Midnight Summer Dream

Here I was again, another summer, another reunion trip. I have been doing this for quite a while now, me and a group of friends get together for the summer, one week of pure fun at this amazing country side resort, Alphaville.1

This time though, I wasn't going alone as I had on the past couple of years, this time I was bringing a date--my gorgeous, Med student boyfriend, Phillip. The thought of going by myself has been hovering my mind lately, knowing that Jason--my long date secret crush-- will be there, make me feel like telling Phillip to get lost.2

No, you can't do that! I reasoned to myself. 3

The reasoning side of my mind was totally right, I spent years alone, waiting, longing, hoping that Jason would confirm the feelings I'd always thought he had for me. Again, that could only be part of my imagination, a way my mind created to divert the passion I had for Jason, I say passion, but the right word to say would be: adoration!4

For years, I'd secretly breathed Jason, I'd dreamed of Jason, I'd lived on the hope that one day he would fall for me, he would finally surrender. Well, I couldn't be more wrong. I was growing old, not old really, but come on, I wanted to have a life, to be loved while young and beautiful, and I'd waited, until the day Jason got engaged. Oh, that day was it! that news broke me in half, and I realized that I'd wasted my youth, waiting for a dream that would never come true. I'd turned down many, and I say many gorgeous guys, 'till I met Phillip.5

Phillip, he'd never took my breath away, and never will, but he was much better than nothing. He gave me love and security. I was determined to settle for Phillip, good, decent guy, great in bed, promising future, I could live with that--that's what I though throughout the year. But when those five days Alphaville reunion were approaching, my heart became a mess, the feelings I had for Jason wanted to get out, a nagging voice constantly shouted in my head: Jason, Jason, Jason... and my reasoning said constantly replied: Phillip, Phillip, Phillip...I was going crazy. 6

Finally the day I was longing for-- for the wrong reasons, came. Phillip picked me up around 7:30 AM, loaded my luggage in the trunk of his silver Mercedes, and we hit the road, destination: Alphaville.7

The trip was pleasant, nice soul music, light talk, Phillip was mostly worried of being approved by my friends, I told him it wasn't a contest, and that he didn't needed anybody' s approval to be with me, only my own. God knows that it was a lie, but he didn't need to worry about impressing my friends, I wanted him to be himself, to act normal, and not like a jerk, as usually people do under that kind of pressure.8

He was so absorbed by the beauty of the scenery around us that he barely noticed my lack of attention at our chit-chat. Three and a half hours drive and we reached our destination, the rustic brick driveway that led us to the main parking lot, was nestled by the growing vegetation, ancient trees evenly spaced on both sides of the path shadowed the way, a beautiful scenery for a romantic gateway.9

My heart started to pound as I caught sight of a red Ford pick up truck, one I knew too well, it was Jason' s, and it meant that he'd arrived. Butterflies swirled on my stomach, me breathing became shallow, and I felt as I was going to pass out. Put yourself together! my reasoning side shouted at me, as the other voice, insistently replied :Jason, Jason, Jason...10

I tried to compose myself before Phillip had to perform a CPR . If I reacted this way at the sight of his car, how am I going to react when I actually see him? Oh God, this wasn't going to be good. I could feel the heat on my cheeks, as Phillip's voice startled me.11

"Jen, hey! We are here," he said as he opened the door for me.12

13

" Oh right, I mean-- sorry, thanks..." I shook my head as I got out of the car, I was acting like a total jerk.14

" Are you alright?" Phillip asked me while he got our luggage out of the trunk.15

" I'm great," I faked a smile."It's probably the heat, I wasn't expecting to be so hot in here..." I trailed of as we walked inside the building toward the check -in counter.
16

" Good morning Ms.Moss, welcome to Alphaville once again. I'm glad to see you joining us again," said Loretta, the resort check-in attendant, for over fifteen years, a lovely middle- aged lady.17

"Good morning Loretta , you know me I wouldn't miss this for the world." God knows that was the most terrifying truth. Jason, Jason, Jason...
shut up! shouted my reasoning side.18

"Your party is all set, the all arrived early morning. Ms. Rochelle, Ms.Sara, Mr.Jean and their companions are at the indoor pool, Mr. Jason and his companion went for a horse back riding on the south side mountains, by the river."19

My heart was pounding again, how would I survive, seeing Jason, not only Jason, but Jason and his fiance....Patricia, I winced at the thaought of her name. 20

