10. Mexico, It Is Then.

It had been three weeks since the “Jeremy disaster” and I was suffering from a broken heart. Well, technically.

Even though my relationship with Aaron was growing everyday…I just couldn’t stop thinking of Jeremy and how much he had hurt me.

“Please, do not tell me you are still thinking of Jeremy?” Leon said.

“What would make you say that?” I asked.

“You have that dazed, soulful look in your eyes.” He said with a smile.

“Fine!” I said “I’m here with you…and I’m going to try to stop thinking of Jeremy, I kinda promise.”

“That works for me. Do you want anything to drink?” He asked getting up from his seat.

“Anything with lots of alcohol” I shouted as he entered the kitchen.

Leon was Jeremy’s (technical) cousin {his grandmother was Maggie’s sister…Maggie was Jeremy’s grandmother} and he had been a good friend to me through out everything. When I wasn’t with him, I was with Aaron…I made it a big deal to avoid my best friends…simply because they did not understand.

Jamie couldn’t understand how I could be heart-broken over Jeremy when I was with Aaron.

Allyson was full of pity for me, even though she understood why I was hurting, she didn’t understand that I didn’t want to be pitied. I just wanted them to act like nothing was wrong.

As for James, he understood perfectly. But because he was always with either Jamie or Allyson…I had to avoid him too.

But Leon, Leon was perfect. He had been in my shoes before and he understood exactly how I felt.

“You’re in love with him, aren’t you?” he had asked that night, three weeks ago as I cried in the parking lot during Maggie’s party.

“I don’t know why?” I had said “he’s not the type of guy I date, we have nothing in common and he’s taken.”

“Look, this is not Jeremy. He’s a stickler for the rules; he’s not the type of guy to cheat on Hanna…or any girl for that matter. It’s not like him to lead you on like this…and  all I can think is that he must be in love with you too and he doesn’t want to let Hanna down…they’ve been together since forever.”

“I don’t want to love him anymore. Not if it feels like this.”

“Well, I’ve been here before and I know just the thing that might help.”

“What?”

“Alcohol. Lots and lots of alcohol.”

And that’s how we ended up where we are right now.

“Here you go.” Leon said handing me a glass of dry martini. “For now.”

“Thanks.” I said as I took my drink from him.

I enjoyed hanging out with Leon…he was a different scene from what I was used to and a different guy from the ones I hung out with. He wasn’t gay like James, self righteous like his cousin Jeremy…he was weird. And he was kind…and he was amazing. Did I mention weird? Yeah, he’s really weird.

“I broke up with Lisa.” Leon said, sitting down opposite me.

“Good, I never liked her.”

“She never liked you.”

“Who would have guessed?” I retorted. Lisa was Leon’s annoying, spoilt brat of a girlfriend.

“You know, she always thought we had something going on.”

I sprung up in a laugh. “Is she crazy?” I asked “me…you…never!”

“Hey! I get it you like Jeremy.”

“I like Aaron, I’m dating Aaron.”I corrected.

“Lisa and I… we were just heading into different directions, our time was up.”

“I get what you mean, I-” I was interrupted by the buzzing of my phone beside me. I ignored it and turned to Leon “we were saying?”

“Aren’t you going to get that?”

“It’s Ally… so not really.”

“Allyson…what’s her deal anyway?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean…is she like dating anybody, what kinda guys does she like?”

I laughed “you’re into her?”

“Can you blame me, don’t you see that body?”

“Whatever.” I added getting up from where I had been seated. I walked off into the kitchen to look for what to eat. Leon followed me.

“I think it’s time you stop running.” He said

“From what?”

“From your friends. They care about you; they’re just trying to help.”

“I don’t need their help. I’m just fine.”

“We all need help sometimes.” He said as he reached into his pocket pulling out a piece of paper. It was a hand drawn picture of Jamie, Allyson, James and I. Best friends.

“Where did you get this?”

“Oh I couldn’t sleep a couple of nights back and I found the picture laying around so I drew that.”

“Thanks.”

