California Dreams: Jealousy by Tommy Jones Julian Hernandez was sick. How could he sit and watch Jenny Garrison, the girl he had been in love with since the first day they met, and her boyfriend Jake Sommers make out? Finally he got so fed up that he said, "Could you guys take this somewhere else. Like maybe Mars." Jake looked up and said, "Hernanez if you don't like watching me and Jenny just leave the room." After Julian was gone Jenny looked at her watch and said, "Hey, Jake we better get going to that movie. It's the sequel to the movie you and I saw on our last real movie date." "Our last real movie date. I think it was 'Henry and the Boyscout,'" Jake said. As he said that he remembered how hard it was to lose Jenny the first time around. Mr. Garrison stopped the car. He told Jenny and Jake to un-load the luggage and carry it into the airport. Once all three were inside Jenny asked for a few moments with Jake. "Jake I want you to know that no matter how far I travel I will awlays love you," Jenny said. "I love you too," Jake said. They kissed for a few seconds and then pulled away. "Come on Jenny," Mr. Garrison said, "Your plane is leaving right now." Jenny hurried off to the plane. "I love you," Jake said softly blowing her kiss. Once Jake was out of his trance they got up and headed out of the door. * * * Matt Garrison was sitting on the bench to his keyboard when Amy Clemits walked in. "Hey Amy," Matt said. "Hi Matt," Amy said sitting down next to him. "Shall we begin?" Matt asked. "I think you told me you were working on the 'Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory." "Yep," Amy said. Since her boyfriend, Mark Winkle, had gone to the Juliard Piano Academy to tie up some lose ends Matt had offered to help Amy with her piano piece. "All right let's begin with the first five bars," Matt said, "Play those bars and then we can take it from there." "Okay," Amy said. She moved her hands into the proper position and began playing. Two bars into the piece Matt stopped her. "Hold on Amy. I see where you are messing up," Matt told her. "Trying doing this." He shifted his hands into the right position, just an octave lower, and began playing. Once he was on the secondbar he showed Amy how to play it. "Look at this chord. It is not a A C chord but an E G chord. I could tell that's were you were messing up. Now play it again and keep that in mind." She played it again and made it few the first five with no mistakes. They practiced for one more hour and then Matt said, "You still need to work on it some more, but let's call it a day for today. Hey I have an idea! Let's go to the new Applebee's over near the mall." "Yeah sure, but will Tiff mind?" Amy asked. "No," Matt told her. "I've let her and Mark go out for lunch without any objections." "Okay," Amy said. "Let's go." * * * Tony Wicks walked into the common room of the dorm he shared with Julian and Jake. Once in he saw Julian sitting on the couch with a suitcase he asked, "What are you doing with a suitcase?" "I am leaving the dorms for a while," Julian explained, "I just can't stand seeing Jenny and Jake happy together." "Where are you going?" Tony asked. "Some cousins of mine live an apartment off campus," Julian said, "I have called them up and they have agreed to let me stay with them." "Are you coming back?" Tony asked. "Maybe, later, but for now I just can't," Julian said. Tony pulled a magazine from his coat pocket and handed it to Julian. "Tony, I know what you are trying to do, but a swimsuit issue just is not gonna cut it this time," Julian told him. "If it were somebody else, maybe, but with Jenny a bunch of pretty girls prancing around in bikinis is not going to cut it." He stood up held out his hand. Tony shook it. "Bye Julian," Tony said. "Bye Tony." Once Julian was gone Tony flopped down on the couch. He moaned a little. He admitted that when he first met Jenny he had a crush on her but he wouldn't have given up and education because Jenny had another boyfriend. As he sat on the couch his girlfriend Samantha Woo walked in. "Hey babe, what's wrong?" Sam asked Tony. "Julian left," Tony said quitely. "What!?" Sam asked. Tony told her about what had happened. "I don't believe it," Sam said flopping onto the couch. "I knew he had a crush on her but I didn't think he would run away