Chapter 2: Take My Breath Away
"So, we're here," Jacob said, opening the door for his date and helping her out. He stopped for just a second to admire her yet again.
"Rachel, you look beautiful," he told her. "You take my breath away." (Keep this in mind.)
Rachel smiled shyly. "Thank you," she said, softly. "You don't look too bad yourself."
Jacob looked at what he was wearing. "It's a tux. Big deal."
Rachel smiled again. "I've never seen you so dressed up. I think you look very handsome."
This time it was Jacob's turn to smile shyly. "Well� thank you. Really."
"No problem." Rachel looked up at the Municipal Auditorium. "Well, shall we go in, or what?"
"I think we shall." Jacob extended his arm, and Rachel took it. Together, they walked into the auditorium.
~*~
"Are you sure, Ethan? I mean, you know Rachel's going to be there, with someone else."
"I want to see her, Stacey. I want to see how beautiful she looks. Do you really think she and that� what's his name? Jeremy? Cody? Jason? Caleb?"
"Jacob," Stacey replied.
"Whatever. Do you think they're going out?"
"No, because Rachel would have told me. Believe me. If they get together-which I think will happen very soon-the place it would happen would be at Mid-Winter."
"Damn it," Ethan cursed. "Why couldn't I have asked her myself?"
"Because you're a chicken, that's why," Stacey taunted.
"Shut up." Ethan looked up at the beckoning doors of the auditorium. He sighed deeply. "Well, here goes nothing. Tonight is the night I tell Rachel how I feel." He went up the stairs, leaving Stacey behind.
"If you're not too late�"
~*~
The dance was in full swing. Rachel had talked to a whole bunch of her friends, including Ethan and Stacey. Here's the deal with them.
Okay. Ethan and Rachel have known each other for a while. They are really good friends-Rachel considers Ethan to be her best guy friend. For a while, Rachel liked Ethan. And she still does, kind of� well, now that she's become closer to Jacob, maybe not, but� well, it's complicated. See, if Jacob hadn't entered the picture, Ethan and Rachel may have become the class of 2003's best couple. J But unfortunately, Ethan was too shy to speak up about his feelings, and someone else has his beloved's heart. (And he really cares about her too. He's got a reputation of being a player, but somehow, he seems to think that Rachel is different�) So� yeah.
Anyway. The first slow dance had started, and Jacob was still hanging out with his friends and everything. They had agreed on not making a big deal of being with other friends when there were slow dances going on (though Jacob had promised a slow dance). Ethan took this opportunity to ask Rachel to dance.
"Okay," she agreed.
Ethan took her hand and led her to the floor, where they started dancing.
My friends say you're so into me
and that you need me desperately
They say you say we're so complete
but I need to hear it straight from you
if you want me to believe it's true
I've been waiting for so long, it hurts
I wanna hear you say the words
Please�
"Rachel, there's something I've been meaning to tell you�" Ethan whispered into her ear.
"What is it?" she replied.
"I'll tell you later, okay?" They continued dancing as Rachel wondered if he was finally going to tell her about how he felt.
Don't, don't let me be the last to know
Don't hold back, just let it go
I need to hear you say you need me all the way
Oh, if you love me so,
don't let me be the last to know
Your body language says so much
I feel it in the way you touch
But 'til you say the words, it's not enough
Come on and tell me you're in love
Please�
"Rachel, you look stunning tonight."
She smiled. "Thanks." What, now their conversation was limited to small talk? She wanted to make certain that Ethan really did have a crush on her or something. She could definitely tell by his actions.
Don't, don't let me be the last to know
Don't hold back, just let it go
I need to hear you say you need me all the way
Oh, if you love me so
don't let me be the last to know
Come on, baby
come on darling, ooh, yeah
Come on, let me be the one
Come on now...
I need to hear you say
you love me all the way
and I don't wanna wait another day
(I wanna feel the way you feel, come on)
Don't, don't let me be the last to know
Don't hold back, just let it go
I need to hear you say you need me all the way
So, baby, if you love me,
don't let me be the last to know
"Rachel, remember, I have to talk to you later, okay?"
"Sure. Thanks for the dance, Ethan." (Her first slow dance, by the way�)
"No problem." Ethan walked off and Rachel found her friends Evelyn, Carrie and Julie Beth. As they walked around and talked, a little while later, another slow song started, and Rachel felt someone tap her shoulder. It was Jacob.
"Wanna dance?" was all he asked.
Rachel smiled. "Sure." As they made their way to the center of the dance floor, out of the corner of her eye, Rachel could see a deflated Ethan standing to the side. He looked really sad, like, really sad. Rachel felt sorry for him, but at the same time, she was exhilarated. This was something she'd been dreaming of for so long.
"Have you ever heard this song before?" Jacob asked, interrupting her thoughts.
"What? Oh. No� maybe I have, like once, because it sounds familiar, but� not really."
