SUMMER LOVERS
Chapter Eleven

"I told you I'm not ready yet," Jack said with frustration. He should have known that this would happen once he get home. Same old boring topic to argue with his father. He received the same question and lecture over and over. Son, when will you get into your senses and start your future? There are a lot of fine universities out there for you. Many young men will kill for this opportunity that you have in front of you. And you, on the other hand, just keep avoiding it. His dad would say to him. And of course he would reply the same thing.

"Sir, this is my decision and you can't do nothing about it."

"Ha!" his father remarked, "Can't do nothing about it? Jack, you can not even speak right. Using the proper way to communicate with people is very important in the business world, and remember that. And taking the correct courses and finishing college are also important."

There was silence at the study room. Hell, could he and his father discuss other things? Jack shook his head. He was getting sick and tired of this. He and his father never had a good relationship. James Dawson always talked about business and politics, the typical Republican business tycoon would often discuss. Jack grew up with his mother often around, but his father would always be on business meetings or at his office working.

He knew exactly how Rose felt when she told him that she hated being the daughter of a wealthy tycoon. Thinking about that made Jack frowned. He lied to her. He remembered telling her that he was a normal guy, didn't have much money as her family had. He wasn't only stupid on letting her go, but also a big liar. Shit! Jack swore silently, Damn it, Rose DeWitt Bukater, you’re making me feel guilty! I'm supposed to be over with you!

"Jack!" James called out, "Son, are you listening to me?"

Jack shook his head again and tried to focus on what his father telling him, "Of course, sir, I'm listening to you."

"Is that so?" The older man examined him, not believing that his son was telling the truth, "So what's your decision?"

Decision? What the hell?

"I am waiting, my boy."

Rose, what have you done to me? Jack asked himself. You love her, a small voice answered from behind his mind, you fucking idiot, can’t you see that? That was it! He couldn't deal with these things right now. Hell, his life was complicated.

"Damn, dad, I'm confuse right now. Could we discuss this later?"

James looked at him for a moment and then, "Is there something bothering you?"

"No. Nothing. I just can't make decision right now."

"All right. We will discuss about this later."

Whew! That was a relief! With that, Jack exited the room and went upstairs to his room.

*****

"So how did your date go with, uh, Hartwell, right?" Ruth DeWitt Bukater asked her daughter while placing her cup of tea on the table.

"His name is Josh, mom," Rose answered while lying lazily back on the couch. "And it went fine. We saw a movie and he's asking me out again this week."

"Well, that's good honey. Is there by any chance when your father and I could meet him?"

Oh, no. Not again, Rose thought, frowning. She knew that her mother would ask her that same question. Her dad had no problem with guys she dated during the past but when it came to her mom, that was when the trouble began. Every time Rose let her parents meet the guy she was currently dating, Ruth was always the one who came up with many questions such as asking what the guy's father do for a living, do they own business, or are they Republican or Democratic. Rose despised that about her mother because of offending questions she asked that also prevented Rose seeing the same guy again. In which Ruth preferred if she didn't like the young man for her daughter.

Ruth didn't even approve of Rose dating Caledon Hockley, the son of another business tycoon and one of the popular guys at her school, which was good after Rose found out how conceited Cal really was. They only went out for few weeks towards the end of their junior year. Yuck, Rose thought, he makes me sick. Going out with that bastard was one of the biggest mistakes she made in her entire life. And after him was…Jack. Rose frowned again. Every time she thought of him, it just wanted to make her burst into tears.

She bet that if she introduced Jack to her mother, (which was impossible, she thought) Ruth would definitely forbid her to go out with him. Ha, she went out with him and her mother had no clue about it. The time she spent with him was the best thing ever happen to her. She would never regret it. Never.

Answering her mother's question, "I don't know, mom. Every time you meet that guy I date, you never approved of them so I think it’s for the best if you don't meet him." She got up and kissed her mom on the check.

"Where do you think you’re going?" Ruth asked, "Young lady, I am not done with you yet."

