06. Sunday Night Plans

“Here you go.” Aaron said handing me a cup of coffee. “You know you don’t have to stay…Mason’s here, I won’t be alone.”

“No, it’s okay…I want to help however possible.” I said “Unless this is a family thing, then I can go if you want me to go.”

“No.” he laughed. “I want you to stay, I just thought it might be a little boring for you.” He said sitting down beside me.

“I’m okay .” I smiled.

Is it wrong to want to be there for my future boyfriend….I don’t think so. I was just showing him how supportive I can be.

When we arrived, Suri’s husband, Mason, was already around. Suri, was Aaron’s elder sister. As soon as we saw him, Aaron hugged him.

“When did you get back into town?” he asked.

“Right now actually, I got the call on my way home…so you can go back to school now, I’ll call you after she delivers.” Mason said

“Are you kidding me, I want to be here for my sister, and I can’t wait to carry the little tiger.” Aaron said.

“Oh, you like babies??” I asked.

“Love them. You?”

"I’m getting there.”

“And who is this lovely beauty?” mason asked.

“How rude of me…Melanie, this is Mason, my brother in law…Mason, this is Melanie my….friend.” Aaron said.

Friend? Friend? He introduced me as his friend, I did not see that coming. I thought I was going to get a more lucrative title such as, oh I don’t know, maybe future girlfriend…or at least his date. I’m being demanding, aren’t I? 

Really, I’m not like this but Aaron gets me jumbled up…no one gets me jumbled up. The only other person that ever had that effect on me was….well, Jeremy, Maggie’s grandson. Maggie was the former-model-slash-millionaire we met in jail. Remember her?

“Nice to meet you, friend.” Mason said stretching his hand for a handshake.

“Are you kidding me, the pleasure is all mine.” I said as I took his hand.

“Firm handshake.” Mason said “I like her.”

“So how is she?” Aaron asked before following Mason to Suri’s room…they had invited me along, but I explained to them that I would rather not, explaining how it was a special moment and I didn’t want to infringe on family time.

That was nearly two hours ago.

Aaron had checked up on me regularly and spent about 15-30minutes with me every time he did, I felt guilty stealing him away from his sister so I always forced him back to his family. I know what you’re thinking, why don’t I just go home?

Well because I didn’t want Aaron to drive me home, he had to be here. So why don’t I take a cab? Duh, because I didn’t want to abandon Aaron...you heard him, he needed me here.

“You have no idea how much I appreciate you being here.” He said snapping me back to the present.

“Don’t get too comfortable, I’m going to call you on a favor soon.” I teased.

“I’ll do anything for you.” He said.

I blushed.

“To be honest with you, I didn’t know how the night was going to turn out when I asked you out on Monday. I know me asking you out was out of the blue, but I’ve been thinking about it for some time.” He said. “I know you don’t feel for me that way, you think we’re just friends, but you mean more than that to me. “

He had no idea what he was saying, he was crazy if he didn’t know I had feelings for him, everyone else knew.

“You are more than just a friend to me too Aaron.” I said reaching for his hand.

“The reason I didn’t call you between Monday and today was that I was swamped. Mason travelled Monday evening for a business meeting and asked me to move in to help take care of Suri. Taking care of a pregnant woman is not nice...in any way. Between that and school the only free time I had was when I was asleep. I didn’t tell you earlier because I didn’t want you think of me as a geek or anything, it really wasn’t that personal.” He explained.

“You don’t have to explain.” I said brushing away a stray lock of gorgeous black hair from his face. “I understand” I said before leaning in to kiss him.

But I didn’t quite get there.

“Whoa, I hope I’m not interrupting anything.” I slightly overweight man with head full of gorgeous black hair said. He looked a little bit like…

“Dad…” Aaron said getting up from the chair.

“Clearly you are.” A thin mature blonde lady said nodding to me, that must be Aaron’s mum, I thought. “Hi, I’m Jeanette.” She said.

“I’m Melanie.” I said getting up to greet her.

“And she’s respectful too.” The father said “Nice catch son.” He finished slapping Aaron on the back.

“And this embarrassing man, is David, my father.” Aaron introduced.

“Nice to meet you.” I said shaking his hand.

“Why don’t I take you to Suri’s room.” Aaron said leading them down a hallway, then he turned and mouthed “I’ll be right back” to me.

A couple a minutes after Aaron took his parents in, Mason came rushing out, he smiled at me “How do I look?”

“Awesome.” I said.

“Good, cause my parents are here”

“Wow, a full house.”

“Suri and I both come from very hands-on family.”

“I can see that.” I said.

“I’ll be right back.” He said and started walking towards the exit door and then stopped and turn to me. “We’re having a barbeque Sunday evening, it’s for family but I want you to come and I bet Aaron would want you to come too, and I know Suri wants you to come. She feels bad about cutting the date short and wants to make it up to you.”

