Waiting for Something (20 page)

Twenty-Two

             
“Ali, we’re going to be late for class again,” I heard Jackie yell from the hall.

“I’m coming, I’m coming. Give me a break.” I ran after her.

              “Tell me more about your date with Jesse,” she winked.

             
“Not everyone sleeps around like you,” I half teased.

             
“Ooh ouch. No, really, how was it?” she looked excited for me.

             
“It was really great actually. He took me to dinner and then we went to one of those theaters that play old movies and watched ‘Singing in the Rain.’ I got to pick.” I felt myself redden.

             
“That’s it?” she seemed bummed.

             
“What did you expect?” I laughed.

             
“Well, at least a kiss goodnight.” Her voice made it seem like a kiss goodnight is only natural.

             
“I’m still healing,” I brushed my hair back behind my ears.

             
“It’s been two months. Jake hasn’t called or texted or anything. You gotta try and move on, Al.” I knew she was trying to be as supportive in the only way she knew how.

             
“I know. That’s what the date was and I’m going to his apartment tonight to watch movies, so something could happen there,” I perked up a bit.

             
“Now there’s something to tell me about.” We walked into the class right as the professor reached the door.

             
“Right on time, ladies, as always.” It was a 9 AM class. Mornings and college don’t go together at all.

             
“Morning, Mr. Morrison,” I smiled and took a seat.

             
“But seriously, though, tell me what happens tonight,” Jackie leaned over her seat and whispered.

             
“I will,” I rolled my eyes.

             
“Ali, wait up!” I heard Jesse run after me as I walked across campus.

             
“Hey there. What’s up?” He did make me smile. I liked him.

             
“Just making sure you’re not gonna bail tonight,” he grinned from ear to ear.

             
“Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere,” I laughed a little.

             
“Good because it’s going to be the best date of your life,” he winked.

             
“Well I’ve never been on anything too extravagant so you could be right.” I thought of the ice cream date at the 50s diner.

             
“Dress down. You might get messy. I’ll catch ya later,” he grinned at me while he walked backwards.

             
“Turn around! You’re going to trip,” I laughed and headed to my next class.

             
“Ali, late again.” Mrs. Monroe met me right as we met in the doorway to the classroom.

             
“I’m here, right?” I grinned and she just smiled.

             
“Take a seat,” she got back her teacher face.

             
Once class was out I was able to head back to the dorms where Jackie waited with makeup and hair supplies in hand.

             
“Let’s get you ready.” She looked a little too excited.

             
“Oh hell no,” I shut the door behind me.

             
“Oh c’mon! It’s probably my only chance,” she had her puppy dog face on.

             
“No, J. He said it was just a casual thing. At least that’s what it sounded like.” He never actually said it was casual. He just said I might get messy.

             
“Well what did he say exactly?” A glimmer of hope stayed in her eyes.

             
“That I might get messy and should dress down.” She was as confused as I was.

             
“Alright, you got me. Well fine, another time I suppose,” she dropped the curling iron and went to my closet.

             
“Now what are you doing?” I sighed and set my bag on the bed.

             
“We have to find something casual but cute.” She went through some of my shirts and tossed me a simple, long-sleeved blue shirt with buttons and then continued by throwing a pair of my worn out jeans.

             
“You don’t think this is a little too casual?” I held up the shirt.

             
“No, you’ll lool sexy but casual. Trust me,” she grinned.

             
“Not so sure I should do that,” I laughed.

             
“Shut up. Put it on and then we’ll do your makeup.” I gave her a look.

“Don’t worry, not too much,” she rolled her eyes.

              “Okay, so how do I look?” I turned around after putting on my stiletto heeled boots.

             
“Sexy and casual, just like I said you would.” She looked satisfied.

             
“You’re such a dork. So he should be here any minute. Am I forgetting anything?” I suddenly felt nervous.

             
“Girl, chill out! You have everything,” she hopped off the bed.

             
“I have to stop thinking about him. That’s what’s making me so nervous.” I started stressing myself out.

             
“Thinking about who? Jake? Honey, he’s cute but he let you go. Don’t keep living in the past. You gotta put yourself out there,” she grabbed my shoulders.

             
“You’re right and I really do like Jesse,” I tried to smile.

             
“Who cares if you like him or not? Just make sure he’s a good kisser,” she giggled and I couldn’t help but do the same.

             
“You’re terrible.” I heard him knock on the door.

             
“Go have fun. I’ll be here,” she shooed me to the door.

             
“No plans?” I was genuinely surprised.

             
“Not tonight. This is all about you,” she flopped back down on the bed and opened up the Glamour magazine she had in hand.

