Chapter 1: Dreams Come True
1833 Words
Jackie woke up to her mom calling her down to breakfast. As Jackie rolled over in bed, the sunlight blazed through her window. She got out of bed and walked over to her bureau and looked in the mirror. 'I really need to get more sleep,' she silently thought to herself. She slowly opened her draws and pulled out an outfit for the day; she put on a pair of denim shorts with a light pink tank top. As she exited her bedroom, she was greeted by Evan, "good morning, Jackie."
"Morning Evan." Jackie replied trying to stifle a yawn.
Jackie continued down the stairs and went into the kitchen for some breakfast before school. Natalie was setting the table, as Liam was finishing up cooking, while Jackie and Evan joined their siblings at the breakfast table.
"Jackie, I'm going to need my car today for work." Liam said catching Jackie off guard. They've been sharing his silver BMW for almost two year.
"Then... Can you at least give me a ride to school?"
"Sorry kiddo. I have to leave right after breakfast." Liam stated bleakly looking at Natalie.
"Mom could you give me a ride?" Jackie quickly asked.
"No, I have to get the kids off to school before I go to work. You know how busy I am in the morning." Natalie said sternly.
"Then, how am I supposed to get to school today?"
"You can drive yourself." Liam replied.
"With what car? You're using yours and thank god mom is using her minivan today." Jackie said.
"Well... Dad and I were talking last night, and have decided that it is time for you to have your very own car." Natalie explained holding up a key chain that had a single car key on it.
Jackie jumped out of her seat and kissed Liam and her mom on the cheek. She grabbed the key out of Natalie's hand and ran outside to the driveway. The car key only fit one car, Natalie's old classic black firebird with a red bird painted on the hood. Jackie opened the door and took a seat behind the wheel. This was a first for Jackie, because Natalie had always said that the firebird had too much power under the hood for Jackie.
"I got this car as a graduation gift from your grandparents, and now I'm handing it over to you. This is now your car, take care of her." Natalie smiled at Jackie sitting behind the wheel.
Jackie got out of the car and gave her mom another kiss and a hug. "Thank you so much mom."
"You're welcome, now let's go back inside and finish eating. It's almost time for school." Natalie suggested.
"Okay."
After breakfast, Jackie left for school. As she drove to Turbo High, she felt the power of the engine coming through the steering wheel. When she pulled into her parking spot, Eric was just getting out of his red Charger. He waited for her to turn off the engine, then walked over and examined the car.
"Like my new ride?" Jackie asked sweetly as she got out of the car.
"It's a sweet car." Eric replied flashing his classic smile.
"It was my mom's until this morning."
"You steal it?" Eric joked. "I mean, there's no way a parent would give a car like this to a seventeen-year-old."
"Mine did." Jackie stated as she grabbed her backpack out of the backseat.
"Your parents are really cool."
"Just my mom and dad. Robert would die before he gave me a car like this." Jackie explained.
They walked into school together like they sometimes did. They went to their lockers then met up with the rest of their friends. The day stated out as normal as last year had finished for them...
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Later that day while heading to lunch, Anna pulled Jackie aside. "What are you doing after school today?"
"Cruising in my new baby. Why?"
"Well... We're all going down to the creek for a swim. Do you want to come?" Anna always wanted Jackie to go.
"Who are we?"
"Paul, April, Chantal, Dianna, Liz, Ace, Blake, Eddy, Austin, and Eric."
"Odd ball out? Sure, why not." Jackie shrugged her shoulders.
"It'll be fun, and besides you won't be the odd ball." Anna laughed.
They sat down at the picnic table outside of the cafeteria and joined the rest of their group. Eric slipped into the spot next to Jackie and her heart skipped a best. "Are you going to the creek after school?" Eric asked her.
"Yes I am." Jackie replied as casually as she could.
"Cool. Hey, listen..." Eric began, but stopped when April took a seat next to him. He leaned closer to Jackie and whispered, "I need to talk to you alone when we get there." Jackie nodded in understanding, and continued to eat lunch until the bell rang...
After school Jackie and Eric met in the parking lot of the school, and went down to the creek on mill road. They parked their cars and got out. Jackie began heading down toward the creek when Eric grabbed her hand.
"There's something I've been wanting to tell you for a while now, but..." He began but stopped when Anna and Paul pulled up in Paul's blue Ford truck. When they got out, they smiled at Jackie and Eric, who quickly dropped Jackie's hand and smiled back.
"What are you two waiting for?" Anna said running down the hill, barely slowing down to remove her shorts and shirt to dive in. Paul followed suit just as quickly.
"Do you want to take a walk so we can actually talk?" Jackie suggested.
