Jensen's Little Girl

Coming to an End

Summer was soon over, and the school year began. I couldn't have loved my sophomore year any more than I already did. Jake and I won Homecoming Court, he scored the winning touchdown at the state championships, he was captain of the basketball team, and we were voted "Most Likely to Get Married" in this years year book. 

Graduation was coming upon us and I soon realized that our time together was quickly coming to a hault. Soon he'd be moving to college, and we'd be back to the long distance relationship again. 

As we helped him put together his graduation invites, my mom Jake and I, sat together at the dining room table when the phone rang. I got up to answer it when a man asked for Jake. He walked into the other room and my mom and I tried our hardest to evesdrop on their conversation. 

"Mhmmm... Absolutely... This fall?... I definitely can... Thank you sir." 

He walked back into the kitchen and put the phone back on the counter. When he sat down my mom and I stared at him blankly waiting for an answer.

"What?" He asked smirking, knowing we were dying inside.

"Well, are you going to tell us what that was all about???" My mom asked.

"Oh just some University wanting to meet with me next weekend." He said casually, with a grin that I couldn't help but love.

I jumped out of my chair and ran to hug him. "Oh Jake! I'm so happy for you! What University?"

"That one was the University of Houston."

"Wait... Houston? That's like three hours from here!" He looked blankly unable to say anything, "And wait, THAT ONE, have there been others?"

"Well yeah," he mumbled embarressed, "But I wasn't going to tell you until I had committed to one."

"Okay, well where are you thinking about going then?"

"Well... I was kind of hoping Houston, and if not then Texas A&M."

"Wow, this is all happening so fast." 

"Hey, kids. We don't have to worry about this today. Let's just finish these graduation announcements."

We sat for an hour just listening to the radio and finishing his announcements. It haunted my mind looking at the pieces of paper. Each of them mocking me, and practically throwing in my face the fact that he was leaving. 

That night, I was on the back porch looking off into the acreage behind our house. I listened to the horses and wind blowing in the night time air. I heard the screen door opening and saw it was Jake with two Italian sodas. He knew they had been my favorite the last few months, and I was so in love with them.

He handed me a soda and picked me up so I could sit between his legs on the lounge chair. He kissed the side of my neck, and set his soda on the table next to us. "Jay?"

"Yeah?"

"We need to talk about me leaving." He whispered.

"I don't want to." 

"But we've got to. Otherwise one day you'll wake up and realize that i'm gone. You're my girl Jay, and I want to make these kid of decisions with you."

I put my drink on the table as well and cuddled into him. "I just can't imagine the thought of you leaving."

"Jay, we knew it was going to happen. And your dad said he'd even fly you out every weekend. It's not even that big of a deal. Remember our plan babe?"

"Yeah, I guess..." 

"In two years you'll move in with me, wherever you decide to go, and we'll be together. I promise you that. What are you so worried about?"

"The girls, Jake! The girls! You'll be surrounded by thousands of gorgeous college girls. Why would you want some high school dweeb after seeing them?"

He chuckled, "Is this really what this is all about?"

"That, and I can't bear the thought of you leaving." 

"Well, I was going to wait to tell you, but Texas A&M offered me a full ride scholarship to come play football and basketball for their school." 

I was so unbelievably happy for him. I still couldn't manage to shake the hurt though, knowing he was leaving so soon. 

"Jay, I have a press conference this weekend, where I have to commit to a school. Please tell me you'll be up there with me sitting on the stand by my side?"

I hesitated for a moment, and then turned to him. "I would't want to be anywhere else." I said softly. My hand slid behind his neck and I slowly pressed my lips softly into his. His hands wrapped around me as he pulled me into him and held me tightly. 

"You know I love you right?" He said, still holding me in his arms. 

"And I you." I smiled. 

"I have a present for you." He got up and grabbed a bag from behind the living room couch. "It's so stupid, but it's for this weekend." 

I pulled the tissue paper out from the package and saw a Texas A&M hoodie. I put it on and loved how it felt already. It killed me to even think this, but everything seemed to be working out perfectly. He pulled another small box from the bottom of the package. "Open it." he smiled.

Inside was a heart shaped necklace with the initials J + J etched into it. He pulled out a key chain that had a heart cut out of it perfectly fitting mine that said "Love knows no distance." 

"Jay," he said putting the necklace around my neck, "This doesn't mean anything. This change. We're just growing up. It's just a bump in the road. It was part of our plan all along."

"You're right. Plus! I'll be at all of your football games. Every weekend. Wherever in the country they may be."

"Friday night football never sounded so good." He smiled. 

I couldn't help but laugh. "You really are excited huh?"

He couldn't help but grin even more. "Yeah, I really am. TX A&M offered me a spot as their second string quarter back, and a full ride. I couldn't have asked for anything better."

"Well I'm so happy for you." 

"Oh and JJ, don't forget to wear a jacket or something over that hoodie on Sunday. During the press conference, no one can know which team I choose until I pick which hat is displayed on the table." 

"How many schools will be there?"

He smirked, "Eight." 

"Man, aren't you the little star everyone wants." 

We walked inside and I helped him study for some of his final exams before finally going to bed. As I laid there I couldn't help but think about our future together. Two years was not very long when I started thinking about what would be happening in five, ten and even twenty years. Suddenly, two years didn't seem all that bad. I was looking forward to this new chapter in our lives.