Authors Note: All characters in this story are over 18 and are consenting adults. Please read "Vanessa's Awakening" for an introduction to Vanessa.
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Not long after their lazy Saturday afternoon in the Newman's backyard Vanessa set her sights on a new person to pursue. All through high school Vanessa's tender heart always came back to Jacob. Jacob was a fellow graduate from high school and someone who she never approached beyond a classmate level of friendship.
Jacob turned 19 that January and stood a little over 6'1" in height and had what could be called a husky figure that made him look like a man who could be a stand in for a young Hugh Jackman. Jacob was smart and witty but also shy despite his hulking figure. Vanessa just loved his dry humor and how carrying he was.
Vanessa knew she had to let Jacob know how she felt about him before he and his friend Zach started their Pleb year at the US Naval that August. After speaking with Cassidy as how best to do it, Vanessa came up with a plan. She only hoped it would work.
Jacob got a call from Vanessa as he was leaving work on a Wednesday evening. After an 8 hour day in the heat of July cutting grass, Jacob was really tired. All he wanted to do was to go home, take a shower and eat something before crashing in his bed to be up early for work the next day.
Jacob heard Vanessa's voice say, "Hey Jacob! Hows it going? I was wondering if we could get together sometime soon?"
All thoughts of sleep and rest left his mind as the girl he was too shy to speak with, just called him out of the blue. "Hi Vanessa, I would love too. How does this Friday sound?"
The two made plans for Jacob to pick up Vanessa at seven that Friday evening. Jacob's dad congratulated Jacob on his date and allowed him off a few hours early so he could get ready. Jacob pulled up to Vanessa's house 5 minutes before seven in his ten year old F-150 pickup. Jacob nervously shook the shifter as he checked himself in his visor mirror and popped a Listerine strip in is mouth before exiting his truck and knocking on Vanessa's front door.
Vanessa answered the door in a mid length sun dress and sandals, her glasses highlighting her bright green eyes that shined and accented her big smile when she saw Jacob at the other side of the door.
"You look great Jacob! You clean up really well!" Vanessa told him as she closed the door behind her.
"Vanessa, you look incredible!" Jacob told her, his face flushed red as he spent a lot of his strength facing her and not turning away in embarrassment.
"Thank you Jacob! That means a lot to me," as she takes his offered hand as he leads her to the passenger side of his truck and opens the door for her.
Jacob can't take his eyes off of her as he slowly closes the door for her. He walks in a daze to the driver's side and climbs in and asks Vanessa, "where too?"
"Take us to Mariner Point Park."
"Okay," Jacob says as he pulls away from the curb. His mind shifts the truck's gears from muscle memory, as the girl of his dreams sits less than a foot from his side.