Senior Year

Sarah (EyeLuvJourney)

Chapter 4: The First Date

The sound of running water filled the bathroom as Jason finished getting ready for the date. The entire day had gone by slowly...but it was finally time. He had never really had an actual date before, just short time girlfriends that didn't mean much. But Courtney was different. Something was just right about being with her, and he loved every minute of it.

Jason turned off the water, and went back into his bedroom. Stepping over a big pile of clothes he had tried on earlier, he was glad Emily helped him pick out the shirt he had on. He knew nothing about clothes. But this one wasn't too dressy, but not to casual either. Just perfect. Glimpsing at himself a final time in the mirror, he grabbed his keys and headed downstairs.

"Looking good Jase, I love the shirt." As she saw Jason come downstairs, she couldn't help but notice how happy he was. And how cute he looked too. Emily was proud of herself, she picked out a good outfit. The blue shirt he wore brought out his eyes really well. "Have fun, ok?"

Smiling, Jason stopped to look back at his little sister. "Thanks Em, and I will." Giving her a quick hug, he made his way outside and into the unusually warm night. He had made his way out with any family confrontations, so far so good. As he got into his truck, he couldn't wait for what else the night would bring.

~*~

It was almost 6:30 when Courtney heard her doorbell ring. She had been pacing the living room, more nervous than she ever had been before. Making her way around the not-yet-unpacked moving boxes that cluttered the new house, she opened the door to find Jason standing there, with his hands behind his back. Motioning for him to come in, she watched as he cautiously stepped into the hallway. He handed her a single red rose. "Hey Courtney, you look wonderful. I hope you like roses."

She couldn't help but give him a bright smile. He was so sweet. "Jason, thank you so much. It's beautiful. Wait here while I get some water for it."

"You're welcome", he said before he saw her disappear around the corner. She liked it. He hoped she would. It was hard picking it out, who knew there were so many colors of roses. Looking around the hallway he stood in, he noticed a few pictures hanging on the walls. One showed a young Courtney smiling next to another blonde hair woman, along with a man he had never seen before.

"Thanks again Jason, this is a perfect surprise." Courtney came back out into the hallway with the vase, and she set it down on the empty coffee table. She had never gotten a rose before...and this one was beautiful. She looked up at him and saw him looking at the picture. She smiled, "That was taken when I was four. It's me with my mom, and my dad." She fought back the tears in her eyes as she mentioned him.

Jason saw how upset she was, he had to change the subject. "Well, you were a really cute four year old. Are you ready to go?"

Courtney smiled back at him, "Of course I'm ready...lets go."

~*~

The Port Charles City Carnival was having its opening night, and Jason thought it would be a perfect place for going out for the first time. They had spent the night playing games and eating snacks, and were now walking along the main path, hand in hand, as they looked at the activities going on around them. The sun had long since set, and the air was beginning to turn cold. Jason took off his coat and placed it on Courtney's shoulders. "Better?"

Courtney felt the warmth come over her arms. The smell of leather drifted up to her nose, and she looked up to see Jason smiling at her. "Thanks Jase, that's much better." She looked over towards one of the game tables at the large stuffed puppy hanging as the prize. "Look, isn't that puppy adorable?"

Glancing at where she was pointing, he saw that it was a game where you throw a ball at a tower of cans. He could do that. "Come on, lets win it." Smiling at her excitement, he pulled her through the crowds over to where it hung. He paid his dollar as the worker handed him three balls. Jason eyed the cans for a couple seconds before her said, "OK, Courtney, lets see what varsity baseball practice will get me."

Courtney couldn't help but laugh. He was so competitive. "Good luck Jase...not that you'll need it." Giggling, she watched as he took his first pitch at the cans stacked before him. BANG. He knocked all of them down in one throw. People behind him started clapping, and redness started to creep up onto Jason's cheeks. He looked behind to see Courtney's face-the smile she had was worth all the embarrassment in the world. Turning back around, he asked the worker for the stuffed animal Courtney had wanted earlier. He handed the prize to Jason, who gave it to Courtney right away. "There ya go."

"Jason, its so adorable, thank you so much!" Courtney couldn't stop smiling. " I love it!" Taking Jason's hand, they began to walk down the path some more-all three of them.

~*~

After a few minutes of walking towards the rides, Jason had an idea."Wanna ride the ferris wheel?"

Courtney stopped in her tracks. She hated heights, but how could she tell him that? "I don't...umm, sure why not." What could happen, a couple turns around and they'd be back on solid ground. Right? "Yeah, let's go."

