As per our routine for the last few days, I met Jason at the top of his driveway and rode to school with him. So far, no one had seen or sensed any additional activity by our adversary. In school, everything was normal with the exception of Cathy's uneasiness.
"Gotta second?" Coach said from the edge of my desk.
"Sure."
"You mind?" He nodded toward his office. I followed him and he closed the door once we were inside. "If you don't mind my asking, is everything alright with you and Jason?"
"Sure."
He scratched his shaved head.
"What's up?" I asked.
"He's not himself—can't put my finger on it, but he's just not the same Jason from the beginning of the season. I though maybe—well if the two of you are okay, then, well, I don't know."
Obviously the pressure of our situation combined with the pressure of the football season was beginning to get to Jason, but I couldn't say that, at least not the first part. "Did you ask him?"
"Sure, but the kid is trying to tough out whatever's going on. Said everything was fine. I had him checked out by the trainer again, but Mel said his arm is A-okay."
"I'll talk to him, see what I can find out."
"Thanks, you're a real trooper."
With that, I went back to my desk and class continued.
Calculus was agonizing. I knew what was wrong with Jason—I had no doubt, but what could I say, 'Don't think about the fact that one or all of us could be destroyed at any time?' I still had no idea what to say when the lunch bell rang.
Jason and I went though the cafeteria line like usual, but this time instead of apple juice, I got a bright, red apple. We glided onto our seats at our table—alone for the time being.
"Feeling like a temptress today?" Jason laughed.
"What?"
"The apple? Adam and Eve?"
"I led you to your doom a long time ago don't you think?"
Jason's face went ashen and he turned away.
"It was a joke?"
"What's a joke?" Alex said as he and Cathy joined us.
"Nothing, he was making fun of my apple."
Alex chuckled. "Ah, the whole Snow White and the poison apple thing—very funny."
Cathy momentarily tensed, but shook it off.
The boy's talked about Friday's game—it was a big one—it seemed like they all were when you were undefeated. Cathy and I didn't speak or even make eye contact for the rest of lunch.
Jason and I headed for the doors before the bell.
"So, Snow White and the whole pale skin thing, what do you think?" I ventured.
"Yeah, Alex totally didn't get it."
"So temptress then?" I said tossing the apple up and down in my hand.
"Okay."
"So," I said pulling him to a stop. "If you want to come over to the dark side, then you need to get through the rest of this season—one big final chapter." I tossed the apple up and down again.
"Coach talk to you?"
I caught the apple and stepped into him. "It's perfectly understandable, you're under an enormous amount of pressure even without all my family drama."
"Our family." He wrapped his arms around me. "It has nothing to do with football—I can handle that—and if I'm being honest, it's not our family thing either."
That caught me off guard. "What then?"
He looked around. We were relatively alone. "Don't laugh?"
"Never."
"It's about what you and Elizabeth were talking about—"
I leaned back, pressing my fingers across his lips.
He pulled back. "I want that so much—I love you."
I wiggled out of his arms and resumed tossing the apple. "Temptress it is then."
"It's not a joke."
"I know—I know exactly how you feel—I feel it too. Maybe one day, I don't know, but you can't let it eat at you like this. I can't be a distraction."
Jason snatched the apple out of the air and took a bite of it. "Maybe one day?"
"I can't make that kind of promise—we just have to wait and see what the future holds. But for now, you know I'm yours, always."
Jason took another bite of the apple as the bell rang. "See you in Art? Or am I going to fall into a deep sleep?" He tossed the half eaten apple back to me.
"Thanks." I raced back to Calculus, tossing the apple into the trash can as I slipped inside.
"Ms. Faulkner," Mr. Mathews said, "please try to use the garbage receptacles in the cafeteria in the future."