“Well, since everyone wants me there how can I say no. I’ll be there.” I said

“okay, good.” He said before rushing out.

 I also shared pleasant ‘hellos’ with Mason’s parents before they rushed off to see Suri.

“Hey” Aaron said, sitting beside me, “not the best first date ever, huh?”

“This was perfect.” I said.

“I think so too.”

“Well, that’s just cause you get a nephew today.” I joked before adding more seriously, “Mason invited me to your family barbeque on Sunday, I just wanted to let you know, it’s completely okay if you don’t want me there. I mean, I’ll understand.”

“Of course I want you there, I’ll have the prettiest girl there by my side. ” he said taking my hand. “Promise me you’ll come.”

“Okay, I promise. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” I smiled.

“Good, I’ll pick you up. Now, I have to get you back to school, it’s going to be a long night and my family likes you…that’s a bad thing,” he joked. “Let’s just say I’m watching out for you.”

“I like that you watch out for me.” I said getting up, I didn’t want to appear to be imposing my presence.

Aaron walked me to the front door, he wanted to drive me home but I insisted that he stay with his family and assured him that I’ll be perfectly fine taking a cab. That took a lot of work.

When I got back to school, Allyson, James and Jamie were in my room. James and Allyson were lying on  Ally’s bed while Jamie was sprawled on my bed.

“Don’t you guys have any other friends?” I asked.

“There’s a surprise there for you.” Jamie said pointing to a stool near the door.

“Oh, I can’t wait to tell her.” Allyson said as I picked up an envelope addressed to me. It was an invite of some sort.

“Go ahead. Tell me.” I said to Allyson not opening the invite. I dropped the invite on my bed along with my red-and-silver clutch. I took off my jacket and flung it on Jamie who threw it on the floor.

“Maggie is having a masquerade ball at her place, and we’re invited. And we get to bring plus ones. I’m taking James, Jamie is going solo and I figured you’re going solo as well. Oh Maggie absolutely insists that you come, well, we come. We have no choice in this matter. She’s sending a limo to pick us so its kinda compulsory and I bet, Jeremy can’t wait to see you.” She said.

I blushed as I sat on the bed and began taking off my shoes.

“I heard she does it every year.” James chipped in “it’s super elegant and guests are strictly crème-de-la-crème , she has two separate parties in the same house…one for adults and one for the younger generation, and by younger generation…I mean us and no one less than eighteen is invited. So you know there’s no joking around.”

“Wow, you really did your homework…so when is this party.” I asked. The party sounded pretty exciting. I’d never been to a masquerade ball, and I really wanted to go.

“Sunday night.” James said.

I stopped what I was doing and turned to James, “Sunday night?” I asked.

“yeah…”

Ohhhhh shiiiiit. 


to be continued.........

05. First Date Details

I looked at myself in the mirror. Aaron hadn’t said if we were going to a fancy place or a simple place. So I dressed for both.

In fact, Aaron hadn’t said anything to me since he asked me out. No calls, no texts, I hadn’t even seen him around school.

It was after my class today, that I finally heard from him. I got a random text from him asking me if were still ‘on’ for tonight.

I also replied nonchalantly. “Yeah, sure, I haven’t got any other plans.”

Now looking at myself in the mirror, it was obvious that this was all I could think about for ages. I was wearing a mini red corset dress with a thin black body hugging jacket and black stiletto heels with a silver anklet to match my silver bracelets and earrings.

My dirty blonde hair was tied into a crazy bun with side bangs, in case we were going somewhere fancy. And if we were going to a casual place, I would loosen the bun to let my hair fall to my shoulders. My full pink lips had a colorless gloss on, and I added extra blonde highlights to my bangs to accentuate my brown eyes. And I added a little bit of blush too.

I was keeping it simple but not so simple. I checked out my body in the full length mirror near Ally’s bed. My stomach was flat and my boobs were full and perky. My ass was no way close to Kim kardashian’s but I occasionally got whistles and compliments cause of it. I was proportionate and I was grateful.

I checked the text I had just received on my phone, it was from Aaron, “I’m at your door.” It said.

I took my time walking to the door, I didn’t want to appear desperate.  “What happened to knocking?” I asked as I opened the door.

“You look..wow…” he said.

I gestured for him to come in. “Is that a compliment?” I joked. “cause I’m not sure.”

“Yeah, it is. Where’s Allyson?” he asked looking around. 

“she’s studying with James.” I said. Truth was…..I kicked her out. I’m not proud of it, but hey, it was Aaron and she was, well, Allyson. “I’ll be right with you.” I said as he sat on the bed.

