“Jake, It’s okay. You don’t need to walk me back, you know. I’m a big girl and I’ll be perfectly fine.” I say, hoping that my voice comes out more convincing than I actually feel. “Plus, what about Amy?” As much as I don’t want to, and no matter how much I’ve been trying to fight it, her name automatically rolls from my tongue. If Jake was my guy, then there would be no way in hell that I’d be happy with him walking some other girl home; even if it is innocent. That kind of stuff just wouldn’t sit well with me. I guess it’s just how I’m built.
“What about her?” He turns back to face me, his eyebrow slightly raised and his beautiful face laced with utter confusion. Ah, he looks so cute right now and I’m tempted to jump right into his arms. Just to feel him against me. To know that someone this beautiful is actually real and not just a complete figment of my imagination. I don’t know how I’m doing it, but I manage to hold back and keep my feet firmly on the ground; but only just. Who knew that little old me had so much willpower? I bloody didn’t.
“Well is she not going to wonder where you’ve got to?
“Nah. You’re joking aren’t you? She’ll be too busy checking out all the guys in there, getting ready to make her move.” He laughs and I’m quite shocked by his carefree attitude.
“Really, and you’re okay with that? “If my obvious shock shows on my face, Jake doesn’t comment on it. How strange. Are these people even normal?
“Yeah.” Jake chuckles sweetly at me, exposing his dimples. “Why wouldn’t I be? She’s old enough to take care of herself. Plus, she’d fucking kill me if I tried to step on her toes anyway. That girl is lethal Luce. Don’t be fooled by her appearance. Plus, I could do without the headache, like.”
My mouth opens and then closes just as fast. What a weird set up. Who am I to judge really though? It’s their relationship and it’s up to them to decide between them how they want it to work. Plus, it’s really none of my business, I’ve just never heard of anything like this before. Call me old fashioned, boring or whatever, but I prefer a closed relationship, not an open one. There is no way that I would be able to cope with sharing my man. Especially if that man was Jake.
I shouldn’t even be worrying about that right now. I need a bloody man to worry about first, but all that I’ve got is an empty bed waiting for me back at the apartment.
The strip’s pretty busy as this time of night, full of excited party people staggering in and out of each and every bar. As I watch them, I can’t help but smile. Sometimes I can’t believe that this is my life right now. Jake must have been watching me, or sensed me smiling like a flaming goofball, because he quickly turns to me and says, “Someone seems pretty high on life right now.”
“Yes. Yes, I am. I just can’t believe that I’m actually here. I’ve always wanted to do this ever since I was a little girl.” I can hear the excitement pouring out of my voice and I bet I probably look like an absolute idiot too. Well, I guess there’s nothing new there, then.
“So, this is what dreams are made of for you, Luce?”
“I guess. I just wanted to see the world a little before I’m forced to face reality and all those responsibilities that come with being an adult. Oh, ignore me, I bet it sounds stupid.” I promised myself that I would try and prevent myself from looking like a fool in front of him at all costs, but it looks like I just can’t help myself whenever I’m around him.
“Nah, not at all. I think you sound just like me. You’ve gotta make sure that you have a little fun and make memories before it’s too late.”
Seriously, where has this guy been all my life?
My body automatically reacts to the thought of having fun and making unforgettable memories with Jake. Shit, I hope he doesn’t notice the sudden blush that’s quickly spreading across my face. Yes, I know that it’s perfectly harmless just thinking about it, but deep down I know that it will never happen. I really need to stop my mind from running away with itself, otherwise my feelings will get the better of me and I’ll be the one who ends up getting hurt.
I’m supposed to be here to have fun, not setting myself up for a massive fall. Spending the rest of my summer sat back, wallowing over some guy, someone else’s guy for that matter; is not an option.
“I don’t think we ever got around to mentioning it last night, what with your little incident but where are you from?”
“Manchester.” I laugh. “Can’t you tell?”
