The Day She Fell In Love

Jocelyn took off her sunglasses as she stepped into the coffee shop. Her usual place of visit, she grabbed a magazine off of the shelf, and headed up to the counter.

“Usual?” The young man behind the counter asked.

“Sure Conner.” Jocelyn said, he handed her a cup of hot chocolate and a blueberry muffin, “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” Conner said, as she paid, he rang up her change and handed it to her, “Here you are.”

“You’re such a sweetie.” She said, and sat down at a table in the back of the place.

-45 MINUTES LATER-

Jocelyn got up and walked over to a table where a guy in his early 30’s sat.

“Can I have your autograph?” she asked.

“Sure.” he said, “What’s your name?” He smiled up at her.

“Jocelyn.”

“That’s a very pretty name.” He said, he signed his name on a napkin, “I’m Joey, but I’m sure you already knew that.” Jocelyn laughed, “Would you like to join me?” he asked.

“Sure.” She said, and sat down across from him.

“So you come here often?”

“Yep, every Saturday.” Jocelyn said.

“Wow.” He said.

“You?”

“I try to as often as I can.” He said, “Just very busy.”

“You guys are still recording and stuff?”

“Not as much. We’ll go in every once and a while and goof off.” He said, “We mostly do our own things now.”

“Yeah.” Jocelyn said.

“So what do you do?” He asked.

“Well right now, I am working as an intern for an architectural firm, but once I save up enough I’d like to branch out on my own.” She said.

“Sounds like fun.”

“It is.”

“Would you like to go for a walk?” He asked.

“I’d love to.” Jocelyn said, the two of them got up and left. He grabbed her hand, and she blushed.

“So where are you from?” He asked.

“I’m from Texas.” She said, “How could you tell I wasn’t from around here?”

“The accent.” He said.

“Is it really that bad?” Jocelyn asked.

“No. It’s quite cute actually.”

“Well thanks.” She blushed, “I guess.”

“So how old are you Jocelyn?” He asked.

“25.” She said, “And your 33 right?”

“Yep. How’d you know that?” he asked giving her a funny look.

“Old habit.” She said, and he laughed, “Let’s stop here. Do you mind?”

“Not at all.” He said. The two of them walked into a small bookstore.

“I love bookstores," She said, “Come on.” He followed her to the back of the store.

“They’re okay.” He said.

“Just okay? You don’t like to read?”

“I have to actually want to sit down and read.” He said.

“Aw . . . it’s fun.” Jocelyn said, she picked up a book and read the back, “This book looks good . . . I’m going to get it.”

The two of them walked up to the front of the store.

“Is this all I can get for you today?” The lady behind the counter asked.

“Yes.” Jocelyn said.

The cashier rang up the book, “$5.36.” She said.

“All right.” Jocelyn went to get out her wallet, but Joey got to his quicker, and paid for the book, “You don’t have to do that.”

“It’s on me.” He said, “Don’t worry.”

“Well thank you very much.” Jocelyn said gratefully. The cashier gave him the change, put Jocelyn’s book in a bag for her, and handed it to her, “Thanks.” Jocelyn smiled.

“You two have a nice day.” She said, as Jocelyn and Joey left the store.

“So what is your all time favorite book?” Joey asked.

“My all time favorite?” Jocelyn asked, thinking, “That’s kind of hard, I like all of the books I’ve read. But my favorite author is Bill Wallace. When I was in elementary school I read all of his books.”

“I don’t think I‘ve ever heard of him.” Joey pondered.

“Maybe if you read more.” She stated a bit snippy only meaning to be sarcastic.

“Maybe.” Joey said, “So what else do you do for fun?”

“Well, “She paused, “Not much. I do like to write, but I haven’t done that in a few years.”

“What’d you write about?”

“You really don’t want to know.” She scrunched up her nose, squinted her eyes, and shook her head. Joey laughed, “Okay. But what if I really did?” He pried.

“You’d run away screaming.” Jocelyn laughed, and turned around so that she was walking backwards, facing him.

“I would? Would I?” He asked, “Just tell me.”

“I’d tell you but I don’t want you to run.” She said, turning back around, and walking ahead of him a few steps. Joey walked faster to catch up with her.

“If I run, I’ll run slow enough so you can catch me.” He said.

“Is that a diss?” Jocelyn stopped and put her hands on her hips. She laughed watching his face, “Are you saying that I, me, Jocelyn, can not run?”

“Oh yes . . .it’s definitely a diss.” With that said, Joey took off running. Jocelyn chased after him, till they ended up at the beach.

“I told you . . . I . . . could . . . run.” Jocelyn said breathing really hard and laughing, finally catching up to him, “Man I haven’t done that in forever.” She laughed, grabbed onto his shirt, and bent over, still catching her breath.

