Free 93 Sampler Page A

couple of breaths; Jackson is probably eating breakfast by now and I don’t want him to worry about me acting out of character ; excitement isn’t something he sees from me typically.
        “Morning,” I say when I enter the main room. As predicted, Jackson has a bowl in his hand, and he’s watching some morning news show.
        Instantly he looks up at me. “Uh, hey. Are you okay?”
         Busted.         I’m unable to stop my grin. “Of course I am. Why wouldn’t I be?”
        Jackson shrugs. “You seem weird. Not bad, just weird.”
        I merely keep my smile in place and make my way to the kitchen to get my own breakfast.
        “Wait,” Jackson shouts, making me jump.
        “What?”
        He looks at me, his gaze roaming over my face. “This is because of Ashton, isn’t it ?”
        I bite my lip and nod, slowly; I can’t lie to him. “I can’t explain it. Something about him just…” I trail off, feeling my face heat up slightly. “He makes me want to do something I shouldn’t do.”
        Jackson smirks and raises his brows. “Never figured you for the type,” he says, jokingly.
        I smack his arm lightly, and when his eyes widen, I know he’s just shocked that I’m not arguing.
        The thing is, I’m not ready to give up my good mood yet. I’ve had my phone on airplane mode so my parents can’t reach me, and I plan on keeping it that way for a few more hours; nothing will bring me down right now .
        “Not like that . Just… I have an idea, Jackson. It’s crazy, my mother would go  crazy, but I’m going to do it.”
        Jackson tilts his head to the side in question.
        “I’m getting my hair done. And I mean really  done,” I explain.
        He grins. “Finally. I’ve been listening to you complaining about wanting to for months!”
        I take a bite of my breakfast bar. “I know. But this time I’m not backing out. I can do this.”
        I always wanted a new hairstyle. Having the same one since the age of fourteen, I recently found a specific style I fell in love with, only I’d never been able to go through with it.
        Until now. Until taking a risk and going out with a guy my parents would never approve of made me feel like I could do anything.
        “Do you have to schedule anything?” Jackson asks, and I shake my head.
        “I’ll call from the car. She knows my mother and me, she’ll make room if she has to.”
        He nods. “Sounds good. I’m driving though, okay? No way am I going to let you have an excuse to turn around and not go through with this.”
        “Sounds good to me. Can I borrow your phone to call them? I’m not taking my phone off airplane mode until after I do this.”
        Jackson laughs. “We might actually get your hair changed today at this rate,” he says, handing his phone to me. “I’m ready when you are.”

    ▼
            It’s an hour later, and I’ve just hung up the phone, so my hairdresser is expecting me.
        “Alright, so tell me,” Jackson begins, “What exactly inspired the hair thing?”
        A smile finds its way onto my face once again, as I recall the night before. “I just had the best time. I let go for a few hours, and found just what fun can really be.”
        He pulls into the parking lot I indicate to him, and I feel a burst of happiness at the familiar sight of Jenny’s , the regular salon my mother and I go to. When the car stops, Jackson turns to look at me.
        “What?” I ask, feeling a little self-conscious at the intensity in his eyes.
        He shakes his head. “Nothing, I just… I don’t think I remember the last time I saw you smile this much ,” he