Brief Encounters_The Encounters Series

by Scarlett Hopper

  Jess doesn’t say anything for a moment, still staring at me with probing eyes, but finally responds with a nod.

  The atmosphere has just become very uncomfortable between the three of us, and I attempt to fight off the awkward smile forming on my lips. Thankfully, Jess’s “friend” comes over just in time.

  “Baby,” she says, pulling at his arm, “I wanna go. This place is gross and isn’t nearly as fun as your house.” Jess’s expression changes, a smug smile appearing.

  Her insulting of Dina’s offends me and I automatically don’t like her, no matter her affiliation with Jess.

  “Well, I guess I better be going. I’ll see you later, Els,” he says without even acknowledging Dylan.

  “Bye, Jess,” I say with a forced smile and watch as he exits the diner without once looking back.

  Still staring at Dina’s door, I don’t hear what Dylan says next. Snapping out of my trance, I turn back to him.

  “Uh, sorry, what?” I say, hoping he didn’t notice where my gaze was.

  “I said, is there something going on between the two of you?” Dylan eyes me curiously with his eyebrows raised.

  “God no!” I exclaim. “I mean, don’t get me wrong, Jess is one of my closest friends, but I would never in a million years go there with him.”

  “Okay, Els.”

  Dylan doesn’t seem convinced, but luckily, he doesn’t question my answer.

  “What was that yesterday?” I ask Jess as he stuffs another piece of orange chicken into his mouth. I swear, at the rate he’s going, we’re going to have to order in ten servings next time. He has just finished up hockey practice and come over for takeout while Viv spends the night with Will. The incident at the diner yesterday has been on my mind all afternoon, and I figure now is as good a time as ever to ask.

  Looking up at me, he feigns ignorance, but I see right through him.

  “Don’t give me that look, Jess Parker. What was that in Dina’s yesterday? You were really rude to Dylan.” I wait for his response, having no clue what it will be at this point or if he’ll even answer me.

  He lets out a breath and turns to me. “I’m one of your closest friends, right?”

  “Yes,” I reply. Cautiously, I put down my plate and turn to face Jess.

  “And, as said friend, I feel it’s my duty to let you know when you’re seeing a total douchebag.” Jess continues eating as I wrap my head around what he said.

  “So, you’re telling me you think the guy I’ve been sometimes hooking up with, not seeing, is a douchebag? Is that correct?” I ask, not knowing where this is coming from. From the first month of our friendship, Jess and I made it clear that neither of us cared who the other slept with, and he never made his feelings about Dylan apparent to me.

  “Yes, Eleanor, you hit the nail on the head. Now, can you pass the noodles, please?”

  “Wait, no, it isn’t noodle time, Jess! Why didn’t you tell me this before?”

  Sensing that I’m getting annoyed, Jess stops trying to reach the noodles and lays it out for me.

  “Eleanor, at first I didn’t think it was my place to tell you that we didn’t like Dylan because we thought it was just a casual hookup and even I know that doesn’t mean anything. But yesterday when I saw you at the diner, I realized that it was more than that, and I knew I probably should have said something earlier.” He lets out a huff and continues. “Look, I’m sorry for being such a dick in the diner yesterday, but I just don’t want Dylan to hurt you. And if I’m being honest, I was kind of annoyed you didn’t tell me you guys were a thing, because you are my best friend, Els. If anyone ever hurt you, I would have to get physical, and you know I hate violence.”

  Well, that wasn’t the response I was expecting.

  Jess just looks at me, seeming unsure if he has said too much. He is almost uneasy as I process everything.

  I’m touched by what Jess said, and a small smile forms on my lips. Before I know what I’m doing, I wrap my arms around him. “You’re my best friend too, Jess Parker,” I whisper.

  He seems relieved that he hasn’t crossed a line, and he lets out a breath while wrapping his arms around me.

  After I pull away, I grab the noodles and pass them to him, which seems to brighten his smile even more.

  “Well, if I knew being honest would earn me a hug like that, I would have done it over a month ago,” he says with a low chuckle.

