Perfect Symmetry

Suddenly I had tunnel vision. The only thing in my line of sight was Jonathan; everything else was blurred and I was taking off my shoes and running.

“Jon! Stop!” I yelled into the dark. “God damn it!”

I saw his tall figure disappear around a corner and I thought he had crossed the street, so I blindly stepped out into the intersection. A loud honk shocked me into reality and I was frozen to the spot as I watched a car getting closer even as it braked.

Hands grabbed my arm and yanked me back onto the pavement.

“What the fuck are you doing, Jazz?” Jonathan swore at me. His eyes were dark and his expression was stony.

“I...I’m sorry I was trying to explain...” I stuttered, pulling my shoes back on.

“Well trust me, what I saw needs no fucking explanation. Is that the reason that nothing really physical has happened between us? Is this why you keep pushing me away?” he snapped at me.

I reached for him but he moved away.

“No, Jon. You’re misunderstanding the situation,” I tried to say, my words not coming together properly.

He shook his head. “No. I think for the first time in weeks I’m seeing things clearly.”

“NO! You’re not listening, Jonathan. You didn’t hear what we said to each other. It’s over...it has been for ages,” I yelled in frustration.

“Oh yeah, and when I’m over someone I kiss them too,” Jon sneered.

“You love to over react, don’t you?” I shouted back.

He moved closer to me. “And you love to stir up drama.”

“That is bullshit,” I rolled my eyes. “And you know it.”

Jonathan shook his head. “I’ve had a shitty day, Jazz, and this is just the fucking icing on the shitcake.”

I fought back a smile. “Did you really just use the work “shitcake” in a sentence? Go back to fucking school.”

His eyes narrowed. “Are you still in love with Stalberg?”

I sighed. “I was never in love with him, Jon. Either believe me or fuck it because I’m tired of explaining things to you.”

I walked across the street and got into a taxi.
~

third person Jon

Jon kicked the curb in frustration. Things were just not fucking going his way. Of course he had lost to the Sharks, and of course he fucked up his chances with Jazz. He was about to leave when someone called out his name.

“Tazer!” Viktor Stalberg’s deep voice resonated with Jonathan and he looked up.

Viktor was rubbing the back of his neck guiltily and his blue eyes looked apologetic.

“What do you want?” Jonathan asked grudgingly.

“Don’t let me stand in your way,” Viktor seemed to have trouble getting his words out.

Jonathan frowned. “What?”

“It’s over between me and Jazz. She told you why I ended it, didn’t she?” Viktor furrowed his brow.

“All she told me was that it wasn’t working any more,” Jon replied briefly.

Viktor winced. “Well then she was omitting some key information.”

Jonathan stood there speechless as his teammate explained the true reasoning behind the break up.

“Oh Jesus...Vik, I really hope you didn’t end your relationship because I was being a possessive ass,” Jonathan groaned, rubbing his face with his hands.

Viktor shook his head insistently. “No. But she just...acted a certain way around you. I can’t really explain it. I knew you wanted her.”

“More than you wanted her?” Jonathan asked incredulously.

Viktor gave him a sideline smirk. “Well no. But then I saw how much she wanted you back. That was kind of a deal breaker for me.”

“You’re a better man than I am,” Jon sighed heavily. “I’m too selfish.”

“Well I did what I thought was right,” snapped Viktor, “So you had better not fuck this up.”

Jonathan narrowed his eyes. “I saw the two of you kissing. What am I supposed to think?”

Viktor scoffed. “Come on man, you know that wasn’t a kiss. That was a peck; it was platonic. I know it sucks to lose in the playoffs, but that isn’t her fault. Now suck it up and go get her before I change my mind.”

Jonathan gave his friend and teammate a small smile before clapping him on the back and hailing a cab.
~

Jazz

I knew Jonathan would eventually figure out what an ass he was being and try and find me at my apartment and I really didn’t want to see him again tonight. I gave the cab driver another address and then pulled out my phone.

“Hello?” Hailey’s warm, familiar voice leaked out.

I smiled. “Hailey, it’s me.”

“Jazz; I tried to find you before we left the party but I couldn’t see you anywhere. Where were you?” she sounded concerned.

I cleared my throat. “I was uh...outside. Listen, I don’t really want to go back to my place and I know you were just planning on staying at Brent’s apartment and I feel really bad asking you but - ”

Hailey broke in before I could even finish asking the question I was rambling about.

