Altered Tundra

Saying something right out of a song

Oh can't you just feel the love tonight?

Men vs. Women Race to 1000

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Men vs. Women Race to 1000

-374

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@lovely complex
Awesome! :D I definitely look forward to seeing how Lucas handles the one of a kind, Jackson Drake!

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It had been so long since Jackson saw her. He was getting nervous. Even by rapidly knocking on the door and continuously ringing the doorbell, there was a thought that Ash might not be too happy with him. The thought of her scolding him for making such a racket brought a smile to Jackson’s face. For as much as he didn’t like when she would talk to him like a child, which was within reason, sure, but it would be worth it just to see her face again. In his mind, just seeing Ash’s face again after all of this time would be worth getting yelled at by here.

When the door opened, Jackson took a step back. When she would see him, he didn’t want to be leaning over or anything, not especially since he actually dressed up somewhat for this day. In the outfit that he decided to put on, which was a steel blue undershirt, a maroon, button-up long sleeve, dark blue jeans, and hazelnut-colored shoes. Unlike what he usually wore, this was fairly upscale for Jackson. So of course, when that door opened, he wanted to have a firm and presentable appearance. It’s not every day that you get to see the love of your life after seemingly not being able to see them ever again.

Of course, such was life, when that door opened, Jackson’s wide, idiotic grin was replaced by a confused expression. His mouth slightly open, eyes staring blankly at the man that stood before him. Presence powerful. Confident. He looked at Jackson with what seemed like a disgusted, superior look, only something that could be backed up by the way he held his vertical form. Who was this guy? Jackson didn’t know. Who was this guy? The man in front of the Drake male probably asked himself.

It took a moment for Jackson to register what was happening. No Ash. No long-lost reunion. There would be no scolding for causing a ruckus, no hug and possible kiss after the fact. There would be no “what are you doing here?” from Ash, or no “I’m here to stay babe,” from Jackson. There would be no heartfelt reunion of any sort.

And now Jackson was aware. He looked at the male. He had a couple of inches above Jackson. The male was fairly lean, slightly more muscular than he was. He seemed to have hair color similar to Jackson, if only slightly less blonde and more in the reddish-brown neighborhood. He didn’t know who this guy was, but Jackson raised an eyebrow.

Jackson didn’t answer right away. He spent about a minute of scratching his head, looking back at Adielle who was as confused as he was. Jackson worded his lips to Adielle. “What do I do?” his lips would read. Maybe he got the wrong house. Adielle didn’t lip nothing back, just gesturing him towards the man. Jackson took that as just do whatever. Still, Jackson wasn’t sure what to say.

Jackson’s head was turned back to the male’s direction, who was still looking at him, arms crossed, possibly more annoyed than what he seemed to be. “Okay, so this is a little awkward.” Jackson started, rubbing the upper portion of his back. “No, I’m not settling anything, but I’m kind of looking for someone.” Kind of? No, not entirely true. “All right, no not kind of - I’m entirely looking for someone.” he continued, “it’s been a while since I seen her; like, I think it’s been five years almost. It was a camp not too far from LA called Camp Liberty, and I’m not even sure if she lives here, but I have a feeling she does.” Jackson was rambling. “She has a first name that she doesn’t quite like. She told me that once. She said that it was a reminder of her wealth and that she liked a much similar nickname. It didn’t make her sound prudish or uptight.” Jackson smiled while speaking.

The more he was talking about Ash, the more that he realized that he missed her. He missed the way that she would scold him after every reckless or just plain stupid. He missed the way she would brush off his feelings, or how much he loved her, or even how he claimed that he would romance the fuck out of her.

Thinking about that specifically, Jackson remembered how she thought he was kidding, but when he won the race - albeit by a very small marigin - she finally got to know Jackson more than she did. She didn’t get to know the reckless buffoon that had too much energy for his own good. She didn’t get to know the impulsive hothead of the Red Team of Camp Liberty. She didn’t get to know that Jackson because she already knew him. The one that Ash got to know more was the sweet Jackson. She got to know the Jackson that was romantic, that was attentive. She got to know the Jackson that was a sweetheart, and from then on, their relationship changed. From then on, Jackson liked to think that she saw him in a different light.

And Jackson realized he was quiet for almost three minutes. “My bad, I forgot to complete what I was going to say.” Jackson laughed it off. “Anyways, like I said in the beginning, the person I’m looking for is someone that might just hate her family wealth, but I don’t know man, she’s one of the best women I’ve known. I still remember the first kiss we shared. Talk about an unforgettable moment.” JAckson was being reminiscent again. “Hell, I don’t know if Ash would even remember that moment in the infirmary even if I were to write it down in great detail.” Jackson scratched his head, now doubting even coming here in the first place. He even began to walk away.

