CHAPTER 20

That night at dinner, I decided to ask Ashley's opinion about the day's previous situation that had arisen. With my head still down on my plate I fired off a question.

"Someone asked me to the prom today. I'm just not sure if it's a good idea to go or not."

"Who asked you to the prom ?"Ashley asked excitedly.

"Jasmin Thomas, I drove her home today.", I answered, looking up to see what Ashley's reaction would be.

"Jasmin is a beautiful young lady, why would you be reluctant to go with her ?", she inquired.

"Well you know this is still a small town and all, a lot of people here are not very open minded to such things.", I answered.

"That's their problem Brian, not yours. You do what you want, but I think if you pass up your prom you will regret it one day.", she ended.

I went to bed early that night, tossed and turned for quite a while before falling asleep. I woke early the next morning and dressed for school, then sat down with Ashley for breakfast.

"So you made a decision about the prom hotshot ?", she asked.

"Yes mam. I think I am going to go.", I responded.

"That's wonderful, I am so glad to hear that. Anything you need you just ask.", she offered.

I drove to school that morning anticipating meeting up with Jasmine, I just hoped that maybe she had not changed her mind. I saw her in the second period, she sat a few rows over from me. I walked over to where she was sitting and knelt down next to her. I asked if she was still serious about her offer. She answered she was, so we agreed to go together. We decided to talk more after school about all of the details. During lunch break I walked over to where Ashley was sitting and told her the news, she seemed elated.

I met Jasmin after school, once again driving her home taking that time to talk about the upcoming event. She informed me she had already told her parents that she had asked me to go, they both were fine with it. I have to admit, that news did relieve me somewhat. The only snag was that both of Jasmine's parents wanted to meet me before we went out for the first time. I could understand that, but still I was nervous. Jasmin suggested that maybe we should go out to a movie or something before the prom to get any awkwardness out of the way, I could also meet her parents at the same time. It sounded like a viable solution, so I agreed to take her out the next night, which was Saturday. I dropped her off at her house and made my way directly to the gym for my evening workout.

I was extremely nervous all the next day, knowing the meeting with Jasmine's parents was looming that evening. I arrived at her house about six thirty that evening and slowly walked to the front door. I rang the bell and waited, her Father opening the door and stepping out.

"Hello Mr. Thomas, I'm Brian Stevens, I am here to see Jasmin.", I said nervously.

"I know who you are, son. I have watched you play for the last three years, Jasmine's a cheerleader so her Mother and I never miss a game.", he responded, "Please come in."

I stepped into his home, he closed the door behind me and ushered me into the family room where his wife was sitting reading a book. I could see where Jasmin's good looks came from, her Mother was a very attractive woman.

"Honey, you know Brian, he is here to see Jasmin," he told his wife.

Jasmin's mother laid her book down, stood up and extended her hand to me.

"Hello Brian. We have never formally met but I have watched you play many times. It's so nice to finally meet you. And I must say you are a lot bigger up close and personal than you appear to be from the stadium seats.", she stated, greeting me warmly.

"Thank you mam, it's very nice to meet you as well.", I replied.

They asked me to have a seat, Ms. Thomas stepping out of the room to let Jasmin know I was here to pick her up. I squirmed nervously on the sofa, feeling somewhat uncomfortable.

"So when do you have to report to school Brian ? You must be excited about the upcoming season and all.", Mr. Thomas asked.

"I'm not sure sir, I am supposed to get everything in the mail soon. I do know I will not play next year, they are going to redshirt me.", I answered.

"That's common Brian, don't let it bother you. It will give you time to acclimate to college life before throwing you to the wolves, so to speak.", he went on to tell me.

"That's basically what they told me too sir.", I answered.

"Brian, as much as this is not a problem for Jasmine's Mother and I, you must be aware that there are people in this town that will have a problem with you and Jasmine dating. It's easy to say you're not racist, much harder to live it.", he said calmly.

"I thought of Mr. Thomas, we both did. But it's really just going to be for a very short time. I will go to school soon and if I have learned one thing this year, current gossip becomes old gossip very quickly sir.", I answered.

"Yes, that's true. Jasmin somewhat told me about how Courtney was treating you. I must say, it's refreshing to hear of a young person standing their ground refusing to cave in to peer pressure. Frankly, I am shocked at Courtney's behavior, she has been here many times.", he ended.

"Courtney's a very nice girl Mr. Thomas, I think she is just with some people who like to party a little too much.", I finished.

By that time Jasmin had made her way into the room with her mother, both of them catching the last bits of the conversation. I looked up at Jasmin standing next to her mother, she looked extremely attractive. She had on a pair of very tight jeans, with a tight knit top. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail, she had just a little makeup on, this was a look I had never seen before.

"Are you ready to go ?", she asked with a smile.

"Sure am.", I answered, getting up from the sofa.

I turned to Jasmine's Dad and extended my hand making sure he knew I respected him.

"It was very nice to meet you sir, thank you. I will have her home early.", I promised.

"We are not worried Brian, we have heard nothing but good things about you son.", he said, shaking my hand.