Courtney took Jason's hand and led him into the line forming at the base of the wheel. The wait went by fast, and before they knew it, they were getting strapped into a small car. Courtney shifted uncomfortably as it began to rise, but Jason didn't seem to notice. He was looking out towards the bay. She closed her eyes to keep from seeing the tall view, but soon after they had started, the car jerked forward. Courtney let out a whimper. 

Jason heard her scared noise. "Courtney, what's wrong? Are you ok? "

"I...I don't want you to feel guilty, really. But I'm really scared of heights."

Jason's heart fell. "I'm so sorry..you should of told me, I didn't want to make you feel uncomfortable."
Great one Morgan.

"No, look Jason, it's not your fault...I just don't like high things. I should of told you, but I kind of like the idea of being alone in a little car with you." She stopped suddenly. Did she just say that out loud? "I'm sorry, I don't know where that came from...."

Jason was taken a back by that comment, but when she started giggling he knew she was just as nervous as he was. "I kind of like that idea too." The car jerked again, and Courtney's eyes went from happy to scared. Giving her a reassuring smile, Jason turned her body so that her back was against his chest. "Just relax...lean back and take some deep breaths. We're almost done. I'm really sorry I put you through this."

"It's ok, Jason, really. I'm starting to feel better already." Feeling his body next to her gave her a sense of being safe, the height wasn't hardly a factor anymore. She focused on looking at the sunset in the distance.  "Look Jason, see over the water? It's another beautiful sunset." 

Feeling her relax was making Jason angry with himself. She wouldn't be nervous if it wasn't for him, all because he wanted some alone time. And now she was panicking about facing her fear. Looking towards the sunset, he then glanced down to see the colors reflected in her eyes. Her hair was blowing in the breeze, slightly against the top of his chin. It really was soft. "Yeah it is, but not as beautiful as you."

Courtney slowly turned around, facing him directly. That was the sweetest thing anyone had said to her. She saw that he looked surprised that he had said it. "Do you mean that?"

Staring directly into her eyes, he placed a stranded piece of hair behind her ear. "I do." He paused, then continued. "Are you feeling better?"

Shyly and slowly, Courtney turned back around. She whispered, "Thanks Jason. Much better." The car jerked again, and Jason wrapped his arms around her waist. She leaned into his arms until the ride ended. Getting out, Courtney ran to the bench nearby. "Flat ground is so much nicer than air."

Laughing, Jason sat next to her. "See, this is exactly why humans don't have wings."  

"Exactly." Giggling, she looked down at the large stuffed puppy in her hands. "What should I name him Jason?"

He looked at her questioningly. "Ummm.....you name stuffed animals?"

She laughed. Guess he doesn't. "Yes, I guess I must be a girl thing. I know a good one!"

He saw her eyes light up and look directly into his. "What?"

"Sunset." Smiling at him, she saw his eyes begin to twinkle. She looked back down at the dog. "It's the perfect name."

"I agree, its perfect.", he replied. Laying his arm across her shoulders, they sat there for awhile, just enjoying the night together. 

~*~

Hours later, Jason pulled into Courtney's driveway. Walking her up to the porch, he opened the screen door for her. "Thanks for coming with me Courtney, I had a lot of fun."

"Me too, Jason. And thanks for the puppy! It's going right on my bed as soon as I get up there." She opened the main door to her house, and stepped in. Courtney handed him the coat. "Here you go."

He smirked. "Thanks. And hey, I'm sorry about the ferris wheel thing, I didn't know you were afraid of heights." He felt really bad about that, even know she played it off he knew it bothered her.

Courtney laughed,  "Jason, really it's ok. Everyone's safe and good now. I had a blast."

Looking at his watch, Jason noticed it was almost eleven o'clock. "Well, I better get going, I'll see you in school?"

"Of course, see you then. Night Jason."

She is excited about seeing him! "Night...have a great night Courtney." And as he watched her close the door, he felt the happiest he has ever been. Never had he looked forward to school, but now he couldn't wait to hear the bell ringing. Courtney was changing him, and he loved every second of it.

~*~

Courtney fell directly on her bed as soon as she entered her room. She was so tired, she didn't even feel like changing. Tonight had been wonderful. She had always loved winning prizes at the games, but Sunset represented all that she had experienced since she had moved to Port Charles. She wouldn't move back to Hayes landing for anything now. Pulling the covers back, she climbed into bed, cuddling up to her newest stuffed animal. She couldn't wait for what Monday would bring.