Bittersweet Love

by Davids, Jesse

  “I think it'll look better straight don't you think?” Jenny examines her face and nods. “Yeah it suites the dress like that so let’s get to work. How long do you have till he gets here?” Jenny asks while she's getting the straightener ready. “Well, he's supposed to pick me up at 8, so that gives us a half an hour.”

  “We better hurry our asses off then.” Jenny starts straightening Athena’s hair thoroughly. “So do you like that Daniel dude?” She asks while doing her hair carefully.

  “Yeah I guess so, I mean he always makes me smile and stuff. I just really want to get to know him better; he seems like a pretty good guy.” Jenny nods enthusiastically. “Well, I better give him the talk then. If he messes with you he's messing with me.” Jenny smiles.

  “Al right, just don't scare him off dude.” Athena states earning a glare from Jenny; “Pfft, I’m too cute.” They both burst out laughing. “If you say so.”

  25 minutes go by while they were busy getting Athena ready and now she's just standing waiting to turn and see her reflection. ”Are you ready to be amazed?” Jenny asks jokingly while Athena turns and looks at her reflection gasping. What-the, I look so different. “Whoa…” is all Athena managed to say. “I know right! You look so fine girl, If I were lesbian I would've been all over you by now.” Jenny laughs while slapping her butt.

  Athena squeals but is still frozen staring at her reflection in wonders. The only time she snapped out of it is when she heard knocking coming from the door. “Shit-shit, shit-shit.” She began to panic. “Hey! Relax, breathe.” Jenny reassures as she gave Athena a breathing lesson. “Do you want me to get that?”

  Athena shakes her head and grins.

  “Wouldn’t want you to scare off my date after all this hard work now would you.” Jenny crosses her arms. “Oh come on, you wish.” They smile at each other as Athena hugs her. “Thanks a lot Jenny, you're a life saver.” “Sure, just don’t forget to hook me up and you'll have to tell me all the juicy details later.” Jenny wiggles her eyebrows as Athena rushes to open the door.

  As Athena opened the door Daniel got crushed by the beauty that stood before him, her perfect legs had him breathless, and the black dress matched her pale skin perfectly. “Wow, you look so beautiful.” Daniel shyly hands her the rose. “Hey, what? No.” Athena with her pink red cheeks denies the compliment; she uses her straight long hair to cover half her face. “No, I’m serious you have me mesmerized.” Daniel puts a thread of her soft brown locks behind her ears and hugs her tightly around her waist only to think to himself of how lucky he is to even have a chance with her. “You took my breathe away.” He says breathing her scent deeply, staring into her hazel green eyes.

  “You smell so nice.” Daniel said. She got as red as a tomato from embarrassment as she put the rose in a vase with water. “You ready to go?” He asks and she nods. “Oh I forgot Will wanted to ask if your room mate wanted to hang out with all of us later.” Her eyes widened a bit but she recovered. “Jenny! Be ready in a while we’ll pick you up!” Athena yells. “Al right!” She heard as she was closing the door after them.

  “Thanks for the flower by the way.” Athena says looking at Daniel lovingly, taking a moment to appreciate his tousled yet messy hair which fits him perfectly, and the way his brown eyes are sparkling at that exact moment, while they are waiting for the cab. He shrugs in disappointment knowing this can’t go on forever and Will’s words echoing in his head. “Anything for you.” He grabs her hand and intertwines their fingers as he held her small hands firmly. She's so beautiful; I can’t believe I even have a chance with her for some time.

  Her stomach fills up with butterflies as she looks at the handsome man in front of her wondering where the hell he came from. “Here’s our ride.” She heard him say as a white car parked in front of them. They both sat next to each other. “So where are we going?” She asks as her eyes were shining from excitement and anticipation. “Well, I don't know a lot of places here yet but I heard there’s this really good Italian restaurant called II Mulino.” She gasped. “No way! I always wanted to go there but never had the chance to, its pretty pricey.”

  “I'm sure it'll be worth it tonight.” He smiles a blinding white smile as Athena thought of how perfect his teeth are.