"I'm tired. I'll see you at dinner." She managed to say. When she reached the hallway, she could hear her mother murmuring about how Rose changed from a little sweet girl to a rebellious teenager.

Rose just shook her head and then, "I love you mom!" she called out. No matter how annoying her mother could be, she still loved her. Well, mothers supposed to be like that, Rose thought.

*****

After taking a long shower, which helped him relax, he went back to his bedroom. Ah, it never occurred to him that he missed being home. It had been quite a long time since he was here. When was it again? Jack asked himself but decided to put the question aside. He was now lying at his queen-size bed; his eyes were closed.

Then, there was a knock on the door but didn't even bother to answer it, for he knew that it would be his mother.

"Jack, how are you feeling, dear," Deborah's sweet and calm voice asked.

"Tired, mom, but that's all," his eyes were still closed.

Deborah was now sitting at the bed, looking at her son. She could not believe that her son was now a grown man. It was just like yesterday, her little Jack was playing around the house, cutting plants from her garden, and always giving Mrs. Lester hard time at the kitchen, but now, he was mature and could make his decision. She knew that whatever decision her Jack will make, it would work out just fine or if he made mistakes, she was sure that her son would find his own ways to solve them. She was now wondering if he already found the right woman for him; he hadn't discussed his love life recently to her for they hadn't seen each other for a long time.

"Are you quite sure? Is there any problem?"

His eyes were now opened, revealing their ocean blue color, and the sighed, "I guess there's one problem. Dad."

"Ah, your father's still talking you about going to college." She asked sincerely.

Jack could only manage to nod.

"Don't you worry about your father, son, he is just concerned, that is all," She was now gently touching her son's cheek, "On the other hand, what are been up to, huh? I heard from your uncle that you went to California. You didn't even bother telling your mother through phone that you were going. So how was it? Fun?"

Jack's face suddenly changed from tired to interested, but then what caused this changed? He had no idea. Every time the word 'summer' was mentioned in a sentence, it always caught his attention.

"It was great. Had fun out in the sand," Jack stated and shrugged his shoulder. More than fun, actually. I became the luckiest guy in the world 'cause I met this wonderful girl and had the chance to get to know her very well, he wanted to say out loud but kept it silent.

"That was it?" Deborah asked curiously, "Just out in the sand? Didn’t you meet anyone? Friends? Girlfriend?"

Dark colors suddenly rushed in Jack's cheek but then composed himself and said, "I meet few friends and had fun with them but that was all."

His mother rose from the bed and said, "Very well, I'm glad that you had fun, son. " She bent down to give him a kiss on the forehead, "And I'm happy that you're back home with us."

"Me too, mom," Jack smiled and watched his mother leaves his room.

There was silence and then, Jack got up from the bed and walked towards his window that was located beside his bed.

He stared blankly outside and was thinking of something else.

It's already over. It's over, Jack. Why can't you just let go of it, dammit? he thought, angry with himself. How many times do you have to tell yourself that everything that had happened between you and her is over? She's probably dating some guy right now. So get over it!

No, idiot, no! The same tiny voice that he just heard while he was talking with his father called out, Find her! Work everything out! She's waiting for you, asshole! You love her and she loves you!

"No, everything is over and that's final!" Jack said with raging voice.

*****

The bell rang and everybody got up from his or her sit. Rose was the first one who exited the room, following her was Josh.

"Oh hey, Josh," Rose managed to say after she noticed him.

"Hey," he greeted back cheerfully," So did you have fun last week?"

"Yeah, it was fun," Rose smiled, "Thanks for taking me again."

They were now standing at the corner. Josh was really a nice guy and she would be lucky to have him a boyfriend. But she didn't feel anything special to him. She liked him all right but only as a friend. He'd been very understanding but this thing between them would never work out as long as Rose had feelings for Jack. She knew it would be difficult to get rid of them and decided not to. These feelings she felt were to special to get rid of.

