Love and Fight

Date setted

Since I found out that the kind Jasper is actually the bad boy Jay, a few days have passed.

I've been avoiding thinking about him and distracting myself with my dad, my new friends, and studying since some exams were approaching. I'm closer to my friends than ever; Alex and Lydia include me in everything and never leave me alone (in fact, I've been giving Alex frequent rides since we live very close), Maya always has a funny comment that makes me laugh, and Vanessa... Well... She's complicated and doesn't seem to accept me well yet, but she still knows how to have fun.

As for Jasper... Or Jay, I don't know, it seems like he's respecting my space, but I still notice him looking at me when we're in the cafeteria. Maybe the "player" isn't used to being told no, and I might just be a more challenging conquest.

I won't lie, I have thought about the possibility of just having fun with him for one night and then accepting that it meant nothing. But the more I think about the guy I met that night, the harder it seems.

I've been ignoring his glances, and thank God I don't have any classes with him since he's in the last year. But it's almost impossible not to notice his presence. For anyone in the entire school, I think. Obviously, he's popular and knows many people, and there are always girls around him, but I make an effort not to let him affect me.

Today in the cafeteria is just another normal day with Maya talking nonsense, and all of us laughing a lot. I'm even relieved that I haven't seen Jay yet.

But the relief doesn't last long. Apparently, his eagerness got the best of him.

Everyone at the table falls silent in surprise when Jay sits next to Vanessa and across from me with a beautiful smile on his face.

"Hey, Jade, how are you?" he says casually, looking at me as if I'm the only one at the table, and it makes me extremely embarrassed.

"Um... Fine, and you?" I make an effort to sound like him, and of course, I fail.

"I'm good, thank you."

He just looks at me, still smiling, for a second, and then continues.

"I heard the second-year exams are over."

I'm speechless until I realize he's seeking some kind of confirmation from me.

"Yes, the last one was yesterday." I smile shyly as his smile widens confidently.

"I imagine you'll be more available for a few days then."

Once again, I'm left speechless, not knowing what to say. But I know exactly where he's going with this.

"And you still owe me for saving you that night."

I panic and look at my classmates, hoping for some hint about what to say. They all nod their heads, encouraging me. Except Vanessa, of course. She stares at Jay in disbelief.

"What do you think about going out for ice cream tomorrow afternoon?" Jay smiles hopefully and continues to completely ignore the existence of everyone else at the table.

"Well... I don't know..." I almost stutter.

"Come on!" He gets excited and looks at me expectantly. "We'll have ice cream at a great ice cream shop, I'll show you the city park, and then I'll safely drop you home. Before 6 p.m. if you prefer, so you have time for your studies."

I reflect for a moment and realize that I do owe him for saving me. So I smile back when I respond:

"Okay. I do owe you for that."

"Perfect. Then you'll have to use my number to set it up properly. See you later, Jade."

Before I could say anything, he leaves immediately. I turn back to my friends, and they look at me with great excitement. They all chatter excitedly about what just happened, while Vanessa continues to look completely confused. I'm worried about her, but I decide it's probably best to ask if she's okay when we're alone. I don't want to create tension within the group.

At night, back home after making dinner for my dad, I finally decide to pick up my phone and send a message to Jasper.

Jade: Hey :)

So, what are you thinking for tomorrow?

Jasper: Finally!

I thought you'd give up on the date

Well, you give Alex a ride every day, right? And he has a driver's license too.

Jade: Yes... But what does that have to do with our date?

Jasper: Ask him to bring his driver's license

After class, meet me in the parking lot, near the motorcycles

Leave your car key with him

We'll go on my bike

Jade: Wait! No!

I can meet you at the ice cream shop!

Just give me the address!

Jasper: No, let's go on my bike, it'll be more fun ;)

See you tomorrow, Jade!

Before I could even respond, he was already offline. There wouldn't be any arguments. We were going on his bike, and he would be in control of everything.

It's a mix of fear and excitement, but excitement is definitely the dominant feeling. I guess I'm finally going to find out what it's like to go out with the popular guy from school, and I'm not sure if I'm mentally prepared for it.

I mean, what should I wear for a date like this, for example? If we're going on a bike, a skirt or a dress is definitely out of the question! I also don't want to overdress and seem unnatural. But I don't want to underdress and make it seem like I don't care. And should I tie my hair or leave it down? When I take off the helmet, it's going to be a mess! Damn it! What did I get myself into?

I can hardly sleep, thinking crazily about all the outfit possibilities and what might happen on our date. In the morning, I decide not to overthink it and wear an outfit I would normally wear: jeans, a white cropped top with a twist, and slightly better sneakers than the pair I wear every day. I put a little more effort into the accessories with a thin, gold chain around my neck, and I make my makeup a bit more pronounced with a bolder eyeliner. I apply my red gloss and don't even bother tying my hair. If all else fails, I have a hair tie on my wrist to put it up later.

I go downstairs and see my dad trying his best to make pancakes that are at least edible. Today, I consider it a success because they're only slightly burnt around the edges, so I praise him for it. He also compliments me:

"You look beautiful, sweetie!" He smiles gently. "Well, a little more than usual, if that's even possible."

"Thank you for noticing, Dad. I did dress up a little more today." I return his smile, and he continues:

"Are you going out with your new friends? They seem like a lively group."

"They are, indeed. But I'm not going out with them today, Dad." I become slightly more timid before continuing. "I'm going out with someone I met. A boy. He's helped me before, and I want to repay the favor, actually."

He seems somewhat surprised, as it's been over a year since I last talked about a boy with him.

Normally, I don't see the point in discussing these things with him. He never handled this type of topic well, and I think these are the moments when he misses my mom the most. I had a boyfriend in our old town, but everything happened so gradually and naturally that nothing felt uncomfortable.

But with Jasper, it's different.

Everything happens suddenly and can change in an instant. Just like the feelings I have for him, which caught me completely off guard.

I don't know why, but I end up telling my dad about Jasper. About the night we met, how everything unfolded, who I thought he was, and who he really is. But most importantly, I tell him how I feel about this guy who has been messing with my head.

He listens attentively, and when I finish, he seems to ponder for a moment. Finally, he sighs and looks at me with tenderness as he speaks.

"I trust you, sweetie. And I know that if you like him, it's because he's a good person. Have fun tonight, okay?" I almost tear up as he awkwardly caresses my cheek. "Now, let's go because you still need to drop me off at work on time."

We smile affectionately at each other and return to our morning chores.

I feel a little lighter and more confident about this date. But most importantly, I feel closer to my dad than ever before.