  They walk up to the restaurant holding hands. They reached the receptionist as it seems to be a guy around their age. Daniel caught him checking Athena out up and down, zooming in on her chest, and glared at him knowing that the dress made her chest look incredible, making the receptionist’s eyes widen and look away. “Reservation on the name Daniel Cole please.” Daniel stated trying to keep his calm. The receptionist just nodded and took them to their table at the back of the restaurant, giving them menus and walked away abruptly.

  “What was that all about?” Athena asks as soon as the receptionist was out of sight. “Nothing don't worry about it.” Daniel says fast but she knows otherwise. “Come on tell me, you seem pretty pissed.”

  “Yeah well that fucking guy couldn’t seem to keep his eyes to himself.” He barked lowly trying not to make a scene. “Oh I haven't even noticed he was looking at me because my attention was on you the whole time.” She says smoothly trying to ease his anger, as he looked at her shocked with gleaming eyes. “Really?” He asked. “Yup I came with you didn’t I? Not with him.” She smiles sweetly and took his hand.

  His anger deflated as soon as she touched him. As much as he tries not to admit that she doesn't have an effect on him and it’s just a job, as much as he does in fact know that there’s something about her that he can’t seem to get enough of.

  “So what is good here?” Daniels asks her looking into her eyes. “Oh wait I know, you.” Daniel adds. Athena shyly swims into her menu. “I heard the chicken is pretty good here, so I might get the chicken Alfredo.” She tries to speak over the compliment Daniel gave her. “Al right looks like I’ll have the same then, I trust your judgment.” Daniel winks at her as he waves for the waitress. “Hi, what will your order be?” The waitress takes out her little note pad and pen. “We will both have the chicken Alfredo please and those mini tacos as an appetizer, and, what do you want to drink hunny?” Daniel looks over to Athena only to see her looking at him in amazement. “Oh right umm, I would like the lemon mojito.” She smiles. “Same here please.” Daniel agrees and picks the same thing. “Al right it’ll take around 20 to 25 minutes and I’ll be back with your drink shortly.”

  The waitress took their menus and left. “Thank you.” Both of them say in a low tone. “So Daniel I don't really know much about you.” She asks interested to what he has to say. “Well, it depends, what do you want to know?” Daniel raises his eyebrow fuck, do I lie? Probably.

  “I want to know everything Daniel, I’m not nosy or anything but I'm really interested, you’re like a mystery I’m trying to solve.” Athena crosses her arms onto the table stating clearly what she wanted. I’m so fucked. “Well, I grew up in Washington and my family is still there, I don't have any siblings I’m the only child, before I came here I was studying at the university of Alaska as you know. And that is basically it; nothing really happens in the life of Daniel, but wait, one thing did happen though. I met you.”

  While he was telling her his story on the inside he wanted to burst out crying, he was half lying to her about his family; at that moment he realized how much of a lie he actually is. “Tell me this, why are you so flirtatious?” Athena wonders off at his smile. “I like you a lot, and I want you to know that.” Daniel holds her hand as he brushed off the bitter feeling inside his stomach. “I like you a lot too.” Athena smiles towards his direction thinking this must be a dream.

  As Daniel gets distracted from the surroundings, people talking, chairs moving, lights flickering. Athena took a bread stick and flicked his head. “Hey! You didn't ask me.” Athena sits with a frown. “Right! So tell me your story.” Daniel politely asks her. “I grew up in NYC, my mother was always away I basically grew up with my grandma, my dad left when I was a
round 6 and ever since university I haven't seen much of my mother. Its pretty sad actually but I've learned how to cope with it. It’s hard I'm not going to lie.” Athena looks down in disappointment only to think of her mother which was never there for her.

  “Hey.” Daniel grabs her hands. “It’s going to be al right, okay? Don’t worry.” He reassures her. At that moment the waitress came with their food. “Here you go.” She puts the food down on the table.

