Post by Destructor! on Sept 15, 2010 21:24:37 GMT -6
The Return of a Hero
Part 8 of 10: ”The Moment”
Jen: “Oh hi Luke…you alright?”
She only asks since I’m breathing heavily. I mean, you run about twenty blocks as fast as you can and see if you’re not as tired as I am.
Luke: “Yeah, I’m actually doing great.”
Then there’s that awkward silence. Should I have really come all the way over here? What was I planning on doing?
Jen: “Do you want to come in or are we just going to stand out here?”
Luke: “Uh well…I don’t know. I just came over to talk and stuff, so we can stay out here I guess.”
She unlocks her front door and we walk over to the top step, sitting down. The front light is so bright that I can’t see the stars, but at this point the only thing I need to really see is her.
Jen: “So what’s up? What did you want to talk about?”
Luke: “I…I don’t know really. I mean, I really wanted to just catch up and everything.”
Jen: “Couldn’t just shoot me a text for that?”
Luke: “Nah, I really wanted to see you.”
She smiles; I mean its obvious how I feel about her, so it’s not like I’m hiding anything.
Luke: “I’ve just had so much stuff going on; the new job and all that, the stuff with my dad…you know, just a lot on my mind that I feel like I have to let out.”
Jen: “Then let it out, I’m here to listen to you.”
She’s so cute; how did I ever scream at this girl? I mean, she’s so perfect…it’s almost too good to be true. Wait, am I dreaming? Is this one elaborate dream or is it like Inception; IS SOMEBODY IN MY DREAMS? I need that kick, so I pinch myself-ow that hurt.
Jen: “What was that for?”
Luke: “Uh nothing, just checking something. But back to what I was saying…I mean, I don’t even know what I’m talking about, I’m just kind of drifting along here. I’m glad with what I’m doing now; I mean I have an actual job! I have prospects, I can move up in the company, and maybe even get an office job or something…”
Jen: “Heh.”
Wait, what?
Luke: “What is that supposed to mean?”
Jen: “I don’t know, I mean…you having an office job? That just seems a bit farfetched, never would have pictured you doing something like that.”
Luke: “Oh yeah? What did you see me doing?”
Jen: “I don’t know, anything but that. I always thought you’d be on television doing the news or something; you always kind of looked like a new anchor or something.”
Luke: “’Now reporting Luke Stevens from Live Action News; the top story today, ‘Cancer, who is he, and how bad can he really be?’ More on this at 11!”
We share a chuckle; I mean it wasn’t that funny of a joke, but it wasn’t like we were rolling on the floor laughing or anything. When the laughter dies down a bit we just sit there, staring into each other’s eyes.
Jen: “I just think you have to do something you love, something you’re passionate for. I don’t think you really love what you’re doing now, do you?”
Luke: “I love the discounts I get…”
Jen: “I just think when you have something great you should never let it go, especially in the workplace. Do you really think my mom likes her job? She comes home every day complaining about her boss and how unfairly they treat her and all that stuff. Do you know what she wanted to be growing up?”
Luke: “A stripper?”
Jen: “Har-har, no, she wanted to be a writer. She loved writing poetry and used to write it all the time. She quit writing in college because one of her professors told her she wasn’t good enough. So instead of getting up and pursuing her dreams, she took a different direction. Sure she has a good job now, but I wonder how much happier she would be if she continued writing…”
That…is something. I mean, she really quit doing what she liked because somebody told her that she wasn’t good enough? That’s some crap man, I mean if somebody did that to me…
Heh. I guess I can’t really say anything now, huh?
Jen: “I’m just saying Luke, if you’re doing something that makes you happy…and isn’t illegal, you should go for it. We only live one life, why waste it doing something you don’t like?”
There’s not much to disagree with, I mean…she’s right. Why should I be stuck doing this job, there’s something out there for me, waiting for me to come back. It might be hard…but you know what? That’s life. Life is hard, and if you don’t take the bumps along the way you don’t grow up don’t learn anything.
You don’t rise above and become great.
Luke: “Thanks a lot Jen, you really opened my eyes.”
Jen: “Anytime buddy. Do you like what you see?”
Luke: “I love it.”
I say it, looking right at her. She cracks a half smile, knowing exactly what I’m talking about. Yes, I do love the other thing…but her? My God, what I would do to just hold her hand for one night. So this moment right here, the one we’re sharing on her front steps, is something very special for me.
Jen: “Wow.”
Luke: “What?”
Jen: “I never noticed how blue your eyes were until now. They’re nice.”
I don’t really know what else to say…I just sit there and smile.
This silence is something…I don’t know. It’s not an awkward silence; it’s just a comfortable one. I don’t think words really need to be said at this point, we both know what to do.
So I lean over…she doesn’t lean back…and our lips lock.
The moment I’ve been waiting for all my life is finally here, and how does it feel?
Check the thesaurus for the word: Awesome.
Jen: “You’re a pretty good kisser.”
Luke: “You know, you’re the third person to tell me that.”
Jen: “Yeah?”
Luke: “My mom, Jaymie, and now you. Yep, that’s three. Though I was a little bit confused why my mom told me that…”
Ah, I’m so charming. I check my watch, it’s way too late to still be out. I have to go to work tomorrow morning…turning on televisions.
Luke: “Hey, it’s getting late and I have to go to work tomorrow. I’ll text you when I get home, alright?”
Jen: “Alright, get home safe.”
I just nod and begin to walk off, but something stops me. I turn around and really think about what just happened. Not just the kissing, the whole day; Mr. Jennings and John recruiting me to come back, me telling Leslie to go after something you really love, and this whole thing with Jen. My eyes…they’re opened.
Luke: “You know what, I don’t think I’m going to go in tomorrow. I think found a better job.”
Jen: “Does it involve destructing stuff?”
I just smile and give her a kiss. It’s almost as good as the first one, if not better.
Luke: “You know it, babe.
!
Next Time on The Return of a Hero:
”Eye of the Tiger”
”Eye of the Tiger”