- 2.
Jason and I were childhood sweethearts.
We’d known each other since we were three.
Our parents were close friends, living across
the hall from each other in the same
apartment building.
I’d always liked Jason.
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In elementary school, I was often bullied by
other boys.
One kid, in particular, was relentless. He’d
pull my hair, stick gum on my chair, and even
put firecrackers in my desk.
I’d cried and told the teacher, but after
scolding him, the teacher just laughed and
said he was doing it because he liked me.
I didn’t believe it. The boy didn’t stop either,
so I told my parents.
They were furious and ready to march down
to the school. Jason’s dad, who was visiting
us, heard about it and called Jason over,
telling him to protect me at school.
Jason was the same age as me, but we were
in different classes. The next day at recess,
Jason came to my classroom and dragged
the bully outside, giving him a good beating.
Jason had always been tall for his age and
assertive. He left the bully and his friends
<
crying.
Before leaving, he warned the other boys.
“Anyone else who messes with Ashley, you’ll
be next!”
That’s when I fell for him.
From that day on, I became his “shadow,”
tagging along wherever he went.
Jason didn’t like it. He was a bit macho,
thinking hanging around a “delicate” girl like
me wasn’t cool.
But I was persistent, trailing after him, calling
him “Jay–Jay.”
After a few years, he softened up and
stopped minding so much.
I started noticing his gaze lingering on me,
and when our eyes met, he’d sometimes get
this dazed look or flinch as if shocked, then
stammer and blush, quickly changing the
subject.
Jason’s dad suggested, since we were so
<
close, maybe we should think about getting engaged someday, like a childhood promise
thing.
Jason didn’t say anything, but he squeezed
my hand tight. I saw his ears turn red.
My heart fluttered. “Okay! I want to marry
Jay–Jay!”
But everything changed in high school.