“Are you okay?” He laughed, resting his hand on her back.

“Oh yes,” She paused, “Definitely.” And he laughed.

“So what did you write about?” He asked.

Jocelyn looked up at him and glared, “I am not about to run again. No way-mister.” She said.

“Okay, this time I PROMISE I won’t run.” He said, his eyes gleaming mischief.

“Are you sure?“ Jocelyn asked, looking at him, trying to stay serious.

“Yes. Really. I do.” He nodded his head eagerly.

“I still don’t trust you.” She said, and started walking back towards the strip of stores. Joey followed.

“Oh come on. I just want to know.” He said, “I won’t blackmail you or anything.”

Jocelyn looked at his face, which looked sincere enough, “Fan-fiction.” She said as quickly as she could.

“What kind of Fan-fiction.” He said the last words really fast in a mocking manner.

She looked at him, “I am not at liberty to say.” She laughed at the face he was making, not to mention he stomped ahead a few feet in front of her, and stopped, making her run into him.

“Just please. Tell me.” He begged.

“Why are you so interested in knowing?” She asked.

“Because I’d like to get to know you better.” He said, a little shyly. Jocelyn looked at him with surprise in her eyes, and began walking again. Joey followed shortly and caught up to her.

“If you REALLY insist on knowing.” She paused.

“Which I REALLY do.” He interrupted.

She shook her head at his mocking behavior, and continued, “Since you REALLY insist . . . *N Sync fan-fiction. If that’s what you want to call it.”

“We went through all of that just because you wouldn’t tell me that you wrote about ME!” He said dramatically, sighing, and placing his hand on his forehead.

Jocelyn looked at him strangely, “You really are pathetic aren’t you?”

“Of course.” Joey said, “So what else can I pry out of you?” He asked her mischievously.

“Why don’t you see?" Jocelyn asked challenging him with her eyes and the tone in her voice.

“Favorite color?” He asked.

Jocelyn snickered and then answered, “Blue all the way.”

“Other music, besides me, that you like to listen to?” He asked smiling brightly.

“You do realize that these aren’t very PERSONAL questions, but if you must know, the Backstreet Boys, 5ive, The Beatle’s, The Beach Boys, 3 Dog Night, umm . . . other stuff. Can’t think with the way you’re looking at me.” Jocelyn said. She looked at him and blushed.

“I can’t help it, you’re cute.” He said, “So any boyfriends?” He asked knowing, that that would probably get her riled up.

“Can’t say that I do, because I don’t.” She said.

“And why not, any pretty girl like you should have one.” He said. Jocelyn blushed again, “And stop blushing, you’re making me nervous.”

She laughed, “That makes you nervous?” She laughed again, “Sorry, but me blushing makes you nervous?”

“Yes.” He said, “Now quite bugging me about it. So why no boyfriends?”

“Eh . . . well I really don’t know.” She said, “Just haven’t had much time for one. Ya know? I’m busy with work and such.”

“Oh.” Joey pondered for a moment, “If someone were to say ask you out, what would you say?” He asked.

“Get to the point Joe.” Jocelyn said and smiled at him, “I would say ‘yes’ depending on who it was and where we’d be going.”

He seemed to think about it a bit more, “Where would you want to go?” He asked.

“Damnit Joey!” She half yelled, “Get to the point! I can tell you want to ask me out. Sheesh.” She stopped walking once they got to her car. Joey looked at her, as she pulled out a piece of paper and a pen, wrote down her phone number and address, and handed it to him, “I’ll be ready at seven, and if you don’t show up I’ll be really disappointed.” She gave him a quick kiss on the lips and got in her car. Jocelyn waved, and then drove off. Joey stood there, in shock, watching, after about five minutes he left.

-7:00 p.m.-

Jocelyn opened the door to her house, and saw Joey standing there all dressed up; well it was nicer then what he was wearing earlier that day. She let him in.

“Jocelyn.” He said, “You look great.” He handed her some white roses, and she gladly took them.

“Thank you Joey.” Jocelyn said, “If you’d like, you can have a seat on the couch, I’m going to put these in water.” She said.

“I’ll just wait here.” Joey said, he fidgeted nervously, and just stood there.

“Stop now you’re making me nervous.” Jocelyn said, looking at him, after coming out of the kitchen, she set the vase on the table that was in the foyer, “Well that brightens the room up a bit. Ready?”

“Yeah.” Joey said, he opened her front door and the two of them left after Jocelyn locked it up.

“So where are we going?” Jocelyn asked, as Joey pulled out of the driveway.

“Where would you like to go?” He asked.

