What the hell is wrong with her? It’s a pretty simple question and the last time I checked we both spoke the same language. It’s one question that she shouldn’t have any problems when it comes to answering it.
“… I don’t know. I think so.” She pulls on her bottom lip, before sucking it in to her mouth. I can see that she’s already wandering off into that crazy little mind of hers.
“Are you being serious?” I spit out.
“I know that we did this morning, but I really can’t remember if we did last night. It was all in the heat of the moment, you know?” She says and I can take a wild guess and say it’s more to try and convince herself and justify her actions. “Oh fuck.” She suddenly shouts out. “I always use protection. What am I gonna do Luce? What if we didn’t?”
“Well, I guess you better hope that you don’t end up pregnant, or worse; catch one of those nasty diseases. Is there not any evidence in your room?”
She raises an eyebrow at me, ready to break out in to full diva mode, but suddenly thinks better of it. “I feel so bloody stupid right now. I’m sure that I would have used something. Oh Lucy, please tell me that you’ve been in the same situation, or similar? What the hell do I do?”
“Erm, sorry. I honestly can’t say that I have.” I shrug and I genuinely feel for her. A part of me feels like a really crappy friend too as I can’t offer her any advice like normal friends would. I really hope that she used something, for her sake. It’s a bloody dangerous game to play if she didn’t. Surely she has to know that?
“Come on, you can’t sit there and tell me that you have never had a one-night stand before. You know that it all happens in the heat of the moment and you don’t really have time to think about anything other than getting down and dirty. I don’t care what anyone says, no one has time to think about protection. Your body craves what it craves.”
“I honestly wouldn’t know, Fran.” I mutter into my cup, my cheeks heating slightly.
“What, you’ve never had a one-night stand? What like ever? Of course you bloody haven’t. What am I on about?” She laughs. “But you’ve obviously slept with someone without using a condom at least once. Everyone has so don’t you even try to deny it Lucy. You don’t need to put on the good girl act with me. I’m not exactly in a position to judge you, am I?”
“Nope. Not me.” I rub my dry lips together, before lifting my cup up back towards my mouth, suddenly a little uncomfortable where this conversation is heading.
“What, like ever? Shit Lucy, are you still a virgin?” Her question comes out on a strangled shriek.
I shift slightly in my seat as her eyes almost pop out of their sockets and her hand clamps over her mouth in utter shock.
“Oh. My. God. How is that even possible?” Have I really just shocked the unshockable? “Someone as hot as you, is no way a virgin. Quit messing with me. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m in a little bit of a pickle here.”
“I guess I just never really felt comfortable enough with anyone before. It’s no big deal so don’t you dare go making it in to one.” I warn her, but I can already tell that my request is falling on deaf ears. To be fair, my threat doesn’t really come across all too convincing.
My virginity has never really been an issue before. Hannah’s never made a big deal out of it, but Fran’s completely different to her. Everything about her and the way she lives her life is different. They’re complete polar opposites.
“Are you kidding me? Lucy, you’ve got absolutely no idea what fun you’re missing out on. We need to get you laid before our summer is over. That’s a definite.”
“Oh no…” I begin, but she cuts me off with a dramatic wave of her hand. Clearly my opinion on my own morals doesn’t matter right now.
“Listen, I love a challenge. Challenge is my middle name and you lady are now my summer challenge. No questions about it.”
“Fran, there is no way on this earth that I am just going to sleep with someone that I don’t know. I mean, I at least need to have some kind of feelings towards someone to get all up close and personal with them. I’ve got to have some kind of connection or something.”
“Oh give over. It’s the bloody twenty-first century for crying out loud. It’s not all hearts and flowers anymore Lucy, it’s about having fun and gaining some valuable experience. You need to experience this before you settle down. Otherwise, how will you know that you didn’t settle for less? Who knows what you could miss out on.”
“What, an unplanned pregnancy or possible STD hanging over me? No thanks.” I reply automatically and I know that I’m being a defensive bitch. But maybe, just maybe, it might make her wake up and see some bloody sense.
