Crossing Over

The doorbell rang. I ran to answer it, expecting it to be my friend Rori. But it wasn't - it was Joey, my brother's best friend. He's a year older than me - I'm fifteen, he's sixteen. But he's my secret sweetheart; I haven't told anyone my feelings for him. 1

"Connor!" I yelled to my brother. "Joey's here!"2

Connor ran in from where he was at the computer and saw us sneaking looks at each other. I think Joey might have the same feelings for me as I do for him, but I'm not quite sure. Ever since I was little my mother said I would end up dating Joey, but, of course, I was nine and he was ten, so that was gross to both of us. But now that I was fifteen and he was sixteen, we didn't think those childish thoughts anymore, and came to the conclusion that we were perfect for each other. Birds of a feather.3

The two boys headed to Connor's room to play 'Condemned 2: Bloodshot' on Connor's PS3. I would have gone up with them, except I was expecting Rori so I decided to wait near the door, and not up in a room with two sixteen year olds playing videogames, even if that was where I'd rather be.4

I ran to the mirror to make sure my hair wasn't a rat's nest in front of Joey. It was longer in the back and shorter in the front; angled, I guess; and it was extremely dark brown; so much so that people just called it black. I have kind of an emo hairdo - like a comb-over, so it goes over one eye, and that part is dyed red.5

Then, the doorbell rang again. This time it was Rori. "Hey, Jadyn. What's up with you today?"6

"Not much," I replied. "Pretty much just a hang out day, which explains why you're here. Joey's here, too."7

"Oooh," Rori said, "Joey."8

"Whatever," I told her. But then, I didn't know that that would be the day that my dream came true.9

After Rori left (she had to go to the dentist), I went up to Connor's room, where the two were still playing videogames. We played 'Army of Two' for a while, and then Connor announced, "I have to use the bathroom."10

"Congratulations," Joey and I said.11

After Connor left, Joey paused the game. He turned to me. My temperature seemed to boil over. "Jadyn," he said strangely, just looking at me. 12

"Joey?" I replied.13

"Jadyn," he repeated. "I don't know if you know how I really feel about you." I must have been blushing like crazy!14

"How's that?" I asked stupidly.15

"I love you, Jadyn. I know I'm a year older, but I love you, no stopping it. I don't know what it is."16

I couldn't help but blurt it out: "I love you, too!"17

Connnor then returned, and Joey and I had to hide our feelings and pretend everything was normal. 18

I IM'd Joey that night. My family thought I was talking to my old and only boyfriend ever, Michael. Joey asked me out over IM, and I said yes with one of these: ^_^19

The next day in school, I ate lunch with Connor and Joey and some of their other friends, hoping no one would realize me and Joey's new relationship. We talked music, videogames, and dirt biking, three things that we all held near and dear to our hearts. The whole time I sat across from Joey, and we gave each other secret looks, and secret smiles.20

That night, I was talking to Joey over the phone, when Connor walked in. "Who are ya talking to?" he asked.21

"Christian," I replied. Christian was one of my best friends. 22

"Yeah right," Connor said. "I'm catching on, Jade. Can I say hi to Joey?" I was silent. So was Joey. He made his best effort to try and sound like Christian, but it wasn't fooling anyone.23

"I can't believe you two are going out," Connor said, "And you didn't tell me!"24

"You're not mad?" I asked.25

"Jady, you should be able to date whoever you want. In your whole fifteen years, you've only dated Michael. Joey's dated several girls; he can help you out, show you the ropes. You know?"26

I nodded, happy that Connor didn't care. "Well, happy talking," Connor said cheerily and walked out.27

The next day in school, I sat only with Joey at lunch. Just me and him, sharing feelings, how our day was so far, and Joey's piece of cake from the cafeteria. It felt so good to be loved by someone, to have a boyfriend. But then things got bad.28

People started to find out about our relationship. Take my parents for example. "You always said I'd end up going out with Joey!" I said to Mom.29

"Yeah," she said, "But I was kidding! He's a year older than you!"30

"So I'm a freshman and he's a sophmore. Big deal!" I said. "Some people marry others twice their age. What about Grandma? Grandpa's at least seven years older - and Joey's only a few months!"31

My mom wouldn't hear it. She demanded I break up with Joey, or further measures would have to be taken. I chose further measures; I was grounded. "How can she ground me for love?" I asked myself. "What did I do to deserve this?"32

About two weeks later, my grounding ended, and I went out with Joey - for the last time.33

He told me his parents found out and were horrified that he would ask a younger girl out. "What is it with parents?" I asked.34

"I don't know," he said quietly, with a crack in his voice. "We're moving."35

"Moving?!" I shrieked. "Why?"36

"I told my parents I wouldn't break up with you, so they're forcing me to move. And I'm not going to break up with you just so I don't move; I love you too much."37

"Where?" I asked.38

"I'm going to Philidelphia - only a few miles away," he said quietly, wrapping his arms around me. "I'm just a phone call or IM away. You can even come visit me when you get your driver's permit."39

I had to laugh at that. "If I ever do," I said. 40

Joey looked into my eyes. He leaned in, and kissed me, and fireworks went off in my head like I never dreamed. It was a beautiful moment; and I didn't ever want it to end. But it did when Joey noticed the time.41

"Crap, I gotta get home before my parents move me to Alaska!" he said.42

I sat there as he kissed me one last time, grabbed his jacket, and ran. And after he left, I cried in my lonesome at a restaurant, around plenty of other teen couples who were accepted for their love.43

And I knew me and Joey never would be.