Krystal is still struggling with her CSS files. She always thinks she gets it in class, but when she goes to do it nothing works the way she thinks it should. Her concentration is broken when a shadow blocks the morning light and she looks up to see Jake, the little photographer who doesn’t look old enough for high school, much less university. Oh hell, he’s the one Oz told.
“You looking for somebody?” she asks. “Oz maybe?”
But even though he looks a little insecure, he holds out a gift box. Uh oh. Last thing she needs is a puppy dog.
She asks, “What’s that?”
Jake looks nervous. “It’s nothing much.”
Krystal purses her lips. “Look, I don’t need a present.”
He grins. “Uh, look, I just wanted to say, um, I’m sorry I overheard Maggie and all, and I realize that it’s none of my business, but I wanted you to know that if you need anything I’ll do whatever I can to help. That’s all I wanted to say.”
He drops the box on the desk and turns to leave but she stops him with “Wait a minute.”
He turns back.
She asks, “Look, Jake …” He nods mutely, hopeful.
“It was an accident you know, and I appreciate the offer and all, but I’ll be okay. Really. I just don’t want it to get around.”
He nods again, “Don’t worry, I wouldn’t tell anybody even if Oscar hadn’t pretty much threatened to kill me if I did.”
Krystal laughs. “Okay. But I still don’t need a present.”
“I think you do.” Jake takes the box, and opens it. “It’s a photo key chain. I’ve put some pictures on it already so it’s not like I could return it even if I wanted to. It’s just a little thing, but it’s nice because you can always keep a few of your favorite pictures with you.”
Now curious, she says, “What pictures?”
“Just some I took at the Ubuntu party.”
“Can I see?” she asks, now very curious.
“Sure.” He hands it to her and she sees a glowing digital image of herself. “I made it for you, you can have it.”
“How do I see the other pictures?”
“There’s a little wheel along the bottom, you just roll it.”
Jake watches as Krystal scrolls through the images, Maggie, Oz, Kate, the crowd in the lab, one of her and Jose she lingers over. Jake can tell she’s liking it.
She looks up at Jake. “Can I change the pictures?”
He nods. “There’s a USB connector in the box. It’s really easy. Will you be going to the computer club meeting tonight?”
“Yeah, probably.” Krystal stands up.
“Me too.” Jake smiles at her, secretly pleased that she’s not much taller than he is. “I’ve got to get to class but I’ll show you how tonight if you haven’t already figured it out yourself, Okay?”
Krystal smiles back. “Deal. Thanks Jake.” She leans over and gives him a peck on the cheek.
Jake smiles and preens as he floats away to his next class. Maybe Krystal could like him, just a little. He’ll have to think of an even cooler gift next time.
Make sure the next kiss doesn’t land on the cheek though.