I mumble out the last part, suddenly a little nervous. Why can’t he drop last night? To be fair, I’ve never really thought of myself as having a broad accent before, but I’m quite sure that it’s pretty easy to guess which part of the country I’m from. I don’t think I have ever been asked that question before, but then again, there’s always a first for everything.
“Thought as much.” He did? “I just thought I’d ask first as I didn’t want to offend you if I got it wrong, that’s all. People can get pretty heated about it. Trust me, I’ve experienced it a few times.”
I stop and wonder if he’s just trying to make small talk with me. Jesus, I’ve never actually thought about myself as boring before, but maybe he thinks I am. Bloody hell, I bet he’s even regretting offering to walk me back now, too. I really can’t see this going well. Not at all.
We walk in silence for some time, but every now and then I can feel his eyes resting on me. It takes everything that I have to keep my gaze focused right ahead of me. God, it’s so hard. All I want to do is look right back at him. To take in the sight of him and memorise every last detail so that he’s etched into my mind forever.
“Hey, you fancy grabbing something quick to eat before you get back? I bet you’ve not eaten anything all day, have you?”
So now he’s a mind reader too? I really hope that he isn’t otherwise I’m completely screwed. “Now that you mention it, I could do with something greasy. Maybe a kebab?” My stomach growls in agreement at the mention of food and suddenly it’s all I can think about. Nothing soaks up alcohol better than a big, fat greasy kebab finished off with a hearty serving of minty yoghurt sauce.
“Luce, you had me at greasy. Just promise that you’ll try and keep it all down this time?” He laughs and it’s such a beautiful, happy sound. “I like you Luce. You’re a canny lass and all that, but there’s only so much that a guy can take.”
My insides melt a little bit more and I just hope that he isn’t being sarcastic about actually liking me. “I give you my word. From this moment on, my insides will be coming nowhere near you again. I promise.” I hold my hand up, displaying a scout’s honour to prove that I’m being deadly serious.
“Oh, come on. I wouldn’t go that far. I wouldn’t mind being inside you… Just not the contents of your stomach projecting all over me. That’s where I’m drawing the line.
Wow. Really? He obviously knows that I like him somehow and now he’s making me feel a little uncomfortable around him. Is he doing it deliberately?
I guess it looks like he’s also a cocky, arrogant arse too. What am I even supposed to say back to that? I know my face must be blood red by now. Jesus, I can feel the heat of my embarrassment, so he’s definitely going to be able to see it. Tonight however, I’m deciding not to retaliate. No, if he’s looking for some kind of reaction from me, then he’ll probably be waiting for some time.
“Oh, well it looks like someone’s a little full of himself.” I spurt out before I can stop myself. For God sake Lucy, when will you ever learn?
“Ha, have you seen me? Baby, anyone who looks this good would have every right.”
“And I’m supposed to be the one who consumes way too much alcohol?”
We both laugh and I finally think that last night’s antics are well and truly forgotten, and possibly even forgiven.
“Oh baby, where are you going? Get back here. Don’t make me come after you.”
I vaguely hear Fran’s high pitched squeal echo somewhere in the background and reach out to pull one of my pillows over my head, desperate to protect
my fragile ears. I haven’t got a clue who she’s talking to and I’m far too exhausted to even care right now.
As soon as I got back last night I dived straight into bed and allowed the welcomed darkness to swoop in and claim me. I’m pretty impressed with myself actually. As far as I can remember I don’t think that I did anything major to embarrass myself with Jake last night and my kebab went down an absolute treat. So that’s an added bonus right there. Plus, the kebab definitely seemed to sort me out, or maybe that was the numerous cocktails that I had consumed earlier? Either way, both my head and stomach agreed.
When we arrived back at my apartment Jake was nothing but a true gentleman, yet a small part felt as though he was trying to tell me something. Maybe I just imagined it.