I knew Leon was just trying to take care of me and make sure I was happy.

“I’ll go see my friends but after one little thing.”

“What’s that?”

“Let’s go to Mexico.” I said.

“Are you stalling?” he asked me.

“No. it’s just when I go back to my friends, I may not see you as much as I do now. So let’s have one final, crazy. Insane, spiral-fun weekend. Okay?”

“Are you stalling?” he asked again.

“A little bit.” I admitted.

Leon just stared at me with a crooked smile, accessing me. This was his form of torment, not giving me an answer.  

He  knew I would do anything to avoid my friends…and the topic ‘Jeremy’ and would stall along as possible to get into that…but he also knew the sooner I get what I want before he gets what he wants and that includes me making time for my friends.

Finally he broke into a fully fledged smile “Let’s go to Mexico.”

I Know I Haven't Posted In A While

I know I haven't posted a new story in a while and I apologize but I promise a lot more stories will be up soon.
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Thanks,

Valerii.

09. Runaway Cinderella

“I feel kinda guilty abandoning my friends.” I told him.

“I’m sure they’re just having fun somewhere.” He smiled at me.

“I’m sure.” I agreed with him as I leant in for another kiss.

When we entered his room, he locked the door behind us, it wasn’t just sexual anymore, it was more than that; we actually wanted to get to know each other. So in between kisses and cuddling, we got to know a little bit more.

“I’m sorry.” I said. “About your parents, you never even got to know them.”

“It’s not as bad as it sounds.  You never miss what you never had. If I knew them, it would have been a lot more painful talking about it, besides grams and her husband were literally the best parents any one could ask for. I count everything as a blessing.”

I was blown away by his level of maturity, this was definitely the kind of guy I wanted in my life, too bad I wasn't as mature. “You’re not even a bit curious about them?” I should really learn to let sleeping dogs lie.

“I am and my grandparents have told me everything there is to know about them, the good and the bad. I see my father’s parents twice every year. More occasionally now with grams.” he said “if I am curious I just ask about them. Your turn”

“Well, what is there to know...I'm not your everyday girl, you really have to unravel me.”

“And I will…cause I want to know you…” he whispered before kissing me.

“My favorite author…Sidney Sheldon.” I said.

“Dan Brown.” he replied

“Best ice cream flavor….Caramel.”

“Chocolate.” he said.

Simple, i like it.

“So far we have nothing in common. Best sport?”

“Football.”

“I hate sports.” I said. “but I could wear those cheerleading outfits if you want, I still fit into mine from high school.”

“You were a cheerleader in high school?” he asked “that’s hot!!”

“And I’m pretty sure you were a geek in high school.” I laughed. It was fun getting to know him, he was a beautiful person inside out.

At that moment he placed his hand on my exposed thigh and began kissing my neck “Girls like you would have never spoken to me in high school.”

But I couldn’t say anything, I couldn’t defend myself, I was lost in his kisses, I didn’t want him to stop.

I felt his hand inch up on my thigh, I was about to have sex with Jeremy and I’ve never even kissed Aaron, how unfair was that. “I can’t.” I said

“We weren’t going to…” he said “It’s just fooling around.”

“Look,  I need to tell you something…there's another guy in my life, Aaron, you saw me with him.” I noticed Jeremy’s mood drop even as I said it.

“I should have figured.”

“I’ve been in love with him for over two years… and he finally asked me out after I kissed you and now, he wants to get serious. He’s a nice guy, really nice but he doesn’t turn me on like you do, we don’t have chemistry. It feels right that you and I should be together.” I said.

I knew I was putting pressure on what I had with Jeremy but I just really wanted to know where I stood with him. I knew he liked me but I wanted to be sure he wasn’t going to run out on me when things got serious.

“Be with him.” Jeremy said quietly…now, that was not the answer I was hoping to hear.

“What?” I sprang up.

“I don’t think you should give up on him…you could have something special with him.” He said.

