Jake looks over at me from the driver’s seat.
I don’t even try holding back my grin.
Jake
Those things you said about me…
His lips purse for a second.
Jake
Well, they were really nice.
Jake
So thanks. That was more than I deserve.
Maggie
I didn’t say them just to be nice.
Maggie
I said them because they were true.
Maggie
Honestly, those things I said…
Maggie
That’s probably all I really know about you.
For a second, I think he wants to say more…
Maggie
Anyway, we can’t take chances like that again.
Maggie
We need to get to know each other…
Jake
And we need to act like a couple around campus.
Jake
You and I are the only ones who can know this isn’t real.
I can’t imagine what my friends are going to think, though.
All the sudden I’m just dating Jake Pearson?
They’re never going to believe it.
Maggie
We need a meet-cute.
Maggie
You know, a story about how we got together.
He pulls into my dorm parking lot…
And starts walking me toward my door.
I feel a rush of warmth when he grabs my hand.
Maggie
I think we can do better than that.
A group of people walk by us.
They do a double-take when they see our hands.
Looks like word will spread faster than we thought.
When Jake sees them looking…
He stops and pulls me into his arms.
It stuns the heck out of me…
But I try not to let it show.
He whispers in my ear and his breath is warm.
Jake
Why don’t we just tell them truth?
He pulls back, trying to gauge my reaction.
Jake
That we met in class when I asked to borrow a pen.
Maggie
You don’t think that’s too simple?
Making me feel a little breathless.
What is up with me today?
Jake
Not if I tell them I had tons of pens.
Jake
And was just using it as an excuse to talk to you.
For a second, I wonder if that’s true.
And starts walking back to his car.
When Jake comes to my door the next morning…
He’s got a pen tucked behind his ear.
He grabs it and hands it to me with a smirk.
I grin and look down at the words etched on the side.
“You’re crazy, mega smart.”
Jake
So according to your packet…
Jake
You’ve got Algebraic Geometry in 20 minutes…
Jake
So we better get a move on.
This time when he reaches for my hand…
It doesn’t feel as strange.
Jake
Are you trying to torture yourself?
Maggie
AG is fascinating.
Maggie
It’s a study of multivariate polynomials…
When I see his raised brow, I can’t help but laugh.
Maggie
I’ll spare you the details.
Jake
Especially since I’ve got other questions in mind for you today.
I feel an unexpected burst of excitement.
He opens the door for me…
And we step out into the sunshine.
Jake
If today was your last day on Earth…
I tap my finger against my chin with my free hand.
Maggie
Agh, that’d be so much pressure!
Maggie
But I think I’d just try to fit in a bunch of my favorite things.
Maggie
Gorge on bad food.
Maggie
Dance until I dropped.
Maggie
And watch the sunset with the people I love.
Maggie
No one would care about money…
Maggie
That would be the best part.
He runs his thumb over the back of my hand.
I laugh and slap his arm.
He laughs too, but then grows serious.
Jake
Nah, if anything were possible…
Jake
I’d want to spend the day with my father.
Jake
Just one full day, without any interruptions.
I can tell there’s more to that story.
He turns to me with another question.
Jake
What’s your favorite part about yourself?
Maggie
Umm, my work ethic.
Maggie
I’m pretty motivated.
Maggie
I’ve always had a dream to work at NASA.
Jake
I’m dating a future astronaut?
Maggie
I don’t know about that.
Maggie
But I definitely want to be where the action is.
Jake
…And how about physically?
Jake
What’s your favorite part about yourself?
I have no idea how to answer that.
It’s not something I think about too often.
Jake
Come on, don’t be shy.
Jake
It’s an easy question.
Jake
In fact, I’ll go first.
Jake
It’s pretty hard to choose…
Jake
Considering I’m the total package…
Trying to push him off the sidewalk.
Jake
But I’ve got great feet.
Jake
I’ll show you sometime.
I laugh again, and this time, can’t stop.
We’re laughing together when we reach the door of my classroom.
And then I reach up and run a hand through my long hair.
Maggie
My dad wrote that song about it.
Maggie
Yeah. Whenever I listen to that song…
Maggie
It reminds me of when things were good.
Maggie
Just me and my dad on the tour bus…
Maggie
Moving from city to city.
Maggie
We didn’t have a care in the world.
Maggie
It makes me happy.
His eyes spark at my response.
And the air between us shifts a bit.
He surprises me by reaching up and touching the ends.
Jake
You do have gorgeous hair.
I open the door to my dorm building…
Feeling light on my feet.
Jake has been peppering me with questions all day…
And I’ve come to the realization that…
Getting to know him is FUN.
And having someone’s undivided attention is really nice.
Even if it is all an act.
When I enter the hallway…
I see him waiting for me by my door.
He’s holding a bag of takeout.
Jake
I saw how much you put on your pizza the other night.
I’m just about to pull out my keys…
When I hear a voice that makes my stomach drop.
