The Book

“The Book”

Jamie stepped out of the elevator on to the second floor of the new campus Library for yet another long study session. It was a nice day to have to be indoors but it did not bother her. Jamie was too concerned about studying her world history she needed to pass this class. As she placed her books on her favorite oak table near the window at the far back of the room hidden behind all the shelves of books she saw David. Jamie noticed every detail especially the way his shoulder length brown hair was down in his face. She sighed heavily David was dressed in a blue t-shirt and old worn out jeans sitting on the floor with a book in his lap. Sitting down at the table she wandered if he had the book with him and if she had a chance of getting it back. Looking at her books in front of her she did not notice David get up and walk toward her. He sat down in front of her and watched her for a while. Becoming aware of him in front of her was unnerving and made it extremely hard to focus on her studying. Looking up she met his deep blue eyes. “Hello David. How are you?” He simply smiled making Jamie blush. “Good, I was wandering if you really meant what you wrote in that book I have.” Jamie blushed even more that was private information even if it was about him. “You read it! I would like it back if you don’t mind” “You can’t have it back. I think I will keep it as a memento it has some great stuff in it.” Jamie got up and looked at him as she calmed down. “Do you have it with you or not.” Smiling David leaned back in his chair and looked at her. “Search me and find out for your self.” Reaching over toward him Jamie noticed how he looked at her and stopped. “Ha ha . . . I knew you did not have it in you.” “Do you have the book I need it back! That stuff was personal and was meant for no ones eyes.” “Well I am sorry but all the stuff in the book is about me so I think I have a right to read it.” Flustered with him Jamie sat down and began studying again. David watched her smiling; he leaned over close to her and whispered. “I am sorry you need it back so bad. What if you tried the things you wrote about?”

Jamie set on her bed the next morning still thinking of the day before. She stretched and sighed looking at her white walled, single occupancy room. Getting up she walked to the imitation wood dresser and got her hairbrush. She looked in the long mirror hanging on the wall beside the door and begins brushing her long auburn hair. Strait as a board she thought always was unless she put a perm in. This action for the moment took her mind off of what David had said. Turning around she surveyed her room the windows behind her bed had the blinds slightly closed to block out the morning light. Her simple twin bed was made for the most part the blue and yellow checkered cotton comforter was tossed over her two pillows in there silly my little pony cases. Why had she insisted on bringing those pillow cases she could not remember? The rest of the pillows including one small heart shaped pillow with her name embroidered in pink were lying on the floor. The rest of the room was plain simple white walls with nothing on them and the only other furniture was an old chestnut looking desk. Looking at it now and seeing her history book open to where she had left it the night before after leaving the library, she remembered the day before again. Putting the hair brush back on the dresser she sat at the desk in the most uncomfortable chair she had ever sat in. She hated that chair and wandered why she did not put it in the closet and go buy another one. Sighing she took out a new journal and began righting down how she felt and all the ideals running through her head. Deep in thought and not paying attention she did not hear the phone ring till the machine picked up. “Hello . . . wait a minute let me turn off the machine.” Turning off the machine she got up and took the phone and plopped down on the bed. “Ok what was it you asked? Well I am not dressed yet can you give me about twenty minutes. Ok see you then.” It was her best friend wanting her to go and have lunch and then maybe go shopping. Looking in the closet she picked out a pair of faded denim pants with butterflies embroidered on the bottom of the legs and an old blue t-shirt that said in black calligraphy writing “No I wasn’t stalking u on the front and on the back I just know your name, age and everything about you” and her favorite blue flip flops. Stopping to look in the mirror she noticed her eyes were a deep green today, she grabbed her purse and ran out the door to met Kate.

Kate as always was fashionable dressed in the latest thing hipster dark blue denim pants, with platform heals and a very cute ice pink renaissance top. Kate looked at Jamie and shook her head and smiled. “What this is my going out look for today.” “That is not your going out look it is your. I don’t care what people think look.” Both of them laughed at the same time and headed down the hall to the cafeteria to inspect the food. Just as Jamie thought nothing edible was here but Kate found some rather disgusting looking gravy covered chicken. “Are you really going to eat that? Let’s go get Chinese or something at the mall” “That does sound good and we would already be there to go shopping so mm ok.” Walking out of the crowded cafeteria Jamie saw David. David smiled and called out to her as they passed him. “Given any thought to what I said last night?” Kate nudged Jamie in the ribs with her elbow. “What was that all about anyway?” “I don’t want to talk about it. It was nothing I just saw him in the library yesterday.” “Come on there is something there your not telling me.” Jamie looked at her friend and shook her head then kept walking. It was bad enough that all she could think about was what David had said. But to have her best friend wanting to know was worse she knew that sooner or later Kate would find out. She could pitcher it now the only thing she had ever keep from Kate was the book.