“So what is this that we’re doing. Are you just using me? Am I a silly little college girl whom you can just shove around as you wish. I bet you even a girlfriend, one that you’re actually in love with.” I said getting up from his bed. I hadn’t realized that tears were falling from my eyes. I didn’t even know I felt this strongly about him.

“It’s not like that, Mel, I’m in love with you.” he said then paused. I guess those words surprised him as much as it surprised me.

“I bet you think that’s just what I want to hear.” I said storming towards the door.

“At least give me a chance to explain.” He rushed after me.

“No thanks.” I said as I tried to unlock the door but the tears just made me fumble.

“Mel,” he said as he reached me   

“What do you want from me?” I asked solemnly.

“I want to be with you..but I can’t…it’s complicated.” He said as he kissed my bare shoulders.

“I can handle complicated.”

“Not this one you can’t, why don’t you let me sort everything out and I’ll come find you, I promise.”

I could finally see clearly now, literally, my tears had dried up at his soothing voice, but I wasn’t a dummy, I could see clearly now. Figuratively. “Thanks but no thanks.” I said as I unlocked the door. “My friends would be looking for me, they appreciate me a lot more than you do.” I said just before I calmly walked out of his room.

Jamie was the one I came across first, she was speaking Italian with a handsome, older guy…maybe in his late twenties.

“Where have you been?” she said in English as soon as she spotted me. I snatched up her champagne glass from her hand. “I’d forgotten you knew how to speak Italian.” I said not even looking at the guy she was with.

"Excuse me.” she said to him and then led me aside “what’s wrong?” she asked.

"It’s nothing that can’t wait till tomorrow?” I said. I wasn’t going to ruin everyone’s night just because mine was ruined.

“You can talk to me.” Jamie said.

“Really, its nothing.” I said. At that moment I spotted Leon and waved him over, his girlfriend wasn’t by his side, thank goodness. I introduced him to Jamie and drifted off as they spoke.

I had expected Jeremy to be searching for me by now, with how he can explain everything. But he was nowhere in sight.

“A dollar for your thoughts.” James said. I hadn’t even seen him and Allyson join us. I looked at Leon who seemed smitten by Ally..he couldn’t stop staring at her, or should I say he couldn’t stop staring at her cleavage.

Everyone was talking, everyone was laughing. They went on about how amazing the night was but I couldn’t wait to go home.

“Jeremy.” Jamie called subtly nudging at me.

We all turned around to look at him. He said hello to everyone and stared me down. “Mel…we need to talk…..privately.”

“I have nothing to say to you.” I said. I knew this was awkward for everyone that was listening in.

“But Mel…”

“Oh there you are…you just disappeared.” A gorgeous looking red-haired girl, from what I could tell, said as she walked up to Jeremy. She was busty and she had a lovely figure and brownish-green eyes. I was immediately jealous. “I’ve missed you.” she told him shyly.

Jeremy was uncomfortable, I could tell, we all looked on for an explanation, we were all curious as to who she was. But I already knew…she was his girlfriend. Call it instincts or whatever.

Apparently Leon knew who she was too, “Hey Hanna.” He said.

“Long time, no see….” She smiled at him, “how have you been?”

“I’m sorry, who are you?”  Jamie asked rudely.

“Oh, I’m sorry.” She said. flashing us her gorgeous smile. “I’m Hanna, Jeremy’s fiancée”

No, not girlfriend, FIANCEE, FI-fucking-ANCEE. I was wrong.

“Nice to meet you.” I blurted out. I wasn’t thinking. “Wow, look at the time.” I said looking at the large clock on the wall “It’s midnight, I have to go, big test tomorrow.” I lied.

Without preamble, I walked out. Walked??!! Who am I kidding, I ran out. He was engaged? What the fuck? I never pegged Jeremy as the cheater type.

I didn’t even realize I was out of the house until a flood of fresh air assaulted me. I took a deep breath as I waited for a while, but that was no time to stop, if Jeremy was chasing me, which he was, he could have caught up with me.

As I fumbled down the stairs, I felt my right shoe come off. As I turned to pick it up, I saw Jeremy come out of the house. “Melanie….”