  “Hey I think I asked for the mini tacos as well.” Daniel asks looking at her confused. “Yeah about that it’s not available, sorry.” “Oh that’s al right, thank you anyway.” Athena smiles and crunches Daniels hand. “Yeah, thank you very much.” Daniel responded. As the night went on they kept talking about their childhood memories, only to think that one of them was lying, taking parts of his life out of movies and TV series that he has watched with Will.

  “Wow, it’s already 11:30pm.” Daniels looks at Athena with shocking big eyes. “Will and Jenny!” Daniel and Athena jump up, he heads to the receptionist to pay for the meal. “We are in a hurry do you take credit cards?” Daniel asks the guy politely. “Yeah we do just give me one-second.” The receptionist turned around and got the little card machine.

  They rushed down stairs waiting for a cab to pass by. After 10 minutes of waiting a cab finally drove past and picked them up, they got in and told the driver where to go. “I don't like cabs, I want my own car.” Daniel whispers to Athena. “Yeah and I want a boat but sadly that can’t happen.” She laughs sarcastically. “I guess you're right, have to suffer with this for a while.” They both nod as the driver stopped by their dorm.

  “Thank you Sir.” Daniel paid the driver and got out, and rushed over to her side to open the door for her. “How kind of you.” She shyly gets out thinking not to trip. “It’s my pleasure.” Daniel holding her hand and slowly kisses it while looking into her eyes. Athena couldn't hold her breathe for any longer as she got over taken by him completely.

  At the dorms Daniel and Athena walked to her dorm to find out that Jenny isn't there. Where can she be, We had a deal.

  She fishes for her phone in her purse and tries dialing Jenny only to be transferred directly to voicemail, she turns to Daniel. “Well, she isn't answering so I guess were going to have to go check what Will is up to anyway.” Daniel nods and walks out with her following behind.

  “Okay so I wanted to surprise you but I don’t know if you're into that kind of thing.” Daniel looks at Athena nervously. “Come on tell me, you'd be surprised.” She chuckles as he looks around. “I made Will hook us up with some cheese, but right now I feel like I should've told you before.” He says clinching his fists till they turned red.

  “Ohh you joking? I always wanted to try that shit; I just never got the balls to.” She says excitedly. “Phew thank God, well let’s get high then.” He leads the way to the dorm.

  Daniel opens the door hurriedly and ushers for her to get inside before the smoke goes out, only to be shocked at the scene before them as they turn.

  The whole room is white filled with smoke, and on one bed there’s Will and Jenny sucking on each other’s faces as Tony watched, clearly amused.

  Daniel cleared his throat. “Sorry to break up the party but were here.” He smirks at Will while he’s shooting him a death glare. “Cock blocker.” Will mouths to Daniel as he gets up and bro hugs him. “What’s up man?” Will speaks slowly as if nothing happened.

  “Nothing, I can’t believe you started smoking without us man.” Daniel placed a hand on his heart and acted hurt.

  “Come let’s sit down.” Daniel ushers Athena to his bed as Tony gives them a jay. “Enjoy guys.” Tony speaks lowly as if the cops were sneaking up on them.

  “Did you ever smoke before, cigarettes or anything smoke-able?” Daniel chuckles as he hands Athena the jay. “Nope, only slim cigarettes but that was only a few times.” Athena stares at Daniel for some guidance. “Well, first you puff in normally and then you exhale, nothing to it really but you may cough like crazy though, but don’t worry I’ll be here every step of the way al right.” Daniel smiles and puts his hand on her lap reassuring her. “Al right I trust you Daniel.” She gives him a glare as she proceeds to light the jay. As she took her first puff Daniel crosses his fingers and felt privileged. Athena exhales and coughed her lungs out. “How is it?” Daniel asks excitedly looking straight into her face. “Not bad! I like it.” Athena nods her head in agreement. She then proceeds to take another 3 puffs right after each other like she smoked for years. “Wow.” Daniels eyes widen in shock. “You really do learn fast don't you?” He laughs as Athena starts to move slower and slower. “This shit is amazing, no wonder the government made it illegal, they want it all for themselves!” She laughs as Jenny came to sit next to them. “So how’s it going guys?” She looks at them with bloodshot eyes. “It’s all good, this is awesome.” Athena remarks while she stared at her trying to focus.