The whole drive to the mall was made up of an awkward silence. Jamie could not even look at Kate so instead she watched the cars and buildings of down town, Paris, TX, go by. First she saw some kid in the back seat of his mom’s SUV making faces as cars went past them. The mom sat in the front seat talking on her cell and getting really agitated at the child. They left them waiting to turn right on to the freeway and came into down town another few blocks passed the movie theater and bible book store and there was the mall. Kate expertly maneuvered into a parking spot in front of the west main entrance. Getting out of the car Jamie looked at Kate and new that she was about to ask again what had happened. “Ok Jamie since I can tell by the way you are looking at me your not going to tell me what went own. . . I guess I will forget it for now.” Jamie just looked at Kate and then fallowed her inside to the food court. To there horror and amazement there favorite Chinese place the Golden Dragon had closed for remodeling. They stud in front of the little cheap looking dragon statues in a daze. “Well I guess we can go some where else if you want Kate.” Shrugging her shoulders Kate looked at Jamie. “Where should we go, the Corn Dog Palace, Pizza Hut, Joe’s or maybe we should just go to Sonic.” “Ok let’s just go to Joe’s and get burgers, though I was really craving Chinese.” Kate took the lead once again and maneuvered through the crowds of people and tables to the entrance of Joe’s. Jamie smiled as they entered and found a nice booth were they could watch the people go by. The waitress brought menus and took there drink orders but Jamie had other things on her mind. “Earth to Jamie! What are you thinking about anyway? Oh wait I know you aren’t going to tell me are you.” Blushing Jamie smiled “No way am I telling you any thing at this time. At least not till I work some things out in my head.” The waitress who Jamie now realized was a skinny girl with blonde hair and who could not be older than 18 brought there drinks and took there orders. “I will have a cheese burger and fries what do you want Kate?” “Let me see. . . Just give me the same.” The waitress left the silence was there again. Jamie played with her straw stirring it around and around in her root bear. Kate taped the table with her manicured nails and smiled at Jamie as she looked up. “Ok so where do you want to go first after we eat?” Jamie thought for a moment she did need to get a new outfit for the dance the school was putting on next week. “Let’s go to that store by Clare’s the one that always has the nice dresses. You know the one you got your “I love rock and role” shirt from.” “Ok let me guess you still have not gotten any thing to wear to the dance.” At that moment there food was brought so Jamie just shook her head yes. They devoured the burgers and went to the clothing store.

Arriving back at the dorms with all four bags filled with new clothes Kate was in heaven. She had found great deals every place they had gone. Jamie smiled at her friend carrying her one purchase a new dress for the dance. Kate left her on the second floor going to her own room. Jamie road the elevator up to the fourth floor and getting off ran smack dab into David. “Sorry. . .” Jamie said then realizing who it was turned to go down the hall to her room. David reached out and touched her arm making her turn around. “Can I talk to you a sec. No games, I promise” Jamie just looked at him and then nodded she was too caught up in what he could possible be doing on this floor to care. Clearing his throat he looked at her with those deep knowing blue eyes. He nervously ran his hand through his hair. “Would you go to the dance with me next weekend?” Jamie was shocked she did not know what to think or say. She just stood there looking at him dumbfounded. Could he really like me or is he doing this as a joke, as if reading her mind. “Jamie, I . . . this is not a joke I really want to go with you and not just because of what you wrote either.” Not trusting her own voice Jamie nodded yes and smiled at him. “I will pick you up at seven and we can go eat before going to the dance.” Jamie managed a smile as she watched him walk down the stairs. In a hazy daze she went to her room and closed the door.

The begging of the week went by quickly leaving Jamie no time for any thing, especially any time to think about that coming weekend. Keeping to her self the first few days she went to work and did her home work as she was supposed to do. It was Wednesday night and things were beginning to slow down giving her time to think. Jamie sat own her bed and starred out the window thinking of David. What could he be up to asking her to the dance? He had seemed censer but was he really. Sighing she got up and turned her TV on for some down time to lose herself in a good movie. Flipping channels looking for something on she realized how nervous she was about Saturday night. Just her luck there was nothing on TV. Jamie got up and turned it off and decided to go to the Library at least there she could pick out a book to read or rent a movie.

