Calling it like it is [Jalen]

[JD Paerson]

After Christmas with Jalen and her family had gone well (no major disasters, only the usual initial animosity that seemed to come from older brothers), JD decided it was time to stop being such a...well, a wuss. Much as he hated to admit it, Zac was right. It was time for him to actually ask Jay out instead of dancing around pretending to just be friends.

So he did a bit of research--they had spent a lot of time together on things that might usually be called dates, so he wanted to make this time feel more special before they went back to their usual routine. There was a play performing in the capital called "The Intergalactic Nemesis," and it was about "an impending invasion of sludge monsters from the planet Zygon." There didn't seem to be any way to lose.

After class one day he'd texted Jalen to make sure she was free, then headed up to her room. This time he'd actually remembered to wear something nice, though not as fancy as he'd worn at the Christmas dinner. Just a nice pair of jeans, a clean shirt, and finger-combed hair. At least he didn't stink this time.

He knocked on the door to her room and stood waiting, shifting from foot to foot and alternating between looking worried and grinning at his feet. As the door clicked open, though, he pulled it together and put on a nice smile.

"Hey there, Jay!" he said as he stepped in the room. "I have something to ask you, if it's okay."

He pulled the tickets, still in their envelope, out of his pocket and flourished them. "Would you like to go on a date with me to see a play in Burlington? We can go to dinner in town, my treat. Any restaurant you want."

He'd saved up enough from his job to be able to afford this. Also to afford the tickets and the gas. He wasn't exactly as broke as he usually claimed to be. And if Jalen offered to pay he would refuse. Because this time, goddammit, he was doing it as a real date.

[Jalen August]

Number one, JD hardly ever texted, he preferred to e-mail. Usually texts were only shared between the two when the situation was dire, or when Jalen was bored and just needed to text someone. JD usually didn’t reply to these, he knew she was just rambling for no reason. Except for the whole Rick situation, that was just getting awkward. Number two, he usually didn’t ask to meet up with her, they just sort of, did. So when Jalen got the message, she was suspicious before he came through her door.

Jalen had her hair up, unafraid to show off her lovely scar, and a pair of grey yoga pants on. No, she hadn’t been working out, they were just comfy, and she thought she looked damn good in them. Besides, JD wouldn’t care. That was the nice thing about him, he wasn’t superficial. If she had known the reason for his visit, she might be singing a different tune. But for now they were good friends and that wasn’t cause to rush and change.

“Hi...” She said, closing the door behind him and glancing at him. Number three, JD was usually not this chipper, but he did seem to smile a little more each time they had a get together. She approached him and was about to call bullshit when he took out an envelope. And for once, words were flooding from his mouth and making her smile a little brighter. “A date? With you? In Burlington?” Jalen suppressed a giggle, trying to calm down the butterflies, biting her lip instead. Before JD assumed she was making fun of him, which he wouldn’t be wrong to assume of course, she nodded a few times. “That sounds... like you put some thought into this,” she said, wringing her hands nervously, “when?” How come he was so calm about this?

“Wait, did Zac put you up to this or something?” She asked, sitting on the couch in the living space before her legs gave out. “‘cause you don’t have to prove anything to me.” Jalen hated to admit it, but this whole dating thing sounded almost too good to be true, and not because of past relationships.

And then her next thoughts came out, due to her nerves and the situation. “Wait, so, you like me? Well, I know you like me, but I mean, as more than a friend?” She asked. It was probably good this was happening this way, otherwise she may never of had the courage to ask about JD’s feelings, which he didn’t talk about voluntarily. Either way, her thoughts were a mess and she went from smiling to expressionless. “This isn’t a joke, is it?” If it was, JD was a dead man, literally.

[JD Paerson]

She looked beautiful. Again. Of course. And JD could hardly keep from reaching over and grabbing her hand, but he didn't want to push anything. However, he couldn't keep the grin off his face.

"You mean when did I put some thought into this, or when is the date for?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. Now that he'd asked and she hadn't immediately shot him down--though she hadn't exactly said yes yet--he had a lot more confidence. "I've been thinking about it for about a week, trying to find the right place to go. Though I admit my delivery is a little shoddy, probably should've considered that more. The play is on this Thursday, starting at 7:30. We'll want to leave right after school to get into the city and find a place to eat."

Of course, it also helped the confidence factor when he already had everything planned out.

