by Kelsey Opel

Created on: September 23, 2008

"Tempted"

Temptation: a word that can be used to describe obeying wrong over right, no matter how truly wonderful it feels. All of my life I had stayed out of temptation's way; following the rules, but one very fateful day changed everything.

I knew it was wrong to feel this way towards him, anyone else but him would have been fine. His name was Jacob and our love was forbidden, though I was never sure if he felt the same way as I. He had a beautiful girlfriend and was involved with the troublemakers in our small town. Some call a group like theirs a "gang", but since the town was so small, we considered them "irresponsible, immature troublemakers". Being the only child in my family, I was forced to obey my parent's wishes and ignore Jacob in public. They said it was good for their image, and the less people involved with Jacob the better.

But I could not deny the attraction that I felt for him. Every time he looked my way, my heart fluttered like the free birds flying in the deep, blue sky. A blush controlled my cheeks, my throat locked; all symptoms I could not control when he was near.

I decided to obey my parent's wishes and ignore my feelings, keeping them locked away behind a door with no key. All too soon was the door to barge open.

*

Every Saturday, my mother and I went shopping at the local grocery store. It was kind of a ritual, and every time we went, Jacob was outside with his friends, messing around. But unlike all of the other days, today he was behind the checkout counter and his friends were nowhere to be seen.

After we finished gathering our food for the week, my mother regretfully stood in line at Jacob's station, as it was, unfortunately, the only one open. I went off to the bathroom to try to control my breathing. I was nervous and there was no way to deny it. I breathed in and out slowly, trying to calm myself. Over the years I had been taught to avoid Jacob, but now I was being forced to be around him.

I exited the bathroom concentrating on staying calm. I didn't have to talk to him; I could just stand next to my mother, like a sidekick. I then stood next to my mother and she was next in line. Suddenly her cell phone rang. She answered and pushed her wallet full of cash into my hands.

Jacob called to the next customer. I gulped and walked forward, still trying to concentrate on staying calm, but hardly succeeding.

"Hello," Jacob recited with a fake smile. "Welcome to Cost Mart, I hope you found everything you were looking for."

His last sentence was a statement, not a question, but I answered anyway. "Yes," I tried to control my voice.

Jacob smiled a real smile this time and I took in how charmingly white his teeth were. "Maybe I'll have to come to work more often," he mumbled.

I looked down, confused by his statement.

"So, do you live in town?" he asked while entering the price on the tomatoes.

"Yes," I answered shortly. I felt oddly embarrassed, though I'd done nothing wrong.

He told me the amount and I paid him the cash with quivering hands.

"Is everything okay?" he asked, looking concerned.

I nodded my head and put my shaking hands in my jean pockets. My mother, still chatting on her cell phone, placed the bags in the shopping cart and started walking away. I followed obediently.

"I'm Jacob, by the way," Jacob called from behind me.

I turned around to see him smile his beautiful, charm-ing smile.

"I'm Allie," I replied.

"See you around, Allie," he winked and my heart fluttered. I began following my mom out of the store, all the while replaying his sweet voice calling my name over and over.

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