Jennifer Zucchero
December 02, 2007 10:49 PM
Enjoying my nice, uncomplicated life [WOTW] by Jennifer Zucchero
Despite what some people may have assumed about her, being the Crotalus captain, and all, Jennifer Zucchero rarely spent much time at the quidditch pitch outside of practice and games. It surprised Jennifer herself, sometimes. It wasn’t that she didn’t like the pitch, or being out there on her own; it was mostly that it was too hard to find a time when there weren’t other people on it.By some quirk of fate, though, she’d managed to find it completely abandoned. Well, she amended with a grin, perhaps not so much a quirk as it being six-thirty in the morning on a Sunday. Most sane people were asleep at this hour, and normally Jennifer would be as well. However, she’d taken note of the fact that no one had reserved the pitch for quite some time, and the Crotalus was in dire need of some simple, uncomplicated flying, to clear her head. (She also needed to talk to her boyfriend, but that was part of the clearing of the head purpose.)
Besides, it wasn’t quite as unnatural as it could have been. It was light outside already, she’d gone to sleep fairly early the night before, so it wasn’t any different than a normal morning. Except, of course, for the fact that it was only just after dawn. But she was ignoring that fact, because it made her look completely crazy.
Jennifer went into the storage closet to grab the box of quidditch balls, though she didn’t drag it outside. It was nonsensible, really, given that the only one she wanted was too tiny to warrant lugging around the entire box. So she popped it open in the middle of the floor and grabbed the snitch, though then stuffed it in her pocket and carefully did the box back up. While she couldn’t imagine that there was anything wrong with what she had just done, one never could be too sure with Fox.
Return outside to the admittedly chilly air, she wrapped her outerwear (including a scarf that her stepmother had made her, which, even though Jennifer still wasn’t always sure what to think of Camila, had been incredibly kind of her) more firmly around herself, then released the snitch, following it up a moment later. Now she had the nice, quiet pitch to herself, at least so long as no one else decided to use the quiet morning for practice.
\r\n\r\n
0
Jennifer Zucchero
Enjoying my nice, uncomplicated life [WOTW]
48
Jennifer Zucchero
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5
Jake Santoro
December 03, 2007 6:40 PM
There's a first for everything. by Jake Santoro
For the first time in quite a while, Jake had had a nice, fun, uncomplicated midterm. They had gone down to Mexico to visit his father's parents and spent hours on the beach, soaking up the sun. There was no stress of everyone being there, or some family party or another to have to deal with. It was just his immediate family and his grandparents.It was a real vacation.
Of course, because it was vacation, Jake hadn't done a single workout. This threw him completely off his schedule, which meant, he would have to do some overtime with his practice. Early mornings on the pitch, late afternoons with the team. It might have seemed drastic, but Jake had been playing Quidditch since he was five in a little league and had stayed on a steady program since he was twelve and had been named Captain.
Besides, Quidditch is the only thing Jake had going for him. Well, aside from Jennifer, but who knew how long it would be before their next fight. They always seemed to be so touch and go with one another. It was frustrating, but their good times together overrode the bad.
He stretched his arms as he made his way down to the pitch. Unlike his siblings, Jake didn't mind the cold. He enjoyed how refreshing it was compared to the stale air that accompanied the heat. He paused in the middle of the pitch, peering up in the sky. There was someone already there, which meant, Jake probably wouldn't be able to use both bludgers.
"Hey!" Jake called out, cupping his hands around his mouth in the hopes that he could be heard. "Mind if I practice?" The flier looked semi-familiar, but in the low light and the fact that they were flying around, Jake couldn't see properly and figured it was just another member of an opposing team as he highly doubted one of his own teammates would be there at this time.
6
Jake Santoro
There's a first for everything.
42
Jake Santoro
0
5
Jennifer
December 03, 2007 7:25 PM
Knock on wood by Jennifer
Just as Jennifer had somewhat suspected, her quiet practice was interrupted eventually, though not until she’d already gotten in a fair amount of time, so she couldn’t complain. She actually didn’t notice the other person before he’d called up, and it took a moment for her to even process that. However, in her opinion that was entirely justifiable; she was within several yards of the snitch, and any break in her concentration could have meant another lengthy search, which wasn’t quite as fun if someone else was present.Once she fully comprehended the request, Jennifer yelled back, “Sure, one second,” and half-glanced back which, while not enough to give her a clear view of the person, still was sufficient time for the snitch to go into essentially a freefall. With a muttered oath (Jennifer liked dives as much as the next semi-insane quidditch player, but not when there was someone else waiting on her), she followed its near-vertical path, and caught it nearly a foot from the ground. Pulling up shortly before she went crashing into the pitch (an embarrassment she really didn’t want to undergo with an unknown watching), she dismounted, pocketed the ball, and walked toward the newcomer.
“Sorry about that. I just needed to have it so I could put it away—oh, hello, Jake,” she amended as soon as she noticed who it was, and mentally berating herself for not picking up on that fact sooner. It wasn’t like he was exactly difficult to pick out of a crowd, or anything, or like she had the excuse of not seeing him often enough to justify that.
“I’m actually pretty much done, so the pitch is yours.” She grinned playfully at him. “Though I can’t go for an absolute absence of boyfriend-and-bludger-induced injuries this year, I’m still trying to go for as few as possible, so I’ll get out of your way.”
0
Jennifer
Knock on wood
0
Jennifer
0
5
Jake
December 03, 2007 8:16 PM
Throw salt over the shoulder too? by Jake
It only took Jake a couple minutes of watching the person in the sky to realize it was Jennifer. He hardly ever got to see her play. Unfortunately, he had a habit of paying attention to the game and not his girlfriend. But now that he was watching her, she really was amazing on a broom. He watched her as she dove for the snitch, confident in her abilities to come out of it without harm.He was smiling when she finally headed in his direction and his amusement only grew when it was clear she hadn't quite discovered to whom she was talking to. When she did, of course, she immediately started to pick on him for his moment of weakness on the pitch. He placed his hands over his chest. More specifically, his heart. "Oh, ouch, Ms. Zucchero, dig that knife in just a bit further." He joked.
