Free A Look Back: Rennillia Series - Prequel by M. Sembera Page A

smirk, replying, “Your dates are sorta infamous.”
    Nodding, he shared, “Well, outside of dating, there’s basketball.”
    “That’s all?” I questioned, hoping to covey a ‘not impressed’ vibe.
    Giving me a strange look, he replied, “I have an academic scholarship for college.”
    Curious, I asked, “I thought you were a junior?”
    “I’m in the honors program,” he informed.
    Tilting my head to the side, I said, “I didn’t know that.”
    Jackson appeared uncomfortable and I was intrigued.
    There were only about fifteen students at my school in the honors program. These select students, not only ranked highest at our school, were amongst the highest in the state. Their classes were in an entirely different building from everyone else’s and half of their day was divided between our school and the local college.
    “So how did you get in?” I questioned, suddenly fascinated with him.
    Relaxing a bit, Jackson explained, “I was picked after one of my teachers suggested I take the test.”
    “Humh, I didn’t know you were so smart,” I thought out loud.
    Smiling wide, he shared, “Yea, I’m just good at tests because it’s easy for me to memorize stuff.”
    “Do you have a photographic memory or something like that?” I asked.
    Shrugging, he corrected, “It’s actually called an eidetic memory because it’s not just things I see, there’s a bunch of big words that explain it but to be honest it’s not a big deal.”
    “It’s a big deal,” I assured, unintentionally flirting.
    Leaning closer, he asked, “What are you good at?” with a smile.
    Suddenly nervous, the only thing that came to mind was ‘getting in trouble’.
    With a little laugh, I sat up tall, sharing, “I’m good at everything I do.”
    Nodding with a smile, he questioned, “What do you like to do?”
    Thinking, I wish he would stop asking that, I replied, “Whatever I want.”
    “Do you want to go out with me?” he asked, raising his eyebrows.
    Wanting to say yes, without appearing as eager as I was, I decided to make him work for it. Rolling my eyes, I stood up. Thankfully Emerson walked back into the kitchen, giving me time to put him off a little longer. At this point, I was definitely going to say yes.
    When Emerson sat down, he swayed the conversation toward basketball. I enjoyed listening to them talk about their team. It was very cute, the way Jackson seemed to get all excited about their wins and points scored. And I found out another interesting fact. Jackson had been on the varsity team since freshman year. Then out of nowhere, Hert popped into my head. I thought of what he would say about me going out with Jackson and I started to second guess myself.
    Breaking my concentration, Jackson stood up saying, “Oh, I have to go!”
    I blurted, “Got a hot date?” without thinking.
    “That depends,” he said before stepping to me and asking, “Will you go out with me?”
    Shaking my head, I watched him sigh, making a little pouty face.
    Emerson politely said, “Tell your parents, I said thank you for letting you come practice today.”
    Jackson laughed, “Yea, my dad said he didn’t think we needed the practice but we should get that number four over here 'cause he needs it.”
    Emerson nodded, laughing back.
    “So you have plans with your parents tonight?” I asked, wondering why he had asked me out last night for tonight.
    Shaking his head, he answered, “Nah, I have to help my dad clean the garage,” then patted Em on the back saying, “See ya later man.”
    A little disappointed to see him go, I said, “Bye,” with a little smile.
    Before Jackson walked out the back door, he smiled wide and said, “Later Ren,” with a wink.
    I couldn’t help smiling wide.
    Emerson and I watched a few movies in the living room before deciding to call it a night. Even though it seemed boring for a Saturday evening, lying in his room talking had become my favorite thing to do. I figured it was in my best