“You can stay here tonight, hun, don’t worry about it,” she said.

“Is Brent okay with that?” I chewed my lip nervously.

Hailey giggled. “Well he’s going to have to be because it’s chicks before dicks, right?”

I forced a laugh. “Yeah. I’m just in a cab so I’ll see you in about fifteen minutes?”

“Sure Jazz,” she said warmly before hanging up.
~

When I arrived at their place, I was thankful when Hailey answered the door and not Seabrook, since I was pretty sure I looked like a wreck. I had rubbed my eyes in the cab and I’m sure that my pitiful eye make up had smudged all over the place and made me look like a panda.

“Come in, Jazz,” Hailey pulled me inside without waiting for my approval.

I walked into their place and took in the high ceilings and lovely décor. Seabrook was on the couch watching TV and I waved to him quickly before letting Hailey drag me into the guest room.

“Are you okay?” she asked worriedly.

I nodded. “Let me wash up and change.”

I used their bathroom and cleaned up and stole some of Hailey’s clothes and then sat on her bed. There was a knock on the door and I told them to open the door. A head peeked inside the door, but it wasn’t Hailey, it was Brent.

“Hey there,” he greeted me quietly. “Can I come in?”

I smiled at him. “Of course.”

Brent walked in nervously and closed the door behind him. I watched him in slight amusement as he looked awkwardly for a place to sit.

I laughed. “You can sit on the bed. I won’t stab you or anything.”

He gave me a sheepish look and then sat with his legs folded to match mine on the duvet. “Is everything okay, Brent? Where’s Hailey gone?”

He looked uncomfortable. “Oh she just went to pick up some movies from our neighbor. They use our Netflix.”

I nodded. “So what can I do for you?”

Brent sighed. “I know you and Viktor broke up last month.”

I winced. “Yeah. I’m okay though, really. Thanks for not beating him up.”

For the first time, he smiled genuinely. “Believe me it took a lot of talking down. But I know that you and Jonny are sort of almost a thing?”

I bit my lip. “I guess Hailey’s been sharing. Yeah, I guess that’s a pretty accurate description of what’s happening.”

Brent looked pained. “Well...the thing is. I’ve known Jon for years, and I know him pretty well. And he...doesn’t have the best reputations when it concerns...girls.”

I blinked. “I can imagine there are rumours--”

He cut me off there. “Jazz they aren’t rumours. I’ve seen him on road trips and even on weekdays. He’s just not faithful to any of the girls he’s dated.”

I felt my heart sinking even further. Jonathan had held a place in my heart for months now, and my window of opportunity was seemingly slammed shut. I was at a loss for words, so I just looked at Brent with what I can only assume were hurt eyes.

He seemed to backtrack. “While I say that, I have to add that these girls were the exact opposite of you; they were classless and trashy, and they weren’t exactly true to Jonathan either.”

“He knows I’m not like that,” I whispered, pulling my knees to my chest. “He’s angry at me right now because he thinks I’m still hung up on Viktor.”

Seabrook let out a smile. “That’s certainly out of character. Is that why you’re here tonight?”

I nodded guiltily. “There’s so much drama with him.”

“I’m sorry if I fucked everything up. You’re a really sweet girl, Jazz, and I wanted you to know because you deserver better than that,” he explained, his expression reflecting his regret.

I patted his arm. “I’m glad you told me, really. I have a lot of thinking to do.”

Brent got up and gave me a sad smile. “I’ll leave you to yourself.”

I gave him a grateful as he left the room and I turned off the light and stared at the ceiling for many hours before finally falling asleep.
~

I woke up late the next morning, and found only Hailey in the kitchen, making coffee with the news on in the background.

“Hey sleepy,” she greeted.

I yawned. “Hey, thanks again for letting me crash.”

She batted her hand and handed me a glass of orange juice in response. I sat down at a barstool as she spoke.

“No need. What are best friends for?” she smiled at me. “So I’m guessing by your lovely expression that Brent talked to you last night.”

I nodded with a frown. “Yup.”

Hailey sighed. “We’ve been talking about it for a while, ever since I told him that the two of you sort of hooked up in California. In my opinion, you’re a game changer. He won’t act like that with you. I’ve seen the way he looks at you.”

