Peaks and Jacks

“You know, I really don’t care what any of them think of me.” Diana began, nibbling her sandwich.
“Sure.” Garth mumbled from his sketchbook.
“It’s not me that I care about. No, don’t roll your eyes. It’s not me. It’s my drawings.”
Garth paused in his work and thought for a moment, his eyes glancing off to the right. He cocked his head finally, and said, “Interesting. Explain?” Before burying himself back into the drawing.
“I don’t mind that people don’t notice me when I’m going down the halls. I rather prefer it. I hate being stared at… But I really do wish I had some recognition for my art.”
A group of girls slinked by them, talking quickly and loudly. Their skins were all different shades of “bronze goddess” and their hair long and delightful.
“They make me sick.” Diana leaned sulkily against the wall in front of the art room.
“But you don’t care.”
“So? They still make me sick. They’re the same and they whine and they say stupid things.”
“Not all of them do, you know.”
“Not everyone likes me like they like you, Garth.”
“You don’t make the effort to stand out.”
“Are you saying you have the long hair just so people will see you?”
“No.”
“And always wearing shorts is you get their attention?”
“Nope.”
“But you said I don’t make the effort to stand out.”
“That’s because you don’t stand out naturally, like me.”
“…I hate you.”
“It’s not just you either, you know. You’re artwork doesn’t scream to be seen. It’s very good, and very technical. I love it! The lines are crisp and fine and you’re ideas are so creative and unique. But only artists can see and appreciate how amazing they are.” Garth folded his sketchbook back up and tucked it under an arm.
Diana felt the pangs of oblivion. As human being, Diana was content to be hidden from sight and go unnoticed. She didn’t mind walking down the hallways at school without anyone passing a second glance over her. She didn’t mind being ignored in class by classmates and teachers. And she didn’t mind that she only had one friend.
But, as an artist, Diana was discontent with how overlooked and unnoticed her artwork was. She minded terribly when no one asked what she was drawing in her notebooks. She minded horribly that no one, not even her teachers, complimented her when she won school contests and had her pieces displayed on every wall. And she minded wretchedly that she spent every after school in the art class, and every evening drawing and painting.
“Don’t let it get to you, though. When we’re out of high school, you’ll go to art school and suddenly things will open up and you’ll be seen.”
“Right…”
Garth flipped open the sketchbook again and eyed a piece. Then he turned it to Diana and asked, “Do you think Ashley will like this?”
Diana didn’t really look at the picture, only enough to see decaying corpse awkwardly positioned among flowers or something. Then she looked away again and stared at the courtyard, vaguely aware of a classmate dozing beneath a tree.
“Sure.” She muttered, sliding off the wall and slinking into the art room. Garth didn’t follow, she realized, half-pleased, half-sad. She kind of… wanted to be talked back into a good mood. But no one was going to coax her out of it, so she threw herself into designing a painting.
The day went on and she found she couldn’t even draw in her other classes. Her hand drew the wrong things, and she felt so much worse after each drawing, she eventually put the book away entirely and fell asleep in 7th period.
After school, as usual, she retreated to the art room. She threw on an apron and began a finger painting with her acrylics. As she waited for the second layer to dry, and as she wiped her hands on her rag towel, she heard a strong, yet quiet voice from the door.
“You aren’t invisible, you know.”
She turned to see a familiar looking guy in the doorway. He had dark hair and a slightly fitted vintage shirt on. His jeans fit his form snugly, and his eyes had a look of boredom and sarcasm. He seemed average enough, but she was sure he was in one of her classes.
“Excuse me?”
“I said, you aren’t invisible. You are actually very noticeable. But no one else has the maturity to see it yet. Not even your Garth.” She could remember now, he was the guy she had seen in the courtyard today.
“He’s my best friend, that’s all.”
“I didn’t imply anything.” His eyes narrowed and a smirk flew across his face. Diana was surprised to find her breath catch. So she turned her thoughts to her 7th period class.
“Aren’t you in my history class?” She began.
“Yes.”
“You’re Dominic… Peach?”
He frowned for an irritated moment, but it turned into a laughing frown. “Peak. Dominic Peak.”
“Oh, sorry. I don’t really listen much.”
“You’re Diana Jack.”
“Oh, you… know my name.”
“Like I said, you are actually quite noticeable.”
Suddenly aware she was blushing, she turned to straighten the pile of paintings beside her. “What did you want?”
“Not much. I just came to look.”
“Look?” She fumbled with the blue corner of a piece at the bottom of the stack.
“I enjoy looking at the things I like.”
Suddenly, a very large (yet surprisingly slim and strong looking) hand rested its fingertips on the topmost painting, a few inches from her fingers. She looked up sharply to see Dominic standing extremely close, looking at her with an intense small sort of smile (odd how his jaw had not looked so defined and smooth before. Had it always sloped into a long neck, or was it the light?)
“Things that I find beautiful.” He leaned in very close to her; his eyes (which she suddenly noticed were green with little gold flecks) were narrow and glittered. And she, finding her throat very tightly closed, swallowed audibly.
