February- Story02: The Love That Was Real
First off, apologies for my late story. This was due two days ago, but I never finished. Actually what I have now is also very rushed. I think most story ideas I come up with are not made to be one-shot stories, so lots of details not included and it seems rushed, but hopefully it still works and that the characters are still portrayed nicely.
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The Love That Was Real
“What’s the big deal? He likes you, you like him, just say yes already!” Elizabeth exclaimed.
“But I’m not sure I want to marry him yet, I’m not certain I see a future with him!” Jessica sighed exasperatedly. “As you said yourself… I only like him…”
“Jess… this is high school. This is puppy love. No one REALLY expects this to last. Plus, if you don’t try, how do you know if you REALLY like him anyway?” Elizabeth explained for the hundredth time. Her friend was a little stubborn and a true romantic. If only she could convince them that they were meant for each other…
Jessica looked away, deep in thought. “Perhaps you’re right. Perhaps I should say yes to him.”
“What?!” Elizabeth thought to herself. “I barely convinced her. What is she…” but before she could further question Jessica, the bell for first period rung and they both rushed off to their respective classes.
Jessica dashed into her chemistry lab and had barely arranged her textbook onto her bench when the teacher came in. She sighed in relief at the close call and made a mental note not to talk so long in the corridor with her friends. She was already in her final year of high school and she could not afford to mar her detention-free record.
Class passed as a blur to her- very uncharacteristic of such a diligent student. As soon as class ended, she rushed out of class, so fast it was as if some sort of beast was chasing her. No sooner had she stepped out of the classroom, a hand gripped her arm strongly and pulled her towards the wall of the corridor- away from the rush of students. She held her breath, unable to look up, but once the person spoke, she immediately recognised the voice. “So… do you have an answer for my question yet?”
Jessica gasped inwardly. She wasn’t ready to face him yet, and all morning she’d been planning on how to avoid him until lunch time. Just after first period and he’d already caught her. She was still trying to convince herself it wasn’t a dream and that it was reality that a smart and athletic boy was asking her out. On top of that, he was popular too. He was every girl’s Prince Charming. But most importantly, she’d been ‘in love’ with him for so long now. He was HER Prince Charming.
“I…” she looked up at him and stared deep into his eyes and got lost in his dreamy orbs. She lost her ability to speak and merely nodded. He smiled in reply, then looked shyly at his feet.
“So… er… are you free this Saturday… for a movie?” She stared at him dumbly. “Perhaps we could also study together afterwards?” he added on as an after-thought. She giggled and nodded, still unable to find words to express what she had in mind. “Then it’s a date. Meet you at the cinemas at 10am?” And he dashed off to class without waiting for a reply.
Jessica ambled slowly to English, not even caring that she was late. She entered the classroom silently and the teacher didn’t question her. She sat down next to her best friend Elizabeth, who at the first possible moment broke her stunned spell. “What’s up with you?” she whispered.
“Louis…” she replied almost inaudible.
“What about him?” Elizabeth all but snapped impatiently. She had barely convinced her friend to say yes and it appeared she wanted to further complicate her thoughts. What Elizabeth couldn’t understand was why her friend failed to see that the two of them were compatible. The two very obviously liked each other. How could she not see they were destined to be a pair?
“We have a date… this Saturday…” Elizabeth was stunned and her silence reflected her surprise. Jessica nodded, understanding her friend completely. “Surprised? Me too...” she whispered.
The rest of the week was a total blur for Jessica at school. She was too worried about Saturday. However, knowing this, she tried her best to catch up at home, which worked a little better considering the fact she didn’t have to worry about bumping into HIM and not knowing what to say or do.
Saturday could be said to have come slowly or quickly. For Jessica, she felt it was a mixture of both. She didn’t want it to come and thus felt like school dragged out. She had waited for this opportunity for an eternity, or it felt, and the past week was no exception. However, it also felt like it came quickly. She didn’t know what to wear, what she was to say and what she should do. She worried too much about making a fool of herself. Before she was ready, Saturday had already arrived.
Their date was a successful one. That is, if you didn’t count all of Jessica’s nervousness. They had a great movie date and even had ice-cream afterwards, not forgetting their promise to study together, they then also went to the library and studied Chemistry together. In fact, it was a great start to it all. For months, they were considered the perfect couple at school, and boys and girls alike were jealous. However, all happiness is short lived.
“Oh Louis, it’s been so many months now, when will you dump her?” a voice urged.
“You better hurry or you’ll lose the bet,” another voiced.
Louis stuttered, unable to put his feelings into words, at least, not words his friends would understand. How could they, having not yet experienced true love.