JD sat next to Jalen on the couch, putting the envelope on the seat between them. "Some of what Zac said was right, but it's not because of him that I'm doing this. If it was I would have asked back in November. I'm asking because I want to, and because I'm worried that if I don't I'll..." This part wasn't so well rehearsed, but he took a deep breath and plunged ahead. "I won't get to." And that was about as articulate as he could be on the subject.

He had to smile again. "Jalen, you are probably the most beautiful and, and funny girl I have ever met or known or anything. I know I'm not exactly that smart, but I'd have to be absolutely stupid not to like you." And this had been true for a long time, but he'd been afraid of scaring her. His declarations of love rarely went over very well, so he forced himself to tone down some.

He paled a bit when he saw her face go blank. "Geez, no! How could you think that? I'm not going to joke with you over something like this. The dead guy in the trunk of my car, yes. But I wouldn't, I don't..." want to hurt you "think that emotions or anything are funny."

JD pulled the tickets out of the envelope. "It's to a sci-fi play type thing. It looks pretty good. But if you don't want to go, then feel free to say no. Even if you just don't like the look of it and want to do something else." She still hadn't said yes. Dear God, please let her say yes.

[Jalen August]

“You know what I mean,” she said breathlessly, unable to tease and joke at the moment. Jalen raised her eyebrows, was he being, cocky? That so wasn’t like him. But then she smiled hesitantly. “You’ve been thinking about it for that long?” She asked, raising her hands to her temples instead of fiddling with them. Stop asking so many questions woman! She thought to herself. He was being quite sweet, but to come right out and say that might break the magic bubble they were in. “Oh it’s not shoddy! It sounds fun!” It still seemed pretty unreal. For someone who was so flirtatious, she wasn’t taking this as lightly as she often took herself.

Jalen visibly relaxed upon hearing Zac had no part in this. “Good, because I would hate for you two to be a package deal,” she said, the bridge of her nose scrunching in distaste. She was glad he was asking her out because he wanted to. He was asking her out because he wanted to... She smiled softly. He was worried he would miss his chance, and for that, she felt flattered. “I’m glad you asked now.” She said, blinking a couple times. The information had almost sunk in.

Blushing deeply, Jalen cast a glance at JD before looking away again. “What did you say Mr. Harvard? Not smart?” She laughed then, touching the back of her neck because there was no hair to push behind her ear. She was beautiful and funny? Not clingy and over reactive? Most beautiful? Jalen looked at him again, feeling more and more foolish for thinking he was anything but serious about this; didn’t she know him at all?

As though reading her mind, JD stated the obvious, grinning a bit. “Okay okay, I bet the trunk guy thinks you’re pretty funny too. I’m sorry, this all just seems too good to be true, not really a surprise so much, but still, pretty... great.” She said, laughing at herself. “I’m the one who’s the writer here, I should be eloquent about all this, the hero gets the girl, blah blah blah.” She sighed, watching him pull the tickets out of the envelope. Any second now he would realize how needy she could be and change his mind about the whole thing.

“I don’t really care what we’re doing,” as long as I’m with you “but I love play type things, so we should go. You bought the tickets already.” Jalen smiled brightly at JD, her powers going off the fritz a little bit as the sound of her own racing heart could be heard in her ears quite clearly. “So there are buffet type places nearby right?” She asked, poking him in the side instead of furiously grabbing his hands like she wanted to. “‘cause you eat a hell of a lot.”

[JD Paerson]

It was JD's turn to scrunch up his nose. "Zac and I, despite all of his attempts to make things otherwise, are not a matched set. I want..." I want usto be the matched set "...him to learn that sooner than later. And to spend more time with you." It was actually a huge relief, to not be on a date with someone Zac had set him up with. To realize again that it was his life, and no one else had any right interfering.

"School smart doesn't count. Do you realize how many geniuses there are out there who can't even tie their shoes? And let's be honest, I do well here, but I'm kind of a flop everywhere else." Like in relationships. And getting a job. "Okay, well maybe I'm a genius at video games, but I don't think that helps my argument."

But Harvard brought up another problem...in only a few months he'd be moving. What would happen then? Was he willing to think about that now? Not really. So he put it out of his mind.

Too good to be true? "I don't lie," JD said. "And I wouldn't be saying any of this if I hadn't thought about it." He'd done some thinking, and as far as he could tell, the chances of getting shot down were worth how great it would feel if she actually said yes. "I'm not so much of a hero, but thanks for trying. Besides, you're as much of a hero as I am, if not more so." Any minute now she'd realize how much of a sap he was and say no. Sensitive guys sound good in theory, but it never seemed to work out in real life.

