Second Chance

"Truth or Dare?" Ellie asked Jimmy as they sat at their art desks, across from each other, but nonetheless facing each other.

"Dare" Jimmy said without lifting his head, his hand fixated upon his drawing and the pencil in between his fingers.

"Tell me something you've never told anyone" Ellie said. She had stopped drawing, and was staring directly at Jimmy. He, however, didn't notice, or simply ignored it.

After a moment, Jimmy's pencil stopped moving and he looked up. However, his eyes were still fixed upon his drawing.

"I wish I could have had a chance at being with you."

Surprised at his answer, Ellie nervously started playing with her black necklace. Jimmy went back to drawing.

"I don't know what to say." Ellie honestly stated.

Jimmy looked up at her.

"Don't say anything" he said, smiling.

Ellie fiddled with her hair, her drawing lay forgotten on her desk.

"If it means anything," Ellie started, "... I regret not giving you a chance."

Jimmy, once again looked up at her, his hand stopped moving.

"I know you had just been dumped by Ashley," she continued, "I was afraid of being your rebound. I'm sorry I didn't take you seriously. I guess I was also afraid that Ash would be mad, and I didn't want to risk losing pretty much my only friend."

"It's okay," Jimmy said, "what's done is done. We can't change the past."

"But we can control the future."

Jimmy awkwardly returned to his drawing.

"Truth or Dare?" he asked.

"Truth" Ellie responded.

"What are your parents like?"

Ellie suddenly turned very pale. Jimmy noticed.

"Sorry, I get it. Touchy subject."

Ellie nodded but uttered not a word.

"I just asked 'cause I just wanted to know what someone else's parents were like. I don't know mine. They just buy me what I want and then go back to work. Work, work, work. Are yours workaholics?"

Ellie began playing with her necklace again. She cleared her throat.

"My dad is gone overseas. He's in the military."

Jimmy nodded.

"My mom's a drunk. I take care of her."

Ellie tried to shrug it off like she was unbothered. Jimmy smiled apologetically.

"I'm sorry."

"It's fine, no big deal." Ellie answered, trying to distract herself by continuing her drawing.

An awkward silence fell upon the room. Moments later, Jimmy replaced his pencil in his art case.

"Done" he stated, smiling at his work.

Ellie stood up and walked over to Jimmy. She leaned over his right shoulder and saw herself.

He had drawn her leaning over her artwork, a look of concentration upon her face.

"What can I say? You inspire me" Jimmy said.

"This," he added, pointing to his sketchbook, "is because of you."

"It's beautiful" Ellie honestly said about the drawing.

She saw for the first time her own beauty in imperfection. The way one strand of hair dangled in front of her eyes, the way her necklace was off-centered, the way her shirt had a discreet blood stain she hoped no one would notice. She instinctively reached for her wrist, but instead Jimmy grabbed her hand.

"Just like you." He smiled, then let go.

He turned his face towards her ear, and gently removed the hair in front of it.

"Don't you think it's time someone took care of you?" he whispered.

Ellie turned her face towards his, and his left hand stretched out as he grabbed the side of her face and gently brought it towards him.

Ellie closed her eyes as she felt Jimmy's lips on hers, and she kissed him back.

He didn't try to stick his tongue into her mouth or take it too fast. Jimmy Brooks, being the gentleman he was, felt satisfied with one short kiss from the girl who accepted him as he was. The girl who taught him it was okay to feel again, and emotionally deal with the shooting. The girl who made him want to be a better person. The girl who truly did inspire him.