Too Young (The Jewel Project #1)

Chapter 21.2 - The night before

Jimmy knew he should go to bed and rest for tomorrow. He knew that, but it didn't mean he could, especially because he'd left something unfinished. Jessie hadn't talked to him much since returning to camp and he hadn't come forward with the proper apology he'd promised. But he had no idea what to say. It had been over a year since he last lost his cool. It hadn't happened since... He rubbed his shoulder viciously. It was turning into a habit and he didn't like it.

But he couldn't sleep until he found her and talked to her. About anything. He just wanted to know they were okay again. He walked randomly and reached the river's bank. Jessie sat leaning against a tree in the middle of what looked like a crescent moon of grass, its tips ending in the river. Her guitar in her lap, she played an unknown melody, singing along with it. Her headlamp shone a surreal light around her making her look like some sort of forest nymph.

Jimmy leaned against a tree, watching her. Her voice was wonderful. It seemed to echo inside him, soothing his pain. It also gave him goosebumps and he wanted it to end as much as he wanted it to go on.

The moment he stepped into the open, Jessie stopped singing. She stared at him for the fraction of a second then put her guitar away.

"Hi. I wasn't expecting anyone to be up this late." She looked at him in a way that clearly stated 'especially you'.

"Where did that come from?" He sat next to her and took the guitar in his lap.

She nodded towards it. "Can you play?"

"Not really. I used to at some point. I actually play piano." Jimmy strummed the chords. It brought back no happy memories.

"Come on. Give it a try."

Jimmy looked at the guitar. Her tone seemed off. He had no idea where she was going with this, but since he wanted to get on her good side, he thought he should play along. It was difficult to remember any melody in particular. Especially since he only knew a hand-full to begin with.

He tried to form some sort of melody, but failed miserably. The chords stung his fingers and he kept losing the rhythm. Getting a bit ticked off, he sang along with it. His hands seemed to remember their way and the melody flowed much better. It wasn't bad at all. He was actually pretty proud of himself.

He raised his eyes and his hands froze in place. The look on Jessie's face sent his heart into hyper-drive. Jimmy wasn't sure if he was imagining it, the tenderness, the sheer joy of watching him, the happiness. No girl had ever looked at him like that before.

"Why did you stop?" Her voice was softer than before, but the look in her eyes was gone, as though someone had pulled a curtain behind them.

"I'm not very good at it." He put the guitar away, avoiding her gaze. He didn't want her to see the turmoil her stare had started inside him.

"I actually think you're really good." Jessie took the guitar and put it back in its case. "Not at playing guitar. You suck at that. But your voice is amazing. Pretty enough for pop, raspy enough for rock. You should come with me and sing."

Jimmy shook his head. "You sing? Professionally?" Not that she wasn't good enough.

"Um-hmm. Have an album recorded and everything. I had my first concert planned in about two weeks. Not sure I'll make it." She shrugged. "Who cares? I want to be a doctor anyway."

"Then why are you doing it? And why wouldn't you want to sing. Your voice is just...wow."

Jessie smiled weakly. "Are you tired of hearing the same answer for everything? My parents. This is their dream, the pretty little pop princess. No thanks! I'd rather be doing more intellectual things."