She said yes. JD's smile exploded. "Yes, the tickets are bought, but you'll still probably want to look it up and see what you're in for." He reached down and grabbed her hand as he poked her, then held on instead of letting go right away. "I haven't looked, but there's probably somewhere between here and the theater where we can eat. But you don't have to do buffet if you don't want to. Sky's the limit this time."

[Jalen August]

“You want him to spend more time with me?” She asked, but she was grinning madly. Partly due to her teasing nature, but more so because she was mad with glee. “I don’t really think he’s that fond of me, he thinks I’m some kind of player,” she said, laughing a bit. Jalen knew she could be a bit overwhelming, but it was never her intention to hurt anyone, even though that did happen once in a while. “But I don’t think we should listen to Zac,” she said, imaging the rich little boy yapping away as everyone remained oblivious to him because Jalen had turned him silent. If only.

“It’s okay if you can’t tie your shoes JD, Velcro is pretty hip nowadays isn’t it?” She asked. Of course it wasn’t, she could just feel herself getting back into her shoes. She scoffed. “You’re only good at videogames, trust me, I know a genius when I see one.” She grinned at their racing battle a few months ago. They had come a long way since then. Her parents seemed to like him a lot, but they were mostly just happy she was seeing someone closer to her age. She couldn’t wait to call her mum tonight and tell her about this. Good things really do come to those who wait.

Jalen laughed, “That doesn’t make any sense, unless you want to be a damsel in distress, and I don’t think you’d look very good in a dress.” She said, sitting back on the couch comfortably. At least their bantering hadn’t changed a bit. Speaking of appearances made Jay feel a bit self conscious about how she had worn ‘comfy’ clothes today, but there was no point dwelling on that now. At least JD looked nice for the both of them. He wasn’t so much sappy as he was adorable, and Jalen wasn’t really turned off by sappiness anyways. “Yep, you can be the hero,” she said, grinning. He was dubbed hero and that was that.

He was thrilled, and it was rubbing off on her. “The sky? Are we flying there superman?” She gripped his hand a little, unable to get used to the feeling for now. It was awesome. “I dig sci-fi, and if it totally sucks, we’ll just have to write terrible reviews and make a mockery of it.” Jalen was happy that JD was being a little bolder than usual, she wasn’t sure how much longer she could have waited for a little more contact. “Okay, you just leave the food decisions to me.”

“I can’t believe you asked me out,” she said, her hands shaking slightly, her eyes sparkling a little bit. She sighed, leaning on him. “You’re excited right?”

[JD Paerson]

"Oh, shush, you know what I mean," JD said, rolling his eyes. "I want him to go away, and I want to spend more time with you. Sorry I was unclear before." People who knew grammar could sometimes be annoying. He'd have to remember that for the next time he made that sort of comment.

"By using the word 'hip' I am pretty sure you undermined your own argument," he said with a smirk. "And please give me some credit. I'd wear loafers before I went with velcro." He let the video game comment go, though. If he was only good, well, he'd matched her. That was all that really mattered.

"I'll only be the hero if you'll be my partner. A good hero has to have something worth fighting for, or someone." Suddenly straightening and putting on a serious face, he said, "I'm not wearing tights. Or armor. Not even for Halloween. I just want to make that clear."

And once again they were back to "Superman." But he was almost getting used to it by this point. "No, just driving. Unless you think it's worth asking for the private jet already--I was kind of hoping to wait on calling in that favor until we wanted to go to Puerto Rico or something." Not that he'd made plans or anything. Just, you know. Being prepared. "I'll let you do some research on the restaurants. Let me know what you decide."

He squeezed her hand tight in his. "More than excited," he said, smiling hugely. "I can't believe you actually said yes. Or that someone else hasn't snatched you up already." Someone better. JD was aware that he was what one might call 'damaged goods,' what with all of his baggage (Zac, angry father, slightly obsessive).

"We don't have to stop doing anything, you know. I'm still up to beat you at video games any time you want, and there's plenty of trails and stuff. I just wanted this first date to be...special. Like the first time I met you."

[Jalen August]

She laughed and poked his nose. “Relax, I take great pride in correcting people. And you couldn’t make me spend time with Zac if you tried.” She said, shuddering at the thought. Then she was laughing even harder. “Loafers? Wow...” she said, shaking her head. JD had some kind of fashion sense, maybe not one she admired, but there were more important things after all.

