I Need You Here Tonight

When it got to the day before meeting up with Jake again I was terrified. Our texting had continued, but never got any more suggestive, which did make me think he was leading me on a bit.

It occured to me that I didn't know Jake very well. True, we knew each other in school, but I hadn't seen him since then. He had obviously changed a lot. That morning I had slumped down in one of the lounge chairs and hadn't really moved since.

I had bought a book with me to read. I flicked through the pages of Eleanor and Park, struggling to focus on the story. My mind was racing. No one had come downstairs yet and a part of me felt lonely and another part of me didn't want anyone seeing me freak out over a guy.

The sound of the foyer door opening made me jump. I guessed it was Jenna coming back from her morning jog. The sound of footsteps echoed down the hall and the door was pushed open.

A girl appeared in the doorway. She was mid-height with round, brown eyes and her delicate face was framed by shoulder length black hair. Her eyes locked on me and I vaguely recognised her.

"Hey, perhaps you can help me." She had a lyrical voice. "I'm looking for Dakota. Do you know her?"

"I'm Dakota," I was so cautious about this whole situation. She could have been a crazy person, but she looked sweet. Her face lit up.

"Hi, I'm Hannah," She rushed forward, holding out her hand. I accepted and stared at her, dumb-struck.

So this was Hannah Snowden. I had seen her from a distance around the campus. I couldn't understand why she was visiting me though.

"Sorry, you probably think I'm a right weirdo," She let go of my hand, looking nervous. "I wanted to ask a favour of you."

She motioned for me to follow. I was still uncertain about going with her, but I went anyway. We left the dorms and strolled down the street towards Starbucks. It wasn't somewhere I often went though.

She seemed perfectly at home in here though and I traipsed after her. I analysed the board of drinks and couldn't really decide what I wanted. Hannah chose her drink and turned to me.

"What would you like?" She smiled.

"I'll have a chocolate chip frappe," I dug in my pockets, pulling out a five pound note.

When I looked up, she was paying for the drinks. What was it with people buying stuff for me?

"Here's my money for the drink." I held out the note for her.

"No, it's fine," She walked to the end of the bar. "I owe you a drink for what I'm going to put you through."

The barista handed her the two drinks and we sat down at a nearby table. I sat down, tentatively and waited for her to ask the favour. She took a sip of her drink and let out a deep breath. She looked nervous again.

"I'll just get straight to the point," She feigned confidence. "You're best friends with Oliver, right?"

Whatever I thought she was going to ask was suddenly thrown out the window. I stared at her in confusion.

"Yeah, Oli and I have been friends since year 10." I replied, watching her smile again. She was like a doll.

"Wow, that's such a long time," She paused, staring at her drink in contemplation. "Do you think, maybe, that Oli would like to come to my art show next week?"

I couldn't think for a minute. It suddenly occured to me that she was asking if Oli liked art. He had always been very creative, writing lyrics in his textbooks and had always been good at English when we did GCSEs.

"Lyrics are more his thing, but I'm sure if you asked him then he'd love to go." I offered.

Hannah bit her lip and her brown eyes darted from left to right. She wrung her inked hands together. I could see the emotions playing out on her face.

"I'm scared to ask him though." She confessed, glancing around the cafe.

"He's really easy to approach," I smiled then. Oli liked Hannah, but didn't know how to talk to her and she was just the same. "Plus I heard he likes you."

"Someone told me that and I was really happy, but rumours are rumours for a reason," She chuckled. "Can you imagine if I approached him and he actually hated me. Majorly embarrassing."

I had to laugh at the thought of Oli disliking anyone that much, especially Hannah. She smiled, shyly, giggling a little too.

"He's very easy-going." I stopped laughing, and she bit her lip again as though thinking through my words.

Hannah drained her drink and dug around in her bag. I craned my neck to see what she was searching for. She pulled out a flyer for the art show, sliding it across the table towards me.

"Would it be all right to ask you to give this to Oli for me." She drummed her fingers on the table, still quite nervous. I did feel for her as I was just as nervous about a guy. My mind went back to tomorrow for a nanosecond.

"Yeah, sure I can." I folded the flyer in half. She smiled, looking ten times happier.

"I promise that when he arrives I will talk to him loads." She grinned, showing off her beautiful smile. I felt like a potato next to Hannah. "Can I have that?"