He paused and looked to the sky for a moment, contemplating whether or not he wanted to do his routine now that he knew Jennifer was awake and available to him. He really needed to get some practice in, but he hadn't really been able to see Jennifer since before Midterm. He looked back at her with the same lopsided grin he always had. "Now why would I want to practice when I've finally have some alone time with you?" He asked her.
6
Jake
Throw salt over the shoulder too?
42
Jake
0
5
Jennifer
December 03, 2007 9:08 PM
And make some special amulets by Jennifer
Jennifer relaxed a little when responded to the jibe about injuries in the same fashion in which it had been made. While she hadn’t really thought he would do otherwise, there had been a moment or two immediately after she made the comment where she’d worried a bit. Jake did have a history of sometimes not taking jokes like that well…not that she had any room to talk, of course.“Aw, poor baby,” she replied, trying to look innocent and failing miserable. “Wounded by someone around half your size. For shame, Mr. Santoro, for shame.” Taking a few steps toward him, she reached up and placed one of her hands over his. “Poor abused boy. Do you think you’ll be able to recover? Want a kiss to make it better, or something?”
Again, she tried to cover up how amused she was by the situation, this time by looking serious, after he asked her his question which, no matter that it was probably intended to be rhetorical, she couldn’t keep herself from answering. “Oh, please. Don’t pretend that you weren’t tempted to keep to your practice. I saw you just now. Personally, I can’t give you a reason. I mean, I like to think I trump quidditch some of the time, but I can never be quite sure with you.”
Dropping the broom that Jennifer had almost forgotten she was still carrying, she wrapped her other arm around his neck, pulling the two of them closer still. “So, did you and your family have a nice break?” she asked, voice completely sincere now. “I’ve missed you.”
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Jennifer
And make some special amulets
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Jennifer
0
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Jake
December 04, 2007 7:28 PM
Amulets would be a good idea by Jake
Jennifer continued on with the joke and, unfortunately, Jake couldn't really think up a comment to reply to most of it. He hardly ever joked around unless he was in a fantastic mood and most times he was simply content. Which meant, Jake had definitely woken up on the right side of the bed that morning."Actually, I would like a kiss to make it better." Jake said after some thought, looking down at Jennifer in amusement. She must have been in a good mood too. Maybe it was because it was so early in the morning and neither of them had to deal with classes or classmates yet. That could make all the difference sometimes.
Her jibe had him looking at the sky again. He really did love to fly, surely that was something she could understand. But still, he really did want to spend some time with her. "Well, with an attitude like that, can anyone really blame me for wanting to hit around some bludgers?" Jake teased. Of course, his aggression was nothing compared to some of the others who played Quidditch. He had a love for the game, they just needed an outlet...or so it seemed. "Anyway, today you trump practice."
Jake didn't have a broom to dispose of since he didn't bring his down. When he was practicing alone, he preferred to use the school brooms to keep his from wearing down too quickly. But he did have his beaters bat and so, following her suit, he dropped it on the ground beside them and wrapped his now free hands around her waist. "I had a great break. We were in Mexico visiting my grandparents. They asked about you." Jake commented. His extended family were always asking about her. When she declared that she missed him, Jake took the opportunity to give her a kiss. When he pulled away, he asked her, "Do anything fun with your mom?"
6
Jake
Amulets would be a good idea
42
Jake
0
5
Jennifer
December 04, 2007 10:55 PM
Any other protective devises or rituals you can think of? by Jennifer
“Mmhmm,” Jennifer replied noncommittally to Jake’s decision, though she did kiss him obligingly. “There, wounded pride all better now?” It was a bit abnormal for them, the joking and the playfulness. She wasn’t quite sure what that said about their relationship, if it said anything at all beyond the fact that the two of them were just normally semi-serious people. Still, joking like this had to be a good sign for them.“You know, in all seriousness, I wouldn’t have been offended if you’d decided you wanted to practice,” she added after a second. Jennifer liked to think she understood how important quidditch was to her boyfriend, though she never could be completely sure. However, she did know that it went far beyond the simple (well, sometimes not so simple) game it was for her. “Though it is always nice to trump something, I’m not going to lie.”
Her already good mood only increased when Jake told her that his grandparents asked about her, though she couldn’t help but blush a little. It still seemed kind of strange and unexpected, that she would matter enough to Jake’s family for them to ask after her. Of course, her own family did the same with Jake, but it was just her mother and father, so it didn’t really count. Of course, with the exception of a few uncles and aunts on her mother’s side, who breached the topic a little when they talked to her, that was about it as far as family went.
“I’m glad you had a good midterm. Mine was…dull,” she said with a half-chuckle. “The same as most holidays with my mother, though more of…everything. I did spend a great deal more time just talking to my mother than I usually do. One of my cousins is under the impression that she’s realized she needs to actually start preparing me for my theoretical future role in the family, though,” she shrugged, “It could just be that she’s trying subtly to convince me that I want to move out there when I graduate, and so trying to build a connection to base that off of. I really can’t understand my parents sometimes.”
Jennifer actually had had one major revelation over the midterm, though she wasn’t sure whether it would go under the label ‘fun.’ Actually, the revelation had been far more gradual; midterm had just given her a chance to think it over and decide what she was going to do. Well, no time like the present.
Resisting the urge to take a deep breath, because that would only have alerted Jake to the fact that something was up, she opened her mouth, but the words that came out weren’t the ones she’d been going for. “Jake, I was wondering…I’ve been talking to my dad, and he wanted to know if you’d be interested in coming to Brazil for like a week this summer. You know, so we could spend some time together, and you could meet him, and everything.”