“so….” I started but trailed off. It’s not that I didn’t have what to say, I wanted him to look at me, waiting for me to complete my sentence.

 When he turned to me, I sat on the chair opposite him “did..you….” I said putting on lip gloss. I slowly applied it to my lips. I knew he wasn’t listening as he stared at my lips, so I strung along  a bunch of words that didn’t make sense to give him the impression I was actually pursuing a conversation.

“string…man…cheese….” I said, chuckling as he didn’t even notice what I was doing. I slowly licked my lips, “feather…teeth…so what do you think?” I asked snapping him away from staring at my lips.

“What?”

“What do you think of my idea?” I asked, eager to hear his lie.

“Oh, I think it’s great, beauty and brains.” He said.

Guys!!! I thought, so pathetic.

I purposely-accidentally dropped my lip gloss on the floor so that he could get a good view of my cleavage as I bent over to pick it. It was a dirty trick. But I wanted him to think of me in that dirty way, all dinner long. And then when he drops me off after, he wouldn’t get any, not even a kiss. It’s a little game I play to keep the guys interested.

“Are you ready to go?” I asked.

“Definitely.” He said as he got up and opened the door for me.

“What a gentle man.” I said in a British accent before leaving my room.

It was a fancy restaurant. A four star French cuisine. Aaron had ordered the Escargots for appetizer while I ordered the spicy chicken soup. We were actually having a decent conversation. Decent? Who am I kidding? We were having fun.

“This is nice” Aaron said “we should have done this earlier.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll let you know when next I have allergies.”

He laughed...and then slowly reached for my hand across the table, and then smiled at me.

The night was everything I hoped it would be. So I smiled back.

“I didn’t think we were still going to have this date.” I said.

“Yeah, I know, I’m sorry, I should have called during the week…but I actually couldn’t.” he paused “Personal reasons.” She said

We were out on a date. we were talking about everything but somehow some things were still personal, okay…at least I know this date won’t turn into a relationship or else he would have the need to share. Even though it was a little bit.

“It's okay. I understand.” I said. I really wasn’t sure if my face actually fell visibly enough for Aaron to see. But I felt like crap. This was just a one-time-date. And crazy me had gotten my hopes up.

“I’m sorry Mel,” he said “It’s not really that personal…”

“It’s okay, you don’t have to explain. I honestly understand.” I smiled.

“Can I tell you a secret?” he asked.

“As long as it’s not personal.” I teased.

“It actually concerns you” he said “I’ve always….” He started when he got cut off by his phone ringing. “Excuse me.” he said when he looked at the caller ID and got up from the table.

Can someone say bad timing? Just when he was about to tell me that he always fancied me, or he always didn’t. I wonder what he was about to say. What if he wanted to marry me……a little far fetched? Yeah, I know. Bullocks.

More importantly, did I just use “fancied” and “bullocks” in the same train of thought? Wow, Jamie must really be rubbing off on me.

I saw Aaron standing near the receptionist’s table, it looked like he was excited…or panicked…or…I don’t know, I couldn’t tell with the distance between us.

I reached for one of the contents in Aaron’s plate with my fork, and took a bite.  It tasted really good…so I reached for another.

“Stealing my food?” Aaron said coming up to the table.

“I can explain…..I was actually just curious. I’ve never had one of these, I was never bold enough to try it, but Jamie and Allyson have.” I said as he sat done. “Want some of mine.” I said as I pushed my bowl of soup towards him.

He looked down at my bowl, “You’ve barely eaten anything.”

“Yeah I have, but you can’t notice cause you were here with time the whole time, trust me the waiter would see the difference.”

“Well, I would love to but I can’t. I have to go.”

I paused in shock. “Like now, like right now?” I asked. I’ve never been deserted on a date. EVER. Much more, during appetizers.

“Yeah Mel, its-“

“Personal, I know.”

“Actually, I was going to say it’s important.”

“Then you should hurry.” I said.

“Thanks.” he said as he got up from the table. “Use this.” He said as he dropped his credit card on the table. He obviously meant I should use the credit card to pay for dinner but what if I went shopping on his credit card now…I wonder if he’ll notice.

He was halfway to the door when he returned. “My sister is having a baby.” He said “Her husband is out of town and my parents are at least an hour away, I’m the nearest family she has, and I have to be there.”  he said.

That was actually important and I thought he was just blowing me off. “Then what are you still doing here? You should be with her.”

“You’re so understanding.” He said. He walked over to my side of the table and planted a light peck on my lips. “Thanks.” He said and started walking away again. Then he stopped and returned to the table again.

“Would you like to come with me?” he asked. 

“What?” I asked.

“Would you like to come with me to the hospital cause I don’t think I can do this alone.”

