Story

PERFECT HEARTS CHAPTER 28

Posted by Hedowho on 25 June, 2021

PERFECT HEARTS CHAPTER 28

(Secret star🌟)

BY BLESSING SILVER

Rebecca stared back at Jeremy, they’ve been standing for over a minute now after he dragged her out of the cafeteria and he’s been giving her this speechless-shocked look.
“What?,” Rebecca shrugged. “You practically dragged me out here are now you’re acting all nervous and not saying anything” she said to him, crossing her arm.
He lowered his gaze from her and itched his temple for a brief moment, he have never felt this awkward and excited in his entire life.
“JD?” He said and gave a short surprised laughter. “This..is so awkward a-and- oh my goodness!” He suddenly sighed and ran a quick hand down his hair, letting out a huge sigh.
“How come? How come I didn’t notice you were her all along?” He said, recalling his mean words to her.
“You said it already; our personalities are too opposite, you couldn’t have detected” Rebecca said, recollecting his hurtful yet truthful words.

“I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to-
“I’m not angry, Jeremy. I mean, you were right. But yesterday, I wasn’t playing a prank on you like you thought, I was grounded by my dad; that was why I couldn’t make it” she explained.
“Yeah. Still, I should’ve listened to you. I’m sorry” he said and she nodded.
“Phew!” Jeremy sighed with a smile, itching his head again. “Wow” he muttered, moistening his lips with his tongue.
“What?” Rebecca asked.
“It’s just.. I’ve never felt so speechless yet super excited my entire life. Normally, I’ve always thought of a million things I’d want to ask JD if I meet her but seeing you right now, I’m just too excited, I can’t think of anything” he said.
“I know. Wanna sit?” She asked, pointing to a bench behind them.
Jeremy nodded. They walked to the seat, Jeremy trying his best not to bump into her or let his excitement take over him and make him act stupid.
“Wait,” Jeremy said as Rebecca made to sit. “It looks dusty, let my clean it first” he brought out a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the side of her seat repeatedly, he stared at the handkerchief that didn’t seem to have any dirt and threw it away. “Er..looks like it wasn’t so dusty after all” he said, rubbing his head nervously. She chuckled slightly over his attitude and sat.

“So you like have a studio and everything?” Jeremy asked and she nodded.
“It’s not really much of a studio, just a small room with some equipments” she said.
“Wow. I can’t believe I’m sitting right beside JD, I mean, you’ve been here all along and I’ve been dying to see you” he said, releasing a long breath.
A smile beamed on her face.
“And I never thought, you’d feel so nervous around me one day” she teased and Jeremy chuckled, rubbing his sweaty palms on his pants.
“How can I not? I mean You’re JD. JD!” He said.
“Yeah but you can’t tell anyone about me” she said.
“Yeah, I know” Jeremy said, almost disappointedly. “But why? I mean, you’ll get really popular, in a good way and everyone will love you. Especially-
“No,” she cut him off. “That’s exactly why you can’t tell anyone, I don’t want that popularity” she said.
Jeremy stared at her serious face and couldn’t help but wonder why she was so serious about him not telling anyone.
Who wouldn’t want to be popular and famous?
“Oh..I see you not the girl-like ‘fancy’ type” he said.
“No, it’s not that. My dad just can’t find out about it and I’m pretty sure that if an extra ear hears this then the next one will definitely be my dad and that can end my whole JD life!” She said breathlessly and thoughtlessly, giving him a look. “So you can’t tell anyone, okay?” She asked.
Jeremy gave her a questioning look but pushed the numerous questions, ringing in his head aside. “I won’t. I promise” he said, assuringly.
“So I’ve always wanted to ask.. is JD like an abbreviation of your other names or a nickname?”
“It’s not my name specifically. It’s an abbreviation for Jane Doe” she said.
“Jane Doe?” Jeremy’s brows narrowed. “Wow.. I thought it was like an abbreviated nickname. I’ve been making up the actual meaning a lot in my head” he added, sighing.
“A lot of people would have,” Rebecca said, glancing at her wristwatch. “Ow! I totally forgot I’m having a class after lunch break; five minutes from now”
“But isn’t Jane Doe a name given to an unknown person” he asked, giving her a frown.
“Yeah” she nodded, standing up. “JD is unknown, isn’t she?” She asked rhetorically. “I mean a girl who can’t show her face to the world, is unknown. And is called Jane Doe” she said.
“But-
“I’ll see you later, Jeremy. My class is will commence very soon!” She told him before walking away from the parking lot.
Jeremy watched her leave;
‘.. and is called Jane Doe’ he recalled her words. She looked like it wasn’t a name she had planned to take; saying that.
He looked ahead and realised that she had left completely, he stood up.