“But Brent has known him for much longer than we have,” I reminded her. “And he said some pretty scary things. I mean he does have a reputation.”

“Don’t all boys? I say forget it and just date him already. Forget Viktor, forget your apprehensions! It’s summer; just go be with Jonathan and see how you feel,” she exclaimed, throwing up her cereal spoon into the air.

I giggled. “Well, speaking of summer; what are your plans?”

“He’s going back to Canada and he wants me to come,” she explained. “And I want to move out before that if I can.” She gave me an aplogetic look when she said that.

I nodded. “Sounds good! I’m not really in a rush to get a new roommate just yet. I can cover rent by myself now, thanks to my promotion. I’ll put out some feelers later this month and we’ll see.”

Hailey was going to say something but broke off as the phone rang. She answered it briskly and seemed surprised by who it was.

“Yes, she’s here,” she looked at me. “It’s Jonathan,” she mouthed.

I frowned and extended my hand out expectantly. Giving me an apprehensive look, she passed me the phone and then left the room to give me a little privacy.

“Good morning Jonathan,” I sighed into the phone.

“Good morning Jazz,” he echoed.

I drummed my fingers on Hailey’s kitchen counter. “How are you?”

“I owe you yet another apology,” Jonathan said immediately.

“There’s a plot twist,” I replied sardonically.

He chuckled lightly. “You have to see where I could have thought that the two of you were back together,” he insisted.

“You didn’t want to listen when I tried to explain,” I retorted calmly.

“That was my fault. I’m sorry, sometimes I just lose control,” he said contritely. “So you didn’t go back to your place last night. I tried your cell. A lot.”

“Well, Hailey, Brent and I were involved in a very hot threesome and then I fell asleep like a baby,” I bantered.

“Well there’s an image I’d love to sear from my brain,” Jonathan continued the bit.

I laughed. “Good luck.”

“How are you getting home?” he asked.

“Well you know I’ve hired a carriage and it should be here any minute,” I teased, resting my head in my hand.

“I’m just outside; can I give you a ride?” he sounded shy.

I smiled. “Yes you can. I’ll see you in a minute.”

I hung up and went to grab the clothes I had worn last night from the guest bedroom. On my way out, Hailey approached me grinning from ear to ear.

“Eavesdropper!” I called out before walking towards the door. “Thank Brent again for the wonderful sex we all had.”

I could hear Brent talking in a confused tone while Hailey cackled with glee. I left their building, still in Hailey’s sweats and shirt, and climbed inside the now familiar dark car that Jonathan owned. He looked good, no surprise, and he gave me a small smile before starting the engine and leaving.

“Where are we going?” I asked finally as we got on the freeway.

“I just thought we would go have a picnic today. I wanted to take you for a nice lunch but I can see you’re not exactly dressed for a restaurant.”

I blushed. “Yeah...I sort of ran off rather unprepared there. These aren’t even my clothes.”

“What? You mean you’re not a huge fan of Eminem?” Jon asked in mock disbelief, pulling at the sleeve of his shirt.

I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, Hailey goes to a lot of shitty concerts.”

“I like concerts,” Jonathan remarked.

I smiled. “Most people do.”

“Well, if the Script are ever in town we should go,” he suggested.

I raised my eyebrows. “The Script, huh? How did you know I like them?”

He shrugged. “I remember you singing along to them in the car once.”

I felt my face redden again. “Impressive memory. But I would rather go to Lollapalooza.”

Jonathan looked at me blankly and my smile faded slightly. “Jon, please tell me you know what Lollapalooza is.”

He looked sheepish and very confused and I explained to him that Lollapalooza was a music festival that took place in Chicago every summer and combined some of the best acts in alternative and electronic music. Some of my favourite bands were coming this year and I was dying to go.

“That sounds fun,” he admitted after I was done with my spiel.

I nodded. “But hey, don’t feel pressured. I am open to other options, like Disneyland.”

He gave me a look as we pulled into a parking lot for a huge span of green grass by the lake.

“Aren’t you a little old for Disneyland?” he queried as he unbuckled his seatbelt and got out of the car.

I followed him indignantly. “Excuse me? There is no such thing as “too old for Disneyland,” sir. What happened to the little boy inside you?”

“He never went to Disneyland,” Jonathan admitted.

