Jurassic world of crushes

Got another great sentence as inspiration for today's story (it appears in red).

(via)

"Want to go see the Jurassic Park movie with me?"

Jemma blinked up at Grant. Had she heard him right? She stared at the granite counter top, the same one Grant had eaten snacks and dinners on since they were kids. She'd grown up with him at her house, playing Play Station with her older brother Jeremy and eating all the food her mom could put out. 

She'd been infatuated with him since she was twelve, a silly crush that had blossomed over the past four years into full on love. 

He had seen her as nothing but annoying at first, desperate as she was to hang out with her brother and his cool friends. Then last year he had flirted with her like crazy. She flirted back, he never asked her out, she grew to hate him for it. They had a huge falling apart one weekend in the back yard. He said he thought he had liked her, but didn't. They were too close to ever date. They'd go back to how they were. 

It was easy. They would be friends. She would hide her true feelings and move on.

Hard to do when the boy she was in love with and trying to get over just asked her to the movies. " 

Grant stuffed his hands in his pockets and glanced at the kitchen counter, then at her. "Friday, maybe?"

 

"What, like, with a group?"

He looked at her, his brown eyes piercing. "No, just you and me." 

His words were a hammer, pulverizing her heart into the tiniest of pieces. No, no, no. He couldn't do this. 

Jemma shook her head. "That's not what we agreed on."

"I know." His voice was steady. How could it be steady? He was ruining everything.

"No." She moved to the other side of the kitchen island. "No, that's not what we said."

"I know." In two steps he'd come around the island and swallowed up the space between them. "I know that's not what we said. But it's what I want."

Jemma wrapped her arms around her middle."No, Grant." She'd lose him. He'd change his mind, just like last time. Her throat tightened and she forced out her words. "We're just friends. You cannot change the rules." She stared down at the floor, unable to look him in the eye. 

Grant laid his hand on her arm and tugged it loose, then twined his fingers through hers. "We are friends. That's why I want this."

Jemma shook her head, hating the wretched tears that were streaming down her face. "You'll change your mind," she whispered. 

"No I won't," he whispered back. 

"Jeremy will hate it."

"I'll kick Jeremy's butt."

"You'll get annoyed with me."

"I haven't so far, and I've been around you all my life." Grant rubbed his thumb over her palm. "Please, Jemma."

She had no idea what to say, but opened her mouth anyway. 

Before words could form, her mom rounded the corner. "Hi, Grant."

"Hey Mrs. Brantley." Grant kept hold of her hand.

Holy crap, he kept hold of her hand.