Jalen smiled, and glanced down. She was worth fighting for too? “Deal,” she said simply. She smirked at the thought of JD in tights – good thing he wasn’t a mind reader. “I won’t ask you to do that, but it might be more fun to fight with someone, you know, a sidekick or something like that. But I wouldn’t want to be a sidekick, more like a partner...” And she let it go after that, because she realized she wasn’t making any sense.

Tucking away the ‘private jet’ comment away in the back of her mind, Jalen nodded. Her computer would be scoured tonight in search of an appropriate restaurant. She blushed. Who better to ask her out than him really? “Actually, I’ve sort of had a crush on you since we first met,” she admitted, her smile lopsided. Wasn’t everyone ‘damaged goods’ so to speak though? JD seemed pretty quick to forget how Jalen had basically been proposed to no less than a couple months ago.

“You’re sweet, it will be special” she said, punching his knee lightly, “but I’ll be beating you next time.” Jalen sighed, and just let herself feel happy. “Oh,” she said, looking up at him, “for the record, just because we wanna date, doesn’t mean we have to stop being friends.” She said. Jalen was glad they had waited, now was the best time to ask, and had given her the chance to get to know JD without worrying about trying to be attractive or anything like that. She was his friend first and foremost, and whatever the future had to offer, that would always stand.

[JD Paerson]

JD tried to defend himself. "Not that I want to wear loafers! I just...they're better than velcro. Velcro is only on kid's shoes and old people's orthopedic shoes these days, anyway. But no, I just wear...you know. Shoes." Seeing his argument flush itself down the tank, he gave up.

"Well, with luck we won't be fighting anyone," he said, being somewhat reasonable. "But I guess I know what you mean. We can wear matching outfits or something. Just not, you know. Ones that involve chain mail or capes. And together we can go stop...injustice...or something. I don't even know." He threw up his hand and flopped back onto the couch. Yet in spite of his incoherence, he still found himself smiling. It was new, to be losing a battle and still happy.

JD had to blink a few times. "Really?" he asked slowly. "Because I've, well...anyway. I kind of wanted to ask you out when we first met, but I didn't want you to think I was some sort of creepy stalker or anything asking you out right away, and, well...then you were with Cody, and I didn't want to rush you or anything when you might not want to be in a relationship, so I just...I guess I just should've asked, huh?" Of course, her saying that she'd liked him at first was also great. Love at first sight, anyone?

"Good luck with that, hon," he said, trying out the new nickname. It wasn't quite sounding right, but he had a while to keep trying. He hoped.

"That would be...great," JD said. "I would really love that." He wasn't on particularly bad terms with his other exes, but they didn't hang out or anything. And he knew that he did not want to lose Jalen as a friend, not after all the fun they'd been having.

He stood, still holding Jalen's hand. "I suppose I should probably go, since I still have a lot of homework to finish up, and I bet you have stuff you're doing as well. But I'll talk to you really soon, all right?" He squeezed her hand again, then reached over and hugged her. "Thanks, Jay. I...I'm really happy about this. And I'll see you soon." As he pulled away he kissed her on the cheek, then smiled and headed for the door.

[Jalen August]

Jalen laughed, followed by a sigh. If they didn't argue, then what were they gonna do? Oh no, they weren't gonna be all squishy and romantic were they? She wasn't sure how she felt about that. "Let's skip the matching outfits part, I hate couples who do that." Wait, were they a couple now? Jalen mentally kicked herself and tried to let the topic slide as easily as JD had let her win. He didn't seem too upset about being with her, he had probably managed to find a way to win somewhere in his mind.

Holding her straight expression for a few moments while he spoke, Jay finally burst into laughter. "That's what people usually do JD, they see someone they like and they ask them out. But honestly, I like you more now than I did then so it worked out in your favor in the end." She said, putting a large goofy grin on her face. He wanted to ask her out right away? The guy who barely smiled an inch when they first met? She never would've guessed.

Hon? Jalen squirmed under the squishiness. That was going to take some getting used to, but for now she simply blushed, her scar flaring up. There were too many endorphins running around in her body now, it had been such a good day.

Then he was leaving, and she gripped his hand tighter. If he hadn't kissed her Jalen probably wouldn't have been dazed enough to let go. She touched her cheek after he left and flopped herself down on the couch, staring at the ceiling. Did that really just happen? It did, and she didn't stay on the couch for longer than ten minutes. She was going to tell her mom, Leon, hell, she was going to be bragging to a lot of people. The school was going to find out anyways, might as well be from her own big mouth.