because of it." "He didn't really run away," Tony said, "He just moved to an apartment off campus." "Still, it's amazing," Sam told him. They sat there for a while just thinking. * * * "So were did and Amy go today?" Tiffani Smith, Matt's girlfriend, asked over a payphone in the student union. "We went out for a late lunch," Matt said, "I hope you're not jealous." "No I am not I just want to know why you took her out," Tiffani told him. "Because she had worked hard and I could tell she was lonely," Matt explained to her. "It was a friendly gesture." "I understand," Tiffani said relieved. She breathed a small sigh of relief. "I love you," Matt said. "I love you too," Tiffani told him. "I'll see you when I am back at the dorms in a few minutes. Bye." Once they hung up she said to herself, "At least I have nothing to worry about. I know I am his girl, not Amy." * * * "Jake, Jenny can I talk to you?" Tony called out when the couple stepped into the common. "Yeah sure," Jenny said. "Any objections here." "No, but first I need to tell Julian something," Jake said. He went to Julian's room. When he saw he wasn't there he headed back into the common and asked, "Tone, where in the heck is Julian?" Tony told them both what had happened. Both were extremely shocked. "Gosh," Jenny said, "I mean I knew he liked me but I didn't think he liked me so much he would leave because Jake and I are happy together." She sat down on the couch. Jake and Tony sat on either side of her. "Man, he even turned down the swimsuit issue,"Tony said. "Well, we have to find him and bring him back," Jenny said. The others nodded their heads. * * * Amy was in the middle of her piece when the phone rang. Matt got off the bench to answer it. He picked up the cordless and said, "Hello, this is Matt." "Well, it is good to know you are not Amy," Mark said. "Hey, Mark," Matt said, "How is everything up north? Tiff told me about the concert, how was that?" "Well, first thing is first," Mark said, "Juliard is great. I found some music I wrote last year. And the concert went real well. I had to play two encores." "That's great. Amy's playing is extrememely well. She has a lot of talent," Matt told his friend. "Yeah she does," Mark said, "I want you to keep her working." "I will," Matt said, "Bye." "Bye." Matt walked back to the keyboard and sat down. "Let me hear you play." She started playing. When she fiinished she asked, "So Matt, how did I do?" "Well, Amy let me tell you this," Matt started, "You got it perfect! I have never seen anyone play that piece like you." "Thanks," Amy said. She hugged him. They kissed on the cheek. "Let's listen to a CD," Matt suggested. "Okay," Amy said going to Mark's bed to lay down. "How about the Jake Sommers CD?" Matt asked her. "Fine with me," Amy said, "I love his music. I cannot wait for his second album to be released." The song "Too Much To Dream" started to play and Amy said, "Hey I know the lyrics to this song." "I had too much to dream last night. Oh baby do you know what I mean," the two sang along with the CD when it reached the chorus. "It's all different in the day light. I had a little too much to dream." They spent a little while longer listening to the CD. Once it was over Tiffani walked in. "Hey Tiff," Amy said. "Hey guys," Tiffani smiled. She went to Matt and kissed him gently on the lips. "Where were you two? I tried to get in touch with you." "Oh we went to the mall," Matt said, "It was great. It wasn't crowded or anything. Very peaceful." "Oh," Tiffani said grinding her teeth. She was starting to get jealous, though she refused to show it. "How about the three of us go out for dinner?" "Okay," Matt and Amy agreed. * * * Jake and Jenny were discussing Julian's departure in Jake's room when Jake asked, "Jen, do we really want him back in the dorms?" "Of course Jake," Jenny said. "Why?" Jake asked. "If he can't handle our happiness he doesn't need to room with us." "Jake, I have known you for a while and I have never known you to act so mean," Jenny proclaimed. "He is our friend. That is why we want him back. We need to be more sensitive of his feelings. We both know he likes me." "All right," Jake grudgingly agreed, "We'll find him and get him to move back in." "Thanks for understanding," Jenny said kissing him on the cheek. * * * "I'll take a cold