She had entered the library and got on the elevator pushing the second floor button with out thinking. The movies and good reading material was on the fourth floor. Stepping off on to the second floor she walked to the back off the room to her table. There sitting in her chair as if waiting for her was Kate. “About time you showed up I have been waiting for almost an hour.” Kate had startled Jamie who was still deep in thought. She looked at her friend confused. “What are you talking about any way?” Kate stood and walked around the table and picked up her bag off the floor where she had tossed when she came in. “This is what I am talking about. You were supposed to be helping me study for a test I have tomorrow.” “I am so sorry I forgot. We can study now if you want to. I have had a lot on my mind lately, mostly about this weekend.” They both sat down at the table but neither one opened the book. Since David had asked Jamie to the dance she had not seen Kate except in class. Class was not a good place to discuss these matters. “Ok I know you have had a lot on your mind lately, with David asking you to the dance and all but that is no reason to completely forget about me.” “How did you know about that?” “David saw me the other day and asked what your favorite flowers were.” Jamie just stared at here friend, he had asked what her favorite flowers were. This shocked her and she did not realize Kate was still talking till she started clicking her nails against the table top. “Sorry what did you say?” “I simply said I asked why he wanted to know granted I was a little rude when I said it. If you would have told me he had asked you I would not have given him the third degree about messing with my best friend heart.” “You didn’t . . . He really asked what my favorite flowerers are?” Kate smiled and nodded putting her book back in her bag she got up. “Come on lets get out of here I can tell your mind is not going to be focused on studying tonight.” Not arguing with Kate since she was right Jamie got up and they walked back across the street to there rooms.

Waking the next morning Jamie got dressed. She looked in the mirror at what she had put own a pair of faded blue jeans and a blue pearl snap dress shirt. She went back to her closet and looked for something else to wear. By the time she finally decided on the exact outfit she had started out with she was late for class and to top it off her room looked like a tornado hit it. There were close all over her room and you could not see the floor at all. A nock on the door reminded her that she was running late. Reluctantly she opened the door grabbing her bag as she did. “Woo what happened in there. Love the outfit! Did you do your homework for history?” Kate walked faster keeping up with Jamie who was in a hurry if they were late for class there would be trouble. Jamie went down the stairs two at a time and did not slow down till they were in the class room with five minutes to spare. She turned to Kate and smiled. “Made it on time and yes I did my homework Tuesday night.” Kate would have answered but the professor started calling roll at that time. Jamie groaned as the professor who was a short man with very thinning gray hair and small beady eyes announced a pop quiz. The professor walked by each desk and placed a quiz on it. He came to Jamie’s desk and placed it on her desk with a flourish. Jamie thought this particular professor disliked her. The professor only disliked the fact that he had not been able to stump her on any quiz he had given her. Jamie smiled politely at him and began the quiz. After the quiz class was slow and boring he went over the same things he did Tuesday.

After class Jamie and Kate went for lunch in the cafeteria, pizza and a salad. Jamie smiled as they sat down thinking you could never go wrong with pizza especially since everything else looked disgusting. “Kate do you think you can come over about 6:30 and help me do my hair Saturday?” Kate could not answer she had just taken a big bit of her pizza. “Sure on one condition, I get to hang around till he picks you up and take some pictures.” Jamie fended astonishment at the request. “Ok but you have to leave after you have taken a couple of pictures.” They enjoyed there lunch and left the cafeteria laughing and giggling together only splitting up because Kate had to go to another class and Jamie had work. The rest of the day was long and boring Jamie could not wait to get back to her room take a shower and go to bed.

She had forgotten about the clothes all over her room. Jamie spent most of Friday putting them up and cleaning her room. She did not stop till late in the afternoon when Kate stopped by to barrow her notes from history class. Jamie thought Kate looked especially cute today in her denim minnie skirt and black shirt with hearts and roses all over the front. Giving her the notes Jamie sat on her bed tired after all the cleaning she had done. Kate sat down at the desk and began copying the notes in her own spiral. “So how are you going to do your hair?” “I’m not sure what I want done to it. I thought I would do it up but maybe I should just do part of it up.” Kate smiled and looked at Jamie. “You want a suggestion; I think you should wear your hair up in a French twist with a few strategically placed ringlets hanging down.” “Ok but you are going to have to do it. You know I can’t make my hair do what I want.” They both laughed and jumped when the phone rang. Kate went back to work on the notes and Jamie answered the phone. “Hello, who is this? Sorry mom it did not sound like you. Just hanging out with Kate while she copies my history notes. No I have not heard from dad what did he need? Ok I will email it to him this weekend.” Kate got up and put Jamie’s spiral back in her bag. She went to the door then turned to Jamie. “I will see you tomorrow.” “Ok hey do you want to get some dinner in a few minutes.” “Yea meet you in the cafeteria in a few.” Kate left and Jamie continued talking to her mom who was now confused about what was going on. “Mom it was just Kate leaving we are going to grab some dinner in a few minutes. Ok well I will talk to you later then. Bye”

