I Need You Here Tonight

You know that awful feeling you get when you wake up and remember the night before sucked, well I got that when I woke up on Sunday morning. In fact I stayed in bed just staring at the ceiling. Perhaps if I stayed in my room then no one would ever find me.

My phone buzzed and I glanced over. It continued and I knew someone was ringing me. I reached over and picked it up, holding the screen up so it was eye level. Jake. My mind went blank for a minute. Should I answer him?

On one shoulder was an angel telling me that we were very hurt, but we should totally answer the phone. He was drunk when he made out with that girl. On the other shoulder was a devil and the devil was telling me that being drunk was no excuse and that we were deeply hurt.

Which to choose? My eyes flicked from green button to red. I lifted my hand and pressed the red button, cutting the call off. I hoped that'd be the end of it. He made out with another girl and maybe he'd give up and choose her.

At that thought, my stomach knotted and a choked sob escaped. Ok, that really hurt. A lot more than a crush should hurt. I let my arm hit the bed and heard my phone clunk to the floor.

I closed my eyes in a vain attempt to fall asleep and stop crying. The insistent sound of knocking made me crack open an eye. I sniffled and turned onto my side, wanting to shut the world out.

"Dakota?" Shay's voice. "Please open the door, sweet."

"Kota, it's Oli. Open the door."

"And Hannah too."

I smiled at that.

"And the whole fucking dorm is out here." Danny.

"You don't even live here, fuckface." Ben.

I laughed despite the throbbing in my chest. I couldn't leave them out there. I got up and slouched over, opening the door. My friends were outside. Shay and Oli were at the front, looking guilty.

"Come to the lounge." Shay mumbled.

"But I'm not dressed," I protested as she dragged me from my room. Had she gone mad?
She made me sit on the couch and perched next to me. She looked utterly distraught and I was genuinely confused.

"Kota, I'm so sorry about last night." She blurted out. "I had no idea I'd left you and anything could have happened to you. I'm sorry I abandoned you."

She must have thought she'd ditched me when I went looking for Jake, which meant she had no idea.

"I left before you did." I muttered.

She stopped looking sad and it was replaced by confusion. Oli frowned too. They definitely had no idea and I was scared to tell them the truth, but I had no choice.

"Why?" Hannah asked. She was standing next to Oli.

"I saw Jake kissing another girl and freaked out." I murmured, shame creeping up on me.

I peeked at Shay and her mouth was slightly open and her eyes were contrite for a minute before she looked furious.

"He kissed some slut instead of you." She seethed.

"No, Shay, calm down." I grabbed her hands. "It's not like we're in a relationship."

She shook her head in disbelief, still furious, "Well he flirts with you and hugs you so I just assumed."

"Yeah, but he's friends with Ash Purdy. Those sorts of guys are shitty to girls." Oli snapped, eyeing Shay as well. She looked like she wanted to say something, but didn't.

"You might as well go out with Jack," Alex cut in.

"Piss off," Jack laughed. "I'm marrying you, Alex."

I couldn't help but laugh at them. Tay stood by, shaking her head. She stepped into the lounge, kicking one of the pumpkins, ignoring Jack's shriek of 'my baby.'

"That's for marrying my boyfriend." She grinned.

She sat on my other side and draped an arm round my shoulder, cuddling me close.

"I know it's easy to say, but forget him," She beamed. "If he can't see that you're awesome then that's his loss."

I shrugged, "I should still hear him out though, right?"

Shay glowered in anger, clearly she didn't think so. Tay looked doubtful and I knew she might side with Shay.

"Maybe talk to him," Everyone looked at Hannah. "It was probably a mistake. He deserves the chance to explain."

Hannah seemed logical and she was right. He was drunk and although it wasn't an excuse I should hear him out. Plus it wasn't like we were in a relationship. Not really, anyways.

"Can I go get dressed now?" I stood, smiling a little.

"Yeah, sure thing." Shay stood, and hugged me.

I slipped past everyone and headed down the corridor. The door across the way from mine opened and Bret peeked out. He smiled when he saw me.

"Hey, how're you feeling?" He leaned against the frame.

"I'm all right now. I think I'm gonna hear what he has to say." I smiled.

"Yeah, give him a chance. We all fuck up sometimes." He chuckled.

I laughed. I paused before opening my bedroom door and looked back at Bret. He was holding his phone, swiping his fingers across the screen.

"Bret?" I asked, timidly.

"Yeah, sorry I was texting Chad." He pocketed the phone.

"Thanks for walking me home last night. I really appreciate it." I shuffled nervously. I really hoped I didn't ruin Bret's night.

He chuckled again, "That's fine, Kota. I wouldn't let you walk alone late at night."

I nodded and opened the door, slipping into the room. It was Sunday and that usually meant meeting up with Jake, but I was too afraid to meet up. I leaned down and picked up my phone.
Ten missed calls. I sighed loudly. He had even texted me.