Fuck the shoe, I thought as I took off the other one from my leg and ran away.

He finally lost me somewhere in the parking lot, but I didn’t lose him. I knew where he was every step of the way. I hid behind a car as I watched him wander around the parking lot looking for me.

He finally gave up and went back to the house, but as he reached the staircase at the entrance, he bent down to pick up my shoe. He held it briefly before entering the house with slumped shoulders. At that moment, I broke into tears, how could I have been naïve?

Tonight, we talked about anything and everything. Even though we had nothing in common, it was almost as if we were meant to be. I could have sworn I was in love with him and I was ready to hurt Aaron, a perfectly good guy, over it.

I was a shrewd, and I met my match and had learnt  my lesson.

I didn’t know I had so much tears, I thought, as I cried…rather, I wept…uncontrollably.

Jeremy. I would never EVER forgive him.

I thought about my lost shoe. I’d dreamt of a Cinderella moment for a while, but this was not what I had in mind.

“A penny for your thoughts.” A familiar male voice said above me.

“Leon?”

“Mind if I join you?” he asked.

Nothing worse could  happen, right?

To be continued…………….

08. Sunday Night Live

Aaron took my hand and whispered softly “I’m glad you came…” he said

“There’s no place I would rather be.” I smiled. What a lie.

My mind was divided. I really wanted Aaron’s family to like me; so far, so good. But I also really wanted to play dress up…and see Jeremy obviously.

However, I was still glad to be here. I had looked forward to moments like this with Aaron for as long as I could remember and I wasn’t going to let a tease-and-flee coward spoil this evening for me.

Suri, Aaron’s sister, was excited to meet me, she even let me look at her baby….she wasn’t letting anyone touch him, looking at him was more of a chance than other guests had gotten…so that was a good thing.

Suri was beautiful, she had long wavy hair, and blazing brown eyes. She had a sense of humor and was rocketing off the ‘cool’ chart. She even managed to look amazing even when we all knew she was freaking tired, no one gives birth and hosts a barbeque the same weekend.

Well, it was no one's fault they had planned the barbeque weeks ahead as something to keep Suri busy when Mason, her husband, was out of town. And Suri didn’t appear to be one to cancel on people.. she seemed dedicated that way.

At that moment, Aaron pulled me towards him and whispered to me again “I need to talk to you.” he said.

“I didn’t do anything wrong, did I?” I asked as I noted the seriousness in his tone.

“No…it’s not you, it’s me.”

“You’re not breaking me with me are you…cause I’ll have you know we’re not a couple.” I said firmly…and a little bit tipsily…damn those cans of beer I had.

Aaron laughed. The laugh, the whispers, I had dreamt of all these for far too long…and now they had no effect on me. I didn’t yearn to hear them anymore, because when I lay my head down at night…it wasn’t Aaron I dreamt of. Why couldn’t I just accept that?

“This is practically our first date…..”

“So we’re not counting Friday night dinner, ey?” I asked heartily.

“We ran out during starters, and we spent almost the whole night waiting for my sister , so no, we’re not counting Friday night dinner.”

It was my turn to laugh.

“Don’t you feel weird meeting my family?” he asked.

“Is that what this is about?” I smiled “Look Aaron, it would have been rude for me to say no to Mason when he invited. It was his way of thanking me for waiting.

Secondly, to the rest of your family..I’m just some bimbo they probably will never see again. And if I’m going to date you, I’ll date you not your family, it’s not like we’ll have dinners with them every night…so this is a one time thing for now…don’t put pressure on it, okay?” I said

“Wow, you’re amazing.” He smiled.

At that moment, my phone began to ring in my purse, the only reason I was even able to hear it was because I had been expecting the call.

I brought out my phone and looked at the caller ID “Its Allyson” I said to Aaron. Yeah it had to be Allyson, the innocent one, that called. That way, Aaron wouldn’t suspect anything was wrong. “ I have to take this, I hope you don’t mind.”

“Not at all.” He said as he led me into the house so that I could take my call in a quieter area.