Oh yeah, oh yeah
Jacob laughed. "Listen to these words." He looked intently into her eyes, and Rachel felt a shiver go all through her.
"Sure."
If I had castles built on high,
I'd find a million ways to write your name against the sky
just to let you know you've caught my eye
If I had more than wealth could buy,
I'd sell it all and start again for just a chance with you
Girl, I'd give my all to win your love
And I would be rich
and I would build all my world around you
just to show you how you take my breath away
and you would find love, sweet lady
Nobody else this side of heaven knows
how you take my breath away
~*~
Ethan saw what was happening between Jacob and Rachel. They were getting closer. He could totally relate to this song; he had to agree with Jacob as it being the perfect song for Rachel. Ethan only saw one thing wrong with the picture. He should have been the one who was holding Rachel in his arms, instead of that Jacob guy. He should have just told her before.
Ethan wasn't the only one who noticed this stunning couple. A lot of the people in choir noticed this and smiled. Jacob was the dancer guy, the all around performer and probably the most advanced sophomore guy, destined to make Chamber Singers in his lifetime as a high-school student; Rachel was the singer, the amazing, talented singer with a voice like no other, the most advanced sophomore girl. She was destined to make Chambers as well. And if they were still around next year, they would replace Joseph and Jessica as the choir couple. Along with that, there was the striking look; they both had dark hair, dark eyes, olive skin, perfect heights, and their similar giving, caring personalities, towards their friends and each other� basically, the perfect couple.
Then there were their friends, ones who knew how much Rachel had admired Jacob, long before he even knew she existed. And the ones who knew how much Jacob cared about Rachel now. Almost the whole dance stopped as they watched these two dance, almost like one.
If I could turn the day to night,
if I had faith to walk on water,
maybe you would see the reason I thank God for miracles
'Cause baby, when you walked into sight,
you turned an ordinary man like me into a king
I would do anything to win your love
And I would be rich
And I would build all my world around you
just to show you how you take my breath away
and you would find love, sweet lady
Nobody else this side of heaven knows
how you take my breath away
But Jacob and Rachel didn't notice any of this. All they could see was each other, reveling in each other's company. Holding each other, they drew closer and closer, close enough to feel each other's breath on their faces, close enough for Rachel to lean against Jacob, and for the two of them to feel each other's gazes on each other.
Kiss her. Jacob had ignored that inner voice for the past two months. But now, somehow, he wanted to listen to it. Maybe it was the song. Maybe it was because of the occasion. No� it was Rachel, and she was here in his arms. Right where she belonged.
I think there's something here worth saying
I don't wanna scare you
So let me make my wish
and hope that you believe in simple love like I do
Say that it's true, baby
'Cause you have got me shakin'
My breath has now been taken
I've got to overcome this achin' to win your love
And I would be rich
And I would build all my world around you
just to show you how you take my breath away
and you would find love, sweet lady
Nobody else this side of heaven knows
how you take my breath away
Rachel couldn't believe it. She had dreamed of this moment for so long. Her first real slow dance, her first date, her first real romantic moment� and they were all with the guy she cared for, a lot. Right then and there she decided that maybe she really did love Jacob after all. She faced him so she could look into those dark eyes that mirrored her own, and that dark gaze drew her toward him. They stopped dancing for a little bit.
Take my breath (take my breath)
Oh, take my breath (take my breath)
Oh� how you take my breath away
(I love you) And I would be rich
(I wanna win you, yes I do) and I would build all my world around you
(Your heart, your mind, your soul, your time)
just to show you how you take my breath away
As they got even closer, Rachel looked down at Jacob's lips. Was he� he was! As the music ended, so did the space between the couple.
Take my breath (take my breath)
Oh, take my breath (take my breath)
Nobody else this side of heaven knows�
Jacob's kiss electrified Rachel. Her first kiss! She couldn't think of anytime she was so happy in her life. He gently pulled away as the last words of the song faded into the distance.
�how you take my breath away
No one was sure of what they'd do next, but everyone was watching. Including Ethan and Stacey.
"Stace, how could this happen? We were supposed to be that couple."
"We?" Stacey was confused.
"Rachel and me." It killed him to see his Rachel kiss someone else. He knew that if he had been that guy, it would have been her first. But he was losing another first for her to that Jacob guy. God, how he detested that Jacob guy for taking her away from him.
~*~
It seemed they were going to kiss again, but the chords of the next song destroyed the perfect environment for this.
Baby, listen to me�
if I had the chance, I'd say the words�
come on
The crowd started to dance again, except for Jacob and Rachel, who were still locked in each other's stare. Jacob finally broke this by kissing Rachel on the forehead and saying, "I'll be right back." She watched him blend into the crowd before running to the nearest friend she could find and nearly tackling him. Then she realized who it was. "Ethan. Hey."
The bluest of blue
That's what my eyes are
(you know that's a wrong lyric)
That's what I am today
And if I had it all to do all over again,
I wouldn't have waited so long to say�
"I can't live without you (live without your love),
don't want nobody else (nobody else)
Baby, listen very closely: I love you"
"Hey, Rachel," he mumbled.
