Jackson wore his navy blue trench coat to school, the same as every other day that he had the energy to arise from bed and join his peers in unenthusiastic attendance. His day was going by decently as of yet... he had seen Sarah twice already. Of course that was normal, he knew which routes she took through the halls from class to class and occasionally changed his so he could see her. Sarah was the girl he wanted to go out with, his soul mate as far as he was concerned. Jackson was continually annoyed with other people that could talk to girls about things so casually, he always referred to them as "the charismatic bastards" when talking with his friends.
Abruptly someone walked around the corner, catching Jackson in his thoughts he almost walked right into them. He didn't appreciate the annoying people that walked blindly around corners... it was usually freshmen that had just come from 8th grade and assumed they owned the building. This time was different though, something felt odd. A split second went by while they stopped and looked at each other. It was Sarah. She looked startled having almost bumped into him. He blushed, embarrassed that he has almost gotten mad at her. Recognizing him she smiled, "Hey Jackson. Sorry about that, I had to go upstairs to get something and I don't want to be late."
"That's alright, Sarah," he assured her with a friendly nod, "No harm done." She must've forgotten her chemistry book again, he thought, she hasn't done that in awhile. He was thrown off by her sudden appearance and remembered that he had to be in class soon.
Heart still thumping in her chest, Sarah's mind was racing as fast as her feet. I hope he didn't notice me blushing, she thought. According to her, Jackson was the most attractive guy in their school. She had no idea how to talk to him. The butterflies in her stomach prevented any comprehensible conversation from taking place. She tried not to get too happy or her teacher would be mad seeing her walk into class smiling. He always put her in a good mood when she saw him though, and it was hard to resist smirking just a little.
Later that day at lunch she crossed Jackson eating with his friends Frank and Adam. Adam was singing something, "...like a blade, to and through the hollow." Jackson snapped his fingers, "Dude, you're retarded, you just said the name. That's The Hollow, by A Perfect Circle." Adam looked relieved, "THAT'S why it sounded so familiar. Didn't you give me some songs by them awhile ago?" Jackson opened his mouth to say something, probably quite harsh judging by the look on his face, but then noticed her standing there watching them. "Oh, Sarah! How long have you been there?"
"Just a few seconds. That's a good band by the way," she said nodding at Adam. Jackson smiled triumphantly at him before turning back to Sarah, "That's what I've been telling him. I sent him some stuff by them over the internet a few months ago, and he's just NOW realizing how good they are." She laughed softly, and then realizing her chance replied, "Some people just won't leave their safe zone to appreciate real music. I wish sometimes I had someone to back me up when I'm talking to MY friends." Faking a look of realization, she continued, "I know! Why don't YOU come eat lunch with us sometime Jackson?" His neck snapped around looking at her again, "What!?" He exclaimed "Oh, er, uh, yeah! That's a good idea! Strength in numbers, right?" She smiled happily at him, relieved. With that look on his face she had almost thought he was going to tell her "no way" at first.
- - -
That night Jackson found it harder than usual to get to sleep, he had to tell her. He took out a piece of paper and began to write her a letter. He poured his thoughts onto the paper relentlessly, hoping that his energy would transfer the emotions he felt, while at the same time, knowing that there was no way they could. Finishing up he realized that he wasn't sure what to close it with, so it ended it, "Love, Jackson". Yes, that seemed fitting. He turned his light off and rolled over onto his pillow, the silvery moonlight leaking in through his window, tossed streaks of luminescence across his face. He sighed, trying to think of what would be a good time to present her with such a powerful document, one that would begin the next stage of his life, whether it was with or without her. At least he wouldn't have to remain silent for much longer. With that relief and sleep overtaking him, his thoughts turned to blackness and silence.
Alarm clock blaring loudly he opened his eyes to check the time. He still had 4 minutes before he normally got up to take a shower, closing his eyes and inhaling deeply he caught a glimpse of his trench coat laying on the floor by his door and was instantly awake. His eyes snapped open as he remembered what lay in the pocket of that trench coat. His fate. He felt his pulse speed up a few notches as he reached down to the crack between his mattresses, fingers searching for what he knew lie there. He smiled as he looked upon her face. He could do this. And it would be today. Looking over at the clock once more, he saw that he was right on time, he replaced the picture she had given him last year to its place and grabbed some fresh clothes on his way to the shower.
- - -
Tapping his pencil on the side of his knee nervously, he tried to refocus on his math assignment for what felt like the 10th time that period. It would all work out great, he could hand her the letter without telling her what it was and just ask her about it later when she got home. This has to be the best possible solution, he knew he wouldn't be able to speak aloud what he had written if his life depended upon it. He had made the right choice.
...Why then, was he so nervous?
Again lunch rolled around, finding Jackson searching out Sarah. She usually ate at one particular table in the cafeteria but today she felt the need to wander off somewhere. After a few minutes he found her eating towards the other end of the school in the entry way with some of her friends. They sat leaning against the wall with relative ease, talking excitedly about the day's events, no doubt. Someone made a joke and they all reacted accordingly, the over-emphasized giggle. Jackson suddenly realized he was sweating and his heart rate shot up rapidly. Maybe he shouldn't be doing this, he wondered. But before he had a chance to change his mind Sarah spotted him and waved at him. He nodded in return and headed towards them. She was wearing a small pink belly shirt and jeans along with her cute smile.
"Hey Sarah, reinforcements have arrived!" He said gesturing with a long bow. Her grin widened, threatening to split her face horizontally. He looked up at her and winked. Laughing aloud, she patted the ground beside her, motioning him to sit down. She couldn't believe it, Jackson was going to eat lunch with HER! That in itself was amazing. But, the fact that he was sitting next to her almost caused her head to spin.
"What the hell am I doing?" Jackson thought to himself. "Since when do I have the balls to wink at people?" The only way to reduce his nervousness was to try and make her laugh. So far so good.
"Jackson, these are my good friends, Beth, Amanda, and Ashley." Sarah pointed to each as she spoke their names. Jackson nodded at the first two and saluted Ashley. She giggled.
"Ashley and I have already met in the halls," he said, "during one of my saluting sprees. She was one of the few people who actually returned the salute."
"You go on saluting sprees?" Sarah asked, an eyebrow raised.
"Of course, the looks you get from people makes my day. Besides, I can't have people thinking I'm completely sane, now can I?" he asked.
"I suppose not," she said smiling.
After several attempts and still not making any progress at all with Sarah's friends, Jackson announced that they were simply too stubborn. After condemning them to listen to 'weak music lacking of true energy' for the rest of their lives, they laughed as if he were joking. Shortly afterward they departed, having finished eating.
"Oh, by the way, Sarah. Do you think you could read something for me?" He said, trying to sound nonchalant. He hoped she couldn't see his hands shaking as he reached into his coat. Steeling his resolve he pulled out the sealed letter and handed it to her.