This was a big deal, a really big deal. But why would he ask me to join him? Wasn’t it meant to be, um, ….personal???


to be continued......

04. A Lady Never Kisses And Tells...Or Does She??

“You should have met her,” Allyson said to James “she was all fancy and shit.” Allyson was my roommate although she spent a lot of her time with James. We were in James' room and his roommate was not around.

“No one has heard about Maggie Clarkson in ages.” James said “And her grandson goes here… with us, like a real heir to a multi million dollar fortune? Wow, he’s pretty low profile…do you think he’s gay?” he asked.

“Oh definitely not.” I said.

Jamie, Allyson and James turned to me. “Is there something you’re not telling us.” Jamie said.

Jamie, Allyson and James were seated on James’ bed and I was seated on a chair beside them.

I bit my lip, “Nothing.” I said.

“How do you know he isn’t gay?” James asked.

That question sent me back to the previous night when I kissed Jeremy. Admittedly, I had a couple of drinks...and the weed on the side didn’t help. But just hearing him tell me how good I looked in his t-shirt...that was kind of a turn on… and him being shirtless..that didn’t help for fuck.

I reached up to him and kissed him. I kept telling myself it was inappropriate, I was guest in their home and who knows, I might never meet Maggie again and Jeremy might go back to ignoring me in class. Every bone in my body told me it was wrong, what if he didn’t kiss me back, or worse, what if he scolded me. I shuddered at the thought.

As I was about to break off the what-would-be-humiliating kiss. I felt Jeremy put a hand on my waist and drew me closer. He kissed me back. I smiled to myself remembering how he kissed.

He kissed me ever so gently, in a light teasing manner.  Making me want more with each kiss. I pulled his head closer down, I wanted more of him.

 I felt his hand go under the t-shirt and up to the small of my back, he didn’t move his hands to my boobs or grab my ass or anything....he just let it rest on my back. That action felt so intimate.

 I broke of the kiss and stared into his eyes. I had only ever seen him passing, but now after meeting his grandmother, and seeing him at home, I felt like I knew him all too well. I took his hand and led him into my room and sat him on the bed and then sat beside him. I began kissing him again and before I knew it I was on my back.

Jeremy was above me, passing his hand through my hair.  “Damn, you’re beautiful.” He said between kisses.

“Thanks.” I muttered shyly.

He paused and look at me surprisingly as if coming to realization of what he was doing. “ I should go.” He said as he got off me.

“What?” I asked as I sat up from my bed.

“I can’t…stay here. I really should go.” He said and walked to the balcony. “I’ll see you around, Melanie.” He finished just before he left the room.

Needless to say, I barely got any sleep the rest of the night. I just kept thinking of Jeremy, what game was he playing at, how dare he leave me high and dry?

“Did you see that?” I heard James saying, snapping me back from my recollection of last night.

“See what?” I asked.

“You're expression went from desire to frustration to blush to anger then to blush and back to desire and now you’re furious….” Allyson said. “What happened last night?”

“Nothing…well…I may have kissed…um, Jeremy?” I said in a bit of an unsure way and then I turned to James. “And he IS NOT gay.” I smiled.

“What?” Jamie said in surprise “You cheated on Aaron…you were unfaithful in your imaginary relationship with Aaron. I must say I’m really surprised…and proud.”

“But there’s a problem.” I said “When things were getting steamy…he broke it off and literally fled to his room.”

“Wait, when did you have time to kiss him.” Allyson asked

“Our rooms were beside each other…”

“If you wanted to kiss someone, why didn’t you kiss me…you know I’m crazy about you.” James whined.

“You’re gay, James.” I said.

“But straight for you.” He joked.

“You say he broke it off. He was probably trying to be mature. Not take advantage of drunk girl.” Allyson explained

“Trust me…I wanted to be taken advantage of.” I said with a low voice.

“Maybe he’s a fucking virgin.” Jamie said.

“In today’s world…no one’s a virgin.” James said.

“Well whatever the reason was, I don’t like being toyed with.”

“So what are you going to do?” James asked.

“I’m going to do what every sensible twenty year old would do. I’m going to cyber stalk him.” I joked.  “Honestly, I don’t know what I’m going to do, what if he just wanted a one night stand and then changed his mind…he probably thought I was clingy and broke it off before I got the wrong message.”

“You’re over analyzing.” Jamie said “Why don’t you ask him what his deal was the next time you see him.”

“That’s too pathetic.” I said. “I guess, I’ll just have to let it go. It’s just one of those things.”

“Don’t you have a class in a bit?” James asked looking at his watch.

“Yeah, I do, I better get going. I’ll meet up with you guys after class.” I said getting up from the seat I was on. I planted a kiss on James’ lips. “Later you guys.”

