter freestyle despite her original claim. She and Lori had become friends and often got together when Lori was not with Jason.