I walked away from Aaron a bit when I realized it was Jamie calling with Allyson’s phone. “We have your dress in the limo, twat, just ditch the barbeque already so we can have a shit load of fun...cause if we don’t I swear…I’ll effing kill you in your sleep. You and you’re twisted and let me add, completely unnecessary, love triangle. We’re around the corner, Dimwit…” she swore.

“Oh my God, how bad is it?” I asked oblivious to what Jamie was saying “Oh, I don’t know Ally, I’m kinda in the middle of something.” I said looking back at Aaron.

“No..no..it’s not like that.” I said in between Jamie’s cursing which had intensified within seconds.

“I’m sorry Allyson but I made a commitment and you know how important those are to me.” Yes, I saw the irony in those words even as I said it. “Thanks for understanding.” I said as I hung up.

“Everything okay?” Aaron asked.

“Yeah, it’s just Ally, she’s stranded.” I said slyly hoping to play on his conscience. “but I told her I was here, and that was that.”

“Look, it’s okay if you need to go.” Aaron said “it’s a bummer no doubt, but your friend needs you.” he said calmly.

I was almost jumping in delight when he added “I could even give you a ride if you want.”

“No!!!” I squealed “I mean, I think Jamie’s just around the corner anyways..I’ll give her a call and have her pick me up if you insist…but I’m not taking you away from your family...so scurry off and grab another drink..I’ll just give Jamie a call.”

As soon as Aaron was out of sight, I was out of the house, texting him that Jamie was nearer than I thought, apologizing.

True to her word, they were actually just around the corner. I literally dove into the limo in excitement. They were all looking beyond this world.

James had on a three piece black suit with a silver mask in hand. Allyson has on a red strapless, dress, which accentuated her curves. And Jamie had on a purple dinner gown- ish and her hair tied up. she was the one that took my breath away.

I didn’t waste time to take off my clothes, “I love it when you get naked for me.” Gay James said jokingly.

I rolled my eyes as I grabbed my black and gold gown from Allyson. As soon as the gown was on, everyone sprung to work. Jamie on my hair, Allyson on my makeup and James on my jewelry. I guess if anyone was looking good, then we were all entitled to look good.

“Seriously, thanks guys…” I said…I meant it. Our ride suddenly came to a stop and we realized we already at Maggie, our hostess’ place. It was dark out, I didn’t even know it had become this late..how long was the drive from Aaron’s anyway?

Maggie was at the entrance greeting everyone that came in with Anthony, her butler, by her side. She engulfed me into a  hug as soon as she saw us. “Oh I’ve missed you girls.” She said to me.

“Do promise to visit often?” she said as she hugged Jamie.

“We promise.” Allyson said when it was her turn to hug Maggie who was surprisingly firm for her age. “Maggie this is our friend, James..”Allyson introduced. “I hope you don’t mind.”

“Ah nonsense, any friend of you drunkards is a friend of mine.” She said looking lovelier than ever. She had on a simple black dress and a red mask to go with her red shoes and red-stone jewelry…she looked stunning. “Now go have fun children.” She said as she turned to say hello to the new arrivals.

As I looked up, the elegance of the evening hit me; everyone looked like fancy ghosts as they floated around...but that wasn’t why I was there. I thought as I searched every male silhouette for Jeremy.

“Take a load off.” A male voice said behind me. I hadn’t even noticed I was alone. Allyson and james were already raiding the buffet table and only God knew where Jamie was. I turned around to see who spoke to me. “excuse me?”

“You came to party, didn’t you? Why do you look so worried?” he asked

“You can’t even see me” I said through my Gold mask.

“But I can still tell that you’re beautiful….” He said “I’m Leon, by the way, a friend of the family.”

“I’m Mel, gradually becoming a friend of the family.”

“Before you run off to see whoever it is that you’re looking for…lemme be your guide. Show you around.” He said stretching his hand out for me to take it. I did.