As I walked out of Allyson’s room, I saw Aaron standing in front my room door, pressing his phone.

“Aaron??” I called.

“Melanie…I was just about to call you. I wanted to check up on you, to see how you were doing.” 

I spun a complete 360 on my heels. “As you can see, I’m doing fine. No more allergies.”

“Well, I felt really bad for what happened….in a way, I feel like it’s all my fault.”

“No Aaron, it’s not your fault, I got clumsy and I fell….and I stayed there.” I lied.

“But still, I feel, I gotta make it up to you somehow. Can I buy you dinner?” he asked.

“What???” I was shocked. I mean, I’ve waited for this day for so long but I never actually thought it would ever come.

“I know this is out of the blue, but I got to thinking.” He said shyly looking around, waiting for my answer.

I was about to do a one-arm-back-flip when I suddenly remembered the t-shirt on my bed. It was Jeremy’s...from last night. But who really cares, right? I only really met him last night, even though I did kinda like him.

“Are you asking me out, Aaron?” I said

“Yeah, I guess I am.” He laughed.

“I would love to.” I blushed.

“Great,” he smiled “I’ll pick you up around six…on Friday, if that’s okay with you.”

“It’s perfect.” I said. Friday? It was so fucking far away, but if that’s what Aaron wanted...

As I stretched to hug Aaron goodbye, I heard a voice call my name. There was Jeremy, walking to where Aaron and I were standing.

“Hi, um, Jeremy, what are you doing here?” I asked.

“You know what? Never mind.” He said. “I was never here.” He said and walked away.

“Why does he do that?” I thought out loud.

“Who was that?” Aaron asked.

“Nobody.” I said as I planted a kiss on Aaron’s cheek. Well, at least I hoped he was nobody.



to be continued.....

03. A Night With Lady Magdalene

“We should better get going.” I said.

“Don’t be ridiculous, you got me out of jail, let me pay you ladies back.” She said and walked into the house.

Magdalene, or Maggie had lived a glamorous life and now she was old and she was bored. She told us that she got arrested at least once a week. She always snuck out of the house to do something to crazy.

Maggie was a Russian model that married the lead singer of a band that was huge in the 1960s she had been only 18 at the time and her husband was 32. But they had stayed married for 40 wonderful years before he passed away 10 years ago. Maggie had lost her only daughter Teresa and Teresa’s husband in a car crash when their son, Jeremy, was only two years old. Both her and her husband raised their grandson and now he was the only family she had left.

“So you were married to Vincent Clarkson, lead singer of OASIS... That band was huge, and their songs….classic, my favorite is ‘you make me wanna dance’.” Allyson gushed. We were all seated in the study entranced by stories Maggie was telling about her adventures as a teenager, memories with her husband and daughter…and how she dealt with being married to a famous rock star, but we all stopped to look at Allyson. How did she even know bands that old?

“What? My grandmother still listens to them.” She explained.

“I like that one too, very much.” Maggie said. “Some more tea ladies?” she asked

“If I didn’t know any better I’d say you’re trying to get us drunk.” Jamie said taking a sip of her still remaining alcohol spiked tea.

“You girls just make me feel young again, I can’t remember the last time  I had any friends over much less young friends.” She laughed.

“Your husband was knighted, right, by the queen of England, so that makes you a knight’s wife, a lady...royalty. Girls we’re seating in front of royalty.” Allyson said to us. “Your estate is worth millions of dollars.” She added.

“That’s what they say, how would I know, Jeremy knows all these stuff….and technically, we aren’t ‘royalty’.” Maggie said.

“Well, to me you are.”

Maggie was carefree and fun. She had lived a full and fulfilled life. When I grow old, I’d like to be just like her.

“Why don’t you ladies spend the night here, Anthony, the butler would drop you off tomorrow morning. But first…” she said rummaging through her purse for something.

She brought out something wrapped in a handkerchief. She unwrapped the handkerchief and we all began laughing.  It contained about ten rolled blunts of weed.

“One for each of you.” She said lighting the one she picked up before lighting ours.

I was on my second blunt when Anthony came in to the study. “Lady Magdalene, Master Jeremy has just arrived, I thought I should let you know.” He said before leaving the study.

“Quick hide this. Hide everything.” She said. But we weren’t fast enough.

Jeremy walked into the smoky study in jeans and an untucked buttoned shirt with a tie hanging loosely around his neck.

“I came as soon as I could grams, I’m so sorry, I took so long, I was helping my professor. I went to the station but you were already--” he paused as soon as he saw us and then sniffed the air.

“What is going on here?” He asked.

“It’s nothing precious,” she said “come meet my new friends.”

“Nothing, you tried stealing a car today, but you have a Ferrari parked in your garage.”

“It got towed.” Jamie added.