Oh what am I talking about? Of course I was bloody imagining it. Why would Jake want to tell me anything? He probably only walked me back last night because he has witnessed first-hand how much of a liability I can be when I’ve had a drink. He probably didn’t want anyone else suffering the same fate that he did. Saying that though, a part of me feels that maybe he offered because deep down, he’s actually a really nice, genuine guy who just wanted to make sure that I arrived home safe, that’s all.
Agh, I’m going to drive myself crazy if I keep over analysing things, trying to make them into something that they’re not and they most likely never will be. Why, oh why did he have to stumble across my path in the first place? Why now when I had a whole summer of fun planned?
I can still hear Fran calling out to someone, so I decide to open my eyes, preparing to drag myself out of bed and see what all the fuss is about. It’s not like I can get anymore sleep with this racket going on anyway.
My eyes grow wide at the sight before me and I quickly grab the sheet, pulling it up and securing it tightly around my exposed body.
“What the fuck.” I scream out and Fran comes running into my room.
“Oh shit.” The look on her face is one of pure shock and she clearly doesn’t know where to put her face. At least that makes the two of us, then. What the hell is going on?
“Yeah, Oh shit.” I growl back at her. I try to keep my eyes averted from the naked stranger that’s stood watching me as I lie in bed, but no matter how much I try to prevent it, I can still see him and his unsightly bits out of the corner of my eye. Who is this guy and what the hell is he doing stood watching me while I sleep in my room? Absolutely stalkers, might I add.
“Luce, I can…” Fran starts and then suddenly stops, before bursting into a fit of giggles. Oh so, now she thinks that this is funny, does she?
“Just take him away and stick some bloody clothes on him for God sake. Trust me, it isn’t pretty to look at.” I try my best to hold my tongue, but I’m so angry that I’m struggling to hold anything back.
“Hey, you’re the girl from last night.” He chimes in, still stood watching me. This guy’s bloody crazy.
“Excuse me?” I cut him off on a high pitched squeak. “What are you… A stalker?” My heart thuds frantically in my chest and I can feel myself getting more and more frustrated with each passing second. Either I’m going to break down and cry or throw the nearest and heaviest object directly at his balls. This has got to be some mental dream and any minute now I’ll wake up to a nice and quiet room, with nothing but my thoughts for company.
“I bought you a drink, but you gave it to her.” He continues as his head whips back to where Fran is positioned next to the door and he smiles. A real, creepy serial killer smile. “Turns out it was your loss baby. We had a pretty good time, didn’t we sugar?”
Eww. I feel physically sick and suddenly realise that this man is none other than the suit and tash dude from last night. He’s really not the best looking, but believe me when I say he’s even worse without any clothing. He clearly doesn’t have a care in the world as he still stands at the end of my bed with his meat and two veg in my face. Seriously, where is his dignity? I swear, if he comes any closer then I’ll pull on it so fucking hard, he won’t get any blood flow in it for a very long time.
“Come on, Dave. She’s not much fun in the mornings. At least let her wake up a little.”
Dave? So now we’re on first name terms? Well, I guess that makes everything okay then. Silly me, why don’t we fucking ask him to move in?
“Fun?” I shout back at Fran. “Fun, you call having a complete stranger dangling his balls in my face and watching me while I sleep fucking fun? Bloody hell Francesca. You really need to re-evaluate your life.”
“Wait a minute. So I’m not gonna get some girl on girl action here? Now you two around my cock would make my fucking week. What do you say?”
My eyes lock on his and I want to hurt him so bad. Maybe even draw blood. That’s how pissed off I am and I’m far from a violent person.
“Don’t push her Dave.” Fran warns, but I can still hear a trace of amusement in her voice. “Come on, let’s go find your clothes while you still have legs.”
“Dear God, please do.” I silently pray.
I watch as he slowly retreats back to her room and wait… What’s that? I tilt my head to the side slightly while still holding on for dear life to the thin sheet that’s currently protecting my body.
