6

I woke up the next morning feeling like I was in some sort of bubble. I woke up with a euphoric feeling bubbling in my chest. It was almost like I could hear the birds singing by my bed and I could have sworn I would have woken up to a full rainbow in the centre of my room.

Before I even opened my eyes I had decided it was going to be a good day. I lay in bed and thought about yesterday’s events and couldn’t help but smile sheepishly to myself. It feels like a dream and I don’t want to wake up from it.

I finally gathered the courage to peel my eyes open and I glanced at the clock on my nightstand, it read 8: 05 a.m. I can’t remember the last time I woke up this late, then again, I can’t remember the last time I had an orgasm that intense; my bad, two orgasms that intense and in one night.

I turned to the now cold side of the bed where Jake had slept. The dip was still there so I knew it wasn’t a dream but it was cold, indicating that he had gotten up a while ago. I wonder why he didn’t wake me up.

I forced my wobbly legs out of bed and into the bathroom where I took a long bath. Steam was clouding the glass of my shower when I got in so I knew Jake used it. I’m sure he’s downstairs doing something.

After I was done washing myself, I put on one of my long shirts with nothing but my panties under and made my way down to the kitchen. I was shocked when I saw it completely bare. I went round the entire house looking for Jake and that was when it hit me- he left.

I couldn’t help the bitter laugh that escaped me as reality dawned on me. He didn’t use my bathroom because he wanted to feel at home, he used it because he wanted to make his getaway.

His clothes were gone and the only reminder that he was actually in the house was the slight soreness between my thighs and the reddened marks on my wrists.

I didn’t want to spend too much time thinking about it so I opened my laptop and tried to do some office work. That lasted the better part of an hour until I got very frustrated and found myself cursing out a client in the middle of the room with no one around to listen.

It was at that moment I decided I was done spending my day moping around and feeling sorry for myself. I got up and went to my room. I changed into a pair of skinny ripped jeans, a white fitted body suit with no sleeves, brown sandals and I left my curls down. By the time I was done, I applied a little lip gloss and made my way out of the house.

I went to a popular café downtown because I figured the best way to get him out of my head is to go on a little solo date. I ordered a cup of iced coffee along with some of their glazed donuts and just as I was about to pay and leave, I overheard the conversation happening right next to me.

“This isn’t what I ordered.” The complaint came from a girl probably younger than me- I’d say nineteen or twenty.

She was in grey sweats and a matching grey sweatshirt. Her hair was a beautiful strawberry blond color and she kept pushing it out of her face. I couldn’t see the color of her eyes but she was a lot shorter than me- she couldn’t have been more than 5 foot 3 inches.

She had a huge backpack sitting in between her legs and from the way she wrapped her arms around herself, I could tell that she would rather be anywhere but where she is right now.

“You asked for a cookie and that’s a fucking cookie. Take it and pay the bill.” Her attendee was another young man- presumably a college student.

He was small and scrawny with messy hair and an annoyed look on his face. His hair was a muted brown color and his eyes were glazed over, almost like he was on something- if I were to take a wild guess, I’d say cocaine or crystal meth.

“Those are peanut butter cookies. I asked for chocolate chip and macadamia nut cookies. I’m allergic to peanuts.” She rushed through her words- stumbled through it was more accurate.

         “Take the fucking cookie, bitch.”

She jumped at his tone and nodded then started rummaging through her bag to pay. I realized that no one was stepping in for her so I placed an arm on her shoulder and gestured for her to step aside.

“Hi,” I said to the rude boy, “Can you get the girl the cookies she asked for?”

        “Stay out of it bitch,”

“That’s awful customer service if I have ever seen it. What’s your name? I can see you aren’t wearing your name tag.”

      “It’s Joe.”

“Well Joe, did you know that in California it is illegal to consume crystal meth and the same goes for weed when you’re under twenty one?” he froze at my words, “I’m not sure your boss would take very kindly to that if she knew and worse if she knew you called two customers bitches- Miranda, that’s her name right? She’s a friend of my dad’s.”

         “Whatever, I don’t like this job anyway.”

“That may be true, but I’m sure you like jail even less. You see Joe, I’m a lawyer and I could call the police on you in .5 seconds.” I gave him a cold smile, “Now are you going to give the girl what she asked for or do I have to put you in jail?”

A red flush creeped up his cheek but he kept silent and got her correct order. He handed it to her and she mumbled a small thank you. Just as she was about to pay, I passed him my card and he hurriedly swiped it- to get me out of his hair I’m sure.