“Anywhere is fine with me.” She said, “I like Tias.”

“Okay, we’ll go there then.” Joey said, “So . . . “

“So what?” Jocelyn asked, “How come you don’t have a girlfriend?”

“I’m not sure. I kind of lost interest in dating for awhile.” He said.

“You . . . ” Jocelyn said shocked, “Lost interest in dating.”

“Well, I also didn’t have much time.” He said.

“Always the excuse” Jocelyn shook her head jokingly.

“Hey.” Joey said.

“Sorry.” She said, and turned to look out the window.

-At Tias-

“So what’s your family like?” Joey asked, eating a chip that had fallen onto his lap, and then picking at his dinner.

Jocelyn finished chewing, “Well . . . they are very nice. My parents are still married; they’ve been married for almost 30 years now. I have a younger brother who plays basketball for the University of Wisconsin, and we get along pretty well. All of my aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins live in Wisconsin to.” She said, “I however grew up in the dull state of Texas, and hate it with a passion.”

Joey laughed at her last remarks; “I always liked Texas when we were there. Six Flags was awesome.”

Jocelyn laughed, “Don’t get me started on Six Flags, because I hate it!”

“How can you not like Six Flags?” Joey asked shockingly.

“I hate roller-coasters, so therefore when I go it is so boring.” She said, “I haven’t been since I was like 9.”

“Oh.” Joey said thinking; he took another bite of his dinner, “So anything else about your family?”

“Umm. . . “Jocelyn said, “I don’t think so. I haven’t seen them since I moved here from Wisconsin, after I finished school. I’m going to go back for Christmas.”

“Do your parents still live in Texas?” Joey asked.

“Yep.” Jocelyn said, “I don’t know why they stay there, but it’s their choice. So what about your family?”

“Most of them are here. I have aunts and uncles up in New York still, but everyone is pretty much here.” He said, “My parents have been married for a long time. My brother and sister are both married, so I have a few nieces and nephews.”

“Cool.” Jocelyn said, she pushed her plate away from her, “Well I am full.”

“You barely ate any.” Joey said.

“I don’t eat as much as I used too.” Jocelyn said, and laughed, “I grew out of the whole high metabolism stage of my life. Which personally I think sucks, because that means I have to exercise more, which I should have anyway . . . oh well.”

“Okay.” Joey said, “Do you have any pets?”

“My parents have my dogs. I have a chocolate Lab, Bucky, and a yellow Lab mix, Ross. I’m going to get them down here, hopefully soon.” Jocelyn said, “I miss my babies.”

“Awe . . . don’t cry.” Joey said. Jocelyn laughed, and messed around with the food on her plate, “Are you ready to get out of here?” He asked, watching her.

“Sure.” Jocelyn said, “I have a meeting tomorrow, for some funky reason, and I need my sleep.”

“Okay.” Joey said, he waved down the waiter and got their check, “A meeting on a Sunday? What for?”

“Major project. I’ve got these plans for a new building downtown that I have to show the engineers and explain how I want it done. Usual though. I however would like to have a day off, especially a Sunday, but it’ll only be a few hours or so.”

“That’s to bad.” Joey said sounding a bit disappointed.

“Why?” Jocelyn asked, “Did you want to do something with me tomorrow?”

“Well I got these tickets to a concert, and I was wondering if you’d want to go with me.” Joey asked getting the change from the waiter. The two of them stood up, and he led her out of the restaurant.

“Well the meeting should be over with by noon at the latest. I’m sure I could still go, if you really want to take me.” Jocelyn smiled as he helped her into his car,

Joey’s face lit up into a smile, “That would be great. I could pick you up at 5:30 and we can get something to eat before we go to the concert.” Joey suggested and closed the door. He went around to the other side and got in.

“Sounds like a plan.” Jocelyn smiled.

-Back at Jocelyn’s Place-

Joey walked her up to the door, “I had fun tonight.”

“Me too.” Jocelyn said, “I had fun all day. It was really nice meeting you.” She said.

“Yeah.” Joey said, “So I’ll see you tomorrow?” He asked.

“You bet.” Jocelyn said. Joey leaned down and kissed her. Jocelyn wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. After a few seconds Joey pulled away, and Jocelyn looked at him, he touched her cheek.

“I better get going.” He said almost breathlessly.

“Yeah.” Jocelyn said, “Thanks again. I had a really great time.”

“Your welcome sweetheart.” Joey said, he kissed her again once more and walked to his car.

Jocelyn stood outside watching him leave, after his car disappeared around the corner she unlocked her door and went in. Jocelyn leaned up against her front door and sighed, ‘This is definitely going to work out.’ In a dreamlike state she walked into her bedroom and got ready for bed.

THE END.