It was a cool evening. The autumn air bit at my nostrils as I threw my jacket over my shoulders. The rain that was gingerly falling before was beginning to pick up; meaning there was no way I’d stay dry on my way to the car.
The door behind me was shoved open, and John walked out with his masculine swagger.
“Is this all you do?” he asked.
“What are you talking about,” I wondered.
“You run away when something doesn’t go your way. Just like you did last Friday at the party,” he said.
“Why do you care?” I asked, raising my voice.
“I thought you were cute,” he replied, trying to talk over me.
He said it a little louder than I think he was expecting because he pursed his lips and covered his mouth.
Another awkward silence ensued as I tried to make sense of what he said. The person I’d been attracted to since forever said that I was cute, and I didn’t know how to respond.
“Then why were you talking about Jane so much?” I asked.
“Because I didn’t know what else to talk about,” he replied, “I’m supposed to be your date, but I don’t know anything about you. I thought you were just trying to make that guy jealous, so you didn’t care much about getting to know me.”
I guess he was just as baffled as I was during the conversation at dinner. Maybe I shouldn’t have made him feel so used.
“Well, since we’re not going anywhere anytime soon,” I said gesturing to the rain, “I guess we have time to talk.”
“What if I don’t want to talk,” he said.
“Then we’ll just have to get used to awkward silence,” I replied.
“I have a better idea,” he said with a smirk.
He leaned in close; closer than normal. I didn’t know what he wanted me to do so I stood there, still as a statue. Inch by inch he closed the gap between the two of us.
His lips touched mine, and all the blood in my body rushed to my head. I felt incredibly faint as I leaned into his kiss. His two massive arms wrapped around me and pulled me close.
The kiss lasted only a moment, and I didn’t know what to think of it. He had a talent for kissing.
“What was that for?” I asked.
“It was a thank you gift, for helping me raise my grade,” he said.
Then the doors tore open again. John and I turned to see Craig and Jane walking hand in hand from the restaurant.
“Oh, here you are,” Craig said.
“I see you two have hit it off,” Jane added with a smile.
John leaned in for another kiss, and I gave it to him willingly this time. I almost felt myself go limp in his embrace.
“I guess the plan worked,” Craig said with a laugh.
“Plan?” John asked.
He released me, and I took a step back. None of us knew how to explain, so we all just looked to each other for support, but found none.
“Well,” I started, “I have, to be honest with you. I have never dated Craig. He’s just a good friend of mine. So is Jane.”
John listened to me with a quizzical expression on his face.
“Go on,” he said.
“I heard you needed a tutor, and I wanted to go on a date,” I said.
“So, you made up the story about making your ex-boyfriend jealous to get me to take you out?”
“Yes,” I said sheepishly.
“Wow, Cute and manipulative,” he said. I could see him fuming with frustration.
“It’s like I’m the butt of some big practical joke,” he added.
“John, you’re not-” I pleaded.
“No, don’t start. I’m done with all of you.” He said.
He turned and trudged off towards the parking lot in the pouring rain. The rain soaked him to the bone, instantly. I turned to look at Craig and Jane, who both had innocent looks on their faces. Still, they shooed me towards John.
Whether out of pride, or embarrassment, I chased after John in the rain. My jacket was soaked as soon as I stepped out; my dress soon after. I didn’t care, though. I needed to try to explain why I did it.
I found him on the far end of the parking lot, about to get into his truck. I sprinted over to the car and hopped in the passenger seat before he had a chance to say no.
“Let me explain,” I said.
“Tess, I think you’ve done enough for one night. Just let me go,” he said.
“John, I’ve liked you for far too long, at least let me tell you why I did it.”
He sighed and shut the door. I realized how wet I was when my hair started dripping all over his car interior. He plucked a towel from his duffel bag in the back seat and offered it to me. It wrapped it around my shoulders and did my best to avoid shivering.
“Okay, now’s your chance,” he said.