“Louis?” Jessica stepped out from around the corner, warm tears running down her face, her eyes begging him to tell her that it wasn’t the truth. He looked away, unable to face her. He couldn’t, not when he couldn’t tell her it was a joke the boys were playing, for indeed, their relationship was based on a stupid bet, a little dare.
Understanding that she’d been played, she knew better than to make a scene in front of them, and instead ran to find the condolence of her best friend. Those few months were so happy, they were like a dream come true for her. She thought back to their first date and started to notice the flaws she’d passed off as nervousness was instead flaws of unwillingness.
“Oh Jessica,” Elizabeth cooed after listening to her friend’s recount. She could do nothing except hold her friend and stroke her hair, for any words said now, would only be wasted words. She was right too, for Jessica could only replay their times together, picking at where it all had gone wrong and she had been too blind to see it. She blocked out all else, just thinking of those memories, tears still streaming down her cheeks. In particular, she thought of their first date.
“It was a good movie huh? Do you want to get some ice-cream?” Louis spoke quickly. Jessica nodded and together they headed towards the ice-cream parlour. Several times, his hand brushed against hers and Jessica could feel her heart beat quicken each time, anticipating that he’d hold onto it. It wasn’t until after they had gotten ice-cream that he finally held her hand. Jessica was a little shocked at his sudden action, having concluded earlier that he was too shy to hold it that day. She was startled and jolted, but didn’t pull away and instead smiled into her ice-cream as she licked it. And to think I thought he was too shy… and to think I thought his actions were cute. It was all an act. He didn’t want to hold my hand. He was hesitant, not because he was nervous, but because he didn’t want to do it. It was all part of a bet. Something stupid that he and his friends came up with. And everything after was also a lie! Her love was based on a lie!
HE on the other hand, wasn’t feeling that much happier either, but SHE wasn’t to know that. She thought he was playing her all along. What she didn’t know was that somewhere along the line, he fell for her, and he fell for her hard. They may still be in high school and many people would call this puppy love, but he knew that it was true love. He knew that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, to love her, to take care of her- to always be by her side, no matter the situations. If his friends knew, they’d laugh and call him a romantic and maybe even soppy, but he didn’t care. But it was too late now. How was he to confess his true feelings to her now? She found out about that stupid bet. But if it weren’t for it, he wouldn’t have gotten to know her so well and he wouldn’t have found what many books and movies called ‘the one’.
Days passed and the two didn’t talk to each other. More weeks passed and still they avoided each other. Finally it became a month since that dreadful day. A month of lonliness, a month of unhappiness, a month of little concentration and a month of regret.
It has been too long since they last talked to each other and it was hard on Louis, so he finally plucked up the courage and found Jessica, cornering her, so she couldn’t leave. “Jess, we need to talk,” he said seriously.
“What is there to talk about?” she replied coldly.
“Look, I’m sorry, but just hear me out first.” He said. “Please?” he pleaded. She looked into his eyes and melted. She could never look at them and not feel moved and feel his emotions, so she decided to let him try to explain, although she didn’t have high hopes of reconciliation. But of course, she couldn’t anyway, not with someone who had lied to her, played her for a fool and stole her heart.
And so he told her. He told her about the bet he had with his friends. He told her how he was so unwilling at first and even a bit worried that he wouldn’t be able to do it. He continued and told her how he slowly fell for her. He told her how he REALLY felt. He told her that he loved her. He told her that he wanted to be with her forever. He told her he wanted to take care of her. He told her how torturous the past month was for him. He told her everything until tears were formed in both of their eyes.
“So, will you give me permission to steal your heart once more? I promise to keep it safe forever, and in return, I leave my heart in your hands.” He concluded.
Jessica sniffed. “What once was given away, can never be taken back,” she said, and thus sealed their love for one another.
It would be clichéd to say they lived happily ever after and leave this story with a happy ending, but what are all endings, but new beginnings. And so, their love story continues. What once was unrequited love, turned into a playground of love and deceit. What was dubbed as puppy love, turned into true love, love that last forever. For it was true that from the beginning that they were made for each other. A couple destined to be together, regardless of the storms in-between. And so, starts a new chapter of their lives together.
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I probably could have made more memories in the story. I could have made Louis more of a jerk. I could have made Jessica seem more like a romantic. It could have all been better. But the thing is, I tried hard. Much as I rushed parts, I wouldn't post this unless I thought it was adequate. So that it is, but not much more.
I guess you could say this is a Valentine's Special since it's in February and all. Also, Linda told me this had to be a happy story, since it's for the month of love... so I HOPE it turned out happy :D All my other ideas were sad, and this was the happiest I could make it. There were some not so happy times, but that is all :) The begin with, I didn't even want the ending like this. I wanted them to not get back together and both be in regret that neither said anything, but that would be too sad for February, would it not?