“Every party is the same” Leon said as we walked away from the bar. We had stopped by the bar mid tour to get out buzz on..and now we were back on track. “There’s someone who want to be the center of attention…” he said pointing to a girl wearing some feathery kind-of-contraception-kind-of-dress…

I laughed.

“There are the shy people…” he said pointing to a  group of three people beside the staircase we were ascending….and then there’s the cool people, they know everyone and anyone who matter…” he said smiling at them.

“Your group?” I asked.

“Definitely…I could introduce you if you want.” He said

“No thank you...but I’m afraid we don’t walk in the same social circles…” I said non chalantly.

Everything was fancy…there were models/statues with trays of drinks at the top of the stairs. Up there was more captivating than the ground floor. It was so much…cooler. So much more elegant.

“…and then there’s the room where the real party happens…” he said opening the door to one of the guest rooms…or should I say guest apartment. There were people making out on the bed, the wall, the sofa, the chairs.

“Isn’t it early?”

“Rule number one Mel, rules that apply in the real world…don’t apply here. It’s the fun of a masquerade ball. There are people you know…and people you don’t. Find those you don’t and live out your wildest fantasies with them…and in that case NEVER TAKE YOUR MASK OFF.” Leon explained.

“Good to know.” I nodded. So far so good since my mask was still intact.

“Leon…” a female voice called over the music that was playing. A petite young woman walked up to him and put her hand on his.

“Mel, this is my girlfriend, lisa.” He said.

“Nice to meet you..” I told her

“Same here.” She said but I could tell she was itching to get Leon away from me.

“Later.” He said as he was whisked away.

Since I was up here anyway…I strolled towards the room I stayed in when I had I spent the night here. Actually I was heading towards Jeremy’s room, the room that was beside mine.

As I combed through the crowd of youths that had flooded the hallway…I was glad when I finally  reached his room. I paused at it, leaning on it…imagining what was on the other side, who was on the other side with Jeremy.

At that thought, I attempted to open the door in jealousy. It was locked.

I imagined a million reasons why the door was locked, but the thought of him being with someone else was the most disturbing.

“Melanie…” a male voice called behind me, this time I was sure it was Jeremy.

I turned around.“You’re not supposed to know who I am…it’s a masquerade ball.” I joked.

As soon as he reached me, everyone else disappeared and it felt like it was only me and him in the world. I couldn’t wait to rip off the black-silver mask from his face as he leaned towards me.

“I hoped you’d come.” He said

“I hoped you wouldn’t stay away.”

“From you….never….” He said as he dipped in to kiss me. I kissed him back and placed my hand on his door knob.

“Open sesame” I said with a light laugh.

He reached for his keys in his pocket and opened his door.

“Abracadabra….” He said as he led me in…

“To be continued………

07. To Hatch A Plan

“I’m sorry you guys but I don’t think I can make it.” I said dejectedly.

“Why?” Jamie asked hitting my back with a pillow.

“I’m going out with Aaron that night.”

“Again?” James asked with a frown. “You came back tonight instead of tomorrow morning. You’re wearing your clothes instead of his. And your hair is still in place. Those are signs of a bad date.”

“Is someone jealous?” I teased as I lay on my bed beside Jamie.

“What do you think?” he said as he folded his hands across his chest.

“I came back early cause his sis went into labor, I was at the hospital with him before I came back.” I mock-frowned.

“You poor thing,” Jamie said as she wrapped her arms around me and patted my back sympathetically.

“I will survive. But it’s not that, his brother in law invited me to their family barbeque.”

“Already met the in laws, I see.” Allyson said

“Well I promised Aaron, I would go as his date, and I can’t go back on that.”

“Or you’re simply avoiding a certain somebody you kissed.” Jamie said.

“Don’t be ridiculous, I’ve kissed tons of guys I have no feelings for, why should his case be any different?”

“You tell us” Allyson said “why does he have you all rattled up. I’m guessing you do have feelings for him.”

“This doesn’t make sense.” I said giving her the death glare. “I’ve had feelings for Aaron for as long as I can remember…and now that I know he has feelings for me too, I instantly like someone else?”

“The thrill is over.” James added.