Though she looked up hopefully at her boyfriend, on the inside she was cringing. While it was true that she and her father had been discussing that, and she did want him to come out there, it was nothing like what she’d been trying to say. Why did this have to be so difficult? It shouldn’t be this difficult, telling someone you loved them, particularly when they’d said it first. Yes, it had been a while before (a very long while, in fact, but she was ignoring that), and Jake had been under great duress at the time, but it still wasn’t fair.
However, she recognized that if she didn’t say something now, when she’d been talking herself into the courage for the past several weeks, that she was probably going to lose her chance, if because of how terrified she was, or just lack of opportunity. So she steeled her nerves, and tried again. “Jake, you remember, don’t you, last Christmas, at the wedding, and—Juan?” she began a bit weakly. “And things were said, and—you know what I’m talking about,” she finally broke off, unable to figure out a way to describe what she was talking about without making this harder to do.
“Well, anyway, I hope you remember what you told me, because I certainly haven’t been able to forget. And I know it’s probably been difficult, being the only one with your cards on the table, so to speak, but I just wanted to make sure, and then I just kept waiting for the right moment, but it never seemed to come up, so,” she let out another nervous giggle, “Now is as good a time as any, particularly as I’ve made you wait while I’ve tried to sort myself out. I—I love you, Jake.”
Please, please don’t let him have changed his mind, was Jennifer’s only thought as she stared up nervously into her boyfriend’s face. After all that her declaration took out of her (because she was cowardly like that), an open rejection might destroy her.
0
Jennifer
Any other protective devises or rituals you can think of?
0
Jennifer
0
5
Jake
December 08, 2007 12:20 AM
Peace Water? by Jake
"A bit." Jake agreed after she kissed him. He was still grinning. It had been a good year for them so far. No fights. No awkward moments. Nothing that was stressful. They even survived the Quidditch Match. Yes, they had been quite dull indeed this year. Maybe even couple-like. He had no idea why this year was so much easier for the two of them. And though Jake had been anxious and worried much of the summer, they had only come back stronger."Sure, sure." Jake said, half meaning. Jennifer might say she would have been okay with him practicing, but girls were strange being. They could say one thing, but mean something completely different. Hannah did that to them all the time and then got angry when they did what she had originally said but not as she intented. Jake wasn't about to test those waters anytime soon.
He could only assume, as Jennifer explained her holidays, was that by 'everything' she meant the 'Pureblood' traditions of parties, gossips, and painfully dull meetings. Jake never realized how different his family lived from other Purebloods until he came to Sonora. His family was like any other as far as he was aware within the culture he was raised. He didn't know how any of them in other families could stand that sort of lifestyle. But, if that's how they were raised, they probably didn't know there was something else to life. Something called fun.
"Or it could be that she actually loves you." Jake suggested. He had spent all of five minutes with Jennifer's mother and despite the fact that Jennifer claimed her mother liked him, Jake would probably feel forever out of place in her presence. But, even with her cold exterior, Jake couldn't believe that the woman would only be nice to her daughter to simply prepare her in running the family when she was ready. "Yeah, I can't really understand your parents either." Jake admitted after a moment.
Jake looked curiously at her for a moment when she mentioned her father. He didn't really know what to say to that. He would love to spend some time with her over the summer, but meeting her dad (and having to stay a week with him) was something that Jake wasn't sure he wanted to deal with. It was a tough decision though. Meet the dad, but be with the girlfriend. Not go and be worried about what she might be up to and if she was up to something with someone else. "Sounds...interesting." Jake started, trying not to sigh at the look on her face. "I'll talk it over with Mama, I'm sure it'll be fine."
Jake tensed when she mentioned Juan. He had no idea why she was bringing that up now. Jake tried to forget it. He had made an absolute fool of himself and he was just happy that Jennifer hadn't asked to go home right then and there. And, really, who would have blamed her? She had seen a rare dark moment in his family that Jake hoped she would never have to witness again. "Er...yeah, I remember." He said uncertainly when Jennifer broke off for a moment. He didn't know where she was going with all this, but it was making him slightly nervous.
Her blunt confession of her feelings for him was not what Jake had been expecting. He was thinking that she was going to break up with him or want some space or just couldn't feel the same way as he did, but he certainly wasn't expecting a confession of love. Despite himself, a look of relief came over him and the tension had run out. "Usted me tenía nervioso durante un momento." Jake said quietly, slipping back to the language he was most comfortable in. He wasn't really sure how to respond to that. He had told her a year ago how he felt but hadn't really said it since and though he still did feel that way, he didn't think he'd be any better at explaining it to her.
"Le amo también" Jake admitted before realizing what he said and correcting himself in English, "I mean, I-er-love you too." Jake almost wish Juan was there again, forcing him to admit his feelings. For some reason, it had seemed easier then.
6
Jake
Peace Water?
42
Jake
0
5
Jennifer
December 08, 2007 10:17 PM
Sounds good by Jennifer
Jennifer couldn’t quite laugh at Jake’s suggestion for Christine’s motives, though she supposed it was funny in a strange sense. Her boyfriend would be the one to point out the obvious solution, with his family the way it was. She envied him sometimes, the way they all seemed just to love each other unconditionally, with no ulterior motives or questions. “I’m sure she does, in her way. Ours is a…complicated relationship. It’s hard to establish a strong connection when you barely see someone for nine years.”She didn’t sound bitter, resentful, or pathetic, just matter of fact. That was the way things were with her mother. They loved each other, but in a strange fashion, she supposed. And it worked for them. For both her parents.
When Jake seemed somewhat ambiguous about whether he wanted to come out to Brazil, though, Jennifer did adopt the most pitiful expression she could while keeping a straight face. “Oh, please do, Jake,” she said. “It’ll be fun, really. And I promise my father won’t hurt you, or anything. He’s a very nice, warm, welcoming person to just about everyone, nothing like my mom.” Though Jake had never really expressed that exact sentiment toward Christine, Jennifer had figured out what his opinions probably were (and, if they weren’t fitting, what any normal person’s should be).