She looked him in his blue eyes. "I'm sorry."
"For what? You didn't do anything."
Rachel nodded sadly. "Yes I did."
"What did you do?"
"I never told you this." And when she was sure no one was looking, she kissed Ethan on the cheek. "I cared about you so much, Ethan. I know you felt the same way. I just wish you could have said it sooner. We would have been so happy together."
Rachel felt someone tug at her dress. She turned and found Jeni there, wanting to gossip all about the previous song. Rachel looked sadly at Ethan one last time before she melted into the crowd.
"Rachel, wait�" But she was gone.
I couldn't lie, she couldn't wait
I love you came too late
I'd give my life for yesterday
I love you came too late
"S***!" Ethan pounded the table next to him, so hard that a girl's purse that was on it fell off. "I was going to tell her tonight! She knew! She knew, and she felt the same, and she's going out with that Jacob guy now? Damn it!"
"Ethan, calm down," Stacey said, trying to calm him. Maybe now this would be her chance to take Ethan for herself.
"Calm down? I can't calm down!" He looked over in the direction of Rachel, who was talking to Jeni, Evelyn, Carrie, Alyssa and Julie Beth, with Jacob at her side, holding her hand. "I just want to rip him apart� rip them apart�"
"Stop it, Ethan! You can't do this to yourself."
"That's the whole point, Stacey. I brought this upon myself. If only I had told her sooner, if I had acted on the knowledge that she still liked me, then I wouldn't be so mad."
Stacey looked at him for a minute. "You really care about her, don't you?"
He nodded sadly. "You know what, Stace? I think I love her."
I should have seen the signs, paid more attention
but I pushed her love away (pushed her love away)
So she found someone to give her what she needed,
(somebody else) somebody else not afraid to say (not afraid to say)�
"I can't live without you, (live without your love)
don't want nobody else (nobody else)
Baby, listen very closely: I love you"
~*~
"So, are you two FINALLY together?" Evelyn asked the happy couple.
Rachel looked at Jacob. "Well, are we?"
Jacob shrugged. "I don't know."
Jeni and Alyssa laughed. "Typical Jacob."
There was silence for a second, until Jacob broke it by saying, "Hey, we'll be right back, okay?" He tugged at Rachel's hand.
"Um, sure," Julie Beth replied. They watched Jacob lead Rachel to a not too densely crowded corner and out the door.
"Rachel, did you listen to the words of that song?" Jacob began, sitting down on a bench next to her.
She nodded, shivering.
"Are you cold?" he asked.
Rachel smiled. "Um, yeah. I'm freezing."
"Here." Jacob took off his jacket and put it around her slender shoulders, keeping his arm around her. "Did you like the song?"
"Jacob, I loved it. It's a beautiful song."
He smiled. "Good. Because� well�" He stammered for a minute, then tried to speak again, but Rachel stopped him.
"Jake, I know you're a guy, and I know you can't express your feelings well, so whatever you have to do, just do it."
"You're amazing, Rachel."
She nodded knowingly. "It's a girl thing." They both laughed, until Jacob pulled her closer and she leaned against him. "Seriously, though, you take my breath away. And what Evelyn said in there� are we together or what?"
Rachel replied, "I don't know, and the only way we'll find out is if you ask me something."
Jacob nodded. "Rachel, do you want to be the one I treasure always?"
"That was nicely phrased, Jake."
He blushed. "Well�"
"Shh." Rachel put her finger to his lips. Then she silenced him with a kiss.
(I try but I can't seem to get myself
to think of anything but you
Your breath on my face,
your warm gentle kiss I taste,
the truth, I taste the truth
We know what I came here for
so I won't ask for more
I wanna be with you
if only for a night,
to be the one who's in your arms,
to hold you tight
I wanna be with you
There's nothing more to say
There's nothing else I want more
than to feel this way
I wanna be with you, yeah
As their kiss deepened, they both felt something they had never felt before. A twinge of true love, maybe. They stopped once, to come up for air (LOL), and before they could start up again, Jacob looked at Rachel, framing her face with his hand. Her eyes looked back, wanting to know what was going to happen next. "Is that a yes?"
She grinned. "Duh."
Jacob smiled and kissed her again.
So I'll hold you tonight like I would
if you were mine to hold forever more
And I'll savor each touch that I wanted
so much to feel before, to feel before
How beautiful it is
just to be like this
I wanna be with you,
if only for a night,
to be the one who's in your arms,
to hold you tight
I wanna be with you
There's nothing more to say
There's nothing else I want more
than to feel this way
I wanna be with you
Oh, baby, I can't fight this feeling anymore
Drives me crazy when I try to
So call my name, and take my hand
Can you make my wish, baby, your command?
I wanna be with you
There's nothing more to say
There's nothing else I want more
than to feel this way)
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