             
“Ali, wow. You look great,” Jesse smiled brightly when I opened the door.

             
“Thanks, you look pretty nice yourself,” I let myself out and closed the distance between us.

             
“Oh, sorry. Um, you ready to go?” He seemed nervous which was sweet.

             
“Yeah, where are we going anyway?” We headed down the hall and out to his car.

             
“Bowling,” he got into the car leaving my face in shock.

             
“Of all the things to do in New York you picked bowling?” Now I got the casual dress, just not the messy part quite yet.

             
“Well to be honest, it’s a real dump but they have the best hamburgers and cheeseballs around. Greasy and will probably kill ya, but still the best,” he started off down the street.

             
“I understand the attire suggestion now,” I smirked.

             
“Exactly, which by the way for being casual, you still look great,” he turned the radio up a little.

             
“Do you say that to every girl?” I had to admit I had my guard up about this guy.

             
“Nope, just you.” So far he’s passing.

             
“Hey, Jesse, how’s it going?” A big burly man greeted us when we walked in.

             
“Not too bad. Joe, this is Ali,” he introduced me to him.

             
“Well, she’s a looker. Joe,” he held his hand out and shook my hand.

             
“I know,” Jesse grinned.

             
“You’re the first girl he’s ever brought here. Must be a pretty special girl.” Joe seemed like a pretty nice guy.

             
“Well she is. Can you get us the usual?” Jesse was actually blushing.

             
“Coming up in about 20 minutes. Lane two is open,” he headed back to the kitchen.

             
“You know, I really get the whole clothing choice now. For real,” I laughed when I heard the fryer start up in the kitchen as we walked over to the shoe rack.

             
“I’m always thinking. What size shoe?” he grabbed his shoes.

             
“Uh yeah, 6.5.” He handed me the shoes.

             
“You have some tiny ass feet, girl,” he grinned as we finished tying our shoes.

             
“Yeah, I’ve heard that once or twice,” I grabbed a ball.

             
“Well let’s see if those feet can beat me at bowling,” he nudged me playfully.

             
“Oh, trust me, they can,” I nudged back.

             
Naturally I won. I’m sure he let me win but that was fine by me. After we finished the game our food came out.

             
“Thank God, food!” I was starving.

             
“Only the best stuff around,” Jesse sat beside me.

             
“You’re right. These cheeseballs are heaven.” I felt like I ate the whole thing in one bite.

             
“Right? Wait until you try your burger. Even better,” he grinned.

             
“You know, I’m having a really good time,” I took a drink of my water.

             
“You have no idea. You’re the first girl I can actually be myself around.” He dug into his burger.

             
“Well I’m glad. And, oh my gosh, you were right. A-maz-ing.” I let the juices soak my mouth.

             
“I knew you’d like this place,” he let his crooked grin charm me.

             
“Definitely a place to come back to,” I tried to play it cool.

             
After dinner we headed back to the dorms. I know the date sounded kind of high school but that’s what I wanted. Sweet and innocent.

             
“Thank you so much for everything. I had a really great time.” We were parked in front of the dorms.

             
“Me too. Would it be too presumptuous to ask you out again?” he smiled slightly.

             
“Not at all. Text me,” I put my hand on the door to let myself out.

             
“Ali, wait.” His voice was soft and gentle.

             
“Yeah?” I let my hand fall back into my lap.

             
“I really like you and I don’t want to screw this up.” His genuine words poured out.

             
“I like you too,” I smiled back and with what only physical communication can give a person, he pulled me in and kissed me.

             
“That was…” I started, but he cut me off as he planted his lips against mine and I felt my body sink into him.

             
“I’ll text you,” he said when I got out of the car.

             
“I’ll be waiting,” I replied and shut the door. I walked back to the dorms and felt the guilt sink in.

             
“Oh, hun. Bad date?” Jackie was there just like she promised.

             
“No, it was great. He’s great. I just can’t help but feel guilty.” I plopped myself on to my bed beside her.

             
“Why on Earth do you feel guilty?” she sat up.

             
“Jake,” we said in unison.

             
“You have to stop this. If you two are meant to be, it’ll happen. But for now you need to live your life like I’m sure he’s living his.” She was right.

             
“I know. It’s just hard. He never calls or texts. The only reason I know he’s okay is because of Carter. This is so frustrating,” I sighed.

             
“So is he a good kisser?” Jackie’s devilish grin came back.

             
“Who? Jesse?” I tried playing dumb.

             
“Yes! Spill,” she turned on her stomach and propped her chin on her hands.

             
“He’s a fucking amazing kisser. Panty dropper. Okay not really,” I glared when her face lit up with slight excitement at my last statement.