Jason's Story
Copyright© 2025 by writer 406
Chapter 16
Two weeks later, on a Friday morning, Jason had a whim and called Victoria.
“Hey Tori, want to go to a high school football game tonight?”
Her laugh carried clearly through the phone. “You know how to sweep a girl off her feet. Do we go to the “sock hop” afterward?”
“I’m not sure they have dances any more, but I will buy dinner. Hey, how about Maria’s? I could go for some Italian food.”
Victoria was quiet for a moment. “You know what? I haven’t been to a high school football game since I was in high school. I gotta warn you, though; my mom won’t let me go steady yet, so no necking.”
“Damn, and here I was hoping to get to second base tonight.”
Jason picked up Victoria at her Capitol Hill apartment. She’d dressed for the occasion in designer jeans, knee-high boots, and a leather jacket. She looked stunningly--fashion-model exotic.
“I forgot how much I missed this,” she said as they walked toward the stadium lights. “The energy, the excitement. Everyone taking it so seriously.”
“Wait until you see the actual game,” Jason replied. “These kids play like their lives depend on it.”
They’d barely made it through the gate when Jason heard his name being called.
“Mr. Stone!”
He turned to see Aisha, Jamal, and Marcus from his World History classes pushing through the crowd, their smiling faces beaming.
“Mr. Stone, you came!” Aisha was grinning. “We have so many questions about that assignment—”
She stopped mid-sentence when she noticed Victoria, her mouth forming a small ‘o’ of surprise.
“Guys,” Jason said smoothly, “this is Victoria. Victoria, these are some of my students—Aisha, Jamal, and Marcus.”
Victoria smiled warmly, offering her hand. “Nice to meet you guys. Jason’s told me how smart you all are.”
Jamal was staring openly. “Are you ... aren’t you...?”
“Probably,” Victoria said with amusement. “But tonight, I’m just Jason’s friend who’s never seen a high school football game in about ten years.”
Marcus found his voice first. “Mr. Stone, is she really—”
“She’s really coming to watch you guys beat Garfield,” Jason interrupted with a laugh. “You guys better get to your seats before kickoff.”
As the students hurried away, Jason could hear their excited whispers carrying back through the crowd.
“Did you see her?”
“Mr. Stone is dating a supermodel!”
Victoria laughed. “Your students seem sweet.”
“They’re good kids. You on the other hand, have really boosted my street cred.”
“For that, you can buy an extra dessert for later?”
“You got it.”
They found seats in the visitor section—Jason wanted to watch the kids. But that plan was derailed within minutes when Principal Hart spotted them.
“Who’s that heading this way?” Victoria asked, watching a determined-looking woman in a Capitol Hill High jacket making her way through the bleachers.
“Principal Hart. She’s, my boss.”
“Mr. Stone!” Principal Hart arrived slightly out of breath. “I’m so glad you came. This is wonderful—seeing you engage with school events.” She turned expectantly to Victoria.
“Principal Hart, this is Victoria Carter. Victoria, Principal Hart.”
Victoria stood gracefully to shake hands. “It’s lovely to meet you. You should be very proud—those students we just met were absolutely delightful.”
“Victoria’s my date tonight,” Jason added, but Principal Hart was already studying Victoria with obvious curiosity.
“Are you in education as well?”
Victoria glanced at Jason with barely concealed amusement. “I’m more in the ... visual arts field.”
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