“That’s ridiculous.” I paused… "but I really want to go for Maggie’s party.”

“Then you’ll have to make a choice….” Allyson said in that her sweet innocent voice.

I smiled as I looked at Jamie, she smiled back. I love that we have similar functioning evil brains, and I could tell she was thinking the same thing I was.

“……or come up with a plan.” We said together.

“What do you need that for?” Allyson asked as she was entered the room.

“You never know.”I said flipping through the pages of the book I was reading. It was 'the art of war' by Sun Tzu.

I know what you’re thinking, what am I thinking, but I have to be prepared. I have to find a way to let Aaron down gently so that I couldn’t go to the masquerade ball.

So you’re choosing Jeremy over Aaron, you ask? Oh hell no, but I’m choosing a masquerade ball over Aaron.  It may not seem like I have my priorities straight right now, but it’s A MASQUERADE BALL, I definitely have my priorities in order, trust me.

Shame on me, I know. But honestly, I feel like everything isn’t real, somehow. I mean, I’ve known Jeremy for less than a week now, I’ve seen him only twice, the night we kissed and the day he came to see me (you know, the memorable day Aaron asked me out) but I feel like I’m falling for him. How weird is that?

And Aaron, I’ve been in love with him since forever and now I MIGHT have found someone else I could have been interested in, he asks me out. In one night, the night of our first date, I met his whole family. His brother in law, his parents, his brother in law’s parent. What the hell? Last night, I didn’t notice but today, this morning it’s overwhelming. That’s why I chose the masquerade ball.

Everything has a pattern. Aaron and I, we date for a couple of months. He thinks I’m really amazing but is scared to take me home. Finally, we have a huge fight that threatens our relationship, then he realizes he loves me more than anything, THEN he takes me home to meet his family. P.s, I’m not twisted, it’s just how I think.

“You know what, you’re right. I’m not going to need this.” I said flinging the book on the coffee table beside my bed “So what do you want to do?” I asked Allyson.

Although she was roommate, she was the person I spent least time with. There was just something ‘innocent’ about her that made me uncomfortable. She was a good person. Nice, sweet, adorable and everyone loved her. I can’t remember the last time I met anyone like that, kindergarten maybe. Between, trucker mouth Jamie, gay James, teaser Aaron, troublesome Maggie, and skanky me—Allyson was just unique.

“I don’t know…I was just with James, and you know how he is about carbs…he didn’t let me get ice cream.” She said.

“Perfect,” I said springing up from my bed “let’s go get ice cream” I added. “I’m suddenly craving.”

Allyson’s smile was her way of agreeing with me. She smiled her sweet innocent, babyish, smile that everyone loved…it made me want to shoot her in the face, in a good way. How?

No one was that innocent. Lets say, me shooting her in the face would send her to the hospital and on her death bed she realizes all her life she has been pretending to be innocent then she survive and decides to be crazy and wild like her awesome roommate, me, thus becoming a better person hence me saving her by letting her be her REAL self...so it is actually a good thing.

“You’re right, caramel is fantastic.” Allyson said to me as she ate her ice cream."Can't believe I've never tried it."

I couldn’t think of an appropriate response, I didn’t know what to say to her. We were rarely alone together, and when we were, there was no need for conversation. I wanted to change all that but I didn’t how to. “Next round we’ll try the hazelnut.”

“We’re going for a next round?” she asked surprised “James will never forgive us.” She laughed.

“Oh, he’ll get over it.” I said. At that moment, I realized that she spent more time with James than she did with me or Jamie, that was probably why she had to consult with James, even mentally before she did anything. “you know we’re ALL friends, right?”

“Of course.”

“…so you can come to Jamie and I also, if you need anything, not just James.”

“I know.” She mumbled.

“Then, why don’t you?” I asked. And for some weird reason, I knew Jamie and I were partially at fault. Maybe we pushed her away, maybe we didn’t try enough to include her in what we were doing or maybe we (and by we, I mean Jamie) made too much fun of her. I don’t make fun of people, it’s not my style.