“You didn’t have to do that,” the girl said in a soft voice, “But thank you nonetheless.”

        “It’s okay; it’s not a big deal.” I assured her, “I hate bullies and I know how it feels to not be comfortable enough to stand up for yourself.”

“I’m Katherine, but you can call me Kate. I know Katherine can be a mouthful.”

       “It’s nice to meet you, I’m Hayley.”

“That’s a pretty name. Do you go to UC Berkley too?”

      “No, I attended Harvard.”

“You’re out of college. Of course you are. You did say you were a lawyer, how could I forget? You must be crazy smart to have attended Harvard. I can’t believe I mistook you for a UC Berkley student.”

       “It’s fine,” I assured her, “I’m flattered that you think I’m young enough to be in college. it is a real ego boost.”

“But really, thank you for what you did back there. I’m kind of new in town and I wanted to check out the cool spots next to school to see where I’ll hang out and I wasn’t having a particularly good day.”

       “It’s fine really, I’m just glad I could help.”

“Well, I should be getting back to class. I will hopefully see you around again.”

       “Cali’s a small place, but to ensure that,” I took out my notebook and scribbled my number on the page then handed it over to her. “If you’re having any problems with any bullies or you’re in need of a lawyer, call me.”

“I will, thanks again Hayley.”

        “It was my pleasure.”

She weaved her way through the sea of people and soon she had disappeared into the crowd. I shook my head at her and took a bite of my doughnut. She better grow a backbone or she will be eaten alive. The real world isn’t nice to people like her and everyone’s going to try to walk all over her.

I finished my doughnut and decided to take my coffee back home. I was on my way to my car when I felt the hair at the back of my neck stand on edge and the heavy pressure of eyes. I turned around- big mistake- and saw Charles.

I tried to make a quick escape but he already saw me and was rushing over to my side.

“Hey Hayley,” he had on a huge smile, “A few of us from the office were getting drinks; do you want to join us?”

        “I’m not dressed for a day out. I just came to get coffee.”

“Nonsense,” he grabbed my elbow, “You look awesome, let’s go meet them.”

I tried to get out of it but Charles wasn’t letting go of my hand and the last thing I wanted to do was make a scene and make work uncomfortable for all of us so I went with it.

They weren’t at the coffee shop; rather, they were at a little bar two stores down. There weren’t many people there; just Charles, a girl I’ve seen around- I think her name is Jennie and another guy in the finance office- Randall.

“Hi, Hayley,” Jennie was the first to greet me, “I didn’t know you were coming. Charles just said he saw your car and-,”

       “I just bumped into her outside.” Charles cut her off with a thinly veiled look- he set out to look for me, the little punk.

“Well, what matters is that you’re here now.” Jennie said in an attempt to diffuse the situation, “We haven’t ordered yet, what would you like?”

       “I’m not hungry.”

“Come on, you have to eat something. It would be weird if you didn’t and we were all eating.”

After some convincing, I finally relented and ordered a cheeseburger and a side order of fries. I still had my coffee with me so there was no need to order another drink.

The food came shortly after the order was placed and I hate to admit it but the food is kind of good. The company on the other hand, not so much. Jennie hadn’t said a word to Charles and the awkward silence between them could be cut with a knife, Randall looked like he would rather be anywhere but here and honestly I can’t help but feel the same way.

I’m starting to wonder why I left the house in the first place. Oh wait, I remember, it’s because Jake left without a word like I was some flimsy one night stand.

“Are you okay?” a voice snapped me out of my thoughts and I turned to see Jennie staring at me with concern, “You looked very upset just now.”

       “It’s okay,” I assured her, “I should be leaving though. Thank you so much for the meal.”

I started rummaging through my purse for some money but Charles put a hand on my shoulder, “It’s okay, I’ve got it.”

I wasn’t going to argue with that, “Well, thank you.”

“Should I walk you to your car?

       “No” I said too quickly, “I can do that. You still have friends with you.”

“We then, we should do this again sometime.”

       “Thank you again.” It didn’t go unnoticed that I didn’t give a direct response to his invite but I couldn’t bring myself to care.

I all but high tailed it out of the bar and into my car then drove straight home.

I rushed into my room, changed into comfortable pajamas and took out my phone- zero calls or messages from Jake.

A part of me wanted to send him a message- the simping school girl. But the prideful woman in me wouldn’t do it. I made the first move; I ignited whatever happened between us. I will not be the one to call him like a scorned lover and have him ignore me.

I don’t think I’ll be able to handle that.