Has he got her thong around his neck? He bloody has as well. What the hell have I gotten myself into with this one? I knew she was wild, but allowing complete strangers to come back, who openly stalk sleeping women is pushing it way too far. I need to make it clear to her that this isn’t okay. Not one bit.
“I think I’m gonna take this as a souvenir, sugar.” He says while pulling on the thin string of fabric, before pinging it against his bare flesh. I really hope that’s a clean pair and not the ones she had on last night.
I feel absolutely violated and it’s not even my underwear around his neck.
“Be my guest. There’s plenty more where that came from, big boy.”
Dear god, please tell me that this is one seriously messed up dream and I’m still pissed from last night. I shake my head frantically, somehow hoping that it will erase my memory from this morning’s events, but it’s no good. That guy’s an image that I really don’t want to remember, ever.
The only logical explanation that I can think of is that Fran’s still pissed up and will hopefully see the seriously messed up error of her ways when she’s had some much needed sleep. I’ve got a funny feeling that she’s going to need quite a lot of it.
“Luce, I’m so sorry.”
I hear Fran before I see her. I’m still so angry about her bloody stupidity and I feel like giving her a right good shake. That guy could have been a serial killer for all she knew and we could have been lying in a pool of our own blood right now and no one would have noticed. I dread to think how long we could have been out here with the mosquito’s munching on our rotting flesh. Slowly taking away any vital evidence of the cause of our untimely deaths.
“What possessed you to bring a stranger back Fran? Back to here of all places? You don’t even know him. I thought you were more mature than that. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for having a little bit of fun and all that, but Jesus. That’s taking the piss.”
“Oh, come on. That’s all it is Luce. Just a bit of fun. We both had a great time, surely that’s all that matters isn’t it? Making memories, baby.” She smiles at me and I know that she’s trying to lighten my mood, but I’m so angry right now.
“There’s having fun and then there’s being down right bloody stupid. He could have been an absolute loon for all you knew and you wouldn’t have found out until it was too late for the both of us.” I pull a cup down from the side unit and fill up the kettle. I’m sure it’s sugary tea that’s supposed to be good for shock.
“Don’t be so soft. Honestly, we’re here to have a good time Lucy and I for one plan to enjoy every goddamn second of it. So do yourself a favour and quite being a boring prude. What I’m doing is natural. It’s a rite of passage into growing up. I never knew you were so bloody uptight.
”
“Woah, I’m not saying don’t have fun, just be a little more careful, that’s all. However, I really don’t appreciate strangers, naked ones at that, watching me while I sleep. Especially when they’re so blatantly groping their balls. It’s disgusting. What’s so hard to understand about that?” I ask, but I can tell that I’m not getting through to her. “Look, from now on, if feel the need to bring someone back then they stay in your room and as far away from mine as possible, or is that too much to ask?”
“Fine.” She snaps and throws herself down onto the sofa. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re such a bloody killjoy? Oh, and I’ll have a cup of tea too while you’re at it, please.”
“Piss off. What did he do, shag your legs off?”
“Just about. Go on, pretty please. I’m knackered.”
“Well here’s an idea, why don’t you grab a shower and get some sleep? That way you’ll have all the energy in the bloody world. You never know, it might just sort your head out too.” I guess I shouldn’t be surprised when she responds with her ultimate death stare, but I am.
I can’t believe that she still thinks her behaviour is perfectly normal and even acceptable.
We’ve been sitting in silence for God knows how long and Fran’s had a right bloody face on her. Maybe she thinks that I’m being a boring cow and that I’m out to ruin her fun, but really, I’m not. If she thinks looking after yourself is being boring, then so be it. The last thing I want is for her to land in a spot of trouble. All I’m trying to do is try and make her realise that she just needs to be a little bit more careful.
“Did you use something?” I ask after some time, now fully aware that I probably sound like her mum. Her head quickly whips up to meet mine and a frantic and worried expression crosses over her face. “Fran, I’m being serious here. Did you use something? Yes, or no?”
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