cut trio," Tiffani was saying to the lady that worked at the "SubWay" in the mall. "What would you like on it?" the lady, Joan, asked sliding the sandwich down to where the toppings were. "Lettuce, tomatoe, pickles, olives, mayo, and a whole lot of mustard," Tiffani told Joan. Joan put everything on the sub. "That'll be four dollars and fifty seven cents." "Oh and I also need an extra large drink," Tiffani said. Joan rung it up and said, "That makes the total five dollars and sixty cents." Tiffani reached into her pocketbook and pulled out her bill fold. She got a five dollar bill and a one dollar bill. She handed them to Joan. Joan took them, put them in the register, and handed Tiffani fourty-three cents. She handed her the sub and the cup. "Just go over to the machine and fill 'er up." "Thank you," Tiffani said, "Bye." After she filled up the cup she went to look for a table. As she was looking for one she saw Amy and Matt sitting together and eating pizza. She sat and stared for a second. She could feel a frown forming on her face. "I can't believe it," Tiffani thought. She stared some more. As she stared she saw Matt lean across the table and kiss her. Tears started to run down her cheeks. She started running. She went into the parking lot, climbed into the car, and headed to her friends Lorana Costa and Sylvester "Sly" Winkle's apartment. She pulled into the parking lot and got out of her car. She ran to their apartment and opened the door. "Hey," an almost naked Sly yelled, "You can't come barging in." "Sorry Sly," Tiffani said. She banged on the kitchen table. "I am just real mad at Matt." "Hold on for a sec," Sly said, "I'll go get dressed and then you can tell me everything that has happened with you and Garrison." "Okay," Tiffani screamed. It wasn't long after Sly went in to his room he came out fully dressed. "Now Tiff, you can tell me all about it. I'd bring in Lorana but she has gone shopping in Beverly Hills." "Well, I went to the mall to get a sub because I was hungry," Tiffani explained, "And when I went to find a table I saw Amy and Matt sitting together." "So," Sly said, "I have seen Lorana eat with other guys." "Shut up Sly, I am not finished," Tiffani screamed. "I saw Matt lean across the table and kiss Amy." "Tiff," Sly started, "I have known Matt known since he was five years old. I know more about him than his own parents. And I also know he would never cheat on you, especially not with another friend's girl." "Well, I guess you are right," Tiffani said. "I know I am right," Sly assured her. Tiffani hugged him and gave him a kiss on the cheek. She left the room. * * * RRRRRRIIIIIINNNNNNGGGGGG The phone to Sam and Jenny's room rang. Sam answered it. "Hello," she said. "Hello," a voice said, "My name is Jimmy Schmitz. And recently I heard about Julian Hernandez's departure and how Ms. Jenny Garrison was trying her best to find him. Well, I just want to let her know that I recently saw him at the sports store in the mall, 'Champs.'" "When?" Sam asked. "Ten minutes ago," Jimmy responded. "I am calling from the pay phone across the store. Right now he is in the sneaker section." "Thank you very much," Sam said, "Good-bye." "Later," Jimmy said. Sam hung up the phone and went over to Jenny. "Jenny," San said, "I just got a call from a Jimmy Schmitz. He told me Julian is at 'Champs' sports store. He is there right now." "Oh my gosh," Jenny screamed. "I have to get there." She ran out of the dorm without even saying good-bye. She got in her car, drove to the mall, and hurried to "Champs." She quickly spotted him. She ran over to him and said, "Hello Julian." Julian turned around and said, "Hello Jen. What are you doing here?" "A kid called the dorms and told me where you were," Jenny explained, "I came here to convince you to move back in." "Why should I move back in?" he asked turning back around. "Because I miss you," Jenny said, "Not only me but Jake, Sam, and Tony." "Well, I want to move back in but seeing you with Jake just makes me un-happy," Julian said. "I don't know why you don't like Jake and me together," Jenny said, "I mean I know you like me but that does not mean you should leave the dorms." "Well," Julian said, "I do miss you and the gang." He thought for a few more minutes and said, "All right I'll move back in." They quickly