“No it didn’t, that was her excuse…..and now you’re smoking weed with a bunch of 20 year olds.” He added.

“You’re 20?” Maggie asked.

“We’ll be turning 21 soon enough.” I said.

“This is no time for jokes, Melanie.” Jeremy said.

“Wait, what? How do you know my name.” I asked.

 He stopped and passed his hand through his hair….something his grandmother did often too. “We go to the same university. I’m your psychology lecturer’s teaching assistant.”

I paused for a second as I tried to remember him. “Oh yeah, I know you.” I said “this is your grand mom? She’s a legend.” I said.

“And you’re like a priest. Goody two shoes.” Jamie, who was also in my psychology class, said. We all laughed.

“Seriously, you think this is funny, my grandmother is 68years old and you’re letting her smoke weed. This is over.” He said grabbing the blunt from his grandmother’s hand.

"Oh, Jeremy, I just want to feel young again, Is that too much to ask for? These lovely girls are just keeping me company...” she said touching the empty cushion beside her. “come join us, baby, do this for your grandmother.”

Jeremy sighed and took a reluctant seat beside Maggie. “I was just looking out for you.”

“I know you were. Why don’t you have a blunt?” Maggie said laughing.

“Are you kidding me,” Jeremy said “that’s it…you three….. Anthony will take you to the guest rooms.”

“But---”

“Now! I need to have a talk with my grandmother.”

Jamie, Allyson and I were kept in separate rooms….. I lay on my bed for about an hour but I couldn’t sleep. My room was either beside Maggie’s or Jeremy’s, because a bit earlier I heard someone come enter the room beside mine.

With a deep breath, I got up and went out to balcony and for some fresh midnight air, standing in balcony with me was Jeremy…smoking a blunt.

“You hypocrite.” I said.

“What? This?” he asked looking at the blunt in his hand. “I never said I don’t do this, it’s just not okay when my grams does it, she could get lung cancer you know?”

“And you can’t?” I asked.

“Look, I don’t expect you to understand but my grams is all I have left in the world, and I don’t want her to endanger her health.” He  explained.

“I understand.” I said. “Can I have some?” I asked point to his blunt “I’m having trouble sleeping.” I said.

He paused “Me too.” He said as he walked over to where I was standing. Both our rooms shared the same balcony.

It was at that moment I realized he was shirtless. He was buff and had a well chiseled six pack stomach. I became conscious of myself too. I was wearing only a t-shirt that Anthony dropped off. It had  the words “You Suck” on them. He reached out to touch me, but instead touched the shirt.

"It looks good on you.”

“What?”

“The shirt, its mine.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. It looks good on you. You can have it if you want.”

“Really, thanks, I love it…I love shirts like this.” I explained. Not sure why.

Maybe it was his hot body that made want to cook for him…and by cook for him, I mean eat off his naked body. Or his wavy hazel coloured hair and deep eyes. Or his rugged bad boy sexy looks trapped in a good boy's body.

But whatever it was, I couldn’t resist…whatever it was…made me reach up to complete stranger and kiss him. 



to be continued......

02. To Meet Someone New

“That was absolutely humiliating, you will never be able to live this down.” Jamie said

“You think I don’t already know that.” I said taking a sip from my glass. We were seated in a bar just outside school. Mostly only grad students came here, or people who lived around or worked in the company around the corner. Most undergrads went to the bar inside school. But here was our place, because it was comfortable, elegant, and hot older guys came here.

Jamie had a glass of lager in front of her, but I was having diet coke cause I couldn’t take alcohol because of the allergy medicine I was on.

“Common you guys, I’m sure Aaron was happy to help.” Allyson said as she sat down beside us followed closely by a waitress carrying a tray of tequila shots.

“Are those all for you?” I asked.

“You’re not the only one who had a shitty day,  Mel, but you’re welcome to join me.”

“No thanks.” I said

“Don’t mind if I do, mate.” Jamie said and grabbed two shots.

"Well what happened?” I asked curiously.

Allyson sank back into the soft leather surface of the couch she and Jamie were sitting on, taking my drink with her. After a sip, she spat it out. “What the hell, there’s no alcohol in here.’

“I’m on medication.” I explained.

“So what happened after he took you to the hospital?” Jamie asked.

“I was sedated and given allergy shots, I think I’m allergic to the pesticide that’s used on the plants or something like that. Well, Aaron waited till I woke up and brought me back to school…so sweet, isn’t he? But enough about that, I want to hear what’s got Allyson drinking like she’s Irish.”

“Melanie, it’s no big deal, I was just super wasted this morning, I forgot I had an a term paper to do. Crappy lecturers. And bartender Louie won’t stop hitting on me, he gave me all these shots for free.” she cussed.

