3
For Jack, this was a dream come true. Rose Dewitt Bukater, the prettiest cheerleader in school was in his house. He’s had a secret crush on Rose forever now. He didn’t dare admit that to his friends. He would never hear the end of it, but he dreamed of taking Rose out to his favorite spots or out dancing. He would sometimes draw her at cheerleading practice when he was waiting for his friends. She of course didn’t know that. That was why he was reluctant to show her his portfolio. What would she think if she knew that she was his inspiration?
"Make yourself at home," Jack waved to the loveseat and picked up his portfolio, wishing that the pictures of her would disappear. He’ll just have to think up an excuse when she came across them.
"Thank you," Rose smiled.
Jack nervously smiled and sat next to Rose, enjoying the heat of her leg pressed against his. She was even more beautiful setting up close. Opening his portfolio, he letter her shift through the pages.
"Wow Jack, these are wonderful. You have a gift Jack. You do. You see people."
"Aw I don’t know…I just draw what I see," Jack blushed. He blushed deepened when she came across the first picture of her. Leaning against the fence in her cheerleading uniform, her eyes sad and staring off into the horizon. Her pompoms were slack in her hands and a tear was spotted streaming from her eye.
Rose’s eyes widened. He had caught her very soul. She remembered that day. She was depressed and feeling like her world was coming down. She had just found out that her favorite aunt Molly had died. She had no idea Jack was drawing her.
"Wow…when did you do this one?" She had no idea he even knew she was alive before today.
"When I was waiting for my friends to show up. I remember you being rather sad that day. I was wondering how you would muster up enough emotions for cheerleading practice and saw you leaning against the fence, looking so alone. You were so beautiful leaning against that fence…I was meaning to give it to you but I could never get up the nerve."
"It’s beautiful," Rose sniffed
back her tears at the tought of her favorite aunt. No one had
understood her like Molly had. She even told Molly about Jack,
and the older woman had encouraged Rose to go for it, but Rose
never had the courage to go and talk to Jack…until now. And
all along he noticed her. "I can’t believe this is me.
The girl in this picture is so beautiful."
"Well you are beautiful. This is how I see you,"
Jack’s eyes were serious as she stared into them. Soon Rose
found her face getting closer to his until they’re just
about to kiss when Mae appeared in the doorway.
"Dinner’s ready darlings!" Mae appeared in the doorway, holding out a plate of food. "Jack be a dear and run this up to your grandfather."
"Yes grandma," Jack sighed. "I’ll be back," He looked at Rose and disappeared up the stairs.
"Come Rose. Help me set the table," Mae held out her hand. Placing Jack’s portfolio back on the table in front of her, Rose joined Mae in the kitchen. "I do believe my Jack has a crush on you dearie. He has tons of pictures of you drawn."
Rose blushed. "Really?" She didn’t dare up that it was true that Jack like her. He probably felt sorry for her that day and drew her. She couldn’t picture anyone like Jack liking her.
Mae nodded. "He’s right sweet on you dear."
After dinner, Mae had Jack grab his coat and drive Rose home. It was too dark and dangerous for her to go out alone.
"You can drop me off at school Jack. I left my car in the parking lot," Rose smiled as they pulled away from the house.
"Why were you taking the L?" Jack asked, confused.
"I do that when I like to get away from home and think. I hope on a L and pretend like it’s taking me away from all my troubles," Rose sighed. "Like I’m heading off into the horizon."
"I’d…I’d like to thank you for walking with my grandmother. Not many people would have done that, especially on the South side. But it’s a good thing you did with what happened and all. Someone likes you up there."
"My aunt Molly used to say that," Rose smiled at the memory. "She always said good things were coming my way. That was the worse day of my life when she died."
"Is that why you were so sad?" Jack asked, referring to the day he drew that picture.
Rose nodded. "I didn’t want to leave
my room and I definitely didn’t want to go to cheerleading
practice."
"Well I’m glad you did. That was the best picture I
ever drew," Jack smiled, reaching over to tuck a red curl
behind her ear.
Rose blushed just as they pulled up in front of the school. "Thank you Jack."
"Anytime. I’ll set here and make sure you get to your car safely," Jack said.
"Ok."
"Rose wait. Here. I want to give you this," He pulled out the picture he first drew of Rose. "I thought you might like to have it."
Tears almost appeared in Rose’s eyes.
"T-thank you. I don’t know what to say. I’ll keep
this somewhere safe. It’s my first Jack Dawson
original."
Jack laughed. "You can throw it away if you want.
There’s more where that came from."
Rose giggled. "You’re insane."
"That’s what a lot of people say," Jack laughed.
"See you tomorrow Jack," Rose waved, heading for her car.
"Bye Rose," Jack sat there and watched Rose enter her car and drive off. Smiling happily, he turned the ignition and started for home.