Meet Me Where the Oak Tree Grows

"Oh, I forgot, you don't have a girlfriend. Worried your crush might get the wrong idea?"
She said this with a knowing smile, a twinkle in her eyes that made me feel like she was onto something.
Noticing Jonah was ignoring her, she got up and plopped down next to me, throwing an arm around my shoulders like we were old pals.
"Jonah might not be everyone's cup of tea, but his sister? Total opposite. With that sweet, first-love kind of face, I bet you have quite a few admirers at
school. Why let the good ones get away? I have a brother your age. How about giving him a thought?"
Just as I was about to decline, I felt a gentle nudge on my arm. When our eyes met, my heart skipped a beat as I caught on to her hint.
Feigning shyness, I ducked my head, not saying a word.
"Consider what?" Jonah sneered, grabbing his phone. "Where are you? Don’t you want your girlfriend back or what?"
On the other end, Officer Cooper was breathless. "Keep her there. I’m at the door."
So this pretty lady is Officer Cooper's girlfriend? Did they have a spat?
The lady next to me zipped up her jacket, rolling her eyes at Jonah.
In less than a minute, Officer Cooper burst in, all flustered. He knelt in front of the pretty lady, speaking softly, "Didn't you say the last tattoo hurt too

much and you'd never get another?"
Her face was expressionless. "Why do you care?"
Officer Cooper coaxed, "What do you want to get this time?"
"She wants a photo of me and her." Jonah, always stirring the pot, watched the drama unfold with amusement.
Officer Cooper paused, nodded, and said, "Alright, then give me one too. I'll get 'Lana' tattooed."
Jonah's face turned stormy. "Are you serious?"
......
Later, Officer Cooper scooped up the pretty lady and carried her out. As they passed me, she whispered, "You've got a shot. Go for it."
Her words echoed in my mind, nudging me to test the waters.

Meet Me Where the Oak Tree Grows
I crouched, clutching my stomach, looking at Jonah with teary eyes. "Jonah, my stomach's acting up again."
My period was real enough, but the cramps were a bit of an exaggeration.
Without a word, he headed to the kitchen to make ginger tea.
I shook my head, "Jonah, I just want to rest."
He carried me back to the room and, like before, lay beside me, propping himself up on one arm, his warm hand resting lightly on my stomach

through my pajamas.
The warmth spread like vines, wrapping around me, turning my ears and neck a rosy red.
I buried my face in his chest, murmuring softly: "Jonah."
"Hmm?"
"I don't want to start dating, and you shouldn't either, okay?" I couldn't help biting my lip.
"Okay." He agreed without hesitation.
But I wanted more, emboldened by his easy concession. "Then, will you wait for me?"
He rested his chin on my head, and after a long pause, he whispered: "Okay."
Between us, there was an unspoken understanding.
Some things didn't need to be said. We both already knew.
On the day of my final exam, Marie and Jonah came to see me off. Marie insisted that what parents wore was important for sending off their kids.
So on the first day, she donned a bright dress with flowers and had Jonah wear a floral shirt, hoping for good luck.
Standing at the door, the two of them were quite the striking pair.
Sensing my nerves, Marie twisted open a thermos and handed it to me. "Take a sip to calm your nerves. It'll all go smoothly."
Reading History

Chapter 45
Under the Veil I Rule
Chapter 305