Louie wasn’t what one would call “hot”, he was okay looking, decent even but definitely not a show stopper. He liked Allyson since the first day we walked into the bar, he made a habit of sending us free drinks and begging Jamie and I to talk to Allyson for him. We all thought it was a bit funny, cute even. Except Allyson, well, at least she had the decency not to string him along.

“I’m bored here..” Jamie said “No one’s buying us drinks tonight, let’s get out of here.”

“You can say that again.” I said as I stood up from my arm chair opposite them.

“You look good Melanie."

“I have to, you never know when I’ll see Aaron again.” I said. “Let’s do something really crazy, okay? At least the day can end well.”

Five hours later…

“You said crazy….” Jamie said with a sly smile as she saw me scowling at her.

“I know what I said but I didn’t mean vandalism….how humiliating sitting in a police jail.” I said as I looked around. The jail wasn’t as full as you’ll see in movies, it was just three of us, a prostitute and an old woman. Yes, an old woman.

“Lighten up Mel, it was fun.” Allyson added.

I laughed, “Yeah it was, I can’t remember the last time I got kicked out of a club.”

Jamie looked at the prostitute “I know why you’re in here, but what are you in here for?” she said pointing to the old lady.

“Lemme guess, shoplifting??”

“Give me some credit.” The old woman said “I tried to steal car.” She added proudly.

We all laughed “Are you kidding me? why?” Allyson asked

“My car got towed. But no worries, my grandson will be here to pick me up soon.”

Just then a police officer walked up to the door.  “You three, the club manager has decided not to press charges. You can leave….”

“What about me? Isn’t my grandson here already?”

“He might be a while.” The officer said.

“Well, I want to get out of this hell-hole now, can I wait in the lobby?” she asked sweetly.

“So, you can try and escape, we’re not falling for that again Maggie.” He said and turned back to us  “out.”

At the front desk…..

“I feel bad for the old lady….” Allyson said as we were getting our things.

“But there’s nothing we can do.” I said.

“Or is there? I’m going to try and see if I can post her bail.”

“But we don’t know her.” Jamie said.

“She seems harmless.” Allyson said before rushing off.

Outside the station……

“Thank you girls.” The old lady said as she passed a hand through her hair.

“Let’s get you into a cab.” Jamie said “and stay out of trouble.”

“I can make no promises.” She said “the night is still young.”

Allyson grabbed both our hands, Jamie and I “please…” she said, we knew what she already wanted. Allyson always had a good heart.

“Fine,” I said “we’ll take her home.”

All four of us got into a cab together. And went to the address she gave as her address.

“This place lady?” the cab driver asked.

“Yes dear, drive on up.” she said.

It was a mansion.  With a long ass drive way. And..and..and..let’s just say it was pretty big, fit for royalty.

“Well, thank you sonny.” she said and rubbed the cab drivers head and got out of the car. “One of you should pay for the cab...” She said “and come in for tea.”

“Whoa,” I said “you work here?” I asked

“Work here?” she laughed as she walked up to the door and rung the door bell. The door was opened by a gray-haired, chubby-faced butler who was surprised to see her standing outside. “I live here/” she said to us

“Lady Magdalene.” He said through tiny lips “You’re meant to be in your room.”

“Don’t be a stick in the mud, Anthony” she said.

“Ladies.” She turned to us “Welcome to my home.” She said removing her coat as she got entered the elegant hallway. Revealing a set of designer clothes under. She wore a Vera Weng black suit, with black and white Jimmy choo ankle boots, and black Prada stockings. She had on pearl earrings with a string of pearls around her neck and wrist.

We were just too absent minded to notice them before, she seemed like an average old woman initially.

She turned to us. We still standing on the doorstep, not sure what to do. “well are you coming in or not?” she asked.

Spending our night with an old lady?? This was definitely not how we planned the night to go. 

 to be continued........

01. Melanie Melbourne

I woke up to the feeling of someone falling on my bed, I already knew who it was before I opened my eyes. “Get off my bed, Jamie.” I said with my blanket still over my head.

“But it hurts…” she said.

“Well what do you expect when you drank as much as you did last night…Are the blinds open?” I asked.

“Are you fucking crazy….no!” she said

With those wise words of encouragement, I flung the covers off my head and gently sat up. Jamie was lying perpendicular to me with an ice bag on her head and her feet planted to the floor. I waited patiently for the headache to come, and the quizzy feeling in my stomach. But it didn’t come.

“Well what do you know, no hangover” I laughed.

“Fucking showoff.”