Apparently getting through the next part of the conversation was proving to be just as difficult for Jake as it was for her, if his tensing was any indication. Still, at least it didn’t appear to be what she was trying to get across, but the way she was doing it, since as soon as she had finished, he relaxed.
“Siento. No signifiqué a,” she replied slowly in the same language, taking her first stab at an actual conversation with him in Spanish. It was strange, trying to do that. She recognized that her grammar, even in those few words, was probably shot, and, though she had mostly gotten the pronunciations right, it had felt just weird. Still, it was only her first time trying with another person standing there listening to her. Surely a bit of hesitancy was allowed.
Not sure where the conversation was supposed to go after Jake told he loved her back, though she felt enormous relief, relief that she couldn’t accurately describe with words. Deciding that there was no real direction to go after revelations like those, she took the simplest way out of the confusion—she just kissed him again, though more seriously and less lightly than their previous kisses that encounter, or ever, really, had been.
When they finally broke apart, Jennifer smiled a little shyly at him, and tugged him down so that the two of them were sitting on the ground. “Now we’re no longer as sketchy, standing like that on the pitch where anyone looking could see us. So, how’s life been treating you?”
0
Jennifer
Sounds good
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Jennifer
0
5
Jake
December 15, 2007 4:25 PM
Then that's settled. by Jake
Jake didn't know how to comment to her statement. He knew, of course, how her family worked and how her mother hadn't been apart of her life until she started at Sonora, but Jake didn't really know what that was like. He could probably say it was something like it was with Juan, but he knew that would fall short. So, instead, Jake remained silent on that topic.Jake openly laughed when Jennifer stated her dad wasn't all that terrifying of a man. Somehow Jake doubted that. Jennifer was his only child, his daughter, his baby. Jake was a guy who was potentionally taking her away and may possibly break her heart. Any father would be a little rough about that. Jake knew that his father wasn't necessarily a pleasant man when guys come around for his daughters. Adam really had to win him over just to marry Hannah. And they had been dating for three years at that point. He knew it would be worse for whomever Bella decided to marry.
"Somehow, I really don't find any comfort in that." Jake commented. "But, I'm sure my parents won't mind me leaving for a week. They'll probably be busy with family things anyway." Jake paused for a moment before continuing. "Mama might want to meet your dad though. She likes to know people." What he really meant was that his mother liked to know the parents of the people her children were seeing. She liked to draw her own conclusions at first meeting. She had liked Jennifer's mother despite the formal air about her and now wanted to meet the man who had raised a 'lovely' young girl.
"¡Muy bueno, mi dulce!" Jake exclaimed when Jennifer answered him in Spanish. She had been studying for half a year and it was quite some progress considering. Most people would have stared at him blankly after speaking in his native tongue.
Surprise registered first when she began kissing him, but it didn't take long for Jake to recipricate and kiss her back with the same amount of intensity that she showed him. He only broke apart from her when she ended it, much to his disappointment.
He sat on the ground when she tugged on him, but wanted to comment that he wouldn't have minded being caught like that so long as she had continued kissing him. It was rare for them to kiss without reservations when they were at school. Sometimes Jake wished they were more opened about their feelings, but he knew that was mainly due to him. He was trying though.
"Alright. Mexico was fun. Mateo claims that Jose has a girlfriend. One of the Duprees, I don't know which one." Jake commented, looking somewhat amused. He saw him with a girl a few times, but never really thought much of it before. "And Mama says we have to keep an eye on Izzy cos she hasn't been eating properly or something. Some guy called her fat so now she's on a diet." Jake shrugged. He would never really understand girls.
"Other than that, just practicing. Papa says that there's a good chance he can get me to play this summer for a bit when the scouts are around. But, there's no guarntees." Jake was smiling eagerly as he said that. It was his dream to make it into the Professional league for Quidditch. "How're your classes?" Now that Jake wasn't so many classes as previous, he didn't get to see much of Jennifer during the school day.
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Jake
Then that's settled.
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Jake
0
5
Jennifer
December 15, 2007 6:56 PM
Last time that was said, I remember things got ugly by Jennifer
Jennifer rolled her eyes indulgently at Jake’s skepticism. “You have no faith in what I say, do you? Mi dios, Jacob, stop worrying so much. I’m serious. As long as you don’t do or say something outlandishly foolish within the first five minutes, he’s not going to be disapproving of you, or anything like that.” That is, at least after Jennifer had the very long discussions with her father, pulling in her stepmother if necessary (even with the barrier between them, Jennifer felt Camila would side with her, if only to gain some ground with their relationship) about just what would happen if David scared her boyfriend away. “I’m sure Dad would be perfectly delighted to meet your mother if she wanted.”She managed to refrain from pointing out that her father had been perfectly civil when meeting her last boyfriend. While it was true, and that had been a simple summer fling, while this was a serious relationship, which could only improve Jake’s cause, even hinting at Felipe would probably only result in an argument. They were already probably skirting too close to one for comfort, given each’s affinity for overanalyzing what the other said, or making things sound much harsher than meant.
“Gracias. Es lento, pero estoy aprendiendo,” she replied with a blush, both because of the compliment and the endearment. It wasn’t something the two of them normally used, and she couldn’t say whether it was the declarations or the language that brought it out in Jake, but, either way, it was very cute.
Jennifer didn’t miss Jake’s disappointment when the two of them had broken apart. To tell the truth, it had been reluctant on her part as well, but for once she seemed to be more aware of their surroundings than her boyfriend, another thing that had great potential in her mind if it continued. ”It’s also to save my poor neck, as it can only take so much looking up. It’s your fault, you’re just too tall, Jake,” she joked.
Leaning back against her boyfriend so that she was half-lying (after all, she was the one who’d already practiced that morning, and he was a fairly good pillow), she chuckled at the first bit of news. “Jose, a girlfriend? Really? Oh, that’s so cute. I hope you all are being nice to him.” While she didn’t know the twins as well as Jake and Bella, they had always been nice enough to her.
