chapter 2.36
Winter
It was four o’clock. Jackson was supposed to take me to some scenic getaway for our three month anniversary. I’m not much into things like that, but since he’d been with his band 24-7, he wanted to do something special.
Unfortunately, the meet up time was two hours ago. I was so mad I was ready to breath fire.
Suddenly, his shadow blanketed me as he sat gingerly next to me, wincing. My arms crossed instinctively. I didn’t want to look at him.
“I’m sorry,” he muttered.
It was four o’clock. Jackson was supposed to take me to some scenic getaway for our three month anniversary. I’m not much into things like that, but since he’d been with his band 24-7, he wanted to do something special.
Unfortunately, the meet up time was two hours ago. I was so mad I was ready to breath fire.
Suddenly, his shadow blanketed me as he sat gingerly next to me, wincing. My arms crossed instinctively. I didn’t want to look at him.
“I’m sorry,” he muttered.
“Why didn’t you text?” My voice sounded shrill. I was turning into a bitchy girlfriend. But what could I do? I had to stick up for myself. He wasn’t treating me with respect. And that was a no no in the book of Winter White.
“W-We had to get the recording right. I mean, this is our big chance. Mako has some type of in with a major studio—Starlight Records. I didn’t have my phone in the sound booth.” He fiddled with his t-shirt like he did when he was nervous. “I’m really sorry.”
“You always do this, Jackson.” I shook my head, still fuming that he continuously put everything in his life in front of me. Maybe I didn’t have to do anything to push Celia into being an overbearing girlfriend. Jackson’s inattention drove you to it. “It’s like you don’t care. I’m so sick of it.”
Taking my hand, he said, “Come on, Angel. I didn’t mean to be late. I promise. And it’s not like I didn’t care. I just couldn’t stop in the middle and had no clue it was going to be so long. Honest. I do care. Don’t be mad.”
Staring at the kids playing in front of us, I’d always pictured what my life would look like with Jackson as my hubby and now, I didn’t know. How would he treat me once we were together for a long time? What kind of father would he be? At the very center of his nature, he was a giving, loving person, but he tried to please too many people at once and the most important people to him got thrown aside.
I sighed, hissing slow and loud.
“Baby, please.” Jackson scratched my shoulder. He knew I would always melt with his touch, but I didn’t want to be that easy. I was the one who would be in control of this relationship. Not him.
Pulling me close, he kissed my cheek and whispered, “I’ll make it up to you. I promise. Let’s go and do what I’d planned for us, okay? You’ll love it.”
He kissed me and stroked my face softly, sending tingles down my neck. He was so good at manipulating me. I melted right there in a puddle of sop.
I nodded.
Jackson
God, I could kill myself for making Winter wait on me like that. And it wasn’t the first time either. I felt like such a prick. I totally forgot about our date when my band and I went to work in the sound booth. We had to get the songs perfect. This was our ticket. If we signed with Starlight Records, we would get a major tour with a big-deal band. Yeah, we’d be the small potatoes opening act, but it’d be a start and maybe one of our songs would hit.
But that didn’t excuse me for forgetting about the most amazing person in the world. I wanted to wipe that sad look off Winter’s face. I’d hoped she’d like what I got her.
Still pouting when we arrived at the picnic spot, I put my hands on my hips and said, “I guess you don’t want this little gift I have.”
Winter perked up at that. “You got me something?”
“Yeah, and it’s in a tiny box. But I guess you don’t want it.”
“Maybe I do, Jackson. What is it?”
“You’ll have to open it up to find out.”
Grabbing it and yanking off the lid, her eyes lit up as her mouth dropped. “Oh. My. God. Is this real gold?”
“Only the best for my girl.” I laughed at the goofy face she pulled. I knew Winter loved jewelry. She was so easy to please.
“How can you afford this?”
I shrugged. “My grandpops always gave us kids $1000 simoleons for our birthdays and Christmas. I got a little saved up.”
Jumping into my arms, she gave me a much-needed, warm kiss. I nuzzled her nose, breathing in her sweet perfume. “You forgive me?”
“Yes,” she whispered. “You’re one lucky little shit.”
I smiled, kissing her again. “I know.”
Winter
I couldn’t believe what Jackson had bought me. It was a solid gold necklace that was full of beautiful, carved leaves and flowers. It would go perfectly with my dress for prom.
After we ate some cheese and drank a bit of juice, we sat back together, watching the boats sail across the lake. The spring breeze floated lazily over my face. I was in heaven, totally forgetting that I’d been mad at Jackson only an hour before.
“Hey, Angel,” Jackson said, taking my hand. “Guess what? I just got my letter of acceptance. I’m going to Bulliard Conservatory.”
“You did?” I almost squealed. “That’s amazing. Congratulations! That’s such a hard place to get into, but I’m not surprised. You’re so talented at the violin. And the piano. Goodness.”
“Yeah, but that means we won’t go to college together.”
He was so sweet to think about that. But he didn’t know I’d made sure I was accepted into every university that he was applying to. And the only one I couldn’t join was Bulliard, but Folumbia was right next-door. And they gladly sent my acceptance letter. I threw him an impish grin.
“What? Are you going to Bulliard, too?” he asked. “I didn’t know you were interested in the arts.”
“No...but I will be going to Folumbia University. It’s only fifteen minutes from Bulliard.” I smiled up at him. “So, you can’t get rid of me so easily.”
Stroking my face, he said, “I’d never want to get rid of you, Angel. God...you’re so beautiful. You’re right. I’m one lucky little shit.”
I laughed, gazing into his bluer than sky blue eyes. “I won’t argue with that. But you’re my little shit.”
He leaned down, kissing me and for the remainder of the afternoon, we drank in one another as if the rest of the world didn’t exist.