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We totally didn't have these pre-written already. >.> XD

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It had been five years since Jackson Drake had set foot in Los Angeles. Last time it was for Camp Liberty, but that was so long ago that it seemed like a distant memory - albeit a rather memorable memory - but still a distant one. Jackson barely remembered most of it. The only times that he does recall vividly are the ones spent with just five people: Tate and his sister, Luisa, Adielle(after they started a friendship after that summer), Ghost, and of course, his reason for being in Los Angeles, Ash…

The May half-cool, half-warm air was a welcomed feeling for Jackson Drake. His hair was no longer the neck-length it once was. Five years was a long time for him to grow up - well, kind of. He still holds pride in his skateboard, but these five years have been an eye-opener for Jackson. He was no longer pursuing the reckless endeavors that he did in his teen years. No longer does he go looking for the next big adventure. No longer does he hit people who might light a small fire under his ass. No, Jackson Drake doesn’t do that anymore…

For fun.

Indeed, now he gets paid to hit people. After three years of turning eighteen - just six months ago - Jackson got tapped from Bellator MMA. Spending about seven years underground, fighting and suffering through so many bumps and bruises paid off since he finally got the recognition he felt that he deserved. Jackson has been looking to live in Los Angeles for some time now. Putting aside that it may or may not be where his beloved Ash Hawthorne might live, it’s also home to one of the best Mixed Martial Arts gyms out there. Well, not exactly in LA, but it’s pretty damn close. Bottom line, if everything panned out for Jackson’s plan, he’ll be staying in the Los Angeles - and hopefully, if all goes according to his plan, back to his beloved.

And thus, why Jackson where he was. Outside a large house. It’s make definitely fitting to what Ash’s family wealth would enable her to live at. To think, all Jackson had to do was use the yellow book. Something so trivial, so basic, and long forgotten got him here. It was almost surreal. Just about five years ago was when he saw last her. Their goodbye wasn’t exactly what he wanted, and he never got a chance to say what he wanted to say to her. All of those things that he needed to say to her had to wait for five years.

”Don’t psyche yourself out now, Jackson! You got this, bro!” Jackson was pumping himself up, but it wasn’t working.

He turned around, walking down the long driveway, and he neared the car in front of the house. It was a red 2016 Ford Fusion. Inside the driver’s seat was a blonde. “What are you doing?” she asked. Her blue eyes on Jackson.

Jackson sighed. “It’s been so long. What if she doesn’t even recognize me?” Jackson doubted himself for a moment.

“Oh p-lease, Jackson! You look the same as you did five years ago.”

Jackson coughed.

“Okay, so maybe your hair is a little shorter, and maybe you’ve bulked up a bit more than five years ago, but aside that, you’re the same goofball that almost ran me over on that first day.” she said, laughing.

“You said you forgot about that, Adielle. Or at least forgave me.” Jackson huffed.

“Some things are hard to forget. Like, almost dying, for one.” Adielle stuck her tongue out at him.

“Fine, fine, I get it!” Jackson sighed again. “Back on topic, though. It’s been almost five years. She might not even want to see me.” Again there he went doubting himself.

Adielle slapped him. Hard. It left a handprint on his right cheek.

“What was that for?”

“Because you’re being an idiot.”

Jackson looked at her blankly.

“Okay, more so than usual.” she sighed. “Listen, there’s no reason for you to doubt yourself. It’s been five years, hun. That’s a long time. For all you know, she might just be waiting for you on the other end of that door.”

“Ugh, this sucks. Maybe--”

“If you say another word about how she doesn’t want to see you, I’m leaving without you.” Adielle said firmly. “Now, go do what you set out to do.” she ordered.

Jackson just sighed. He was doing a lot of that, it seemed. He would trek up the long driveway once more, but this time not psyching himself out. He wouldn't even say anything to himself. All he did was knock on the door three times, and ring the doorbell once.

He waited for a minute and nobody answered. So, he did the same thing, but this time increased the amount of knocks and doorbell rings by twice the amount. Again, he waited. Again, nobody came. Jackson was getting somewhat annoyed. So, he would just do it until someone would answer. Knock after knock, doorbell ring after doorbell ring came until it would open. He would not be denied an audience with Ash.

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@lovely complex I caught onto that. It did seem fitting, though. I think since Jackson is the obvious optimist about their love of the two, it was a good call.

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@Altered Tundra Good xD I'm sleepy.

@lovely complex

Nah don't worry about it. You did a wonderful job with the OP. :) It was a lot better than I could have done.

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@lovely complex