Riding St. George II

[Five Months Earlier]

Jasmine claims she is allergic to grass so I pull her into my lap, brushing stray hairs from her face. I'm about to kiss her when I see Timothy and Jo waving their hands from across the field. 

“Hey, bestie!” Timothy and Jo shout together.

Jasmine turns, her hair flying in the breeze,  into my face, “What?” 

I pull her hair away from my face as she shifts on top of me. 

“Jo says Liam isn't good enough for you,” Timothy smiles as they run over to where we're sitting. I watch the muscles of his arms rise and fall with each movement. 

He glances at me and I look away immediately. My face heats up and I clear my throat even though it doesn't need clearing. 

They join us where we’re sitting beside Ferb and Mary—our set's Power Couple—who can’t go without kissing for five seconds.  Jasmine's been trying to ask about their Book Club project for the last few minutes but she hasn’t been able to get a word in. 

Timothy stretches. “As I was saying, Liam isn't good enough for you.” 

“And why's that?” I say, smiling. Out of the corner of my eye I notice Ferb’s are fixed at me. I glance at him and he looks away, turning back to Mary. 

Timothy ignores me, facing Jazz, “He isn't good enough for you, boo. You should be kicking it with Jo.” 

Jasmine smiles, “Jo’s way too short for me.” 

Jo spits out his water, laughing, “I'm literally taller than Liam.” He's moving toward us as he speaks. 

“Get away from my girlfriend!” I laugh and stretch one hand out. He backs up, tucking his hands into his pockets and bowing his head. Fake sniffing. 

The laughter dies off, Timothy smiling and staring at my hands around Jasmine for a second longer than necessary. 

His voice is gentle when he speaks. “Have you started our Bio project?” 

I bite my lips, laughing, “No, bro.” Jasmine's hand has gone around my waist, her other hand clutching my shoulder. We're becoming more tangled together with every movement she makes. 

“The deadline is tomorrow!” 

I roll my eyes, “Yeah, been waiting for you.” 

“Okay let's go start it then,” he says and I groan out, “What? I don't want to miss the game.” Aton College is battling Everest College for the Cricket cup finals in a few minutes. 

He's standing up, and from the determined look on his face I can tell it would be impossible to convince him to wait till the game's over. 

I sigh, and Jasmine pouts at him as she disentangles herself from me so I can stand, hands on hips. He completely ignores her, looking at the field. 

We walk away as the students line up on the field. 

~ 

Timothy sits on the table in my room, a pen between his lips.

 My eyes keep drifting closed, I’m so tired. 

I check the time. 2:15 pm, meaning we started thirty minutes ago. 

“You're almost done with yours, yeah?” I say, and he looks at his work, sucking on his pen. 

“No,” he says, letting his head fall to the table. 

“Let's take a break,” I say, and a smile finally crosses his face. 

He stands and comes to sit beside me on my bed. I place my books and laptop on the floor. The light in his eyes is contagious. 

“So what do you want to do?” 

I laugh awkwardly, he's sitting to close for me to concentrate on my next words. “Um… I don't know.” 

He licks his lips, saying, “Maybe we—” 

Then he tackles me, laughing, “—wrestle!” 

He pins my hands to the bed, then says, “You're so weak.” My heart is beating too fast. 

I can't look away from his eyes. Soft, brown, so small and almost pretty. My voice is small, barely a whisper, when I say, “You caught me by surprise.”

I look down to his lips, pink, full. His mouth falls open slightly. 

I stand up, the bed creaking as he lifts himself off with me. 

He takes a single finger, tenderness in the way he slides it across my face. He doesn't look away from me. Every part of my body is on fire. 

I stop him, gripping his hands, fearing what I might do if he continues. He looks into my eyes before speaking, “Your face is so smooth.”

He rubs his face against mine, bringing his phone out of his pocket, raising it above us. “Let’s take a picture. For today.”

“For what?” 

“Memories. Just a reminder we were here, in this moment.” 

“And what moment is this?” I say, and he licks his lips. 

His hands slide around my neck, then he kisses me like he’s been waiting to do it since we met. I am motionless for a moment, the 

He stops the kiss for a moment, taking a photo of the two of us. I don’t pull away, or stop him. I bring his lips back mine before he’s done with the picture. He tastes of strawberries and persistence. 

[Present]

My fingers shake on the screen as I type. We agreed to delete this.