“All right. Wind it in. There’s no need to be a down right bitch about it. I feel humiliated enough as it is.” Scowling at me, she puts her cup down with a little more force than usual.
“So, what are you going to do about it?” I ask again, ignoring her bitchy attitude. It’s not like I’m trying to play the saint here, but she knows that she’s in the wrong and taking it out on me isn’t really going to change that.
“I’ve got no choice here, have I? I’m gonna have to head to the nearest chemist and tell them what a naughty little slapper I’ve been. God, this is so embarrassing.”
“I wouldn’t go that far. You made a mistake and you’ll learn from it. Bloody hell Fran, you’re not the first and you most definitely won’t be the last by the sounds of it. I just hope that you’ll try and be more careful next time.”
“Just you wait until your cherry’s popped treacle. I bet we’ll be having this conversation again by the time summer is out, only next time it will be you on the receiving end.”
“We’ll see, but I wouldn’t count on it.” I smile back at her, trying to make an end to this awful conversation. It’s not bloody likely, that’s for sure. “Right, well I’m off to grab a shower, but make sure you get that checked as soon as possible.” I make sure to point directly at her lady parts so that she catches my meaning.
“Will do, Mum.” She smiles her perfect, angelic smile. Bloody butter wouldn’t melt with this one on the surface. I really do hope that she does go and get checked over. You wouldn’t really want to leave something like that down to chance. I know I definitely wouldn’t anyway.
I hear the door knock as soon as I step out of the shower. I’m in no rush to answer it because I can still hear Fran pottering around somewhere in the kitchen. Obviously she isn’t in too much of a rush to get to the nearest chemist. There’s no denying that that girl definitely has her priorities straight.
The knocks continue to grow louder and more persistent and it doesn’t look like Fran’s in any mad rush to answer it either. With my wet hair all over the place, I securely wrap my towel around my body and walk towards the door to see who’s desperately hammering on it. I swear if it’s suit and tash dude, I’ll slam it right in his face; hard.
“I’ll get it then, yeah?” I shout loud enough for her to hear me. “Oh, you’ve got to be fucking kidding me.” An instant rage begins to bubble deep inside of me the moment my eyes lock onto suit and tash dude sprawled out on our sofa. Looks like he’s quite happy making himself comfortable in my apartment. Obviously Fran’s trip to the chemist isn’t really that high on her agenda, but another careless fumble with Romeo clearly is. I have no idea what she sees in him to be honest, he must have some wicked, magic moves that are winning her over.
“Now’s not really a good time.” I call out while frantically throwing the door open, not really paying any attention to the person that’s on the other side.
“Yeah, I can see that.”
My heart skips a beat as I slowly take in the beautiful, God-like creature stood before me. “Erm… Hey.” I stumble, while grabbing onto my towel for dear life. The last thing that I need right now is for this bad boy coming loose and displaying all my assets.
What is he even doing here? Why now when I look like a bloody tramp who’s broken in to borrow someo
ne’s shower?
“I thought I’d drop by and see if you were free, but I can call back another time?” He says, but it comes out more of a question on his lips.
“No, no. It’s fine, come in.” I say a little too quickly. I step back to allow him to pass and I hope that he can’t hear my heart frantically beating in my chest. I’ve even got a collection of butterflies turning my stomach upside down and all I want to do is disappear so that I can get dressed and try to make myself look a little presentable, instead of resembling some kind of homeless scarecrow. “Just go straight through and I’ll be with you in five?”
Jake smiles at me as I signal for him to go straight through to the living area. Oh God, he looks amazing and smells unbelievable.
I spot Fran out of the corner of my eye, her predatory gaze fixed heatedly on Jake.
“Don’t even think about it, lady.” I think to myself. Now is the perfect opportunity for her to get pay back on me after the way I was with her this morning. I just hope that she doesn’t stoop to that level. After all, I’ve not really made a huge fuss about suit and tash coming back. God only knows how much I’d like to.