I was certain I was going to be jealous as hell. Well at least I had 'till dinner time to prepare myself mentally, and physically of course, I've got to keep up with the competition.21

" Here you go Ms. Moss, or should I say Mrs....?" Loretta trailed off at the and of her question, as waiting for a last name to finish her sentence.22

" Nope, still Ms. Moss," I said as signed the form she handled to me.23

" Not for long I hope." Phillip said, I felt his hands softly ran from my shoulders to the length of my back, stopping at my waist, he smiled at me tentatively, waiting for my reaction.
Jason, Jason, Jason...shouted at me that insolent, insistent voice at my head. for once the reasoning voice said nothing.24

25

I smiled warmly at Phillip, trying to hide my anxiousness at his words.26

"Thank you Ms. Moss your room is 308, here are your keys, enjoy your stay."27

"Thank you Loretta." I said as I got the keys, and we headed to our room.28

Phillip was anxious and excited about meeting my friends, so we decided to go greet them at the pool shortly after we left our luggage in our room. We descend the stairs slowly, and Rochelle came to greet us as soon as she saw us on our way down, she met us in the middle, a huge smile on her face.29

"Well, well, well, look what we got here," she giggled, "Oh Jen, I missed you so much," she hugged me for an instant than she turned to Phillip.30

"And this is Mr. Phillip Rhodan, I suppose. It's a pleasure to meet the man that finally stole Jen's heart,"she hugged him briefly.31

" The pleasure is all mine," Phillip said.32

Rochelle nodded , "let's get to meet the gang Mr. Rhodan"33

" Please call me Phil."34

"Whatever you wish mister... I mean-- Phil," She giggled and walked in front of us leading the way.35

We walked to the pool and Rochelle started all the introductions, she clapped and said, "Hey everybody, Jen is here" she gesture to my direction.36

I waved to everybody and said "Hi guys, good to see you all again."37

Rochelle continued," and Jen is not alone, she brought an addition to our party, everyone this is Dr. Phil," everybody started laughing, Phil flushed red, and I couldn't resist, I joined in.38

Everybody took Phillip in, like he was part of our group for a long time, we enjoyed the afternoon by the pool, Phillip spent most of his time getting acquainted with everybody, and I spent mine filling the girls in the story, getting everyone updated.39

The day went by fast, and the dinner time arrived. I was able to be me during the afternoon gathering , I wasn't so sure about the dinner event, for sure this time Jason would be there with Patricia, I'd never met her before, but I've heard the rumors, she was rich, smart, and smokin' hot. What else is there for me to compete with? I tried to look casual, I put on my light blue, knee high silk dress, and a low heel silver sandal. Very summer-ish! I thought.40

Phillip made all the compliments he could possibly think of, I coldly thanked him.41

You are so ungrateful! Damn you Jennifer! The man loves you, be a little more thankful for crying out loud!My reasoning side, yelled at me, constantly. I felt guilty, but not for long.42

As soon as we arrived at the dinner room, I saw Jason and Patricia. I held Phillip's hand tighter, he pulled me closer but I hesitated. Phillip had no idea of my feelings for Jason, neither did everybody else. We were all going to sit together of course, and for my luck my seat was facing Jason.43

Jason stood and came around the table to greet us.44

" Jen, I'm glad you've made it," he hugged me tightly, my breath went away, all I wanted was to stay still in that moment and never let him go. "Missed you," he whispered in my ear. I thought my heart was going to stop, he let me go.45

I smiled a little embarrassed, and he turned to Phillip.46

" Hi man, I'm Jason, nice to have you here, are you a friend of Jen's?"47

" More of a boyfriend. I'm Phillip, nice to meet you." Phillip offered Jason a handshake.48

Jason got his hand, pulled him closer, and tapped him twice in the back and said,"you'd better watch out, make sure you take good care of her."49

" I always do man, always do."Phillip replied confident and happy with his new acquaitance.50

"Ahem," Patricia cleared her throat and came to stand on Jason' s side.51

" Oh, Jen. This is Patricia, my girlfriend." Girlfriend?What happened with Fiance? I thought, hoping that my face hadn't given me away.52

"Hi, it's a pleasure to finally meet you, I'm Jennifer," I said wondering how convincing my voice actually sounded.53

She nodded and replied, " the pleasure is all mine, Jason doesn't shut up about you, it seems the fun have finally arrived." She grinned and went to sit down, we all followed. I was feeling out of place. Was it me or she was being a little hostile? 54