He should head to class too.
****

He brought out his phone as he settled on his mom’s chair; the most comfortable chair in the store.
A flash of Alicia waving past his mind; he dried the water in his palms on a piece of cloth and picked up his phone, he dialed her number and placed the phone speaker close to his ear.
It was evening and he hadn’t call her all along to find out how she’s faring.
She didn’t pick up at the first ring, so, he called again.
“Yes?” Her voice filled his ear from the speaker.
“Hey Alicia, it’s Jeremy” he said, wondering if she had deleted his number or something.
“I know. I’m just surprise you called” she said, rolling her eyes.
“Yeah. I’m sorry, it took long-
“Why?” She cut him off.
“Why what?” He asked.
“Why couldn’t you call Sooner?” She asked.
“Um..I don’t really have an excuse. I’m sorry” he said.
“Seriously?” She scoffed. “Am I that forgettable? I was expecting you to be among my very first caller. I was worried thinking something might’ve happened to you and I was ready to drop my pride and call you. I was this close to calling you and now you have no excuse?” She said.
“I understand if you’re angry and I’m sorry. I feel bad too for not calling. But let’s talk about this when we see, I’ll make it up to you however you want” he said.
“Is that a promise?” She asked, grudgingly.
“Yeah. So, How are you doing?” He asked.
“Well..I’m okay. At least, better than before” he said.
“That’s good. So you’ll be at school tomorrow, right?”
“Sure!” She said.
“Okay. I’ll see you at school then” he said..
“Yeah”

They talked more for another minute before Alicia finally got sleepy and had to end the call after their good-byes.
Jeremy lowered the phone and put a call to Rebecca.
It rang and almost immediately, she answered.
“Hey Jeremy” she said.
“Hi. Um..I was less busy, so I thought I should give you a call and um..find out how you’re doing?” He said, frowning to himself at his stuttered words.
“I’m fine. I’m just trying to write but it’s not working” she said.
“Is it a song?” He asked.
“Yeah” she said.
“Oh.. what’s wrong?” He asked.
“No inspiration?” She said.
“Oh.. well, from what I learn, inspiration comes from different places or people” he said. “If you’re in one place, you should try moving around or taking a break for a while. If you’re sleepy, maybe a nap?”
“I know. And I’m not sleepy. But I’ll get a distraction first or take a walk, maybe” she said.
“Yeah. You should” he said, smiling.
“Um.. okay. Bye?”
“Er..” he itched his head. “Yeah. Bye” he said and she hung up immediately.
He blew out a sigh..
He had wanted to stay longer. His like pouted.
But he had just spoken to JD.. the thought made him smile and he finally ended up giggling.
*

The next morning, he left for school with Kylie and it took a lot of distraction from everywhere to not tell her about JD.
Truth is, she isn’t really a fan of hers; according to her JD’s songs were sad and depressing and wasn’t really her kind but she listens to it sometimes and is sometimes forced to song along with him when he plays it on a speaker.
‘only when she’s bored and jobless at that moment’ she’d usually say in her defense when he reminds her.
But deep down, Jeremy knew she had a sort of likeness for her even though she teases him sometimes about her. She once carelessly admitted it.

“Bye bro!” She gave him a quick wave and head towards her school direction without another word.
Jeremy exhaled deeply and continued his own journey.

.
“A bit of cream and sugar. I’m not sure how she likes it” Jeremy said to the coffee man and he did just as he instructed..
“Thank you!” He paid and collected it before walking into the school building.
He wondered if Rebecca liked get coffee the way he had thought; like he did.
He didn’t know but he hoped he hadn’t made a mistake with the additions. What if her taste is different?
Should he just throw this away instead of giving her something she doesn’t like?
Would she even accept it from someone like him?
Jeremy shook his head, shaking the thought aside as he carefully climbed the stairs.

He arrived at the floor where her class was located and stopped briefly.
Okay, since she’s a celeb; he can’t be too informal with her like before.
How would he give her the coffee.
*Hey. I brought you coffee*
He demonstrated the first idea and shook his head.
That was too informal.
*Good morning. I was on my way to school when I saw this guy selling really good coffee so I thought I should get you one to start your day**
He practiced the next idea and ended up shaking his head again. It was too long and a bit too informal.
*Hey. I hope you’re in for coffee cos I got you one*
He shook his head again, this time with a sigh.
*Good morning, Rebecca. Coffee to start your day*
He almost laughed at his over formality.
“Okay, this last trial” he assured himself.
*Good morning. I brought you coffee. It’s really-
“Jeremy?”
Her voice, very close behind him made him jerk and he tried not to spill the coffee.
“Oh hey there, Rebecca” he said and then realised it was too informal. “I mean hey. Good morning” he corrected.
“Yeah,” she nodded. “What’s that?” She asked.
“Oh..coffee. it’s for you” he said, stretching it towards her.
“Oh really? Thanks” she collected it from him..
“Yeah. Do you want me to get you anything else?” He asked.
Her brows curved. “No. I’m good. Thank you” she said.
“Yeah..so um.. I hope you enjoy the coffee, I wasn’t sure how you’d like it so I went for a bit if sugar and cream” he said.
“Actually, I prefer just cream but it’s fine. I guess I can try this again too” she said.
“Phew! I knew I must’ve made a mistake. Give me, I’ll go get you another one” he said.
“No. It’s fine, really”
“But you don’t like it”
“I haven’t even tried it yet,” she said, moving the cup away when he tried to take it. She saw a wave of disappointment flash through his eyes after her words. “But since it’s from you, I’m sure I will” she added and saw him smile, his cheeks heating up.
.
.
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