  I roll my eyes and stuff another forkful of fried rice into my mouth.

  “And if you must know, Jess Parker, Dylan and I are not going out. Like not even in the slightest. He cornered me on my way to the parking lot and offered to help me with my bio paper, so I said I would buy him lunch.”

  Jess gives me an apologetic smile. “Sorry, Els. I guess I just kind of assumed.”

  “It’s fine, Jess. I appreciate the whole big-brother act. And next time just tell me if you don’t like someone I’m ‘friends’ with. I’m not saying I’m going to drop them, but it does put stuff into perspective.”

  “Sounds good, Els.” He gives me a small smile.

  We resume eating in a comfortable silence, and I can’t help but feel thankful for the new people who’ve come into my life this year.

  “Oh, and Els? I definitely don’t think of myself as your big brother. Not one little bit.”

  That comfortable silence just got a little un- before it. Well, for me at least.

  “I must say, I was quite impressed with a majority of the projects I’ve viewed so far,” Professor Stein remarks as she walks from her podium to the projector. “Others, not so much. In the future, don’t wait till last minute. I don’t give second chances.” She pauses, scanning the room, eyeing those who are prone to needing said “second chances.”

  I squirm in my seat, thankful Jess and I aren’t the ones in her direct line of vision. Finishing her project was challenging enough; I don’t want to be struggling for the rest of the year.

  “Hey,” Jess whispers to me as Stein continues on one of her tangents.

  “What?” I ask, attempting to pretend I’m still listening.

  “How old do you think Stein is, anyway?” Jess pokes me continuously with his pen so that I’ll look at him.

  I finally relent, as I know he won’t stop until he has my attention.

  “I don’t know, maybe late forties, early fifties?” The more I look at Stein, she really doesn’t look as old as everyone assumes she is. She has dusty-brown hair that’s almost always in a low bun and large black-rimmed glasses that conceal most of her face. She has no wrinkles on her porcelain skin, but her wardrobe definitely ages her by twenty years.

  As I continue to ramble about Stein, Jess appears to have lost interest. He’s rummaging through his bag.

  “Got it!”

  “Jess, are you even listening to me?” I turn my head to look at him, and he has a CD in his hands.

  “Oh my god.” This isn’t just a CD. It’s a mixtape. Possibly my mixtape?

  I can’t hide the girlish grin on my face and look at Jess as if to ask him, Is this for me?

  He understands me, because he places the mixtape on my lap with a huge grin, clearly pleased with himself.

  “Jess, this is the best gift I’ve ever gotten,” I say with a squeal. A student behind us shushes me. “I love it,” I whisper. “Thank you.”

  “Hold up, Els. You haven’t even listened to it yet. For all you know, you could hate my music taste.”

  “I don’t need to listen to it. I already know I’m going to love it.” And that’s the truth. It’s been years since someone has given me a gift with this much thought.

  Without wasting a minute, completely zoning Professor Stein out of my head, I begin reading the names and artists on the tape. It ranges from The Killers’ “When You Were Young” to Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer,” but my personal favorite is his addition of

  “Maps” by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

  “Jess Parker, you might know me better than I thought you did.”
>
  Jess shrugs, trying not to seem too affected by my comment, but from the smile on his face, I can tell he’s thrilled I love the mixtape.

  “I just kind of put the music I liked on it and hoped for the best. And I remembered your reaction to Maps when it played in the car. I could tell it meant something to you.”

  He doesn’t push the topic, just as he never once asked about my parents after the night I told him I don’t talk about them. That’s something I love about Jess Parker: he just seems to understand without me having to spell it out for him.

  Jess is beginning to understand me better than I get myself, and it’s a scary thought, but for once, I don’t question it.

  Hallelujah

  After being stuck in class all day and a traffic jam for an hour, I finally get home with just enough time to spare before I have to be at Dina’s to meet the guys and Claudia. I’ve got to see Brando this weekend, so it’s just another thing to add to my list. To my surprise, Viv and Will are at the apartment and watching some crime show.