“Things that I would like to belong to me.” Diana was on the verge of falling backwards now, he was leaning so close to her. But suddenly he pulled back and looked at the painting beneath his fingers.
“What medium did you use on this?” He seemed utterly focused on the piece and not a bit on her, so she took the moment to catch her breath and unbutton her top button for some cooler air. It was certainly warm in the art room.
“Watercolor.” She whispered, now turning back to her acrylic piece that had dried.
She tried to ignore him as she mixed the cold, smooth paints on her tray into an eggplant sort of purple. But she was painfully aware that he was looking at her. So she mixed with more fervor.
Moments passed and she was halfway through the new layer when he spoke again.
“You thought I was talking about something else didn’t you?”
“Sure, this room is full of artwork.” She smeared a long smooth line with one finger.
“No, you thought I was talking about something you hadn’t made.”
“That’s possible considering I didn’t make over half the pieces in here.” Suddenly, she didn’t like the purple color, so she wiped her fingers onto her apron and went to the sink to wash her hands.
“True. But I think… you thought… you hoped… I was talking about you.”
Her hands were still wet when she turned to respond with “Oh please, I hardly know you.” But the words had hardly left her mouth as she turned to find him, once again, very close to her.
She jolted and leapt back, slipping slightly in the puddle beneath her. She fumbled with her hands and supported herself with the countertop. He placed his right hand over her left and his left hand over her right and leaned in very close. He was inches from her, and she could not bear to move, her heart pounding with such severity she thought she would pass out. But he stopped, a small smile forming.
“You don’t have to be so afraid. I won’t attack you.” He pulled back from her.
“I’m not afraid.”
“Then don’t be disappointed.”
“Seriously? I’m not.” She looked away now, thinking of glaciers and ice cream to distract from the heat that spread across her face and hands. She longed also, for the pit of her stomach to come back from wherever it had plummeted to after he had pulled away. And she scorned herself for all these stupid thoughts in her head.
“Well, in that case, I’ll see you around.” And he headed for the door.
As soon as he had turned away from her, she leaned forward slightly. And almost instantly, he turned back to her causing her to stiffen up again.
“By the way, what you are doing tonight?” He threw the words at her as effortlessly as he had picked up her painting. But they hit her like a wall.
“Um, tonight? I was going to… paint.”
“Oh, I see.” He didn’t move nor waver his gaze, which was heated and striking.
“W-why?” She could have kicked herself for asking.
“I wanted to take you out.”
Catching herself without even a stagger for him to see, she was grateful for the counter beneath her hands.
“Well, I’m sure I have time to go out. I can always paint tomorrow.” She couldn’t believe the things she was saying, and especially couldn’t believe the saucy way she was saying them.
But when he smiled, a genuine and open smile, she couldn’t help but smile back.
“Good. I’ll pick you up at six, if that’s okay.”
“Yeah, that’s good for me. Do you know where I live?”
He chuckled, “Yeah. I got that one. Wear jeans, comfortable shoes, and your favorite T-shirt.”
He took a step toward her, but then hesitated. He furrowed his brow for a moment, and then strode quickly from the room.
And only after the last of his footsteps had silenced did Diana slide to the floor and laugh as she held her blushing cheeks.


Diana didn’t want to admit how much pleasure she got from telling Garth about her encounter with Dominic. But she couldn’t help but jump outrageously on her bed. She did her very best to look her sexiest because she knew she could be as sexy as he was (not that he was sexy) if she actually put in the effort.
So she was trying not to bounce off the walls when she heard the doorbell. But she tried to keep in mind she had only just met this guy and she probably shouldn’t have said yes to a date yet. But she couldn’t help but say yes to him. And when she saw him in her doorway that evening, she couldn’t help but be so glad she did.
On her front doorstep at exactly six o’clock, stood Dominic dressed in a different shirt (obviously a band shirt) but the same jeans (they fit him in a very nice way). She could really appreciate how good-looking he was now, in a way she hadn’t when she had first seen him. How his black hair, which was a few inches long, was obviously gelled only the slightest bit and sticking up in the most perfect of ways. And he was actually very tall and slim, but he had some defined muscles in his arms, and broadness to his chest. She wondered if she was at all up to par with this guy.
But from the way he stared at her with wide eyes and a slightly gaping mouth, she guessed he liked what he saw well enough.
“Hey” she said, hoping to bring out his sarcasm. It worked well enough, for he snapped back to reality and smiled at her.
“Hey.” He reached out and took her hands, raising them up so he could get a good look at her. “I didn’t know you owned a shirt quite like that.”
“I didn’t know you paid attention to my wardrobe.” She smirked.
He dropped her hands and looked a little red, but he shrugged it off.
“Well, you’re actually—“
“Quite noticeable? So I’ve heard.” She was still amazed at how outgoing she was being. And apparently, he was too.
“You’ve suddenly developed a bit of a bite since this afternoon. I saw a preview of this, but I thought you were just shooing me away.”
“No, I’m actually quite vicious when I want to be. So, where are you taking me?” She closed her door behind her, and stepped into the moonlight beside him, trying desperately to ignore the butterflies fighting it out in her stomach.
“San Francisco.”