When she didn’t answer, I chose not to prod her. “So what are you wearing to the masquerade ball tomorrow…how about we go shopping?” I added excitedly.

“Yeah, I’d love that.” She looked excited too.

“Great--” I started to say when I saw Jeremy walk in to the ice cream shop we were in. He looked gorgeous with his shaggy hazel brown hair, his light eyes, and his fit body, and soft pink lips, and those magic hands, and---

“—lanie, Melanie…”Allyson called snapping me out of my reverie “You’re moping.” She said

“Oh,” I said as Jeremy looked over to where we were, I immediately dug into my cup of ice cream, hoping he wouldn’t come over.

If he wasn’t going to come over, I’ll never know. “Hey Jeremy.” Allyson called waving him over. “Play it cool,” she whispered to me. “We haven’t seen you since that night.” She said to him when he reached our table.

“Yeah, I know…but we never actually saw before that. So there really isn't any difference.” He said with a soft smile.

“But we’re friends now, aren’t we?” she said turning on her best puppy dog face, there was no way he was going to say no to that.

“Yeah we are.” He said. “Melanie….” He said looking at me.

I loved the way he said my name. “Jeremy…hey” I said.

“I’ll be right back.” Allyson said getting up from the table. “…hazelnut.” She said pointing to her now empty cup. Bitch.

I smiled at Jeremy, I didn’t want things to be awkward. More awkward than the oozing sexual chemistry between us. I could feel him undress me in his mind, and I relived every moment of that night in an instant second. “So, what brings a good looking guy like you, to a shady place like this.” I said gesturing to the white, and coffee brown shop.

He laughed, it was the first time I heard him laugh, it was nice. “What can I say, I like it bad.”

“I’ll say.” I smiled

There was that awkward silence again. I looked at him, his smile was gone. He had on his tortured, I’m-so-deep look on again.

“Melanie, I came by to offer you an explanation but you were with that guy..” he said, I saw jealousy flash when he said ‘that guy’, not a furious kind, just a mild one, I liked it “…I shouldn’t have kissed you..” he said.

“You shouldn’t have kissed me or you shouldn’t have run away after you did?” I asked.

“Its complicated.”

“Trust me, I know complicated, I’m living complicated right now.”

“I like you Melanie, I really do.” He said and then looked down at my lips “and I want to kiss you again.” his eyes fell to my cleavage “…and I want to touch you again….” He said, then he reached for the tip of my falling hair, and played with it lightly  “…and I want to pass my fingers through your hair.”

As he said every phrase, it didn’t make any sense. We didn’t even know each other, why so much chemistry? “Why don’t you?” I asked, even as I did I knew it was mistake, I was with Aaron now…I think.

“Because I can’t.”  He said, he finally looked back at my face into my eyes, he inched forward to kiss me again, I was ready.

“I have to go.” He said.

“Again?” I asked “You won’t even get your ice cream?” I asked

“I don’t need it…see you around.” He said before leaving.

I let out a deep grunt as Allyson came back...i was angry at her for leaving me with him but I was also grateful. I knew it wasn’t her I was really angry at...it was a certain heir to a multi million dollar fortune that was also the teaching assistant to my psychology professor. I mean Jeremy, I’m angry at Jeremy.

“Room, now!!!” I said getting up from the table and storming away.

“…he lead me on...and then ran away…AGAIN.” I said to Jamie and Allyson, James was nowhere to be found. “I never want to be in the same room with him again, I can’t stand him.” I said. The two girls just watched me as I paced “or do I go in the sexiest looking gown I can find and tease him as well, I know he likes me. He indirectly said it. Well, actually, he directly said it.” I said

“But you can’t let Aaron down.” Allyson said. She was right. “You have to make a choice...Mel.”

“You’re right…wait, maybe I could go for the both of them.” I added.

“The only fucking way you can pull a messed up stunt like that is if you can effing be in both places at the same motherfreaking time.” Jamie laughed.

She just gave me an idea…. “who said anything, about the same time?”

To be continued...........