Jamie woke up Saturday morning at about ten with butterflies in her stomach. After taking a long shower, that did not relax her one bit she put on some comfortable clothes and spent all the rest of the morning worrying about how to do her make up. Playing around with different eye shadow for about half an hour she did not hear Kate nock on the door. Kate startled Jamie when she came out of the bathroom finally deciding on a light pink that would hopefully bring out her green eyes. The pink would also compliment her light blue dress. “Kate you scarred me. Did you nock or just come in.” “I knocked and when I didn’t get a response I opened the door. That is not what you are wearing is it?” Laughing Jamie went to the closet and took out her dress. “Do I put it own before or after you do my hair?” “Before that way you won’t mess up your hair when you put it on.” Kate smiled as Jamie changed into her dress then sat on the chair. “Ok I’m ready . . . ow that hurts not so tight.” “Sorry it will have to be tight to hold the twist. Trust me you will look great.” There was a nock at the door as Kate finished Jamie’s hair. “He’s early and I am not ready yet.” “Calm down you go in the bathroom and finish getting ready and I will let him in.” Jamie went into the bathroom and put on her jewelry. Catching sight of her self in the mirror she stopped stunned. Her hair was perfect with two ringlets one own either side of her face like a frame. She smiled and took a deep breath then opened the bathroom door.

Looking at her feet as she entered she realized she didn’t have her shoes on. She did not notice how David looked at her, the sudden smile accompanied with the nervous shift of his feet. “You look great, I love that color on you.” Jamie looked at him then and smiled thinking the whole time this is a dream. “Thank you. You look great too. Let me get my shoes and we can go.” “You can’t leave till I get at least one picture.” Both of them jumped they had both forgotten about Kate being there. Jamie got her shoed and put them on. “These are for you.” Smiling David handed Jamie a bouquet of white roses as there hands touched Jamie shivered with excitement. This is going to be fun, maybe David was not the big tough guy he pretended to be. Maybe I am not as scared and shy as I think, she absentmindedly thought as putting the flowers in a vase of water. Kate took more than one picture and it was nearly seven thirty before they left.

David opened the passenger door to his blue mustang for Jamie. Smiling she slid into the seat and let him close the door. David got in the drivers seat and started the car. “Where are we going to eat?” “It is a surprise.” Arriving at Jamie’s favorite restraint the Cheese Cake Factory she laughed. “This is my favorite place to eat, especially desert. How did you know?” “Let’s say I did not just ask Kate about what your favorite flowers were.” Jamie smiled as David got out of the car and came around and let her out. All she could think as they walked into the restraunt was this is so nice but is he really sincere or is this some horrible joke. They were seated on one of the upper areas at a small little table. Looking around Jamie saw made a mental note of the way things looked. There were pink and white carnations on the table along with the regular salt and pepper shakers. The light hung low and cast shadows on David’s face making him look mysterious. Jamie laughed and covered her mouth grinning. “What is so funny?” “Nothing it is just the way the light is casting shadows on your face that’s all.” The waiter came now and took there orders. “So how is your history class, was the test hard?” “It is all write even if the professor has it in for me. The test was so hard especially since I could not concentrate on studding with you there.” The waiter was back with there drinks and food. David looked at what he had ordered. “I am not sure weather to eat this or throw it out.” “I told you not to get that but you didn’t listen. You can have some of my angel hair pasta if you like.” From then own it was silence they ate and enjoyed there meal, David paid and they left to go to the dance.

It was beautiful the room was decorated with white and silver balloons every where. A projector was turned on and stars of all sizes were from the ceiling to the floor. Chairs and tables had been removed from the center of the large ball room and were placed around the edges. David placed his hand lightly on Jamie’s back and led her to a table where she could put her purse with Kate’s. Jamie watched as David slipped off his jacket and draped across the chair beside the table. “Shall we dance or do you want to wait a while.” “. . . Dance” Jamie said shy all of a sudden. David smiled and took her hand leading her onto the dance floor. The music was soft Jamie realized they were playing a waltz and she had no idea how to do it. David slipped his hand down her bare left arm moving her hand to his shoulder and placing his on her back just beneath her shoulder blade. David smiled as he took her other hand in his and whispered, “Just fallow my lead.” Jamie smiled unsure if she could do even that she was so nervous. Gently and sure of himself David danced her around the room. This is fun and I am actually doing it is all Jamie could think as the song came to an end. “You dance heavenly and perfectly.” “Thank you. Though I think you are the reason why. I have no idea how I just did that.”

David led Jamie over to the table were they sat down. “I have something for you. I am sorry I was such a jerk about it. I did read it though I had only read the first few pages when I saw you at the library. I read the rest of it last night.” David took the blue leather bound book out of his inside jacket pocket and handed it to Jamie. “Thank you for giving it back but you can keep it if you would like. I don’t need it anymore being here with you has convinced me that I don’t need fairy tells. I need to get out and experience things for my self and not be so shy.”