Juliet Bloom.

It was the kind of name that needed a children's choir "oohing" and "ahhing" every time it was said.

Like the girl herself, the name was almost too pretty to exist, but there she was.

Existing.

He hadn't seen her since the end of sophomore year and now she was here, all bathed in sunlight, which probably made her even more unreal.

He nudged Molly. "Did you set this up? If so, I take back everything I said about you in my head."

"No, I didn't. It's not like I organized the thing. I signed up because my mom handed me a flyer. I signed you up because your mom told me you were getting way too into Minecraft." Molly frowned. "I guess Juliet signed up because she's perfect and awesome or whatever."

"She really is," he sighed.

"I'll get us a refill."

"Yeah. Me, too," he said absently as she took his red cup and moved away.

He couldn't decide if it felt like a decade had passed or not even a day. Juliet was like this perfectly preserved memory - long, shiny black hair, eyes so big, she could have stepped out of a Disney movie, and a floaty, pastel sundress. There was something so simple about the way he felt for Juliet. She remained so blissfully uncomplicated in his mind. She was pretty and shiny and he, like every other man who'd ever seen her, wanted to touch that pretty, shiny thing. So far, he hadn't gotten close to even talking to her.

He wasn't sure how long he'd been staring, but he vaguely registered Molly saying his name and nudging him with his cup before he realized she was back.

He jumped slightly. "What? I wasn't looking."

She humphed and sipped her own. "You know, we are out of high school now. Gazing at your more popular ladylove is not as forbidden. Maybe you could even go talk to her."

"Like it's that easy."

"Sure, it is. Just walk up all like 'Hey, didn't we used to sit together in all my X-rated daydreams?' She'll love it."

"Thanks. You're the best," he droned.

"Sarcasm noted, but fine. I'll leave you to your living statue act."

"I will kill you," he said as she moved off with a snort. Still, he couldn't be too mad at Molly for busting on him. She'd made him do this glorified flea market in billion-degree weather in their crappy old cafeteria and it was suddenly the best idea ever.

Back in high school, Juliet had been two years ahead and unaware of his existence. But it was different now. They had to be closer to being even now. He was, at least, capable of facial hair these days. He had a shot and he had a whole summer to take it. He marched toward her.

It's not like he was going to go up to Juliet with Molly's line, but he was going to say something... any minute now.

It was just as well she wasn't looking up from untangling a cluster of necklaces, since he couldn't think of anything.

"Need some help?" Molly asked in the loudest possible stage whisper as she sailed by with another load of plushies.

Juliet looked up at that, blinking at him. "Sorry, what?"

"Nothing," he grunted awkwardly, since Molly had disappeared. "You looked like you need help."

Juliet huffed. "It's my stupid jewelry. Look!"

He wasn't sure what he could do about that. Her perfect and delicate fingers were better than his clumsy ones. "Oh, you... that... your jewelry?"

Yes. Words. Almost a sentence.

"When it's not a ball, it is," she groaned. "Think I can sell this as an ornament?"

"Uh... Maybe?"

"BTW, I also do candles, soaps, and bath bombs." She dug in a box at her side. "You and your girlfriend can check it out early once I set up if my other boxes ever show up. I know we aren't supposed to sell till tomorrow, but I won't tell if you won't."

"Oh, I'm not his girlfriend," Molly piped up, appearing at his side. "Hi, Juliet."

"Oh, my God, I know you," Juliet stood up, smiling widely. "Molly, right? But you had blue hair last time I saw you."

Molly shrugged. "Sometimes I do."

Juliet's eyes finally landed on Jake again. "And I remember you. Don't tell me... Jack!" She smiled brilliantly.

"Uh-huh." He found himself nodding like an idiot. He didn't have the heart to correct her.

"I can't believe I thought you were a couple." Juliet rolled her eyes. "I'm so sorry. You're, like, related, right?"

"Not that, either," Molly said, since someone had to talk and it obviously wasn't going to be him. "Old Jacky-boy here is just a good friend. Totally single!"

Juliet glanced between them, suddenly smiling with the cutest damned dimple he'd ever seen. "Omigosh, you guys! So awesome to see you guys. I like never see you around! What have you guys even been doing?"

"College. Us guys are home for the summer," Molly supplied. "We're volunteering today."

"That is so sweet! We should totally get lunch!" Juliet clasped her hands. "I sooo want to catch up. Like I can't today because this is super cray. My cherry hibiscus bath bombs got put down in a puddle and the entire bottom layer totally disintegrated and those volunteer kids borrowed my dolly and promised to unload my crates and I'm missing all my soaps and I have to watch everything with these volunteers." She leaned in. "Not you two, obviously."

"Oh, obviously." Molly glanced at Jake, pursing her lips, holding in a laugh, if he knew her - which he did, the brat.

Juliet laughed and waved a hand. "Running your own business is so hard, you guys have no idea. I wish I'd just gone to college sometimes, I swear."

"Oh, yeah. It's like a dream vacay party house adventure. We hated to leave. Right, Jack-O-Lantern?" Molly slapped his stomach.

"Uh-huh."

"Excuse me," a rather strident voice said behind them. "This box..."

Jake turned to see one of the old ladies, staring at the giant box that had nearly killed him.

"Be there in a sec," Molly called out. She turned back to Juliet. "Whoops! Duty calls. We'll definitely talk about that lunch later." She pulled Jake back to their table. "Dear God, that was sad! I thought I was playing wingman, not ventriloquist. I know it's been a while since Rachel Boobs, but your vocabulary has gone downhill."