As soon as Jake has walked into the other room, I quickly make a mad dash to my room so that I can get ready and hopefully avoid any awkward that are sure to begin flying around at any given moment.
“Oh hey Jake. Fancy seeing you here. Just can’t keep away, ey?” I hear Fran shout before I slam my bedroom door firmly shut behind me. I cannot believe that she’s brought that guy back here again. Especially after everything that happened this morning. She’s got no bloody shame… None at all. But, I really don’t need, or want her embarrassing me so I can’t exactly make a big public display of my feelings. As long as he keeps himself covered up and well out of my face, I suppose I’ll just have to grin and bear him. Otherwise, I know Fran and I just know that she could make my life hell if she wanted too. Don’t get me wrong, when suit and tash isn’t here this conversation will be far from over.
I think it’s safe to say that I saw more than enough of him to last me a lifetime and then some this morning. Plus, now that Jake’s here I just know that she’s going to make a bloody big deal out of it. Even if suit and tash is here keeping her busy, I doubt it would stop her from creating unnecessary drama. She blimmin’ thrives off it.
Who the hell am I kidding? I need to get back out there and remove Jake from the equation and fast. She knows how uncomfortable I get around him and after my wordy lecture this morning, she’ll definitely use it as ammo against me. One thing about Fran is that she likes to get even. I’d be bloody stupid to try and think any different.
Great, now the bloody panic attacks are about to kick in.
I don’t waste any time in getting ready. I’m not all that fussed on doing my usual routine and instead I quickly dry my hair with a towel and spray in some product, hoping it will give me a lovely sun-kissed beach wave look, but I bet I’ll end up looking a hot, flustered mess instead. Today however, I don’t have much of a choice. Fran’s like a ticking time bomb and I’m not leaving anything to chance with her.
I hastily pull up my denim shorts and throw on a long vest top and I’m pretty much good to go. All I have to do now is to try and rescue that little hottie from those two animals.
“Hey.” I say and I spot Jake as soon as I walk into the living area. He’s casually sitting on the sofa, looking right at home, leaning back with his right calf casually resting on the top of his left thigh while seeming to be in the middle of a conversation with Fran and tash man. However, when he looks up and his eyes lock with mine, there’s no denying that he’s pleased to see me.
“Well, it was nice meeting you.” Jake calls back to them as he rushes to his feet, before making a beeline towards my direction. His eyes grow wide and I mentally pray that I don’t have toothpaste or something all over my mouth. That would be just my luck.
“See you later, love bugs.” Fran shouts to us and I could actually slap her. She just doesn’t bloody let up at all. There’s no way that the two of us are love bugs, he’s too busy getting it on with Amy for a start. After all, she is his girlfriend. Just the thought sends an unwanted feeling around my body. “Stay safe and remember, if you can’t be good, be careful.”
My head snaps back in her direction as soon as I reach the front door and I throw her my best knowing, warning look. She’s got some bloody nerve telling us to be careful after her recent antics. The moment that my eyes lock onto hers her head drops slightly, maybe from embarrassment and I think she has well and truly caught my meaning. Let’s just hope that she actually learns from it.
“Whoa, who’s the guy?” Jake asks as soon as we step outside. Trust him to actually ask the one question that I have been dreading him asking the most.
I mean, what the hell am I supposed to say exactly? “Oh, Fran’s suddenly taken to shagging random weirdo’s who happen to enjoy watching clueless people while they sleep.” Somehow, admitting it out loud scares the hell out of me, so I decide to keep that bit of information to myself. Instead I say, “Trust me, you really don’t want to know. I’m so sorry for leaving you with him.”
“Nah, don’t worry about it. He’s mental though, like. Couldn’t get a word in edgeways either. I almost upped and left when he asked us if I wanted to join in on a three-way with him and Fran.”
“He what?” For God sake, the blokes an absolute animal. He’s obviously one of those sex-crazed addicts and he clearly doesn’t give a shit where he puts it. I’m so embarrassed right now. “What did Fran say?”