  “Eleanor, where have you been? Didn’t class end like an hour ago?” Viv asks as I throw my bags onto the ground.

  I collapse into our pink checkered armchair and let out a huff. “I’ve been stuck in the world’s worst traffic jam for the past hour. It was horrific.”

  Viv hops off of Will’s lap and scurries over to sit on the arm of the chair I’m in. Her pale-blue baby-doll dress looks adorable on her, and don’t even get me started on how good her hair is. I, on the other hand, look like the dog’s dinner.

  “Sorry, Ellie, that sucks. Will and I have just been watching some TV while we waited.”

  “Sorry I kept you guys waiting. I’ll go shower now, and then we can get going.”

  “Don’t be sorry. We had more than enough to occupy ourselves with,” Viv says, giving Will a huge grin.

  “On that note,”—I quickly stand up, laughing— “I’m going to get moving. Give me ten minutes.” And with that, I run to my room.

  Only nine and a half minutes later, I’ve managed to pull myself together. I’ve opted to go with a high pony and a black short-sleeve dress that ends just at my thighs, along with knee-high brown boots. Even though Winter has yet to hit, Autumn can be cold, especially at night.

  “Well, someone looks hot!” Viv yells as I step out of my bedroom.

  “Why thank you, Ms. Clark,” I joke with a hair flip. “How long till we have to go, anyway?”

  “We’ll leave in ten minutes. Want a drink?” she asks as she walks into the kitchen.

  “Yeah, that would be great.” I sit on the couch and cross my legs.

  “So, Will, what have you guys been up to all day?” I ask as I grab the Doritos on the coffee table and begin munching on my favorite cheesy snack.

  “I’ve been stuck in classes and just got back from hockey practice with the guys, so nothing too thrilling,” he says with a smile. “We have an away game coming up, so we’re trying to get in as much practice as we can.”

  I offer him a Dorito as Viv comes back in with drinks in hand. She hands me my vodka cranberry and proceeds to cuddle up next to Will on the sofa. Looking at Viv and Will makes it seem as if it’s possible for relationships to last, that maybe, just maybe, not everyone does something to mess it up in the end.

  Yes, they haven’t been together very long, but right now, in this moment, I see pure happiness.

  “So, did Jess give you the tape?” Will asks with a grin as he sips his rum and coke.

  My stomach does a little jump just thinking about the mixtape, and again I find myself with a smile on my face from its memory. I give him a nod and try to downplay how much it means to me. The last thing I need is people thinking I’m a marshmallow.

  “I knew you would like it. Jess was worried you wouldn’t be into his music, but I had a feeling.”

  “What tape?” Viv chimes in as she admires her freshly done manicure.

  “Jess made me a mixtape. It’s in my bag,” I say, knowing she’ll want to see it.

  “Ooh, that’s so cute of him! I need to see!” She jumps off of Will’s lap one second and is rummaging through my bag the next.

  “Ooh, he put Sia on here. She’s just the best. I know she doesn’t show her face or anything, but I kinda like it; you know, it adds an element of mystery.”

  Clearly having no idea what Viv is talking about, Will just looks at me with a confused smile and mumbles a “yeah” to Viv. I collect our glasses to take them to the kitchen, but then the doorbell rings.

  “It must be Jess. I’ll grab it,” I tell them as I set the glasses down. It isn’t until the moment I open the door that I realize how wrong I am. Instead of a handsome Jess Parker greeting me, I’m looking at a slimy Dean. I openly stare at him for a few moments, unsure of what to say.

  Usually, I would just yell at him for coming over uninvited, but considering Will is here, I don’t want to cause a scene, especially for Viv. For once in my life, I’m at a loss for words, and I think that’s how Viv knows something is wrong.

  “Ellie?” Viv cautiously calls out to me. “Who’s at the door?”

  Without even being invited in, Dean pushes past me and enters our apartment. He reeks of too much cologne, and the smell makes me want to barf.

  Dean looks around the room and stops when he sees Viv and Will on the couch, together. His smirk quickly turns into a scowl.