I gasped and gaped at him as he pulled a cooler and a blanket and some pillows out of the car trunk and carried them out to a shady spot under a tree.

“That’s it,” I declared as I helped him spread the blanket. “I am taking you to Disneyland in California and you are going to have a proper childhood. It is now my mission.”

Jonathan laughed and dumped the food and the pillows on the ground before sitting down heavily and pulling me down too. I opened the cooler excitedly and found a couple of beers for each of us, a bag of potato chips, and a couple of roast beef sandwiches.

“Wow, roast beef? You really do know me,” I chuckled, unwrapping my sandwich and taking a big bite.

He took his sandwich too but he didn’t eat it, he just watched me chew and I grew very self-conscious.

“Stop it,” I shoved him.

“Stop what?” he spluttered, looking down at his feet.

I laughed. “I hate when people look at me when I’m eating. I mean, I know I look like an unruly, starving man, but that’s just the way it is and I don’t need to be reminded of it!”

Jonathan smiled at me. “No, that’s not it. You look cute. You look happy.”

I blushed again. “Well this sandwich is really good. Like really good. Besides nobody looks cute when they’re eating past the age of two.”

He shook his head and bit into his sandwich heartily. It was quiet for a while as we both ate and people watched. It was a warm day, and lots of couples and families and friends were out on the grass. Some were playing volleyball, reading, or sleeping with sunglasses on.

I ate until I was satisfied and then I yawned. The food combined with the sun exposure had me a little drowsy. I lay back onto the blanket and breathed in the air and felt the sun on my face. Jonathan followed suit, laying back and keeping his eyes trained to the sky.

I shyly scooted closer to him and propped my head onto his chest. I felt his entire body tense and I was about to return to my prior position when I felt his hand brush my shoulder gently. I smiled to myself and we lay there silently, both of us too unsure of what to say. The sun finally wore me out and I only realized I had fallen asleep when I woke up with my face still buried in his chest.

I sat up and gave him a horrified look.

“God, I’m so sorry,” I hastened to say. “I didn’t realize I was so tired.”

Jonathan didn’t seem to mind. “You were only out for about a half hour. I think I dozed off at some point too.”

I blushed. “Still; it’s a bit embarrassing. Oh God, I didn’t drool on you, did I?”
I checked his shirt for evidence anxiously

Jonathan sat up and shook his head at me. “I don’t care.”

“I’m such an idiot,” I fumbled with Hailey’s shirt and couldn’t make eye contact with Jon.

I felt his fingers run through my hair. I sucked in a breath as my entire body shivered in response.

“You’ve been wearing you hair like this a lot,” Jonathan changed the subject to my relief.

“What, straight? Yeah, it’s so much easier to style when it’s like this,” I admitted, touching my long hair self-consciously. “Why, does it look odd?”

Jon’s eyes widened. “No, no! It looks great...I just like it when your hair is a bit curly or wavy or whatever.”

My heart melted a little. “Really? It looks like such a mess.”

“I like it to look a little tousled. It’s sexy,” Jonathan breathed.

I narrowed my eyes. “Hey, I am an independent woman and I can wear my hair however I like it, not how my boyfriend likes it.”

I realized what I had said too late. “Shit, I mean...not that you’re my boyfriend. We haven’t even gone out yet. If ever. You know. Ugh, forget it.”

“I think this qualifies as our first date,” Jonathan decided with a grin.

I raised my eyebrows. “Really? Our first date? Where I wore sweats and then literally drooled all over you in my sleep? Well this must be the worst first date you’ve ever had.” I fidgeted, trying to calm my nerves

He laughed. “No, it’s not. Now hold still, will you?”

I barely had a chance to take a breath after my little rant before Jonathan’s lips captured mine and I had to grab onto his shirt to stop me from toppling over. His arms wrapped around my waist and sort of pulled me into his lap. I fought back a giggle and wrapped my legs around his torso instead. I had seen lots of sexy girls do it in movies but I realized that those girls were usually 5’11” and were 90% legs. I moved to unravel them but Jon put his hands onto my thighs to stop me. Only when I remembered that we were in a public park did I pull away gently and open my eyes.

Jonathan’s serious expression and dark eyes were closer than I was expecting and I drew in a deep breath and kissed his lips chastely.

“Okay you win. Best first date ever,” I relented with a beaming smile.