It turned out he was taking her to a concert in a small venue. The band that was headlining was one she had never heard of before but she fell in love with the music instantly and had a great time dancing with Dominic as he sang along with the audience. She had a blast; only feeling the butterflies acutely when he pulled her closer for some of the dancing or sang in her ear so she could understand the lyrics better. He bought her their newest album, which happened to be signed, and a band T-shirt that was to be worn “the next time we go out.”
They laughed and talked all the way to his car. Pleased to find she actually knew a lot of the bands he did, they talked mostly about music. When it began to rain very lightly, they started to run to the car. And it wasn’t until the car was is sight that she realized they were holding hands.
She stopped as soon as she realized it, but couldn’t let go. She just stared at the intertwined fingers, letting reality and wisdom smack her in the face. She dropped his hand. And the sky, as if paying attention her movements, opened up and it began to pour heavily.
“What’s wrong?” His voice called her to come back into the pink haze that had surrounded her since the afternoon. But she fought it. And he sensed the turmoil and did not even try to get out her out of the rain.
She had just met this guy. She went to high school with him, sure. She knew his name, yes. And, right, they had a lot in common. And, okay, he was very attractive. But she had only just met him! How could she be acting so friendly already? Was she that desperate to have someone of her own? Another glance at him, as soaking wet as he was, with these new eyes of discernment told her he was really as good looking as she thought. And her memory told her he was actually as awesome and fun as she remembered. But it couldn’t be this easy…
And as if he read her mind, he spoke.
“I know. It’s too perfect, isn’t it?”
She could only nod. A sniff escaped her.
“I probably should have waited to ask you out. But I wanted to take you to this particular band.” He shoved his hands into his pockets. He looked like a little boy now, and she wanted to wrap her arms around him. But she did not move.
“You know why no one saw you?”
She shook her head, water flying everywhere, “More like, why did you see me?”
He took a step toward her.
“Because I could see how beautiful you are.”
Another step.
“And I knew how smart you were.”
One more step, and he’d run into her.
“And I knew how kind you were.”
He was right in front of her now, his warmth emanating. She shivered in the rain, but said to him, “How did you know all that? I didn’t talk in class. I didn’t really dress up at all. How did you see any of it?”
“I’ve seen every piece of artwork you’ve ever made.” He shuffled his feet as he looked down at her.
She felt a lightning spark up her spine, warming every inch of her. Someone had noticed her artwork! And Dominic had seen her in them!
“How?”
“The art teacher, Mr. Downey, is my uncle. First day of freshman year I went in and he was grading your first assignment. And it stayed with me. Forever. I—“ he stumbled over his words, shivering a little in the cold, “I went out of my way to find out who you were. And everyday, I’d go look at what you made after you had left. And every year, I’d hope to be in at least one class with you. I know it’s kind of creepy, now that I see it from this perspective.”
But Diana didn’t think it was creepy. She didn’t at all. She was burning up inside with this newfound knowledge that someone had valued her existence at school enough to hope for a glimpse of her. She loved that that person had turned out to be amazing and spectacular to be around...
“How come I never noticed you?” She had to shout now because the rain was so loud. “How come I never saw the awesome guy you are? We were in classes together for years and I only knew your name! How could I not have seen you? Was I that self-absorbed?”
“No!” He shouted, taking his hands from his pockets and placing them on her cheeks. “No.” He was very, very close to her face now. She could feel his breath on her cheeks, and she could hear him without him shouting. “No. You never saw me, because I didn’t want to be seen.”
“But why would you hide? Why didn’t you come to me freshmen year? Wouldn’t it have made high school so much better?” She whispered, feeling completely breathless.
“I was not who I wanted to be.” Dominic’s thumbs reached out and wiped her cheeks, an obvious attempt to smudge away dripping make up. He smiled, a shiver crossing his mouth. “I was not the kind of guy I wanted to be for you. I knew I could have come out and taken you. But I wanted…” He breathed deeply, “I wanted to be spectacular for you. In every way.”
Diana raised her hands to grip his soaking shirt, and shivered uncontrollably in the freezing rain.
“When we finally talked today, I had so many expectations and so many choice words to say. But as much as you were what I knew you were, you were also much more. I realized that you didn’t know me like I knew you, so you might not have chosen me after all. And even then, I saw so much of you I never knew, and I couldn’t back away. How you could look so innocent and look at me with those overpowering eyes that...” He shivered again. “It was overwhelming, and staggeringly hard not to kiss you that moment by the sink.” He breathed very deeply, his eyes searching her face. She felt that he could see into her soul and could read her like a book. It terrified her that he saw so much in who she was in her art. But thrilled her that he liked what he had seen enough to change.
“I like you.” He said. “I like you. I like you so much, I want to fall in love with you tomorrow.”
She smiled, her cheeks cupped perfectly in his hands. “Me too.”
She felt his hands soften on her skin, the fingers adjust to her jaw line as well, and then he kissed her fiercely on the mouth. She let go of his shirt and pushed him away for a moment, only until she had room to throw her arms around his neck. And he, in turn, wrapped his arms around her waist and yanked her off the ground, kissing her so intensely, she felt dizzy and weightless