Chapter 6

• Talk About Uneventful
• “We could hang out later maybe?” I heard him ask for the 3rd time.
• “Well, you see…” I started, desperately trying to find an excuse when Seth, coming from behind, told me chirpily, “Hey, are we still doing that karaoke-dinner thing?”
• Damn you, Seth! I inwardly sighed.
• I just had the time to force a smile his way when Jonathan said smugly, “I’ll join there then. Where is it?” I huffed then gave him the address in an exasperated tone. Seth’s eyes were bulging, he hadn’t expected the turn of events. Yeah, I still had to find the time to tell him about the agreement.
• “So, I’ll meet you there at 6, huh?” Jonathan flashed me a one-thousand-watt smile.
• Damn isn’t he persistent! I couldn’t help but inwardly whine.
• I groaned in response. He took that as a yes, smiled – yet again – then finally went his way.
• When Seth and I were finally on the road, he asked me, taking his most understanding tone, “Sooo, do you want to talk about it?”
• I looked out of the window and said in a low voice, “I’m giving him a chance.”
• “I don’t have heightened senses… Speak louder, Jas.” He teased.
• “I’m giving him a chance,” I repeated in a bored tone before words started flowing out of my mouth like a torrent, “I don’t really know why. I even think it was a stupid thing to do… But he was pleading with me to give him a chance – as friends at least – and I just gave in. I shouldn’t have, huh? What do you think? It wasn’t a wise move, was it?”
• “Breathe,” He drawled, looking intently at me. I sucked in a deep breath, then another and then some more until I calmed down.
• “Well, it can’t be that bad,” he tried to reassure me. “He’s an alpha-ultra but he’s not forcing himself on you, and that’s as good as you can get.”
• “Humph, beggars can’t be choosers.” I muttered angrily under my breath.
• “It could be worse baby… it could be worse.” He smiled warmly at me, trying to make me feel good. I cracked a small smile and he seemed satisfied with that seeing as he focused once more on the road.
• ***************
• Seth and I arrived at Jimmy’s pub 5 minutes late, we found that outrageously good-looking raven-haired blue-eyed boy – no, allow me to say man – pacing on the pavement in front of the door. His brow was furrowed, and his shoulders were all stiff.
• What the hell happened? I couldn’t help but wonder then hope that something came up and he had to leave.
• “You’re here.” I stated the obvious, feeling kind of frustrated because he actually found the meeting place and got there in time. Childish of me, I know.
• He abruptly turned towards us, his eyes seemed to light up when he saw us – me – and the tension of his body instantly went down.
• “You’re finally here.” He said, obviously relieved “I thought something happened or…” He trailed off, wisely choosing not to voice out his thoughts, and averted his eyes.
• “Just traffic,” I informed him tautly.
• Seth softly poked me in the ribs; as a result, I coughed as if to clear my throat then added in what would hopefully sound as an apologetic tone, “Sorry we made you wait.”
• “Yeah, sorry man!” Seth exclaimed, lightly scratching the back of his head, a signature gesture of his when feeling awkward.
• “It’s okay,” he waved his hand in dismissal. “Now that you’re here, we could start that karaoke-dinner thing, huh?” He grinned wolfishly.
• Damn, this is gonna be a long night. I sighed inwardly then entered the cozy place with Seth on my right side and my stupid mate on the left. It was dimly lit, with tables all around, and a stage at the very back — a stage that would be illuminated when it was time for the performers to do their thing.
• We were chatting animatedly when – by mistake, I swear – I spilled some water on Jonathan. As a reflex I took a handkerchief and tried to dry off his water-drenched shirt while apologizing profusely.
• I felt his chest-muscles tense beneath my fingers and then an almost imperceptible shudder pierced through him, making me shiver in return. Knowing I was his mate and such, was one thing; seeing the effect I had on him by the simplest touch up close was another thing altogether.
• I quickly removed my hand and raised my head to look at him, only to find him watching me intently as a hawk would his prey; with eyes darkened by what I could only assume to be a strong surge of lust.
• “It’s okay.” His voice came out deep and husky; another tell-tale sign.
• To think that I’ve considered his non-altered voice as a bedroom voice – how wrong of me!
• I kept my eyes on the table then averted my face when I felt a blush spreading on the delicate skin of my face. Seth smiled understandingly, and that just made my face take a darker shade of pink.
• Other than that small incident, which had imposed an awkward silence on us for some time; the evening went uneventful. We talked, we ate, we listened to some bad singer-wannabes and talented others. We had even succeeded in persuading Seth to sing... and let me tell you, he is awesome. To be honest, it was fun.
• Seth got some girls’ numbers whereas Jonathan – constantly keeping my side, adjusting his body’s position to mine’s each time I moved so that we were always sitting close to each other – made it quite clear to the interested girls that he was not to be tempted – not at all.
• “So, see you at school tomorrow then?” Jonathan asked in a hopeful tone when we were parting ways, each going to a different car.
• “Yeah,” I let out as a whisper. But deep inside, I wanted to scream in frustration with all the sarcasm I could muster obviously and maybe even add dumbass or something.
• Damn, that would be satisfying. It’d be an even bigger thrill to see his reaction.
• I snapped out of my entertaining thoughts when I felt Seth’s hand on my elbow ushering me towards his car. It was barely a when I opened the front door; and I was soon met by my parents.
• “Hey.” I greeted them awkwardly.
• “Where have you been?” My father all but barked at me.
• “We’ve been worried sick.” My mother exclaimed just before she engulfed me in a hug.
• “It’s a school day; my curfew is at ten so...” I trailed off, not knowing what to say exactly, and then disentangled my mother’s arms from around me.
• “Well, yeah…” Mom started but couldn’t continue seeing as dad cut in, “Why didn’t you answer your phone?” My eyes squinted at the accusation and I retrieved my phone from my pocket, my eyes widened at what I saw: 10 missed calls and 2 texts.
• “I didn’t notice, sorry.” I used my sweetest tone, efficiently bringing them to give me softer looks.
• “What was so important anyway?” I asked them after few silent minutes.
• “We wanted to tell you that…” Mom paused to look at dad who just nodded ever so slightly “Karl is awake.” My eyes bulged and I instantly felt the tears threatening to fall.
• “Really? When? How?” I choked on my words as I felt a lump obstructing my throat.
• I kept chanting ‘I won’t cry’ in my mind like a mantra.
• “Yes, really,” I heard mom reassure me in a soft voice.
• “Today at seven pm.” Dad told me what really mattered to me.
• I was just about to yell at them and ask for the reason why they didn’t tell me when I remembered the missed calls.
• I nodded absently; though I couldn’t say for sure whether I’ve been asked a question or even been talked to.
• “Can we see him now?” I asked in a hoarse voice.
• “Tomorrow,” I was about to protest when dad continued in that firm tone of his that left no room to arguments, “First thing in the morning.”
• A small okay was all I whispered before numbly taking the stairs and heading straight to my room. As soon as my head hit the pillow, I couldn’t contain the tears anymore. Therefore, I just let them run freely down my reddened cheeks. I welcomed them because they were tears of joy. I was so happy he had finally awoken.
• It’s been so long – way too long.
• I wanted to see him smile, to hear him laugh, to see his eyes twinkle in mischief …
• With memories as vivid as ever, I gradually drifted off to sleep.