The next information, however, had the opposite effect. “You’re kidding,” she said incredulously. “Someone called Bella fat? Merlin. That’s ridiculous. Please, tell her that she really doesn’t want to become a figureless stick,” she glanced down at herself with a dry chuckle. Alright, not an entirely accurate description, but close enough. “She’s beautiful the way she is.”
His news about the quidditch scouts made her almost as excited for him as he seemed to be. “Seriously? That’s wonderful. I hope it works out. Unfortunately, nothing quite as thrilling as that has been found in the world of too much academics for me. Classes are…hard, but they’re not too bad. Ancient Runes is actually really fun.” She sighed, and moved closer to him. She could keep the conversation going and ask something else, but she was very comfortable right now. He could have that responsibility.
Translation:
Gracias. Es lento, pero estoy aprendiendo—Thank you. It’s slow, but I’m learning
0
Jennifer
Last time that was said, I remember things got ugly
0
Jennifer
0
5
Jake
December 16, 2007 7:17 PM
Did it? Hopefully that won't happen again. by Jake
"Yeah yeah, whatever you say." Jake said. He felt that if this conversation continued, they would just go in circles. No matter what she said, Jake would still think her dad would think the worst of him, at least until either Jake is no longer in the picture, or is married to Jennifer and they were giving him a family.Jake didn't think either of them were quite ready for the later (and who knew if they'd ever get to that point) and Jake was hoping the former wouldn't occur, at least, not any time soon.
"De nada. No preocúpese, usted hablará como un profesional pronto." Jake commented. He had complete faith in his girlfriend to pick up on his language quickly. He was actually elated that Jennifer was willing to go out of her way to learn it. It meant more to him than he could voice because it showed to him how dedicated to the relationship she was willing to be.
"Blame my genes." Jake commented. Though he was really thinking that they didn't have to be standing to continue, but he kept that muffled. He knew that they could be perfectly content on just sitting her and not kissing as much as they could be lip-locked. Besides, he knew if they realyl got into it, Jake might find himself wandering again and even though Jennifer's okay with that for the most part, there were times when he became too adventurous for her liking. So, he would remain like the good boyfriend and do as she requested.
Jake leaned back on one hand while the other wrapped around Jennifer's abdomin. He chuckled slightly, "Well, you know Mateo hasn't. But I'm sure Jose is used to that. Bella helped him pick out a gift for the girl though, so she's all for Jose having a girlfriend. I haven't really thought much about it, but good for him if he does." He would definitely have to keep an eye out for his brothers. Matt might be teasing him, but it could be something more of jealousy if Jose really did have a girlfriend. And that could lead to some bad things.
"Oyi!" Jake sounded, attacking Jennifer with his hands after she made a negative remark (albiet, indirectly) of herself. "Nada de eso. Usted es hermosa." Jake settled back down after a moment of more teasing with his hands and returned to the conversation. "Anyway, we've all tried to tell her, even Sofia, but Bella seems determined to lose weight. I hope she's not doing it for that guy of her's." Jake had nothing against Ben so long as he treated his sister well, otherwise, there would be a problem.
He listened to her for a moment, happy that he only had all of three classes to worry about and even then, they didn't concern him. His heart was purely set on Quidditch. If he didn't make it, well... he'd figure something else out when that bump came. "At least you have one fun class, right?" Jake asked, trying to keep it positive for her. "Anyway, you know of that Ball that's going on at the end of term?" Jake knew that she would have heard by now, so he continued on, "Do you want to be my date? Feel free to say no, I'm sure another lady would be happy to go with me." Jake joked.
Translation:
De nada. No preocúpese, usted hablará como un profesional pronto. - Welcome. Don't worry, you'll be speaking like a professional soon.
Nada de eso. Usted es hermoso - None of that. You are beautiful.
6
Jake
Did it? Hopefully that won't happen again.
42
Jake
0
5
Jennifer
December 16, 2007 9:32 PM
I like to think we're above that now by Jennifer
There were times Jennifer wondered how she and Jake compared to the other couples at Sonora, well, what few there were. She and Lizzie had had more than a few conversations about their respective boyfriends and relationships, and from everything she’d heard Jennifer was fairly certain that Lizzie and Ash would never just be sitting somewhere completely innocently. Actually, she was fairly certain the two Pecaris never did anything totally innocently (or at all innocently).She wasn’t sure whether the significance of that fact said something about her or her best friend. After all, even if she and Jake probably seemed mildly puritanical in comparison, almost anyone with a modicum of modesty would. And it wasn’t like the attraction wasn’t there (Jake’s lingering look of disappointment, which she was being careful not to laugh at, though it did amuse her a little, was proof enough of that). The two of them were just…slow and cautious. And while nothing was wrong with that, there was also no guarantee of how many more situations like this, when they were completely alone with such little potential for interruption the two of them were going to have for a while.
While she did listen to Jake’s comments about his family, made appropriate non-committal comments, and would remember precisely what he said to discuss it later, Jennifer was more than a little distracted by her thoughts, so didn’t notice the warning signs of what Jake was about to do until it was too late.
As soon as Jake started to tickle her, she shrieked, which then turned into giggles. She was incredibly ticklish, the ‘can’t breath because can’t stop laughing’ kind of ticklish, and she considered it a burden she was just forced to bear, like her blushing. Unfortunately, it wasn’t something that occurred quite as often, so she never really got used to it enough to be able to control it at all. So, in between giggles, Jennifer ended up squirming and trying to move away from his hands, even if it didn’t work, actually having the counter-effect of putting her even closer and turned around facing him.
“Not fair,” she gasped between deep breaths when he finally let up, though she was still giggling a bit (it was most impressive, trying to do all three at once). “Seriously, no fair. I like being able to breath, and I’m sure I’m of no use to you incapacitated because of oxygen-loss. I’m sure you can find infinitely better and more entertaining things to do with your hands, however much fun that one may be.”