hugged and left the store. * * * Tiffani was sitting in her room studying when in walked Mark. "Hey, Tiff," Mark said. Tiffani looked up and said, "Mark, you're home!" "You bet," Mark said. He help out his arms and they embraced. He gave her a quick peck on the cheek. "Mark come sit down," Tiffani said. They went over to the table and sat down. "I wanna talk to you for a sec." "Sure what's up," Mark said sitting down. "Recently Matt and Amy started spending a lot of time together," Tiffani told him, "In fact Matt has been so busy with her that he has not had any time for me." "I know," Mark told her, "It was a friendly gesture. In fact it is my fault that they have been spending time together." "What do you mean?" Tiffani asked. "When I left I told Matt to watch after Amy and help her with her piano piece," Mark explained. "Well," Tiffani started, " I think what they have been doing is a little deeper than friendship. Yesterday I saw them in the mall eating pizza and kissing." "What!?" Mark screamed. "That was me." "I don't believe you!" Tiffani yelled. "You weren't even back then." "Look at me," Mark said. He turned around. Tiffani stared in amazement. He looked exactly like Matt. "You are for real!" Tiffani pronounced. "Oh thank you Mark. You saved my relationship. I am going to go make up with Matt." "Go for it Tiff," Mark said, "I am leaving also. I shut the door when I leave." "Okay," Tiffani laughed. * * * "You feel the lightning strike, and you know. It's like the blind can see. My heart has always been a little slow. But it has just caught up with me," Jake sang. The California Dreams were playing a gig for Julian's return. "I never thought of you this way. It could be magic, so don't turn away. Let's spend some time together. That's something I think that we've got to do. Let's see if it feels like forever you know. I need to spend some time with you. Take it as far as we can go. If we don't take the time, we'll never know," Jake finished part of the song. He played a short guitar solo before singing, "Let's spend some time together. That's something I think that we've got to do. Let's see if it feels like forever you know. I need to spend some time with you. Together. Let's spend some time, some time, some time." The jam packed crowd in the student union cheered and clapped like never before. "All right," Jake said setting his guitar down, "We'll be back in five." The band got off the stage and went over to the table where Julian was sitting. Jake shook his hand and said, "It is great to have you back." "Yeah," the others agreed. "For a little while I didn't think I would come back," Julian said, "I thought about leaving LU all together. But thank god Jenny convinced me to return." "I don't think the band could have survived without you," Sam said. "Man," Tony said, "It would have been really bad if you had left." "I am glad I didn't," Julian said. He looked at his watch and said, "Guys I am glad to be back but you need to get back on stage right now." "Okay," the gang said. They all put their hands in the center of the table and and jerked their arms back. With Julian back the rest of the year was going to be awesome. * * * "And you know this heart will always be around. Ooh yeah. And I'll be the one, ain't gonna let you down," Matt sang. He played a quick guitar solo and started singing "If You Lean On Me." "If you lean on me. Everybody needs a hand to hold. To pick you up when you fall. Everybody needs someone, and you can hold on to me all night long. And if you lean on me, I will lean on you. Put your hand in mine, we can make it through. I'll be your backbone girl, shelter from the storm. When it's cold outside I will keep you warm. And if you lean on me, I will lean on you. Put your hand in mine, we can make it through. I'll be your backbone girl, shelter from the storm. When it's cold outside, I will keep you warm." The crowd at the student union cheered almost as loudly as the one at LU did. "All right guys," Matt yelled. He smiled at Tiffani and said, "We will be back in a few minutes." The guys hopped off the stage. Right after Mark had explained everything Tiffani had found Matt and patched everything up. "Matt," Tiffani said, "I am glad we are back together." "Me too," Matt said. They kissed and sat down at a table by themselves.