I hope you enjoyed it none-the-less. Remember to leave Mich a comment! I appreciate those so I know where I can improve and where I went wrong etc. Don't forget to check out my fellow challengee's stories at beautifulproducts.wordpress.com
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The Love That Was Real
“What’s the big deal? He likes you, you like him, just say yes already!” Elizabeth exclaimed.
“But I’m not sure I want to marry him yet, I’m not certain I see a future with him!” Jessica sighed exasperatedly. “As you said yourself… I only like him…”
“Jess… this is high school. This is puppy love. No one REALLY expects this to last. Plus, if you don’t try, how do you know if you REALLY like him anyway?” Elizabeth explained for the hundredth time. Her friend was a little stubborn and a true romantic. If only she could convince them that they were meant for each other…
Jessica looked away, deep in thought. “Perhaps you’re right. Perhaps I should say yes to him.”
“What?!” Elizabeth thought to herself. “I barely convinced her. What is she…” but before she could further question Jessica, the bell for first period rung and they both rushed off to their respective classes.
Jessica dashed into her chemistry lab and had barely arranged her textbook onto her bench when the teacher came in. She sighed in relief at the close call and made a mental note not to talk so long in the corridor with her friends. She was already in her final year of high school and she could not afford to mar her detention-free record.
Class passed as a blur to her- very uncharacteristic of such a diligent student. As soon as class ended, she rushed out of class, so fast it was as if some sort of beast was chasing her. No sooner had she stepped out of the classroom, a hand gripped her arm strongly and pulled her towards the wall of the corridor- away from the rush of students. She held her breath, unable to look up, but once the person spoke, she immediately recognised the voice. “So… do you have an answer for my question yet?”
Jessica gasped inwardly. She wasn’t ready to face him yet, and all morning she’d been planning on how to avoid him until lunch time. Just after first period and he’d already caught her. She was still trying to convince herself it wasn’t a dream and that it was reality that a smart and athletic boy was asking her out. On top of that, he was popular too. He was every girl’s Prince Charming. But most importantly, she’d been ‘in love’ with him for so long now. He was HER Prince Charming.
“I…” she looked up at him and stared deep into his eyes and got lost in his dreamy orbs. She lost her ability to speak and merely nodded. He smiled in reply, then looked shyly at his feet.
“So… er… are you free this Saturday… for a movie?” She stared at him dumbly. “Perhaps we could also study together afterwards?” he added on as an after-thought. She giggled and nodded, still unable to find words to express what she had in mind. “Then it’s a date. Meet you at the cinemas at 10am?” And he dashed off to class without waiting for a reply.
Jessica ambled slowly to English, not even caring that she was late. She entered the classroom silently and the teacher didn’t question her. She sat down next to her best friend Elizabeth, who at the first possible moment broke her stunned spell. “What’s up with you?” she whispered.
“Louis…” she replied almost inaudible.
“What about him?” Elizabeth all but snapped impatiently. She had barely convinced her friend to say yes and it appeared she wanted to further complicate her thoughts. What Elizabeth couldn’t understand was why her friend failed to see that the two of them were compatible. The two very obviously liked each other. How could she not see they were destined to be a pair?
“We have a date… this Saturday…” Elizabeth was stunned and her silence reflected her surprise. Jessica nodded, understanding her friend completely. “Surprised? Me too...” she whispered.
The rest of the week was a total blur for Jessica at school. She was too worried about Saturday. However, knowing this, she tried her best to catch up at home, which worked a little better considering the fact she didn’t have to worry about bumping into HIM and not knowing what to say or do.
Saturday could be said to have come slowly or quickly. For Jessica, she felt it was a mixture of both. She didn’t want it to come and thus felt like school dragged out. She had waited for this opportunity for an eternity, or it felt, and the past week was no exception. However, it also felt like it came quickly. She didn’t know what to wear, what she was to say and what she should do. She worried too much about making a fool of herself. Before she was ready, Saturday had already arrived.
Their date was a successful one. That is, if you didn’t count all of Jessica’s nervousness. They had a great movie date and even had ice-cream afterwards, not forgetting their promise to study together, they then also went to the library and studied Chemistry together. In fact, it was a great start to it all. For months, they were considered the perfect couple at school, and boys and girls alike were jealous. However, all happiness is short lived.
“Oh Louis, it’s been so many months now, when will you dump her?” a voice urged.
“You better hurry or you’ll lose the bet,” another voiced.
Louis stuttered, unable to put his feelings into words, at least, not words his friends would understand. How could they, having not yet experienced true love.
“Louis?” Jessica stepped out from around the corner, warm tears running down her face, her eyes begging him to tell her that it wasn’t the truth. He looked away, unable to face her. He couldn’t, not when he couldn’t tell her it was a joke the boys were playing, for indeed, their relationship was based on a stupid bet, a little dare.