"Yeah, since it's the only way to talk to you alone here. I thought we would have more time before anyone showed up." Eric stated defeated.
Jackie took his hand and led him down the trail that wrapped around a small hill and returned back at the parking area. "What was it that you've been trying to tell me?"
Eric stopped short, which surprised Jackie. He did not say anything; he just reached a hand to her cheek and cupped it. He ran his thumb over her lower lip and then leaned closer, slipping his hand to the back of her neck. When she didn't move, he kissed her passionately on the lips. When he finally loosened his grip, she was still trying to overcome her shock. Eric miss read her expression and began to apologize, "I'm sorry... I shouldn't have done that... I should have..." Jackie kissing him again cut him short.
"There's no need to apologize." Jackie whispered against his lips.
"I just needed to tell you how I feel about you." Eric seemed to be searching for his words. "Will you go out with me?"
Jackie couldn't believe this day was really taking place. It felt like a dream; first she gets a sweet car before her early birthday present, and now the guy of her dreams was asking her out. "You want me to be your girlfriend? I don't know..." Jackie said with a smile.
"Don't make me ask you twice, because you know I won't." Eric stated.
"Well..." Jackie began but hesitated to keep the suspense.
"You know, I could always just go ask April." Eric teased with a smile.
"Go ahead if that's what you really want to do. I mean I was only playing with you; you know I'm going to say yes." Jackie replied in a taunting manner.
Eric grabbed her by the waist and held her to him. He gently kissed her neck and breathed; "I was only joking about the April thing. We all know how she really is with guys."
"How's that?" Jackie asked intrigued.
"She wants every guy in school. Especially in our little group of friends; I mean she's already dated Eddy, and has slept with Blake." Eric explained.
"Blake did what with her? I mean does Dianna know about it?" Jackie was shocked to hear this information.
"I don't know, but Dianna and Blake were not together when this took place. Just forget I ever mentioned it." Eric replied trying to recover.
Jackie kissed Eric again swiftly, then squirmed out of his arms and ran back towards the creek. Eric ran after her until he reached the hill and pulled off his shirt. Jackie shimmied out of her shorts and tank top, and dove under the water. She resurfaced just in time to see Eric disappearing under the water. When something touched her ankle, she let out a scream.
Everyone looked right at her to see why she had screamed. At the same time, Eric popped up behind her laughing, "Scared you."
"You jerk." Jackie stated splashing him.
Eric began swimming circles around her, causing the water to swirl around her legs. The water felt so good. Eric continued to swim circles around her, moving ever so closer to her until he was gently brushing up against her legs.
When Blake called out, "Let's have a wrestling match!" as he grabbed Dianna and put her on his shoulders.
Eddy grabbed Chantal, Paul grabbed Anna, Eric grabbed Jackie, and Austin scooped up Liz, leaving Ace to pick up April. After a few minutes the only ones that were left wrestling were Jackie and Eric against Dianna and Blake. Eventually, Jackie was successful at pushing Dianna over.
Eric let Jackie slide off his shoulders and kissed her happily on the cheek. "Good Job." He smiled at her, making her heart melt.
Before anyone could respond or comment to what they just saw, Jackie's cell phone began to ring... She swam over to the bank where she had dropped her shorts. She jammed her hand into the pocket and retrieved her phone and quickly answered it, "Hello?"
"Jackie, where are you? You were supposed to be here thirty minutes ago." Robert yelled through the phone.
"I'm sorry. I'm just with my friends..." Jackie began to explain.
"I don't care! Get your butt here NOW!"
"Okay, just give me twenty minutes." Jackie snapped hanging up the phone, before Robert could reply. "I have to go. Robert's is going to have my head if I don't leave now."
"Tell him to..." Dianna began, but stopped herself.
"I honestly don't have the energy to fight with him anymore." Jackie stated in a matter-of-fact way.
"Why do you still talk to him?" Chantal asked. "I mean he's hasn't changed his attitude towards you in the two years you've been talking to him again."
"I don't know why I just do." Jackie answered pulling her clothes on over her wet underwear, and slipping into her flip-flops. She said goodbye to everyone, and headed up the hill to her car. Eric appeared at her driver side window as she turned the engine over. She quickly rolled down the window.
"Do you want me to come with you?" He offered with his sweet smile.
"No, it would probably make matters worse. Robert is a d**k, who wants what he wants and there'll be hell to pay if he doesn't get it." Jackie explained briefly. "But thanks for offering."
"Are you going to be home later?" Eric asked innocently.
"I have to work at six tonight. Why?"
"I'll call you at six thirty then." Eric stated leaning through her window and kissed her passionately. "Good bye babe."
Jackie's heart skipped a beat, "bye," she said as she put her car in gear and pulled out...
- Writer