Patricia was all I feared, she had a luscious body, a sexy gorgeous hair, a hot attitude, no wonder she'd became the center of attention in no time.
Dinner went by slowly, all the talk evolved around her, and about her. The worst was that I seemed the only one purposefully excluded.55

I took my time to enjoy the view, I was discretely appreciating Jason, he seemed inexplicably handsomer than the last time I saw him, if that was actually possible. His golden hair fixed in a spike disarray, his green yes were the perfect accent to his tanned skin, I loved the way his smile showed his perfectly white teeth and the dimples it formed on both side of his face, like a big baby, his broad shoulders and chest, well defined by the tight button down white shirt he was wearing, he totally could pose to an Abercrombie & Fitch catalog.56

"..how did you two met? ...Jen?"57

The sound of my name startled me, Jean was asking me something. I tried to compose myself, and answer to his question, what did he ask? someone save me please!58

" We met at a Rascal Flats concert." Phillip answered. Oh thank you, Phillip!
59

"Hmm, so Jen, you still a cowgirl?"Jason asked me, unleashing his perfectly smile at me.60

" Yeah, you know me..."61

" How corny!" Patricia said and rolled her eyes, impeding me to finish what I was saying. We ignored her.62

" So, r' you a cowboy Phil?" Jason asked him.63

" No man, I was luckily dragged to that concert, that's all."Phillip smiled warmly at me.64

" And you say luckily 'cause?"Jason asked him again.65

" I met Jen of course, she'd changed my life, she completes me man, she is unbelievably special." Phillip kissed me lightly. I noticed Jason looked away. Finally the night was over.
*****66

67

The sunshine woke me up early the in the morning, I looked to see what time it was, the clock by the bedside table claimed with huge red numbers that it was 6:30 A.M. Phillip was still asleep, I waited for about half an hour, and then decided it was time to get up and go for a walk by the path leading to river, I tried to wake Phillip up, but he didn't respond, so I left him a note, and went by myself.68

The morning was beautiful, silent, no one seemed to be awake yet, which was perfect to me, the path was all mine, I would have plenty of time to myself, to sort it out in my mind and my heart all the feelings that were erupting.69

I took my Ipod with me, and let my mind fly away in the rhythm of the songs. The sun was warm and the breeze was soft, I was lightly jogging through the path, the beauty of nature seemed to had enchanted me, I was feeling free.70

Suddenly, I'd got the feeling that I wasn't alone, I glanced back over my shoulders and saw Jason-- he had been jogging along with me for God knows how long. My heart started beating faster, and that was not a result of my morning exercise.71

I slowed down to a walk, and he followed me, I took my year plugs off . He was unbelievably hot, shirt less, wearing only black running shorts and white tennis shoes.72

He smiled shyly,and said: "Morning, 'cowgirl'."
"Morning"
"Where's Phil?"
"Asleep....Patricia?"
"Asleep."
"Hum, what a team..."
He laughed, "yeah, what a team", he paused "were you heading to the river?"
" That's the plan."
" Do you mind some company?"
" That would be a pleasure," I smiled shyly.
He grinned, " the pleasure is all mine."
We both laughed.
" So, for how long were you following me?"
" For about ten minutes."
" Why didn't you call me?"
"I was enjoying your low murmur, your softly singing, you know.. you should follow career... "
I flushed tomato red, and started laughing, " you're kidding me right?"
" No, I'm not" he said as he started to jogging again, " ten bucks I beat you to the river," he started running, I followed.
No doubt that he was faster than I was, and he got to the river first.73

What I didn't expected was to find him in the water.
" Come in, it's great,"he called from the water.74

" I think I'll pass, " I said, knowing I was going to regret it later.75

" Oh Jen, don't be a chicken! Come on", he called again.76

" I'm not a chicken, besides I didn't came prepared, I don't have a bathing suit on me." I said almost apologeticaly.77

" Even better!Came on Jenjen..."he said that with an irresistible grin. I loved when he called me 'Jenjen'.78

" Sorry, but I'll pass." I knew I was going to regret this, I was regretting it already.79

" Well, I guess you are all Phillip' s now." He said, a hint of sadness in his voice.80

That took me off guard," That's how it is. And you are all Tricia's aren't you?" I said with a little sarcasm in my voice.81

I didn't gave him time for an answer, " I'm heading back, see you later", I turned my back and started running.82

Why was he doing this to me? Why now? My feelings were a mess already without any of this. Jason, Jason, Jason... Ah this insolent voice! Where is my reasoning when I need it?83

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to be continued....85