Understanding that she’d been played, she knew better than to make a scene in front of them, and instead ran to find the condolence of her best friend. Those few months were so happy, they were like a dream come true for her. She thought back to their first date and started to notice the flaws she’d passed off as nervousness was instead flaws of unwillingness.
“Oh Jessica,” Elizabeth cooed after listening to her friend’s recount. She could do nothing except hold her friend and stroke her hair, for any words said now, would only be wasted words. She was right too, for Jessica could only replay their times together, picking at where it all had gone wrong and she had been too blind to see it. She blocked out all else, just thinking of those memories, tears still streaming down her cheeks. In particular, she thought of their first date.
“It was a good movie huh? Do you want to get some ice-cream?” Louis spoke quickly. Jessica nodded and together they headed towards the ice-cream parlour. Several times, his hand brushed against hers and Jessica could feel her heart beat quicken each time, anticipating that he’d hold onto it. It wasn’t until after they had gotten ice-cream that he finally held her hand. Jessica was a little shocked at his sudden action, having concluded earlier that he was too shy to hold it that day. She was startled and jolted, but didn’t pull away and instead smiled into her ice-cream as she licked it. And to think I thought he was too shy… and to think I thought his actions were cute. It was all an act. He didn’t want to hold my hand. He was hesitant, not because he was nervous, but because he didn’t want to do it. It was all part of a bet. Something stupid that he and his friends came up with. And everything after was also a lie! Her love was based on a lie!
HE on the other hand, wasn’t feeling that much happier either, but SHE wasn’t to know that. She thought he was playing her all along. What she didn’t know was that somewhere along the line, he fell for her, and he fell for her hard. They may still be in high school and many people would call this puppy love, but he knew that it was true love. He knew that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, to love her, to take care of her- to always be by her side, no matter the situations. If his friends knew, they’d laugh and call him a romantic and maybe even soppy, but he didn’t care. But it was too late now. How was he to confess his true feelings to her now? She found out about that stupid bet. But if it weren’t for it, he wouldn’t have gotten to know her so well and he wouldn’t have found what many books and movies called ‘the one’.
Days passed and the two didn’t talk to each other. More weeks passed and still they avoided each other. Finally it became a month since that dreadful day. A month of lonliness, a month of unhappiness, a month of little concentration and a month of regret.
It has been too long since they last talked to each other and it was hard on Louis, so he finally plucked up the courage and found Jessica, cornering her, so she couldn’t leave. “Jess, we need to talk,” he said seriously.
“What is there to talk about?” she replied coldly.
“Look, I’m sorry, but just hear me out first.” He said. “Please?” he pleaded. She looked into his eyes and melted. She could never look at them and not feel moved and feel his emotions, so she decided to let him try to explain, although she didn’t have high hopes of reconciliation. But of course, she couldn’t anyway, not with someone who had lied to her, played her for a fool and stole her heart.
And so he told her. He told her about the bet he had with his friends. He told her how he was so unwilling at first and even a bit worried that he wouldn’t be able to do it. He continued and told her how he slowly fell for her. He told her how he REALLY felt. He told her that he loved her. He told her that he wanted to be with her forever. He told her he wanted to take care of her. He told her how torturous the past month was for him. He told her everything until tears were formed in both of their eyes.
“So, will you give me permission to steal your heart once more? I promise to keep it safe forever, and in return, I leave my heart in your hands.” He concluded.
Jessica sniffed. “What once was given away, can never be taken back,” she said, and thus sealed their love for one another.
It would be clichéd to say they lived happily ever after and leave this story with a happy ending, but what are all endings, but new beginnings. And so, their love story continues. What once was unrequited love, turned into a playground of love and deceit. What was dubbed as puppy love, turned into true love, love that last forever. For it was true that from the beginning that they were made for each other. A couple destined to be together, regardless of the storms in-between. And so, starts a new chapter of their lives together.
---
I probably could have made more memories in the story. I could have made Louis more of a jerk. I could have made Jessica seem more like a romantic. It could have all been better. But the thing is, I tried hard. Much as I rushed parts, I wouldn't post this unless I thought it was adequate. So that it is, but not much more.
I guess you could say this is a Valentine's Special since it's in February and all. Also, Linda told me this had to be a happy story, since it's for the month of love... so I HOPE it turned out happy :D All my other ideas were sad, and this was the happiest I could make it. There were some not so happy times, but that is all :) The begin with, I didn't even want the ending like this. I wanted them to not get back together and both be in regret that neither said anything, but that would be too sad for February, would it not?
I hope you enjoyed it none-the-less. Remember to leave Mich a comment! I appreciate those so I know where I can improve and where I went wrong etc. Don't forget to check out my fellow challengee's stories at beautifulproducts.wordpress.com