Rose gave a sighed and said, "Josh, you're really great and all," Rose paused and then looked at him with a sorry look and continued, "But whatever we have right now between us is not gonna work. I like you, really, but not enough to start a relationship with you knowing that I still have feelings for someone else." Rose took his hand to hers and stared at him, hoping that he would understand, "I love him so much and when I went out with you, I felt that not only I was cheating on you but also cheating on myself. Please understand."

Josh was quiet and Rose was still looking at him, waiting for his respond.

Finally, "That guy is really lucky, Rose," he paused and then continued, "I hope he knows how lucky he is to have you caring for him like that. I'm glad that you brought this up right now rather than later 'cause I know someone will get hurt. Don't worry, Rose," Bringing his hand to her cheek, touching it softly, "I understand."

With that, Rose hugged him and said, "Thanks, Josh. I'm sorry about this."

"There's nothing for you to be sorry about, Rose. You're just being honest to me and yourself." He said sincerely. After they let go of each other, Josh said with a smile, "Just in case, I want you to know that I'll be here if your relationship with him don't work out."

"I know you will. Thanks again." Rose said, smiling back at him. She was now happy that she did it, telling Josh that she couldn't be with him. A feeling went inside her and it was unexplainable. A hope? Hope for what? She asked herself, hope for another disappointment? Hope or not, she was glad that she was being truthful to herself. Knowing that she was still in love with Jack and decided to keep on loving him no matter what happen.

*****

Scanning through different channels, one show caught his attention and decided to watch it. It was the Backstreet Boys on MTV; he wasn't really in to this type of music but there was something kept him on watching to it.

He remembered the time when they were on their way to downtown to have lunch and while he was driving, Rose kept insisting on playing her BSB albums. She would sing along with those songs and she knew all the words by heart and she even teased him by telling him that she would choose Nick Carter over him, but at the end, she admitted that she would never replace him with anyone. He now accepted that he really missed her and wanted to be with her.

You just figured it out? Golly, you're so stupid Jack Dawson! That's what you get from letting her go, you stupid ass, the same tiny voice coming behind his head uttered, she wanted to work your relationship out, but what did you do? Instead of agreeing, you just simply made a lame excuse that you two can't work it out. That it would be impossible to continue what you two shared. And now, you just fucking realized it? Boy oh boy. You're into a deep shit, Jackie-boy.

"I know and it' too late now," He told himself, "I missed my chance and I won’t get another."

Then, out of nowhere, a notion popped in his mind.

*****

Rose was now sitting at her chemistry class. She just couldn't wait to go home but she knew that she still had fourth period left. The class so quiet because they were taking notes but it was interrupted by the intercom.

"Please pardon the interruption," the lady behind the intercom said with her cheerful voice, "Mrs. Cheplick, please excuse and send down Rose DeWitt Bukater to the front office. She would be going home. Thank you." And that was it.

Mrs. Cheplick signaled Rose that she could go now and then, she went on with her lesson. Rose gathered up all her stuffs and left the classroom.

Walking down the hallway, Rose didn't mind going home at all, but she was now curious on why was she going home. She was now worried because maybe something happened badly to either of her parents or yet her Aunt Becky. She hoped nothing was wrong.

She finally reached the office and was now waiting for the lady, who was talking on the phone.

"Sorry to let you wait, dear." The lady said after putting the receiver down. It seemed that she the one who called for her since the voice was similar.

"Now," placing a piece of paper with pen in front of her, "Just sign down there, beside your name."

After signing, Rose gave both pen and paper back to the lady. "Is that all?"

"Yes, dear. Thanks." Smiling broadly, "You can go now. You cousin said that he will be waiting for you at the front entrance."

Shocked with the information she just heard, Rose simply nod her head and left the office.

Cousin? She didn’t even have a cousin. What the hell is going? Rose thought.

Walking towards the school's front entrance, Rose saw someone standing right beside the door. His back was facing Rose and couldn't figure it out who it was. When she walked a little more, Rose's body suddenly became stiff. Her heart was beating faster than normal and her breath was suddenly held in her throat.