The possible interpretations of the statement didn’t occur to her immediately, though she didn’t retract it once they did, and merely raised an eyebrow suggestively. Surely it wasn’t against the rules if she were to shock her boyfriend completely (and, while he were somewhat used to her, this wasn’t a common side of her). Besides, it had potential to be lots of fun. Besides, he started it, kinda.
She wasn’t particularly shocked when Jake asked her to the dance, though she was pleased. After all, they had been dating for a year now. It would have been almost blasphemy if they hadn’t gone together. However this whole teasing thing was awfully enjoyable, and it would be a shame not to keep it up. “Oh, I’m sure you wouldn’t,” she remarked innocently. “From what I’ve heard, rumor has it that you’re an incredibly valued individual among the female half of Sonora. To tell the truth, I’m fairly certain I remember overhearing a conversation between some of the younger girls about how,” she paused, trying to remember the exact wording or something relatively close “oh, yes, insanely good-looking you are.
"It would be a bit cruel of me, wouldn’t it, to deprive whatever adoring fans you have. I mean, I already do it most of the time. I’m sure Stephen or someone would be perfectly willing to go with me if I asked.” She paused, examining her nails and trying to appear innocent, and then continued after a moment of silence. “However, I’m admittedly selfish. Yes, I’d be delighted to go with you.”
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Jennifer
I like to think we're above that now
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Jennifer
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5
Jake
December 17, 2007 7:05 PM
Right...maybe...it's hard to tell sometimes. by Jake
When Jennifer was laughing so hard from his hands and her being so ticklish, Jake couldn't help but laugh along with her. Though, it was a bit difficult to remain upright with her pushing against him and that alone was problematic enough. He certainly didn't need to have to worry about just how close and rough she got to him. Not that she hadn't experienced that before, but it was still early in the day and Jake didn't really need to want to worry about that."Well, then you shouldn't be so negative on how you look." He commented, still trying to catch his breath from laughing. Jake sat back and looked as though he were contemplating her words. His smirk gave away what his actual thoughts on the subject were, however. It was rare for the two of them to be so free with each other. But, that was mainly due to the fact that they were alone (another rarity while at school) and Jake felt more at ease with her now after she had made her feelings clear.
They had been dating long enough so that, if Jake actually took her word on it, he could actually start something without worry that Jennifer would deny him. So long as he stayed within the rules, of course. However, Jake decided to ignore her offer for the moment, deciding that he could always use it against her later.
Jake's teasing seemed to have gotten the better of him as Jennifer went on to say that Jake wouldn't have trouble finding a date. This surprised him slightly considering he didn't think much about the other girls at the school. Though, her confession...or rather, the confession from others, took him for a loop. His ears were burning at her words. He didn't think much of himself just as much as he didn't think much about the girls. And knowing that people were talking about him, didn't sit comfortably with him.
"Yeah, I'm sure he would." Jake commented slowly, still wrapping his mind around the idea that he was apparently a topic for discussion from time to time. He did pick up on her agreeing to go with him and his familiar grin made itself home again on his features. He decided that now was the best time to take her up on her earlier offer and pulled her in close to continue with their earlier kiss. He paused only after a moment though, "Let's never talk about what other girls say, okay? That was a bit strange to know."
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Jake
Right...maybe...it's hard to tell sometimes.
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Jake
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Jennifer
December 17, 2007 10:48 PM
Surely we're more mature now by Jennifer
“I’m not being negative on how I look, I promise,” Jennifer said with only a hint of exasperation in her voice, though there was more than enough amusement to balance it out. “Figureless sticks, or even semi-figureless sticks, are more aerodynamically sound. Sacrifice I have to live with for being even decent at seeking. It’s just realism, though I appreciate your support.”She hadn’t missed how their situation had grown more compromising, which threw her off for a minute. She and Jake weren’t entirely innocent, had gotten into situations like this before, but this somehow seemed much more intimate. And she was getting a pretty good idea that Jake had the same notion, even if his immediate actions (or lack thereof) were a bit disconcerting. If she hadn’t been able to tell he was tempted by his smirk, she probably would have gone paranoid, and begun wondering if she’d overstepped some line. Decision-making and caution weren’t, from what she knew, normally part of the response to a statement like that. Only her boyfriend…
However, apparently she hadn’t gauged the situation incorrectly, and this time, when they broke apart, Jennifer was the one to wordlessly protest about breaking contact. However, Jake’s request, or the humor she found in it, was almost worth it. “Trust me; it was equally strange to hear. Still, you’d best be getting used to it now; when you get to be a professional quidditch player, I don’t doubt you’ll have some of the more rabid fangirls,” she joked, trailing a finger down his chest. “I’d actually be worried about my safety if we're still together—I imagine fangirls are nasty, nasty things, and I’d be the first they’d want to off. However, if it’ll make you feel better, we can stick to how attractive I find you, and no one else. Or, better yet,” she added, trailing kisses up his jaw line, “we can just not talk at all.”
\r\n\r\n
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Jennifer
Surely we're more mature now
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Jennifer
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5
Jake
December 18, 2007 8:25 PM
In some areas, yes. by Jake
"Mmhmm..." Jake commented, not really believing her. After all the talk with Bella over the break about how she preceived herself after one stupid boys commented, Jake wasn't about to simply accept Jennifer's words that she was completely fine with how she looked. Though, technically she was right about her size being perfect for playing the Seeker position just as someone built like him would be best or beating.Jake didn't miss the resentment of breaking up the kiss, but it only proved that Jennifer really did enjoy moments like this and it wasn't merely her teasing him as he sometimes thought. "I don't even want to think about that." Jake mumbled. He never really even considered the idea that there would be fans if and when he went Pro. He was just about the game. But now that Jennifer reminded him of that. "Anyway, I have complete faith in your ability to take out any would-be fangirl." Jake commented, feeling a little better when Jennifer stated she was only attracted to him.
