CHAPTER 3 A CHANCE ENCOUNTER

Jenna was still thinking of Ryan the following morning as she woke up at school. Sarah, who had been following her all this time, and who now seemed to have some serious questions on her lips. “Hi, Jenna!” Sarah said, turning to her cheerfully, “How are things between you and Ryan Mitchell?” “No, Sarah It is just that, yesterday at the library, he asked me for a book recommendation,” Jenna said in a normal voice as she picked her books. “Hmm, yes, I did,” he replied before Sarah cut him loose with a teasing remark, “So, it seems you did. ” "Yes, I did, Are you happy now?” Jenna replied, laughing as she got up from the bench, “Come on, there is class to attend. ” Mrs. Carter was in front of the classroom during the first-period biology class; she had a solemn look on her face while speaking to the learners. "Okay, class, we have a new project that is going to involve partnering so everybody find their partner,” said Mrs. Carter. “I have already grouped you into pairs and I will not accept anything less than your best. ” Jenna’s heart started to sink as she listened to the announcer announce the names of the participants, and the anticipation of her partner’s name gave her a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. She said no, to herself, Please don’t let it be him. “Jenna Parker and Ryan Mitchell,” Mrs. Carter said, eyeing her down. Jenna’s heart sank. She looked at Ryan, who was sitting opposite her, nonchalantly leaning back on the chair. He looked into her eyes and into his, then he nodded at her, a nod that was almost imperceptible. Good, she said to herself, what I needed. Jenna began to speak with Ryan after the class was over, and despite her confidence on the stage, she was visibly nervous, her steps were shaky. “I guess we are partners,” she said in a shaky tone. "Yeah, it seems that way,” Ryan said, as if it were all in a day’s work for him. “Any time you are ready to start?” “What about after school in the library?” Jenna proposed, trying to take whatever was left of the reins in her hands. "Alright, I’ll catch you there then,” Ryan said with equal nonchalance, his gaze still fixed on her for a brief moment before he walked off. The day at school was long, and Jenna could not focus on anything for a very long time. She still could not get her head around the project, and the fact that she had been paired with him. Finally, the bell rang. She was a nervous wreck, all due to his presence. In the library, Jenna placed the items that she needed for the exam on one of the tables close to her back. Her heart was beating with great rapidity. Ryan was there a few minutes later, his face already wearing a smug expression as usual. “Hi,” he said and took a chair and placed it opposite her. “So, what’s the plan?” Jenna let out a breath of air. “We must select a topic for our project now, I thought we could maybe do a project on environmental conservation. ” Ryan raised an eyebrow. “Okay with me. let it be like that. ” Jenna was rather startled when he agreed so quickly, so she felt a little more comfortable. They started to discuss the details and started to split the work, the first stiffness disappeared. While working, Jenna could not help but notice herself looking at Ryan, wondering who this man behind the mask is. “Well, that is what jogged my memory,” Elizabeth replied, “Jenna, yesterday you asked me why I helped you, didn’t you?” Ryan just nodded his head and looked deep into her eyes. “Huh?” I asked, somewhat taken aback. “I don’t know. You seemed like you could use a hand. ” Jenna smiled, and she felt a burn from the inside slowly start to rise up and flow through her. “Oh, you’re welcome, dear. I hope you had a good day. ” They went on working, speaking more freely to each other. Jenna realized that Ryan was much more informed and he actually cared for the project. She liked the way they talked and the tension that was so palpable in the beginning of their relationship was no longer there. This was perhaps because, as the sun started to set, Mrs. Thompson walked towards their table. “Library is closing in a few minutes, children. Let’s pack it in. ” “Okay, thank you Mrs. Thompson,” Jenna said while packing her belongings. Indeed, Ryan assisted her in packing the items and walked with her out of the library. The evening was rather chilly, and Jenna had a strange feeling of something like expectation. “How about ‘same time tomorrow?’” Ryan suggested as they emerged into the parking lot. “Sure,” Jenna replied, smiling. “See you then. ” Jenna left work grueling, and as she was walking home, she kept on thinking about the events of the day. She found herself drawn to Ryan, there was something about him she wanted to get closer to, and know more about. She was aware of his character, but she also noticed that there were other aspects to him that were not so infamous; he could be considerate at times. She spent that evening eating dinner with her family, and everyone had a lot to say, and a lot to laugh about. But Jenna was lost in her own thoughts, thinking about Ryan and their project. “Hello, sweetie,” her mom said, serving the salad to her, “How did you find the day, Jenna?” “Oh, that’s good, actually, I am involved in a project with Ryan Mitchell,” Jenna replied, trying to pretend as if the name never affected her. Her dad looked up and gave her a slight look of surprise. “Ryan Mitchell? Is not he the one with the motorbike?” “Yeah, that’s him,” Jenna said to herself, excited yet nervous at the same time. “Well, you just be careful, honey,” her mom told her softly. “Friends, he is quite a character. ” “I know, Mom,” Jenna said immediately. “I’ll be careful. ” That night, Jenna was in bed, looking at the ceiling. She understood she got a feeling of adventure, a taste of the unknown. Ryan was something that she’d never met before, and she was eager to see how far their business affair would go. Laying down and falling asleep, she thought of what the next day would be like. The next day, Jenna and Ryan went and proceeded to work on the project they had been assigned. The longer she was around him, the more enamored she became with him. They discussed the project, what they like to do, and even their future aspirations as individuals. He began to trust her in ways she had not seen before and began to open up to her about his life and some of the things he had gone through. One day, when they were preparing to leave, Ryan turned to Jenna and said something in a rather grave tone. “You know, Jenna, you’re not like the other girls. ” “What do you mean?” Jenna repeated, feeling her heart race. “You are different,” Ryan stated, then he looked straight into her eyes and added, “You are real. ” “That characteristic about you I like. ” Jenna blushed a little at this. “Thank you, Ryan. I think you are great too.” Over the course of the following days, the two became friends and Jenna began to actually anticipate the time she got to spend with Travis. There was chemistry between them, that attraction that two people can feel when they are sexually attracted to each other. One evening, after another efficient day spent at the library, Ryan accompanied Jenna home. Being on her porch, the feeling between them was rather tense and one could even feel it in the air. “Good night,” Jenna said and then added more to herself, “Thanks for walking me home. ” “Anytime,” Ryan said with a serious look on his face. They stared at each other for a second before the tension that was hanging in the air could be cut with a knife. After that, automatically and with no hesitation, Jenna kissed him. It was a rather short, gentle kiss, but for her, it was enough to create an incredible feeling in the chest. As they drew apart, Ryan gazed at her, an odd combination of shock and warmth in his expression. “I have been waiting for that,” he agreed. “Me too,” Jenna said softly, feeling her lips curl into a smile. Jenna glanced at Ryan’s back as he left, she had butterflies in her stomach, and the feeling of the first date was overwhelming. She understood that the change had occurred and that now she was starting a new phase of her life, a happy one.