It was her Jack!

There he was, waiting for her. He hadn't noticed her presence yet and the only thing that Rose could do was stare at him, who was looking outside through the glass door.

Every night, she prayed to see him, but now, he was here. And suddenly, she wanted to run and didn't know why, but she found out that she couldn't. She was now nervous and trembling.

It couldn't be, Rose thought, Oh god, what is he doing here?

Suddenly, Jack turned around and looked at her. His ocean blue eyes were looking at her intently and all she could do was stared back at him. He was wearing black pants with the black leather belt, the navy blue sweater with black leather jacket over it. He looked so gorgeous like a Greek god unlike her, wearing her school uniform. Her skirt and sweater with the school logo on it. She looked like a child even with her curly red hair hanging loose.

Finally Jack moved closer to her and said softly, "Hi Rose."

It took a while before Rose answered him back, "Hello."

"Come with me, please," Jack requested, taking her hand.

Oh, how she missed his touch. The feel of his manly hand over hers.

They reached his car. It was black Porsche; Jack decided to bring it instead of his red truck. He opened the passenger's door for her and Rose got in without any hesitation. Jack got in the driver's sit and fired the engine and started driving.

None of them spoke during the drive. Jack's attention was on the road, where it should be and Rose was just looking outside through the window. It was good day to walk around outside or have a picnic. It was a little bit cool and windy but it was still perfect day for family outing or just perfect to spend your day with your boyfriend.

Rose didn't know where they going or didn't even care where Jack takes her. Finally, the car stopped and they were now at the town's park. It reminded her of some place she went to, oh right, now she remembered, it reminded her of the park she and Jack went to on their first date. She even remembered that she cried because of the memory of her granddad and Jack comforted her, and that was also when they shared their first kiss.

Their first kiss, Rose remembered absent-mindedly. It was sweet and tender. Just perfect. She would treasure it forever.

Rose didn't even notice when Jack got out of the car and now he was opening the door for her. She got out quickly not knowing what Jack wanted with her.

She recalled the time when he said that they might not see each other, but he was wrong. He was here and so did she.

There weren't a lot of people at the park, maybe because it was school and workday. The park was always full during weekends but weekdays, hardly any people go in there. They were now standing, still not talking to each other. Suddenly, Jack grabbed and pulled her close to him and the next thing she knew, he was kissing her. This kiss wasn’t soft or tender, it was hard, deep, and full of hunger. She parted her lips and let his tongue find hers. She felt weak and now leaning on him for support. When their lips parted, both of them were breathing hard for air. Rose rested her head on Jack's chest and he was holding her tightly close to him and whispered, " I always wanted to do that since we last saw each other."

I wanted to do the same, Rose wanted to say but found that she couldn't.

"I miss you, Rose," He said after getting his breath back to normal, "I miss you so much that I just have to see you, knowing that I would go crazy if I let another minute to pass of not seeing your beautiful face."

Rose moved her head from his chest and looked at him, tears started to fall from her eyes, "I miss you too, Jack. You just have no idea how much."

"I do. I know how it feels. Every beautiful thing I see reminds me of you. Every time I hear the word 'summer' it reminds me of you and the time we spent together. I'm crazy about you!"

"Oh Jack!" More tears coming flowing down her face, " I thought we're not really gonna see each other again, but I kept having this feeling that there's still hope for us. Is there really?" She asked, looking deeply in his eyes.

"Yes, baby, yes," Said tenderly, bending his head down to place a kiss on her lips. This time, the kiss was slow and tender like how he said the words that telling her that they still had a chance.

After it ended, Jack said, "We're gonna make everything work out from now on and no separating anymore. We're gonna make arrangement to see each other for as many times as we can," caressing her face gently, he continued, "Everything is gonna work this time. I'm not gonna let you go this time, Rose. I let you go once and that's enough. I want you to know that. Remember that, okay?"

"I will always," hugging him tightly, still crying, "I will never let go, Jack. Never leg go."