"Hey now." Jake started as Jennifer made herself at him with kissing him. "Don't start something you can't commit to." He joked, though a part of him actually meant it. Still, he didn't turn away from her request, but rather, returned to their previous task at hand. He didn't really know what had gotten into Jennifer to make her so aggressive. Maybe it was for the fact that they really didn't get all that much time alone together (something that should be remedied) or this was just how she was early in the morning. Jake wasn't about to ask because he was certainly enjoying himself.
Maybe a little too much.
He caught his hands before they went into that dangerous 'rule-breaking' territory and had to force himself away from her before they became even more compromising. Breathing heavily, Jake looked longingly at his girlfriend. "I really wish we weren't at school right now." Jake groaned in frustration. He hated that they could have special moments like this, but it could never go beyond anything more than kissing because of where they were.
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Jake
In some areas, yes.
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Jake
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Jennifer
December 19, 2007 7:15 PM
In all the important ones by Jennifer
As always happened when Jennifer and Jake were alone together, far too quickly they approached that generally unspoken barrier about what they could and could not do. Well, actually, more of the things he could and could not do, as she knew that, lack of true privacy aside, as soon as she decided she wanted to go further, her boyfriend probably be only too happy to oblige. And she was thankful he’d been the one to pull away because, though she’d felt where he was going with this, and had known that she really should put a stop to it, she hadn’t been able to force herself to do it.Not for the first time, she wondered what it would be like to be a normal teenager, one who didn’t go to a boarding school where it was, quite literally, impossible for two people of opposite genders and in two different houses ever to be truly alone. Obviously, she didn’t know enough about muggles to be able to say that couples didn’t have those sorts of restrictions in other ways, but it couldn’t be much more difficult than this.
Breathing just as heavily as her boyfriend, Jennifer smiled down ruefully at him. “Yeah, I know. I do too.” Even though she couldn’t see how their situation would really be any different if they weren’t at school, since the only time they’d managed to see each other, she’d been staying at his house with his family, and that situation was likely to continue for at least the next summer at least. Despite being able to leave, the privacy issue might only be worse, since family would most likely be more interested in making sure the two of them didn’t get up to anything than their fellow students. “However, there’s nothing we can really do about it.” She was not going to point out that the bleachers, a popular destination for couples seeking privacy, were just right over there.
She’d already been wanton enough for the time being, particularly as she couldn’t even offer a completely accurate explanation of why the sudden shift (she wanted to blame Lizzie somehow, since the behavior seemed more like her best friend than her, but even that didn’t work). If Jake suggested it, she would likely be only too happy to go along with it, but otherwise she was keeping her mouth shut. She didn’t need Jake asking what the hell had happened to her and, with her luck, decide that he couldn’t stand this new, semi-sluttish side of her, which would then lead to another argument, and things had been going so well recently.
She hadn’t missed Jake’s frustration (honestly, it would have been almost impossible to do so), and that only made her feel worse. Yes, she wasn’t entirely to blame, but Jake’s joking admonishment about starting what she couldn’t commit to was still ringing in her ears. She also recognized after a second that her current position and the resulting proximity probably wasn’t helping him any. So she pulled herself off his lap to sit beside him.
“I can go, if you want,” she offered quietly. “You know, actually let you get to that practice you came down here originally for,” and allow myself to stop feeling like such a tease, she thought guiltily. She’d probably get over that feeling of guilt whenever they got to a point that she’d stressed was it eventually, but it had yet to happen. Maybe if Jake had pressured her about it ever, or something, it would have stopped, but he remained the perfect gentleman about it all. So she just felt like a shameless tease. Wonderful.
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Jennifer
In all the important ones
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Jennifer
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Jake
December 20, 2007 8:49 PM
Exactly by Jake
Jake wanted to punch the ground in his frustration of having allowed them to go like that for so long. He knew that any long periods of steamy, hot-blooded moments with Jennifer would lead to the point of no return. A point that she wasn't ready for and a point Jake had promised he would go to until she was.But, Jake knew that he could never really stop himself from wanting that. Especially during heated moments like this. He loved Jennifer. And she had told him she loved him. But Jake's way of life, the way his family lived, was through expression. And Jake knew of only one way two people could do that. The more time he spent alone with Jennifer in situations such as this, the harder it was for him to hold back. To remain the gentlemen.
If he planned on spending any time alone with Jennifer or meeting her father with a somewhat clear conscious, he would have to keep himself in control. Or, at least, not let him and Jennifer get into such compromising positions.
He was now well aware of their surroundings, surprising himself that he could have even forgotten of them for a few minutes. And with his new awareness, he was also aware of other private places the two of them could go where the possibility of the two of them being caught were even less then they were now. But, that would go against what he really needed to do, which was avoid situations such as that.
Jake frowned when Jennifer moved off of him. He liked her light bit of weight on him, or even just the contact in itself. And the two of them being this comfortable with one another meant that they were finally really acting like a couple. Or, at least, what Jake assumed couples would act like. He really only had his family and their relationship to base it on.
He didn't miss the change in Jennifer's behavior and it worried him. "Hey..." Jake tugged playfully on Jennifer's shirt. "I can practice whenever. It's not a big deal. I want to spend time with you. Are you mad?"
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Jake
Exactly
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Jake
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Jennifer
December 21, 2007 12:18 AM
Communication's still a rough area, though by Jennifer
“Am I mad?” Jennifer repeated perplexedly, giving her boyfriend a strange look before realizing how her actions and sudden mood shift might be interpreted. It had been so long since they’d had a serious misunderstanding that she’d forgotten how easy it had always been for the two of them to misinterpret the other. She idly wondered when, if ever, that would stop. “Oh, no. No. Of course I’m not mad.”However, she couldn’t quite figure out how to put what was wrong with her in words. It needed to be said, or Jake would probably worry that she really was ticked off at him, or something ridiculous like that, but phrasing it was proving to be a challenge. It was sad. She used to be perfectly wonderful at knowing the exact diplomatic, politically correct and tactful reply to any comment, when she spoke at all. Now she couldn’t even get a simple question or comment out without worrying she was going to sound ridiculous.