That was Jamie. My best friend. Jamie was an American born in Milan where she lived till she was 8years old before moving to London where she stayed till the end of junior high. She moved here freshman year of high school because of her dad’s work. Her stupid English accent mixed with a hint of Italian made her seem elegant in everything she did. One thing about Jamie, she was very elaborate with her swear words, but truth was even when she swore, she still sounded like a lady. She had pale brown eyes and light caramel skin. Her hair was pitch black and she had rugged fabulous bangs that practically covered her eyes.

“You’re dad would be so proud.” I teased. I got up from my bed and walked over to the fridge, which unfortunately had nothing in it. “Don’t tell me we ate everything in here last night.”

Jamie was already tucked into my bed with my covers over her head. “Not us, Allyson. She ate everything in the fridge with that ridiculous boy toy she brought over her last night. And I think straight-for-Mel James showed up last night but I can’t remember.” She said as I walked into the bathroom to brush my teeth. “Everything is just so blurry.”

“Do you even remember going to the club last night?” I asked

“We went out?” she asked muffled from under the covers.

“You know what? Imma let you get back to sleep. I’m about to take a quick shower and then go get something to eat, you want anything?”

“Don’t you dare bring food in here or I swear, I’ll throw up all over your ass wipe of a bed…but some donuts would be nice”

“Mel…..” I heard a voice call from behind me, it was “straight-for-Mel” James. James was a friend of Allyson we met our first week on campus, he was openly gay but he always went on and on about how perfect he thought I was and how he would go straight for me anytime, all I had to do was say the word.

“No, Mel, no. You don’t look so good right now” he squirmed. I was wearing a tank top and a pair of calf long joggers and flip flops, I had no makeup or accessory on and my dirty blonde hair was tied into a loose bun.

“I’m just going to the coffee shop, James. It’s just five minutes away. I just had to get something to eat.” I explained.

James paused and gave me a full look over. “Oh, I get it, you’re trying to start a new trend here, a lazy kind of chique look. I gotta say, you’re pulling it off. I love what you’ve got going on with your hair.”

“No James, I’m not trying to start a trend, I just want breakfast.” I said grabbing his hand and pulling him “Now, walk me to the coffee shop.”

“….I don’t want you eating too much of those” James said gesturing to the open pack of donuts I was holding, “Your perfect just the way you are, don’t go getting fat on me.”

“Who cares.” I said biting into my coconut donut covered with chocolate. “this is good and I don’t care who sees me…want some?” I asked jokingly.

“Not even Aaron?” He said

“What?” Aaron was…well…. Aaron. Jamie introduced him to Allyson and I towards the end of our first semester and I had the hugest crush on him ever since. Huger than the crush I had on Johnny Depp when I was in junior high.

“Hey…” Aaron called noticing us, he was talking to some blonde bimbo with big tits and not standing afar off.

“Quick hide me.” I said

“Uh..it’s a little too late for that.” James said.

“Shut up and hide me.” I said as I jumped behind James’ broad back, there was no way I was letting Aaron see me like that.

“Excuse me.” Aaron said to the girl he was talking to.

“Oh look, you dropped something” James said to Aaron. When Aaron turned, James quickly pushed me into the bushes near us. “My bad, I guess, it was nothing.”

“I thought I just saw you with Mel.” Aaron said

“No, no, I think you’re seeing things” James replied

 I felt my body begin to itch but I figured they were from the excitement of Aaron asking about me.

“I’m not crazy, James, where’s Mel, I just wanna say hi.”

I felt my body itch a little more, Aaron wanted to say hi…how romantic, I gushed in my mind.

“Wait, is..is…she in there?” I heard Aaron ask. I prayed he wasn’t referring to the bushes, because squatting under a pile of shrubs with a chocolate covered mouth was definitely not how you wanted your crush to see you. I thought as I hurriedly tried to clean my mouth with my tank top.

“Melanie?” I heard Aaron say as he parted the bushes. I had my back to him but I was almost scared he could see my embarrassment through the back of my head.

“What are you doing down there, are you hi-hiding from me?” he asked

I slowly turned around, trying to think of a good explanation.

“What the---”

“Jumping submarines---”

Aaron and James swore simultaneously as I turned around.

“You’ve got something on your face.” Aaron said.

“It’s just chocolate.” I replied.

“It’s a little more than that.” James said fishing for something in the bag he was carrying, I could feel Aaron staring at me in that very unsexy way, it made me uncomfortable.

“Well, what is it?” I asked standing up.

James brought out a mirror from his bag and handed it over to me. I screamed and dropped the mirror, breaking it, as I saw my reflection. I was covered in gigantic rashes and thick red pimples on my swollen face. I looked at my arms and the same pimply rashes had grown on them too.

“I think you’re allergic.” Aaron said pointing to bushes I had just exited.

 Oh, so that’s what that itching feeling was.

Hi. My name is Melanie Melbourne and somehow, I manage to do everything wrong.


to be continued.......