+chapter.four+

Jennifer smiled and nodded. “I’d like that very much.”

Zac smiled widely. “Awesome.” He stood up and stuck out his hand for Jennifer. She took it gratefully and stood up.

“Thanks,” Jenn spoke quietly. Why was she being so shy? She wasn’t like that anymore. Everyone had always perceived Jennifer as being a shy and reserved girl. She was never part of the ‘cool’ crowds in school. She thought that was all a load of crap and eventually understood that once you’re out of school, no one cares what clique you were in. Personality’s everything in the world and people are either going to like you or they’re going to hate you. It’s a take it or leave it situation.

Zac smiled down at her and nodded. They stood there, staring at each other intently, neither realizing what was happening. Their insides being torn apart to be with the other forever, they stood still and quiet.

Jennifer snapped out of her trance and blushed some. "A...Are you okay?"

Zac began blushing wildly also. "Yea...sorry."

"It's okay," Jenn said softly. She looked down and saw that they were still holding hands. She gently pulled her hand back, Zac doing the same, and looked to the floor innocently. When she finally did meet Zac's eyes with hers again, she saw him offer her a small smile. She smiled gently back at him and gave a small laugh. He smiled wider and parted his lips to speak.

"C'mon," he shook his head some, laughing softly.

Jenn smiled and nodded, following him out the back door, hoping not to be seen. Zachary stuck his head out the door and looked around. "Coast is clear." He opened the door wider and allowed her to go ahead of him. She gave him a smile and walked outside, standing on the side of the door waiting for him. He stepped out the door and smiled a wide smile at her.

Zachary slowly and apprehensively offered his hand to her. She took it, the same unsure feeling sweeping over her. Once her hand was gently placed in his, everything seemed right. A spark seemed to fly at their touch and sent them both vibes. Their eyes met and they both froze in time, afraid to move or say anything.

Lost in his deep, warm brown eyes, Jennifer was in awe all over again. All he had to do was look her in the eye. Not even her crush could do that. Well, actually he could, considering Zac was the latest object of her affection. This was all so new to her, every aspect of being with him, opening a new door in her life and releasing new, previously unexplored feelings. They intimidated yet tranquilized, freed yet caged her. And she loved it.

Zachary looked deeply into Jennifer’s eyes. Why couldn’t he look away? Not that he wanted to, but the whole scenario unnerved him. It was so strange. Her eyes were so blue. Back in the backstage room, they looked icy and distant, as if she was not about to open up to him or anyone else in that room. Now though, now they were the ocean’s deepest blue. She no longer seemed to have any signs of resistance as to letting him search through her deepest thoughts with his eyes. He was lost, trying his hardest to read her musings. The hardest actuality Zachary was having difficulty grasping was that they had just met. His feelings were so strong and heartfelt; he had the sensation he’d known her longer. So much, much longer. Could a person really feel this way toward another being after only a half-hour? ‘I suppose so,’ Zachary thought. ‘At least now they can.’

Zac swallowed hard. “Y-You have gorgeous eyes…” he whispered.

Jennifer blushed a light crimson. “Thank you…” she trailed, looking away. Zac nodded, still staring into her eyes. He slowly and nervously raised a hand to her cheek. “Don’t look away…you should show those off.”

Jennifer blushed deeper. She was beginning to get those butterflies too. This was so weird. How could this all be happening? Her life was to screwed up for him to get involved in. All she brought was trouble. She knew that. Everyone else did. Why didn’t he? Why couldn’t he see the troublemaker she really was? She was already playing with his emotions. Well, not playing, but she was effortlessly attracting him.

Zac slowly slid his hand from her cheek. She looked up at him so innocently. He could just take her and hold her forever. She was beautiful. He wanted to tell her that so badly. He wanted to tell her. But he didn’t want to scare her. Scare her was the last thing he wanted to do.

Jenn slowly slid her hand into his again. “Maybe we should be going,” she whispered.

Zac nodded. “Yea. C’mon.”

Jenn couldn’t help but smile as the two began to run to the park. Smiling and laughing, the two acted much like old friends instead of new crushes.

Giggling, Jennifer headed over to the deserted swing-set. Zachary followed her and they each sat down on a swing. Jenn swung gently back and forth slowly, looking at the ground. She looked up and smiled at Zac who was watching her intently, then looked down again.

Zac pushed himself forward and back slowly. “Where you from?”

Jenn looked up again at the sound of his deep voice. “New Jersey most of the time. Every couple of weeks I come out here though. My parents are divorced,” Jenn spoke, her eyes trailing to the sand again.

Zac tilted his head down some to try to see her face. “Oh…I’m sorry.

“No…don’t be. It’s not your fault.”

Zac nodded slightly. “Is your friend from Jersey too?”

Jenn shook her head. “I wish. She’s from around here…Today’s the first time we’ve met face to face.”

“Oh cool,” Zac replied.

Jenn nodded and smiled. “I would ask you but…”

Zac smiled. “Ask me anyway.”

Jenn laughed. “SO, Zac…can I call you Zac?” she asked seriously.

He nodded. “Of course. I can call you Jenn…Right?”

“Yea,” Jenn laughed.

Zac nodded and smiled. She had a great laugh. She could make him smile by just looking at him. And lately, it had been taking a lot to make him smile. Sure, he loved playing music and seeing all these fans, but sometimes he just missed home; missed his friends; missed Wicket. They hadn’t even had the poor dog for a whole year.

Around Jenn though, around Jenn he felt like he was home. Even though he was in Tulsa, it was still weird. He wasn’t in Tulsa. He wasn’t staying for too long and it just seemed like another place that they were playing.

But Jennifer, she brightened his day. The sunlight seemed to radiate off her face and into his life.

She swung slightly in a steady beat. Back and forth, back and forth. Just as he was getting used to the steady pattern of her swinging, she slowed to a stop. He turned to look at her and saw that she was lost in her own world, in a haze of thoughts. Somewhat scared to break the silence, he spoke softly, just above a whisper. “Are you okay?”

Jenn jumped a bit, not expecting the barrier separating her from the real world to be broken. She looked at Zac and blushed a little. “Yea,” she spoke in the same soft tone. She nodded her head and whispered her last line. “I’m fine.” Zachary stared at Jennifer thoughtfully. “What’re you thinking about?” he asked quietly.

Jenn looked at him, obviously forming an answer. “How much I really like you.”