  “Vivian,” he says, completely ignoring Will. Will’s shoulders tense as Dean looks at her in an all-too-intimate way, but Will doesn’t say anything. Instead, he tightens the grip he has around her. Usually, I’d say it’s all too alpha male, but in this case, I don’t mind.

  The slime ball then turns back to me. “We need to talk,” he says, his face not showing any emotion.

  “Fine,” I mutter back and lead him into the kitchen. The rate he’s going, our apartment is going to reek of him for days. I stop at the island in the middle of our white marble kitchen, hoping to get some space from him, but even a continent of space away from this guy wouldn’t be enough. My warm fingers press against the cold countertop, my only way to keep myself calm and balanced.

  “Well,” I snap, “what the hell are you doing here unannounced?” My tone doesn’t have an ounce of kindness in it, and I love it.

  He gives me a fake smile before explaining. “It’s been six weeks with Roger Huntington, and I need to know if you’re staying in the contract.”

  Shit. Has it been six weeks already?

  At my silence, he continues.

  “Next week is October first, and that’s when the contract expires. I need to know if you’re going to continue. And I need to know now.” Dean isn’t messing around. In fact, he seems kind of pissed off. I’m betting seeing Vivian in Will’s lap really did a number on him.

  Good.

  “Well?” he snaps.

  Unsure if continuing this is the best idea, I hesitate. The amount of money I’ve made from this already has been insane, but continuing it for another six weeks is a huge commitment, and for some reason, I can’t stop picturing what Jess will think of me. Deciding that I’m being stupid, I push those thoughts out of my head and look at Dean.

  “One month. That’s it. Then I’m done,” I say sternly. Dean rolls his eyes and quickly types something into his phone.

  “I mean it, Dean. After this I’m done, with everything.”

  “Whatever, Eleanor. I’ll call you in a month and we’ll see where you’re really at.” He exits the kitchen, and I quickly follow to make sure he doesn’t say anything in front of Will.

  It seems he doesn’t need to, because Vivian is now on the other end of the couch, having an intense conversation with Will. As we enter the room, both of them look up and may I say, Will does not look happy.

  “I guess I’ll see you in a month, Eleanor,” Dean says as I open the door for him. “Oh and Viv, don’t stay away too long.” He sends her a wink that makes my skin crawl before exiting the apartment.

  I reluctantly turn
around to face Viv and Will, who have gone from having an intense conversation to saying nothing to one another. Feeling incredibly uncomfortable, I grab my purse. “So, should we head out?”

  “Yeah, let me just grab my coat,” Viv says, being uncharacteristically quiet. She quickly exits the living room into her bedroom.

  “So are you going to tell me who that guy was and why he shook Vivian up so much, or am I going to have to guess?” Will’s tone surprises me. He’s almost never snippy with anyone, so his hostility takes me aback.

  “Uh, he’s just a friend from work,” I lie. “No one special. I’m sure Viv is just fine.”

  At this point, I’m not sure if either of us are fine, but I don’t need Will to know that. I’m pretty sure Will doesn’t even believe me, because now he just looks straight-out pissed.

  Double shit.

  As Vivian exits the bedroom, she grabs her purse and puts on her best smile. I think we all know she’s faking it, but at this point it’s a hell of a lot better than the scowl across Will’s face.

  Waiting for Jess to pick us up is tedious. No one says a word as cold wind whips across our faces like a jump rope. Finally, I see that black Chevy in sight and heave a sigh of relief. We all quickly climb in, with me being in the front seat. Jess notices the tension almost immediately.

  “Did I miss something?” he whispers to me as he starts up the truck. I can’t help but notice his cologne. It’s faint but still smells incredible, especially when compared to the stench of Dean’s from earlier.

  “Els?” he says with a curious expression as he nudges me.

  “I think Will is just annoyed about a work friend of mine visiting Viv and me at the apartment earlier. The guy has a special interest in Viv,” I whisper.

  Jess’s brows crease for a moment before he replies. “Has this guy been an issue for you guys before?”