After several moments of silence, Jennifer finally figured out at least a little of her problem, enough to phrase it a little less harshly than what she’d been thinking. “It isn’t really anything to do with you, actually, in more than the most abstract sense,” she said with a sigh. “I just…I feel like I’m a tease, even though I’m not doing it intentionally.” Knowing very well that, no matter how far she went, some part of Jake wanted to go further, and yet still continuing things, she couldn’t help the feeling. She glanced up anxiously at her boyfriend. “Am I one? If I,” she broke off again, then gathered her courage again (this was a conversation for that). “If I think I’m ready to take things further right now, but I don’t know how much, except that it's not as far as you would, does that make me one?”
There, the information was in Jake’s hands once more, as well as her worries. He could, once again, do as he saw fit with them.
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Jennifer
Communication's still a rough area, though
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Jennifer
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Jake
December 21, 2007 9:53 PM
I think it'll always be a litte rough. by Jake
Jake watched her anxiously to be sure that she wasn't angry with him for doing something he couldn't necessarily control...or for stopping them before he did something stupid. Either of which, he didn't want Jennifer to be mad at him for. They always seemed to be teetering between being really good and then being...something not good. And it was usually his fault.Luckily though, she wasn't angry. Which made Jake very happy. He didn't know what he would do if she were upset with him. He wasn't going to push her though because that usually only ended up with terrible things happening.
Jake stared blankly at her for a moment before chuckling, "What?" He knew what she was asking, but he was just so surprised by it. A tease? Really? It took him a moment to realize that him laughing might be misconstrued into Jennifer thinking he was laughing at her and her insecurities. "No, I don't think you're a tease at all! I know and have known that you aren't ready, so the fact that I keep trying for more, makes me an ass. It doesn't make you a tease."
He couldn't really believe they were having this conversation. It never occurred to him that Jennifer would think poorly of herself because they didn't go any further and that frustrated Jake. He was the jerk for it, not her. "Look, I love you and am willing to wait as long as necessary until you're ready for the next step. Even if it's only a small step."
Looping his arm around her small shoulders, Jake gaved her a squeeze before tickling her again, though not as long as he did before. Just enough to lighten the mood again. "A tease? Really?" He asked, showing that he still couldn't believe she would think that.
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Jake
I think it'll always be a litte rough.
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Jake
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5
Jennifer
December 21, 2007 11:42 PM
No worries, though, it's not really <i>that</i> important by Jennifer
Jennifer wasn’t sure how she’d expected Jake to answer her question. She had, of course, hoped for an answer in the negative, but that was about as far as she’d thought it through, and even the possibility of a ‘yes, but…’ had crossed her mind in her more paranoid moments. Laughter, however, had never been on her short, very broad, list of responses.After staring incredulously at him for a few seconds, she glanced up, as if invoking some divine being to save her. “You’re mocking me,” she said with what could be considered a pout, even if there was no malice behind it. “I tell you one of my major concerns, and you laugh. Gee, thanks, Jake. I’ll just take all my relationship problems to Lizzie in the future, then, since that has such a wonderful history of working out well.” She knew he didn’t mean it like that, but even with her fears alleviated, her anxiety had to get out somehow, and speaking without thinking apparently was the most convenient.
Still, that didn’t make it acceptable or fair to her poor boyfriend. It was one thing to have developed a mercurial temperament at some unknown point in time (Merlin, would she love to know when she’d lost her cool, and how to get it back). It was quite another to take it out on someone who already had put up with enough from her, and was only trying to help now. “That was uncalled for. I’m sorry,” Jennifer said sincerely, laying a hand on Jake’s arm. “And you’re in no way an ass. Last time I checked, you were just as conscientious about staying within the limits as I was, if not more so. If I felt like you were actively pressuring me, which would be required for you to be one, trust me, I’d have let you know in a way that didn’t involve self-questioning, and you’d be very aware that the problem was your fault.”
She moved closer to him once more in response to him putting his arm around her, and didn’t protest or fight (any more than she naturally did, anyway) the tickling that followed, though she did mutter about how she was going to find an equal weakness of his some day, and then he’d be sorry. She even managed not to retort that now he really was mocking her when he repeated his earlier question, and if her elbow happened to accidentally graze his side a little harshly, well, those kinds of things happened. “It made sense, really,” she said by way of explanation, and then sighed. “Merlin, Jake, there are times I really don’t understand why or how you manage to put up with me. I doubt I would have had the patience if I were you.”
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Jennifer
No worries, though, it's not really <i>that</i> important
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Jennifer
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Jake
January 04, 2008 7:09 PM
You say that now. by Jake
Jake wanted to cringe when Jennifer had taken his laughing the wrong way. He knew she would. And though her reply was snappish, Jake wasn't going to hold it against her. He had laughed afterall. Still, the mention of Lizzie and the obvious hint at what had happened with Felipe made Jake's heart drop a bit. He knew he needed to get over all that, especially since Jennifer had come out and told him she loved him, but he couldn't help it.He shrugged at her apology. This was probably their first conversation of some serious topics where they weren't fighting. Okay, not their first, but sure did feel like it. Maybe this meant they were growing?
Jake still didn't quite believe that he wasn't pressuring her in some way. There were always times when he went a little too far and she had to step back or draw the line. He was gaining more self-control since they started dating seriously, but there were moments when he wasn't really paying attention and had to force himself to remember what her rules were. To him, that made him a jerk.
"Ow..." Jake said still coming down from his cheerful mood as her elbow ended up in his ribs. So he deserved it, didn't mean it didn't hurt. She did have rather pointy elbows. He grinned and kissed her lightly, "Because you're smart, funny, and hermosa" Jake commented before suddenly standing up. "Come on, let's go get some breakfast."
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Jake
You say that now.
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Jake
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5