The Press

Your whole life is flashing before your eyes and you're probably going to have a panic attack now. Jason is just staring at you with a frown.

"What do you mean we can't see each other anymore?"

"I mean, we just can't you have to go"

You take his coat and push him out the door. He's still trying to protest and then you slam the door. You fall against the door and start to cry.

"Jennifer! What going on?"

He's standing on the other side of the door and talking to you. You try to suppress your tears.

"I can't see you, Jason, just go"

"But what did I do??"

(Nothing you did nothing, you're perfect in every way!)

There's a long pause.

"I'm sorry I fell asleep, I won't do it again" Now your heart is breaking that he thinks it's because he fell asleep.

"You did nothing wrong, Jason. I just can't be with you"

(...maybe never..)

"Please go" Your voice is soft.

"I'll go but this is not over, not by a long shot"

You hear his footsteps walking to his car. You break out in crying sobs and you feel dead again.

(How could I be so stupid!!?? How could I be...so...so...stupid)

You go to your bedroom and fall on your bed. You just lay there, crying until you fall asleep.

You wake and roll over, grabbing your phone. You've got two unread messages. You know who's it's from and your heart breaks all over again.

"Jennifer, please talk to me"

"I can't help if I don't know what the problem is?"

"Jason, just don't" It's not even a second and you get a reply.

"I beg you, I'll do anything just tell me why?"

"I can't tell you. I wish I could. Last night was probably one of the best nights of my life, but I can't see you anymore"

"Last night was better than great and that's what I don't understand. I want so badly to be with you....you don't understand..."

"I want you too but I can't...we can't" You put your phone off and start getting ready for work through the tears falling down your face. Finally, you're dressed and walking to work.

"Hey" The stranger just keeps on walking.

(Isn't that guy that bump into me yesterday?)

You stop and turn around looking at him but he is long gone. (What's going on?) You get to work still wondering about that guy. Lucy greets you

"Hey, welcome back! Hope we see you full day today? You feeling better?"

"Hey, I'm full day yes. Better? No probably not...." You go to your locker and put on your apron. Mike is also there.

"Hey, ready for work?"

"Yeah, I guess I am"

"You okay?"

"Yeah, sure"

"Okay, then let's get back to work? Ladies first..." He gestures with his hands towards the door.

"Thank you" You walk through the door and look over your shoulder. Mike is definitely checking you out.

(WTF?!)

The day is busy and the morning and lunch rushes doesn't stop. This is no doubt thanks to Jason and his photo in the newspaper. You take a late lunch and join your Dad in the kitchen.

"Dad, I don't know if I can do it anymore"

Your Dad is busy making an order.

"What are you talking about honey?"

"This....this life we leading...this hid-" He stops abruptly and covers your mouth this his hand. He looks around.

"Honey, what are you talking about? I thought you were happy with Jason and everything??" His voice is a whisper.

"Dad....." You start crying again. You whisper back.

"Dad, the press is following him..." He caresses your cheeks with his hands.

"Oh, honey, I'm so sorry"

He hugs you and you just stand there and cry.

"Honey, we don't have a choice. We must stay safe"

"I know Dad, I'm just so tired of this"

"I know honey, I know"

You just hug each other for a while and you get back to work. The end of the day finally arrives and you send your Dad home early.

"It's okay honey, I'll stay you go home"

"No Dad, I've been off for far too long. Take a night for yourself, okay?"

"Okay, thank you. See you at home" You lock the backdoor behind him and clean up as far as you go. Lucy gives you a hug.

"Okay, babies, I'll see you tomorrow. Rest well!! Chao!"

"Bye Lucy"

"Bye, see you tomorrow" Mike waves

"You can go home too. I've got it covered really"

"I can't leave you alone, it just wouldn't be right or fair"

"I think fair is exactly the word we need to use here. I've thrown you in the deep side and then I took a few days off. I think you deserve a night off"

"I really don't mind finishing up" He looks you up and down.

"Uhm...no, it's really okay...really"

"Okay, if you say so, see you tomorrow"

(Phew, that was awkward...)

"Okay bye"

"Bye" You walk to lock the front door behind him but then Jason enters the diner. You jump back.

"No Jason!" Your heart breaks all over again.

"Jennifer, please" His eyes are pleading you to stay. He walks slowly towards you and you backward until you're against the wall. He comes even closer. You're just a breath away.

"No....Jason..."

I can't bear the thought of not having you in my life. I've tried the entire day to just forget about you but I couldn't. I couldn't see any future without you...I just couldn't....

His lips come crashing down on yours. He breathes heavily as if he's afraid to let you go and never get to kiss you again. Your entire being is flushed with heat and passion. You kiss him back with a tear falling from your eye.

"What's going on? I can help?" Deep concern and grief is in his eyes. It's only now that you see the deep circles under his eyes.

"T-there's nothing you can do..." You turn around and go sit at the counter.

"We can't see each other. As simple as that"

"That's where you're wrong, it's not simple. Nothing about this is simple? Do you know how long I've been waiting for you? I've never let anyone so close to me as you and now that I have, I don't want to lose you, please"

He sits next to you and gently takes your hand. He laces his fingers with yours and rubs his thumb up and down your hand. You look at his hand and you realize you can't either see a future where he's not in it but you can't, you just can't. You stand up and walk away from him, crossing your arms.

"Jason, my life is not what it seems. I...I thought I could live a normal life but I can't. You have a different life from mine and I can't be seen-"

You slap your hand over your mouth already revealing too much. You shake your head. Jason stands up and moves closer to you. He put his hands on your arms.

"Look at me Jennifer....look at me" You slowly look up at him as the tears are streaming down your face.

"I'm the President's son, I can help you"

"That's exactly why you can't help me...can't you see?"

"No, I can't, please, please help me to understand...please" You feel defeated and all the strength that once fueled your reason not to let Jason in, has vanished. You throw your arms around his neck and collides into his lips.