She was staring at my plastic container that my drink was in. I glanced at it then back to her. She looked unashamed this time and didn't seem to notice my utter bewilderment.

"I don't collect rubbish, or anything weird like that," She brushed a few strands of hair from her face. "It's for an art project on consumerism."

I drained the cup and passed it to her. She stared at it, tracing a finger over the Starbucks logo. We left Starbucks and started walking back. She paused at the road opposite my dorm.

"I live further down the street. Thanks again, Dakota." She leaned forward, hugging me.

We parted and she strolled off down the street. I opened the flyer and read it. The art show was always held a couple of weeks before term started. I pocketed the flyer and reminded myself to pass it to Oli tomorrow.

***********

Sunday again. I barely slept last night after thinking about today a lot more than I should. I was meeting Jake at two today and this gave me extra time to lay in and get extra sleep.

I had, instead, laid in bed freaking out. I hadn't bothered to let Shay know what time I was meeting him as I was still insistent that it wasn't a date and shouldn't be treated as such.

I settled for getting up, showering and putting on another dress. In my mind I was still telling myself this wasn't a date, but my heart kept insisting it was and we needed to look pretty. That was difficult to do when you felt like a ginger potato.

I spent some time in my room, watching Sunday morning tv and eventually I got bored of it. The lounge was empty when I arrived, but half an hour later I heard voices. Alex appeared in the doorway. His eyes widened when he saw me sitting on the beanie chair.

"Morning, Kota," He yawned. "You're up early."

"Yeah, going out in a couple of hours." I mumbled.

"Ah, another date. This guy must really like you." He sat on the couch.

"Nah, I think he's messing with me." I chuckled, and he rolled his eyes.

"I don't think he is. I just think you're not used to a guy wanting to talk to you." He shrugged.

A door opening down the hall made us both look round and Alex leaned forward. He must be waiting for Tay. She usually liked to lie in on Sundays. The door opened and Bret walked in. He smiled when he saw us.

"Hey, Kota. You going out?" He asked, running a hand through his hair.

"She's going on a date." Alex cut in before I could speak.

"Oh, is it that same guy from last time? He really seems to like you." Bret said, his eyes were analysing the floor.

"Yeah, but it's not a date. We're just friends." I glowered at Alex.

I spent a little while speaking to them and Tay appeared at one thirty, looking sleepy. Her long hair was knotted and she didn't seem to realise, or she just didn't care that much.

I stayed with them for another few minutes before leaving, making my way down the street towards the cafe. I stood out front, glancing at my phone every few seconds. I felt restless and jittery.

I tilted my head and peered down the street. My vision was obscured by someone covering my eyes. I yelped and fought against them.

"Guess who." A voice near my ear. A few involuntary shivers shot down my spine.

"Jake, I know it's you." I snapped.

The hand was removed and I turned to yell at him, but stopped. He wasn't wearing the usual leather jacket and had opted for a t-shirt with quarter length sleeves and the usual skinny jeans.

He grinned and held the door open for me. We sat at the same table as last time and again the waitress appeared and took our orders. I waited to see if he would bring up the texts he had sent me, but he didn't.

"How have you been?" I asked, after a while.

"Yeah, pretty good. Just been to see dad. I was helping him fix his computer." He laughed.

The waitress appeared again and placed our drinks down. I watched her leave again and turned my attention back to Jake. He was stirring his drink, seemingly deep in thought. I didn't want to be the one to bring them up though.

"How's all the studying going?" He asked, amusement clear in his tone.

"Great. How's the inflicting of pain on people using needles going?" I grinned, feeling clever.

"Good, bet you wouldn't dare get a tattoo," He raised a dark brow as though challenging me. "You're too much of a good girl."

I sipped my drink, aiming to look demure and strong-willed. I failed when I burnt my tongue on the coffee and gasped. Jake laughed and I glared at him, but continued nonetheless.

"I am actually very daring." I replied, trying to sound arrogant.

"Really? What daring things have you done lately, Kota?" He leaned forward, causing me to blush like a fool.

I was at a loss. I hadn't done anything daring lately. The only piercings I had were the ones in my lobes and I had never been a trouble-maker in school. I usually panicked when our lecturer, Sue called on me to answer a question or offer an opinion.

Instead I grabbed a packet of sugar and opened it, pouring it into my coffee. I hated sugar in coffee. It made it sickly sweet and really gross, but at this point anything would suffice. I took a sip and winced at the sweet taste.