"Not like I could say anything with you babbling the whole time. And it was Rachel Boone," he said, feeling embarrassed and testy.

"Yeah, I know." She crossed her arms. "But since you call my ex Dumbass Tommy all the time, I thought you'd give me that one. And someone had to fill the painful, gaping silences."

"I don't know. I choked! You saw her. How the hell do you talk to a girl like that?"

"Easily. I'm sure Juliet puts her pants on, one leg at a time, like the rest of us. Possibly with the help of tiny birds while singing, but-"

"Sure, it's easy for you. You haven't been in love with her since before puberty."

"Is love the right word for it?" Molly gave him a withering look. "Shouldn't 'love' be reserved for people who know your name?"

"Hey, she was close!"

"If you say so, Jack-in-the-box." She sighed. "Thank God for this lady or I'd have to hear more about her disintegrating stink bombs."

"Bath bombs."

"Same thing," she hissed before smiling at the older woman with the short cap of hair and flowy dress who'd called them over. "Need something?"

"I hate to be a bother, but this is not my table. My box should be over there," she waved to the other end of the cafeteria. "I'd do it myself, but it's so heavy."

Molly nudged him. "You're up, Jack-of-all-trades."

"Enough with the Jack jokes." He eyed the box, hoping Juliet didn't look over here when he was red and wheezing "So what's in here?" he asked the old lady.

"Oh, many things. Polished amber, quartz, some semi-precious stones."

"Rocks," Jake grunted weakly as he picked it up. "Called it."

When he finally hauled it to the other side, he was glad Juliet wasn't looking at his sweaty face, but it sucked that she was too far away to talk to now. Maybe it was just as well. Conversation was never his game, anyway, at least not with real girls outside Molly.

Still, he was in Juliet's possible sight-line. He had to make the most of it. He'd been kind of beefy in high school, and not in the muscular way, possibly bordering on chubby if he hadn't been so tall. Hell, he'd definitely been chubby before football. It was different in college. They had to log gym time, use equipment, eat lean protein. He'd never been in this kind of shape then.

He moved to Molly, who was helping the old lady set up her stands. "...but aren't you afraid to leave this stuff here overnight? Some of it looks pretty valuable."

"Oh, this isn't my first rodeo. They've got security here and..." the woman stopped, turning to Jake. "Can I help you?"

"Uh... my friend... Need to talk." He pulled Molly away.

"You are just full of all the words today," she laughed.

"Yeah, yeah. Spill your water on me," he hissed.

Molly snorted. "It's not that hot."

"No! I mean spill a little on my shirt or something."

She slid her eyes over to Juliet, then narrowed them at him. "Are you seriously trying to find an excuse to strip?"

"Only my shirt. It's not a big deal."

"Yes, it is!" She lifted her chin, trying not to laugh. "This bazaar is being run by a church, you perverted heathen!"

"If you're not going to help..."

"No, it's fine." She tilted her head, smiling widely and tipping her cup toward the front of his pants.

"Molly!" He reacted on instinct, slapping the cup upward and the water all over her face.

"Jake! Why would you do that?" she sputtered at him, swiping her eyes.

"You were about to make me look like a pants wetter!"

"I was only faking so I could see your face." She shook the water out of her short, candy-apple-red hair, glaring at him, then stared down at her tank top. "Great! Now my mascara is burning my eye and my top is soaked and even my sneakers are squishing."

"I'm sorry." His eyes drifted down to confirm. Her top was really soaked, also clingy. "I'm sorry," he repeated, dragging his eyes upward quickly and keeping them there. "It was my reflexes. You know how it is. I told you before. I'm an athlete, and I'm conditioned to-"

"I don't want to hear about your extra special reflexes right now," she said with a withering look.

"I didn't mean to."

"To what? Drown me on land?"

"Calm down. It's just a little water." He reached for the hem of his T-shirt. "I could give you mine."

"For real, Jake?" she hissed. "Now?"

He glanced around. Well, Juliet was looking now. So was everyone else. He leaned in. "I'm so sorry. I think one of these tables is selling clothes. I'll buy you a shirt. I'm so--"

"Forget it. It's hot and I'm tired and I have a top in the car. It's fine. Try to contain your dangerous reflexes till I get back."

He stared after her, feeling like an ass. What was he thinking, anyway, trying to get his shirt off in the middle of a pack of church ladies? He turned to find Juliet looking over. He gave her what he hoped was an apologetic smile. She shook her head and laughed, returning to her jewelry ball. Everyone else seemed to be getting back to business, too. His eyes gravitated to Juliet again. He was obviously going to do nothing but make an idiot out of himself in front of her today or any day. Come to think of it, it had been the same way back in high school. He never could get up the nerve to act like a human being around her.

He let out a long sigh.

"Girl trouble?" he heard behind him. He turned back to their old lady, who was chuckling. "You know what you need?"

"A working brain?" he tried.

"Maybe, but I don't sell that." She laughed again. "You need confidence. I might have something for you." She dug in her box of rocks. "Aha! This should do it." She held out a small cluster of stones or maybe crystals, a mix of pink and muddy gray.

"What is it?"

"The answer to all of your problems," she said with a significant stare.

TBC

*********************

So what's the ship situation here?

A. Jake and Juliet
B. Jake and Molly
C. Jake and the older lady. It's an unexpected May/December twist.
D. Molly and George forever!