"That's my, girl," He said, kissing her head, "And stop crying. We're not saying 'good-bye' anymore." Putting both of his hands on her shoulders to look at her. He brushed her tears away with kisses. "This is only the beginning, Rose. "

"I just can't believe that this is happening right now. It feels like a dream or something."

"Well, believe it or not, this ain't no dream, baby girl. This is us. The reality," he said smiling at her.

She smiled back and asked curiously, "How did you find me anyway?"

"That's easy. You told me you live in here, Philly," Jack answered.

"Philadelphia is a big place, but Jack, I didn't tell you what school I go to. I just told you that I attend a private school but there are a lot of private schools in here." Rose pointed out.

"Well, I had a little help." His lips twitched. He looks so gorgeous every time he did that.

"What kind of help, huh?" Rose demanded teasingly. She was now glad that everything seemed back as they were. She and Jack were now teasing each other and she missed that. She couldn't do these kinds of things with anyone else. Only with her Jack.

"Aunt Becky," Jack quickly answered, "She gave me her cell phone number before you left. She told me if I need anything, just give her a call and so did."

"I didn't know that!" She hit Jack playfully, "You were the one who kept insisting not to have my number but then, you took Aunt Becky's!"

"I had this feeling that I might need it so I took it. And you see, I did need it and now I'm here." Taking her hand, they started walking, "So what did you do after we parted."

"Cried my eyes out," Rose truthfully confessed, "And then, I went out with someone."

They stopped and Jack looked at her but before he could say something, Rose explained, "I only went out with him twice and trust me, it wasn't serious. I had fun but after my first date with him, I knew that it wasn't going anywhere. So I talked to him and told him how I feel. And I'm glad he understands. So we're just gonna be friends. I'm sorry, Jack, if I didn't wait for you and doubted that we're not gonna have another chance."

"That's all right. You didn't even have to tell me about him," the he paused and had this smug smile in his face, "But I have a question. Is he better looking than me?"

"Jack!" Rose said impishly, "Of course not! You're the most gorgeous guy that I've ever known."

"Go on," Jack said, smiling down at her.

"The nicest, finest, the hottest--" Rose started listing but Jack interrupted her.

"Hotter than Nick Carter?" He joked.

"Well--I don't know about that," she said teasingly, "Oh, I'm joking! No matter what, you're always gonna be the hottest guy for me and you know that!"

"Okay, enough of this. So what do you want to do?"

"I don't know."

Then, Jack remembered something and took out the folded pieces of paper from his pocket. He handed them to Rose. She took them from his hand and unfolded them. Rose's eyes grew bigger when she realized what those papers were. They were her poems! The same poems she wrote during the summer about her dream guy but threw it out because she thought she wouldn't find that guy. But she was wrong, she did find him and he was now standing in front of him.

"When I saw it at the beach while I walking one night, something told me that I should keep it and I did. I forgot and thought I lost it after the summer was over, but I found it and discovered that they are yours. And while I was driving on my way here, I made a decision that the guy that you are describing should be me and no other else."

"Oh Jack," She said softly, touched by what he said. She put her arms around his neck so his head would bend down, enough for her to reach. Then she kissed him, softly and lingeringly, not caring what would happen to her as long as she was with the man she loved, Jack Dawson.

Three days later

"I missed you. You know that, right?" Rose questioned Jack while walking hand in hand at the same area of the park that they were at three days ago.

"Of course," Jack said and bent down to gave Rose a kiss. It was slow and soft.

When the kiss ended, Rose managed to ask, "So what did you do at Boston?"

"Well, I talked to my dad and finally agreed to him. I'm going to college this fall," Jack took Rose's hands to his and kissed them, "And it might be hard to keep our relationship, but we're gonna work on it. I want to spend as many time as I can with you, Rose."

"Me too, Jack. So what university are you going to then?"

Jack wrapped his arms around her and said, "My grades and SAT score are really decent enough to get me into many universities, but I decided to go to Harvard and take my courses in there."