"See, totally daring." I swallowed the ruined coffee.

"You look like you've swallowed a lemon." Jake chuckled, seemingly enjoying my torment. "Not exactly daring though."

I sighed in annoyance, "Fine I'm totally boring and predictable."

Jake frowned as though sensing my change in mood. He tried to meet my eyes and I fought desperately to avoid his.

"You're not boring, Kota." He smiled, catching me off guard. "I like you the way you are."

I maintained my stony exterior, but inside I was smiling, somersaulting and cart-wheeling. He had said he liked me, even if it was only in a friends way. Plus I was fairly certain this stupid crush I had on him would vanish soon.

We got up after a bit and this time I paid. Once we got outside I turned to say goodbye, thinking this was the end of this weeks meeting. I got my phone out, only to have him take it from me.

"Hey, give that back." I snapped, reaching for it. He held it out of my reach.

I suddenly realised my body was pressed against his in the desperate attempt to get my phone. Jake was still grinning, watching me trying to grab the phone. I was reminded of our history in school together and this struck a chord.

"Take a photo with me." He surprised me, and I stopped jumping.

"A-a photo?" I asked, confused.

He lowered the phone and activated the camera, pressing the small icon that turned on the front camera. Our faces appeared in the screen. I went to move back, but Jake pulled me closer. He smiled that amazing smile and I did the same.

The button was pressed and our faces appeared on the screen. He lowered the phone, handing it back to me. I stared at the photo and smiled again. It was quite a nice photo.

"I look like a potato." I complained.

"Nah, you look cute." He leaned over my shoulder. I was distinctly aware of him and stepped away a little to put some space between us.

I turned to argue back at him, but my own voice was suddenly interrupted.

"Jake?" A voice behind me spoke. I glanced round and saw a girl a few feet away.

She was so pretty. Her hair was long and shone beautifully in the light. Her eyes were large and brown. Her full lips were parted in shock and I stepped to the side. Maybe they were friends. I looked at Jake to find he had stopped smiling.

He shrugged and grabbed my arm, forcing me to walk with him. I heard the girl follow and I wanted to stop and ask who she was. She ran ahead and stopped in front of us.

"So, you're just going to ignore me, you fucking twat." Her voice was angry now and didn't suit a girl of her stature and looks.

"I'm not ignoring you, Ariana. I just don't see any reason for us to talk." Jake shot back.

"Really? After everything that's happened between us," She yelled. Luckily no one was around today. Her beautiful eyes went to me. "Who is this? I have to say you've downgraded since fucking me."

Downgraded? My eyes widened at the sudden implication. I lowered my face, pretending to be deeply interested in the ground.

"Leave her alone." Jake scowled. He stepped in front of me, effectively protecting me.

"So you slept with me and you're just going to ignore me?" She snarled, her small body shook in anger.

"You knew what our relationship was. Look, I'm not prepared to discuss this with you on the streets so text me later if you want." He replied, calmer now.

"Fine," She simmered, apparently feeling better. Her gaze shot to me again. "Don't think you're safe, bitch. Watch your back."

With that she stormed past us, leaving me in silent horror. Jake didn't bother to watch her go. Instead he turned and looked at me. I was still in shock over what had happened.

"Sorry about that," He sighed. "You all right, Kota?"

"Yeah, I'm good. Who was she?" I blurted it all out before I could stop myself.

"An ex-girlfriend." Was all he said.

"How long were you together?" I asked, feeling less concerned now.

He looked away, laughing slightly, "Two weeks."

Two weeks? My mind went blank then. Two weeks didn't seem like a long relationship and I stared at him in shock.

"I've had a few girlfriends." He shrugged, like it was no big deal.

"A few?" I shifted nervously.

"Lost count, actually," He laughed, trying and failing to sound ashamed.

He walked me back to my dorm today and I turned to face him to say goodbye, but faltered. I had no idea what to say after that.

"Again I am sorry about what happened. I didn't expect her to just appear like that." He did sound contrite.

"That's totally fine. Same time next week?" I asked, and he smiled.

"Yeah that sounds good." He pulled me into a hug and I sighed.

If I could hug him all the time I would. I pressed my face into his chest and breathed in his scent. We parted and I made my way up the stairs. I glanced back and watched him go.

I faintly wondered if that girl would text and if he'd text her back.

Notes