“Nowt much, really. All she could do was laugh. I’ve got no idea what was going through her head though. To be fair, I actually felt like laughing along with her just so I didn’t feel awkward.”
“Oh, believe me. I know Fran and I know that she probably would have loved that idea.” I think to myself. I know for a fact that she would eat Jake alive if she was given half the chance.
“Oh my God Jake. I’m so sorry.” I can feel the heat colour my cheeks once again and It’s not from the sun. It seems that no matter what I try to do, or not do, something always happens to make me look the fool in front of him. Granted, the first time was solely my fault, but since then it feels like the whole worlds against me. I’m amazed that he’s still even stood here talking to me. If it was the other way around and I was Jake, I would have turned around and gone in the opposite direction back then.
“Don’t be daft.” He laughs. “You’ve got nothing to apologise for. I’m not gonna lie, at first I thought he wanted a three-way with you.”
“No. That’s not really my style.” I mutter and then laugh nervously. Discussing sex has never really been one of the easiest subjects, especially with the opposite sex, but right here with Jake it feels a hundred times worse.
“See, the whole world is against me.”
Ah, that’s all reet then. Gotta admit, I felt a little funny at the thought of his hands all over you.”
“Really?” I think to myself. What would it matter to Jake anyway? “You and me both. He’s my least favourite person right now.”
“Why? He’s not tried something on with you, has he?” His tone of voice changes and he suddenly sounds extremely protective. I know I shouldn’t seeing as though he’s already taken, but I kind of like it.
“God no, nothing like that.” Seeing him absolutely starkers is far, far worse than him ever trying it on with me. Ugh, I automatically shudder at the vivid memory of his vile and repulsive body and I’m a little worried that it will be permanently etched into my mind forever. How Fran could find that attractive is well and truly beyond me. But each to their own as they say. “He just makes my skin crawl really bad. Anyway, what’s up?”
“Huh?”
“You’ve not said why you called. Is everything okay?”
“Now, I guess I could lie here and tell you that I need you to help showing me around and stuff, but I don’t really feel all that comfortable lying to you.”
�
�Okay…” I start, suddenly finding myself well out of my comfort zone and confused as to where this conversation is heading.
“I wanted to stop by to check that you were okay, that’s the truth.”
“Well, as you can see I’m alive and perfectly in one piece. No alcohol poisoning for me just yet. I guess it looks like I’m finally building up my tolerance levels a little. Who would have thought, hey?”
“Who am I kidding?” Jake puffs, his chest beginning to rise and fall rapidly. “I needed to see you. I wanted to be with you last night, that’s why I offered to walk you back and as soon as we got here I didn’t want to leave. Lucy, it took everything I had to keep my hands off you. Do you even know how hard that was for me? To be with you and not touch you? I didn’t have a choice though. I had to walk away and now I can’t get you out of my head. It’s driving me crazy.
“You can’t?” Is all I manage to say to him. I feel like and no doubt look like I’ve just been slapped across the face. “What about Amy?” The words automatically fall from my lips as soon as I have evened out my breathing and I feel like kicking myself.
“What about her?” Jake looks at me questioningly and his brow cocks up slightly on his right hand side. He looks so good when he’s confused.
“Well aren’t you two together?” I ask, wondering and secretly praying that I’ve got the wrong end of the stick here. Could it really be possible?
“Who me and Amy, together?” He laughs at me and I can’t help feeling stupid. Why is he laughing at me? I’m glad he’s finding it so funny, because I bloody don’t. But as per, let’s all laugh at Lucy once again.
“Don’t laugh at me, Jake.” I warn him, fully prepared to head back inside the apartment at any given moment out of sheer embarrassment. The only thing is, I know that if I do then I’ll miss out on whatever it is he’s about to say. Luckily for me, the need to know what is about to come next holds my two feet firmly in place as if they have been cemented to the ground.
Since You've Been Gone Page 5