Dakota, are you mad at me? I got so fucked last night. Please call me. I still want to see you today :(

I bit my lip and tried not to think about what had happened. All I could think of was seeing him kissing that girl. I wished she was me and I wanted to hit myself for that. I left my messages menu and went to the contacts.

I pressed Jake's number and waited. It rang once, twice and was about to ring again when he answered.

"Dakota?" He sounded groggy, like he'd been asleep. It hurt to hear his voice.

"Hey, how's the hangover?" I opted to sound bubbly.

"Shitty, want to meet for coffee?" He asked.

"Yeah, sure thing." It was so easy to fake it.


***************

I got dressed and strolled through the lounge, saying goodbye to my friends and preparing myself for the most difficult meet-up of my life.

The streets were quiet even though it was nearly one thirty. I tried to look confident by marching down the street with purpose. My steps faltered when I saw Jake standing outside the usual cafe. What was happening to me?

I walked over and cleared my throat. He glanced up from his phone and smiled. He went to hug me and I stepped back. He frowned and I had to look away.

We went into the cafe and sat down. The atmosphere was very tense and I spent a few minutes just staring at the table.

"So, what'd I do?" He said, actually sounding contrite.

Should I lie? Tell him that he and the others left me at the club. Or should I be up front and tell him that seeing him kissing someone else hurt like nothing I'd ever felt before. I opted for a half-truth.

"You and the others all found other people to hang out with and I was left on my own." I responded automatically.

He blinked a few times and frowned again, like he didn't quite believe me.

"So where did you go to?" He leaned forward, and I nearly forgot to breathe.

"I-i walked home." I thought lying would be so easy. After I saw you kissing another girl.

"Did someone make sure you got home safe?" He did sound concerned.

"Yeah," I paused, taking a breath. "Bret did. He walked me home."

The waitress appeared and took our orders. Once she was gone he pinned me with a dark stare. A look I had never seen before.

"Who is Bret?"

"Bret lives in my dorm and he's on the same course as me."

Jake's eyebrow quirked and he smirked. The same annoyed look was gone and Shay might have called it jealousy. She was always saying she knew the signs. Why would he be jealous of Bret?

"The girl I saw you with was really pretty." I said, after a while.

The waitress appeared and set our drinks down. Our weird relationship was so messed up it was unbelievable.

"Yeah, I guess so," He shrugged. "To be honest I can't even remember her name."

My eyes widened slightly. Did people just go around kissing people they didn't even know? I sipped my drink and bit the inside of my cheek.

"Sounds a bit rubbish," I murmured. "You know, kissing people you don't even know."

"It's fun, I guess," That sounded really convincing. "I guess I just haven't found the right girl."

I didn't really want to comment on that. I could just imagine how that would go down. He clearly wasn't interested in me.

"So, you and Bret?" He smirked.

"No," I snapped, slightly more irritated than I should be. He looked surprised by my defensiveness. "I do like someone though."

"But not Bret," He recovered from the shock rather quickly. "Who?"

"No one you know." I covered my tracks. His face became serious for a moment.

"Why don't you tell him? Since he's so special," There was that snide tone again and I glowered at him.

"Because he's a jerk." I retorted.

His eyes analysed me and he grinned, coyly. I seriously hated how his moods could shift so erratically. Plus I was hoping he didn't think I meant Ashley. I still didn't like Ashley and it baffled me that Shay liked him, but I supposed we were both in a similar situation.

"So, it's bonfire night next week. Wanna go see some fireworks?" Jake asked. "That is if you're not too busy thinking about your mystery guy."

"Shut up," I snapped. "And I would love to as long as you keep your hormones in check."

"I really love it when you're all fiery," He smirked again and leaned closer. "It really turns me on."

I recoiled and he winked at me, seeming to enjoy the effect it had. I would need to be incredibly careful now. I had finally figured out that Jake was as much of a player as Ashley. Did it bother me? Yes it bothered me a lot.

"Perhaps get a hobby then." I retorted, trying to up my sass game enough to put him off.

"I already have a hobby," He leaned forward again. "You."

"Perhaps, get a real hobby." I faltered briefly, but managed to think of something. "Muswell Hill, or nothing."

"Why that one?" He asked.

"Alexandra Palace has an ice rink, duh." I laughed. "We can go ice skating."

"Correction, you can go ice skating." He smiled, but it was laced with sarcasm.

"It'll be fun." I sing-songed.

"Fuck off, Kota." He did the same. "See I can do this too."

We finished our drinks and I paid this time. We got outside and I turned around ready to leave. Jake grabbed my arm and pulled me into a hug. I tried to fight the overwhelming joy I felt, but I hugged back.

We pulled apart and he did something entirely new. He leaned down and at first I thought he may kiss me, but he kissed my cheek instead. I watched him go and touched my cheek. I managed a small smile.

Notes