Chapter 2

The following day, I was playing a game on my phone when Jackson came up with a new guy. I looked up "Who was that?" He looked around "Who?" I locked my phone "Nevermind. Can you take me to my driver's test after school?" He nodded "Let's get this right?" I nodded "Great." Calle walked up "Jackson can you sign my yearbook?" He grabbed it, signed it, and smirked "You're welcome."

She looked at it and walked away pissed off. I smiled "What did you write?" He shrugged "Addison." I covered my mouth "Jackson." He tugged my backpack "Come on you're gonna be late to class missy." I pulled back "Do not call me missy. Sir." He smirked "Go. Or I'll call your dad." I chuckled "Yeah good luck with that." We walked away in different directions, Calle grabbed my arm pulling me to the side "Jackson won't be here next year. So watch yourself."

I looked around "Were you talking to me?" She got angry "Watch yourself Addison." I smirked "Excuse me." I pushed her aside and continued to walk. As I was walking in the courtyard a guy ran into me, I kept walking. He yelled at me but I waved and kept walking; I went to class and sat down when I realized I lost my phone. I sat bored for the rest of the period once I finished my work. I met up with Jackson after class "I lost my phone." He looked around "I have a spare in my car?

We can go at lunch and move service over to it if you want?" I sighed "Sure. Well, whoever has it has no use with it. It's locked."

I turned my head to that guy coming up to us "You dropped this earlier." I reached for my phone "So you just kept it? Didn't think to yell at me?" He looked at Jackson "Well I did and you waved so.." He fist-bumped Jackson "What's up man?" Jackson smiled "This is Addison. This is Michael he just transferred." I crossed my arms "Welcome?" He looked me up and down then smiled "I forgive you, you know for earlier?" I rolled my eyes "I never apologized and please keep it."

I walked away, Jackson jogging up next to me "What was that about?" I stopped "Nothing." He looked down and then up "Something you want to tell me?" I became confused "No. Should I have something?" He inched closer "Addison don't do something you're going to regret. Especially with him." I laughed "Yeah no nothing has or will ever go on with that douche. But thanks Jackson." I turned to walk to class.

After school, Jackson took me to take my driver's test; he let me drive to the school. He hung out in his car while I took it, I felt I did alright but the instructor seemed off. I walked out to Jackson who got out "You pass?" I handed him the paper and smiled. His face lit up "Awesome now you drive me to school." I faked a laugh "Ha-ha no." I got into the passenger side and we went to my house.

We walked into both our parents who quickly crowded us. I told them the news and we went to the backyard. My dad started grilling steaks as we sat at the table talking. Graduation was coming up which meant Jackson would be finishing high school and going on to college out of state at his dream school, Stanford. He'd be across the country from us, my goal was Stanford. We always talked about leaving this town and being roommates in our own small apartment going to the same school where nobody knew us. We both wanted to be in the medical field, I love children so my choice was pediatric and his was an ER physician. We focused on those goals and we didn't allow anything to ruin that for us.

A couple of weeks passed, graduation is tomorrow and I was upset. Jackson and I hung out as much as we could; I didn't miss a day with him. He was leaving to get settled before classes started in the fall so time was running out. We were parked by the lake and talking in his car; he looked at me "I will see you soon. And of course, I'll video chat you every day." I turned my head to him "I just don't know what I'm going to do without you around." He looked out the windshield "I know. I feel that way too."

I began to cry he turned to me "Addison." He leaned and hugged me, I slowly pulled away from his hug. I looked at his mouth and then at his eyes; I thought about leaning into his face but I looked away. He turned my face back and held my face gently as he kissed me. I gave in and threw my arms around his neck; he pulled back "Addison... I.. We... As much as I want to I can't... Not to you." I sat back in the seat "Um... It's getting late... Maybe we should..." He nodded and reversed. The ride home was silent; he dropped me off and went home.

The following day, we went to Jackson's graduation. I stayed silent most of the time; he walked onto the stage for his diploma and sat back down. After it ended, we went out to dinner to celebrate; I still kept quiet. I made the excuse of being tired but Jackson knew the truth. Later on that night, Jackson and I went back to my house to binge-watch movies and play video games. My mom left for work around 11 pm and my dad flew out right after dinner. We never talked about the kiss; it was like nothing ever happened.

I laid down because I was falling asleep; after half an hour he laid next to me. He shook me awake "Addison." I rolled over and sat up "Hm? Did I fall asleep?" He nodded "Just a little bit." I rubbed my eyes and yawned "I'm sorry." He looked at my comforter and traced the design "We need to talk about that before I leave tomorrow." Instantly I was wide awake and my heart was racing "It was nothing. We don't need to." I laid back down away from him and covered my face with the blanket.

He moved closer and rolled me to face him "Addison." I looked at him "Jackson." He sighed "I.." I cut him off "It was just a kiss. You're making it seem like it was more." He looked away "Please. Hear me out." I lay quietly waiting for him. I sat up "I wanted to kiss you. I didn't because I didn't know how you'd feel about it." He glanced at me, I looked at him "Jackson." He pulled my face to his; I pulled away still close to his face "I don't care if.." He bit my lip "Be sure Addy." I nodded and kissed him again. We lay kissing, he acknowledged my every emotion and was cautious.

I stopped him "Jackson." He brushed my hair out of my face "What's wrong?" I began crying, he moved to my side "Addison?" He held me in his arms "Addison what's wrong?" I got up and went to the bathroom; I turned on the shower, looked at myself in the mirror, and whispered "You messed up everything." Jackson knocked "Addison" I opened the door "It won't be the same now." He wrapped his arms around me "This is what I was afraid of." I looked up at him "I don't regret it. I wouldn't have wanted it to be anybody else." He kissed the top of my head "But you deserve more than this."

I pulled away from him "What do you mean?" He sighed "I'm leaving in a few hours Addison. You know this won't be what you deserve." I felt tears sitting on my eyelids ready to fall "So to you I was just an easy..." He cut me off "No. But you know we can't do that again. I don't plan on settling." The tears fell "Then why... Why did you.? You have always known what that moment meant to me." He exhaled "I know."

I got angry "Please... Leave.." He walked out and left, I took a shower and cried. Once I got out; I looked at my phone, and Jackson texted "I'm sorry." I put my phone down and went to sleep.