  “Wait is my makeup okay?” Jenny says staring right at Athena. “Yeah just let me fix your eyeliner from under your eye.” Athena tries to wipe it off with shaky hands but ends up poking her eye. ”Oops.” She giggles as Jenny glares at her. “I didn't mean to.” She kept laughing as Daniel starts laughing along with her.

  Athena snuggles closer to Daniel as she feels her head getting heavy. “This feels so weird, its like my throat feels like a cactus.” Daniel chuckles as he grabs the water bottle next to him and gives it to her. “Here, drink it all but take it slow. If you feel nauseous or anything let me know okay.” She nods and takes small sips from the water.

  “Why would I feel nauseous though?” She asks slowly trying to say the words properly. “Well, because if it’s your first time you could puke, I remember I did, but it depends on the person; just know that if you do I’ll be there al right.” Daniel watches her as he rubs her arms attentively. “Are you hungry?” Daniel asks her after a while as her eyes go wide. “Starving.” Her mouth starts to water only by thinking about it, as Daniel gets a pack of cheese puffs. “These taste so good while you're high.” He grins cheekily and puts the pack between them. She takes one and eats it.

  “Oh my god they do!” She squeals and eats a bunch of them not stopping at all. “And this is called the munchies.” He holds the cheese puffs high in the air praising it. “Oh I heard about that, but I was very skeptic on whether or not it’s true. I guess it is.” She says with a full mouth and goes back to snuggling with Daniel as they got lost in the music that was playing.

  Athena sits up suddenly her head woozy as she tries to regain her balance. “Daniel?” She whispered. “I think I need to-” She clasps her hand on her mouth and tries to get up as his eyes widen and gets up balancing her slowly to the bathroom. As soon as they entered she went down to the toilet and puked her guts out. “I’m so sorry.” She squeaked only to be interrupted by more puke. “Shh.” Daniel comforts her and rubs her back, holding her hair out of her face.

  “It gets better trust me, no more puking after this.” He reassures her as her eyes tear up from all the puking.

  After what seemed like ages she sits up and looks at Daniel while wiping her mouth. “I haven't puked at all for like 8 years.” She scrunches her nose. “No wonder I didn't miss one bit of it.”

  Daniel helps her up as they make their way back to the room. “I feel much better now, thanks Daniel.” She gives him a sweet smile and a peck on the cheek. Daniel blushes as she rubs his cheek. “Are you blushing?” She gushes on his cuteness. “No, I'm not.” He says while crossing his arms. “Are too; you cutie.” She giggles as he tries to hide his face. “Oh come on.” She tickles him. “What time is it?” Daniels searches for his phone only to find out its 2 in the morning. “Shit, its pretty late don't you think?” Athena looks over at Daniel.

  “Come with me.” She gave him seductive eyes and took him to her dorm. Athena opened the door and rushed to the bathroom. “Go to the bed!” She yells at Daniel and with no hesitation he obediently went and sat
down with a straight face. Shit, why can’t I focus right now! I wonder what she’s doing. “Athena!” Daniel yells in confusion as she took over 10minutes.

  But as soon as he screamed her name, she stepped out in a black see-through night gown with black heels with her hair all messy. “Wow, am I missing something here?” Daniel looks around as he thought he was on a prank television show. “Can you handle it Mr. Cole?” She puts one foot in the middle of Daniels legs. “Do you mind?” Daniel takes a huge gulp. This must be the point of no return for me. Goodbye single world. He slowly takes off the heel, moving his hand up her leg, the feeling exactly the same as a baby’s bottom, feeling the goose bumps appear where he touches.

  As Daniel looks at her he sees her eyes gleaming with lust, he keeps rubbing her leg as she gets on top of him. She leans down and kisses him passionately as he grabs her waist and pulls her closer to him.

  He kisses her hungrily as if his life depended on it, as she pulled on his hand. “Daniel.” She whispers in his ear as he flips them over causing him to be on top.