How Sweet It Is: Jonah Beck

[6]

"HAPPY BAR MITZVAH EVE" I say to Cyrus as he wakes up "Thanks Iris" he says then we get ready going to school and meeting up with our group and everyone says hi to Cyrus and I then Jonah walks up giving Andi a kiss "Woah when did this happen?" Buffy asks "We aren't official actually Jonah why did you do that?" Andi asks but I just walk away upset so Tj follows me

"Want to explain why you're walking away upset" he says "Jonah tried to kiss me yesterday and now here we are today with him kissing Andi" I say angrily "Ah so he kissed Andi to show you that if you aren't interested that he will move on" he says "I am interested but I didn't want to make a move because Andi likes him" I say sitting on a bench "He thinks you're interested in me he told us at he sleepover" he says "Oh well Tj I don't mean to make this awkward but-" I say but he cuts me off "Don't worry about it I'm gay anyways" he says "Wait you are! That's great!" I say "It is?" he says confused at my enthusiasm "Don't tell Cyrus I told you but he likes you" I say "Wait he does?" he asks "Yep" I say "Thats awesome because I like him too" he says "YAY" I say hugging him then Jonah walks up to us

"Can I help you?" I say "Look I'm sorry for what I did yesterday I just got caught up in the moment can we just forget about it?" he asks "Oh um yeah" I say looking down trying not to cry "Awesome thanks" he says walking away "Tj?" I say "Yeah" he says "Is it okay to be sad?" I ask "Yes it is" he says so I lay my head on his shoulder letting the tears fall "What a rough week in Irisville" I say "What a rough week indeed" he says as the bell rings for class to start

I go to my first class taking my seat next to Cyrus "Are you okay?" he asks "No" I say "I'm sorry" he says "He asked me if I would forget about the almost kiss" I say "Oh Iris" he says "But I have good news" I say "What?" he asks "Tj likes you" I say "He does!" Cyrus says excitedly "Yep" I say with a fake smile "You and Jonah won't be awkward at my bashmitzvah right?" he asks "If he's not awkward I won't be" I say "Sounds fair" he says then the rest of the class were silent

-

It's art class which I have Jonah in "Okay class today you are going to sit with your shoulder partners and both of you are going to paint a portrait of the other person" the teacher says so I look at my shoulder partner who is Jonah why did it have to be Jonah

"Hey" I say "Hey" he says "So let's get painting" I say "Yeah sure" he says so we start painting

-

"Okay brushes down reveal what you did" the teacher says so I show him mine first

"Um" he says "It's not a traditional portrait I know but it represents that life moves so fast for you and that sometimes you just need to slow things down and enjoy what's happening" I say "Wow that's actually really cool" he says "So what did you paint?" I ask so he shows me his painting

"Oh" I say "I painted it like this because you're my Little Flower and you're fragile" he says which makes me smile "Thank you Jonah" I say "For what?" he asks "I don't really know I just feel like I should thank you" I say "God it's really hard not to hug you right now" he says "I'm sorry" I say looking down "No no no don't be" he says then the bell rings so I leave really quick

-

I get to lunch sitting down at the table I've been so off today "We want to talk to you" Andi says "Oh okay sure" I say so her, Buffy, and I go into the hallway "Whats up?" I ask "You and Jonah have both been acting really weird today" Andi says "We want to know what's going on so we can help" Buffy says "Something happened when we were dress shopping" I say "Oh" Andi says looking down "What happened?" Buffy asks "It doesn't matter because he asked me to forget it so he obviously doesn't find it important" I say "Hey may not but it seems like you do" Andi says "No I don't" I say "If you need our help let us know" Buffy says "No I'm fine" I say looking down crying "What's wrong?" Andi asks "Can you get Cyrus?" I ask as I start to freak out so they run to go get him and he runs out to me

"Iris calm down it's gonna be okay" he says and I just shake my head starting to sob so he wraps his arms around me comforting me while I'm having my anxiety attack "I thought things were getting better" he says "No" I manage to choke out "Its gonna be okay" he says but I just shake my head "Cyrus help me" I say "I'm trying" he says but the bell rings so I go into the bathroom to calm down deciding to skip my last class

-

I get home then go to my moms office "Hey mom?" I say knocking on her door "What's up sweetie?" she asks "Um well today was a really hard day so I was wondering if I could stay home tomorrow and take a mental health day" I say "Of course honey I hope you feel better" she says "Thanks mom" I say going up to Cyrus and I's room "Hey Cyrus, mom said I could take a mental health day tomorrow so would you do me a favor if anyone asks and just say I'm sick" I say "But the party" he says "I'll make up an explanation" I say "Okay" he says then we both fall asleep