"Jack, that's great!" Rose exclaimed and gave Jack a quick kiss. "It’s one of the best universities in this country and smart people go in there, but I know you're smart so you deserve to be there."

" I promise you right now, Rose, that nothing will change between us. I'll make sure that I won't make another mistake of letting you go."

"Oh, Jack I know you won't," Leaning her head on his chest, "And I know we will be together 'till the end."

Caressing her back, Jack managed to change the topic and asked, "So do you think your parents approve of me?"

Rose gave him a big grin and said, "Approve of you? Jack, they love you! My dad is very satisfied and especially after you left, he told me that he wants to meet your dad and talk some business. Gosh, can you believe that? He seems happier 'cause he would get to meet another businessman like him instead of being happy that I'm dating a great guy like you. And as for my mom, Jack, I think it's a miracle that she likes you. And that night too, she kept insisting me to invite you to dinner, which I think it's very good idea. " She placed both of her hands on Jack's cheeks, " I couldn't be happier. My mom finally approve of a guy that I'm dating; she's really hard to impress, Jack, but you scored well!" She placed another quick kiss on his lips and then instantly added, "And one more thing, we're going to dinner tonight. The whole family so you better be there!"

"Baby, you know I'll be there," This time, he was the one who kissed Rose, long and soft, "So what now?" Rose asked after the kiss ended.

"Well, I'm kind of thinking of Christmas at the beach,"

"You're crazy!" Rose exclaimed as she hit Jack playfully on his arm. "It'll be cold out there."

"I'm serious and besides, it'll be warm if we’re together."

Rose gave a laugh and said jokingly, "And how would you suppose to keep me warm, huh? Or you’re just thinking naughty, Mr. Dawson."

"I'm serious, Rose. I want us to go back there and spend that special occasion on that special place. The place where we met." He paused and then, instantly, a wry grin appeared in his face, "And of course, I want many of that something naughty that you were talking about."

They both laughed and Rose said seductively while tracing the lines of his lips, "You'll get it. You'll just have to wait and see."

Jack pulled her close and kissed her and she murmured, "We're lovers, not summer lovers anymore."

"I like that." Jack stated, " And I want it to last forever."

"Yes, forever." Rose agreed.

They started walking but Jack stopped and turned to her, "There's one more thing. I forgot to tell you this."

"What?" She questioned curiously.

"I love you."

Hearing those three little words made her heart go up and she felt a great happiness spread throughout her body. At for the moment, she tried to move, but it seemed that the muscles in her body were stiffed together but her heart was pumping so fast that she could her each beat it made.

Then finally, after recovering from stiffness, she said, "I love you too."

She flew in his arms and kissed him passionately and he returned the kiss with the same intensity. He didn't even have to say those three little words because she already knew that Jack loved her and that went the same for him. What ever happened, even under what other circumstances it was, she knew that she would be with her Jack and always would be safe in his arms. They were summer lovers but now, their relationship would last longer than a summer.

… I'd go anywhere for you
Anywhere you asked me to
I'd do anything for you
Anything you want me to
Your love as far as I can see
Is all I'm ever gonna need
There's one thing for sure
I know it's true
Baby, I'd go anywhere for you…

The End.

Author's Note: WHEW! It's finally done! Well, sorry if it took me so long to finished this story but I have to tell you, I really had a great time writing this. I'm sorry for the corny lines. - he he he- can't think of anything good to write. Thank you very much for those people who e-mailed me about this story. I really appreciate those e-mails, and they were my inspiration to finish this story. I want to give credit to one of my favorite authors, Anne M. Martin, for some ideas that I got from her book Just a Summer Romance. Get the title? And no, I didn't copy the story I just got ideas from it. My story is really different from that book, trust me. It is a good teenage book. I recommend it to you, but if you're looking for some love scene, (LOL ~_^) you ain't gonna find one on that book, you BIG PERV! (joking!). Thanks again ~_^ ~

~ love Mellany ~

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