5. His first crush

His first crush

— A Year Later —

- Jacob -

.

“It’s time Jacob!! I told you to get ready half-hour ago!”

I grunt, trying to reach my shoes below the bed. I should listen to my mom often. It’s getting more and more difficult to find things in this messy room lately. And how the hell did my shoe go this far under the bed? Coco’s deed. I am sure. They say dogs don’t hold grudges, but I call it animal dung theory. She knows how to annoy me. I should have taken her for a walk last night.

“Just Go!! I know their house, “I yelled at mom in annoyance and grimace immediately.

“OK!! We will talk about your condescending tone later.” I wince, imagining the late-night lecture. Thanks, Coco. She sits next to me amused, watching me move the bed. It’s heavy… Wish I hadn’t thrown all my shit on bed earlier.

Considering the level of enthusiasm, I should be the first one to reach there. But looks like, Thanks to Coco, we will exercise play-it-cool tonight. This girl has been on my mind ever since we came here to view this place as an Open house. I have seen her before a few times. Sometimes at matches and sometimes at parties. I couldn't stop myself when I saw her in her front lawn painting her mailbox. I remember the first time I had seen her. It was more than a year ago. Her skin is still flawless white. Her hair is longer. So… When dad was trying to close the deal, I was trying to figure out where she lived.

Just when I am about to wear my shoes, Coco decides to go tug-of-war.

“No Coco! I am late! "

That gets a whine from her. After patting her and rubbing her ears for a minute or two, I go downstairs and she follows me with enthusiasm.

Perceiving her mood, I ensure her idiotically, “I will take you to a walk after coming back”

It gets her super excited. It was dense of me to mention W-A-L-K. June says it is a forbidden word now. I can see why.

I am sure she will create mayhem once I am gone. She has barely been with us for a month and Mom is already fed up with her. Nobody claimed her even after many social media posts and flyers. She isn’t well trained and gets on our nerves sometimes. Could be the reason her previous owner dumped her.

I don’t want her to end up on the streets or shelter again. They put down dogs sometimes. I shiver at thought and tie her harness to take her out for a walk. 

Looks like I will die alone… For first time ever I have gotten this much interested in a girl and I don't even know anything about her.

I don’t even know if that girl is single or what. I stopped my conquest after finding her house. Ahem! yeah… I might have played a mind game or two with my mom to get this dinner planned. Our families think it’s just a ‘know-your-neighbors’ get together, which it totally is. They came to our house first. For a brief visit. I was disappointed when she didn’t come. My heart will splinter if I don’t get to see her tonight.

As I start walking Coco in the opposite direction of their house, I cannot help but wonder if it’s freaky? My interest in this girl…. I don’t know how normal people feel. For a long time, I didn’t even understand the concept of sexual attraction. I sincerely hope it falls somewhere in the normal range.

I have only dated a girl so far and barely went out with her for a few months. It’s difficult to pretend when you don’t have an attraction to someone or anyone, for that matter. I don’t think I have gotten attracted to anyone in my life yet.

Ok, that’s an overstatement.

I do get attracted. But it’s usually an urge to know them better. Rarely sexual. In peer pressure, I did try to date. Not a good experience. I will rather be called black sheep than feel that awkwardness and disgust again in my life.

I am much happier jerking off alone than sticking my dick into something or someone I don’t like.

But for a change and for the first time, I have an urge to know a stranger.

… …

After walking for a good 10 minutes, I turn back towards home  and Coco is resisting. Smartass dog! She knows it’s time to go home. After five minutes of back and forth, I finally manage to get her home.

When I finally leave for their house, my phone gives me 4-5 chimes back to back.

June: ‘don’t tell me you got cold feet’

June: ‘ohh it smells nice’

June: ‘ohhh she smells nice’

June: ‘Are you not coming? I am freaking out. They are asking me questions’

June: ‘about my private life!’

June: ‘where the actual F are you?’

Me: ‘Language young lady!!’

Drama Queen! She is there to watch the drama of my life unfold. She had no interest in dinner otherwise. A year younger than me, but as nosy as a grandma.

I knock at their door, and Mrs. Relish opens the door.

“oh look, here you are!”

“Sorry I had to walk my dog”

“oh… Natalie would love to hear about your dog. Come on in.”

So this indeed is her name. Natalie...

June told me. She started school a week ago and I am sure she can tell me a few things about her if I ask. But I didn’t. I want to know her by myself.

"Did you say there is a Dog?" A voice booms from their living area and then I see her...

… …… …… …… …… ……

--Familiar?--

- Natalie -

.

A dog?

My head turns so quickly it gives me whiplash. Almost.

I head towards the door to welcome the most precious four-legged creature in the world. And guess what? There is no freaking dog. Talk about disappointment. Just the stupid owner.

Stupid because he looks very amused for some reason. 

And…. He looks familiar…

Brown eyes- black hair- tall-probably into sports. Perfect tanned skinned. Something I never had… No matter how much I burn myself in the Sun! Let’s ignore for a while that he is too handsome for his own good with Jawline, so sharp it’s gonna cut Girls’ hearts left and right. He’s gonna create a deafening buzz when he joins the school.

“I thought there was a dog...” complain.

He forwards his hand, grinning. “I didn’t know the dog was invited. I am Jacob, by the way.”

“Natalie... Still disappointed” I take his hand. Strong grip. Definitely into sports.

Mom chuckles and rushes towards the kitchen, hearing the oven timer beep.

“You will meet her soon” 

“Hopefully sooner,” I take him towards the dining area. “Sorry, we started without you. You are veryyy late.”

“She was bothering me for a walk. I didn’t want to say no to her.”

Ok.. My heart just melted…

At the dinner table, Jacob seems shy and awkward. He fumbles while taking some soup and spills. Looks like someone is nervous.

“So, when are you joining school here?” My dad asks him.

“Next week. I participated in a competition here and want to be done with it before transfer.”

“How’s school here? I am excited but nervous at the same time.” He shoots me a question in turn.

“Just like everywhere, I guess. Dull. Mean and happening at the same time.”

He nods and asks absentmindedly, “And what are you? Dull? Mean or happening?” He winces immediately after asking. Amy and June giggle.

Did he just flirt with me?

“You will know next week,” I answer, trying to retain my laughter. Guess he isn’t shy after all.

“Are you into sports?” I shoot the next question as I see my dad staring at him. Dad will scrutinize him so badly, he will probably melt in his chair. 

Jacob tries to compose himself. “Yea, hockey. I am actually looking forward to attending school with the local team. They were terrific in practice and matches...” he adds.

My heart sinks. I was hoping he was into soccer or basketball, not hockey. Is this why he seems familiar? And for fuck's sake… Why does everyone have to play hockey? This is the United State of America for God’s sake! I take a huge gulp of my drink. 

Not many people have a nice opinion about me at school, but him being on the hockey team can make things worse for me. I don’t want that shit following me at home. Being neighbors with a hockey player is no good to me.

“This school is way ahead of our older school. I am behind in four subjects. I guess it will be the same for you.” June acknowledges his brother.

“or worse,” my sister adds. Amy & June are the same age.

June, his sister, is a handful. She joined the school a week ago, and she is creating a buzz already. Probably she has been filled with rumors about me at school. That could explain the smirks she’s been throwing in my direction. 

“Maybe you guys can plan a study session over the weekend. Natalie would be happy to help. Right, Natalie?” My mom suggests, glancing towards me and Jacob.

Mom worries a lot and tries to get me to socialize often. Barely misses an opportunity when she sees one. I don’t mind people. The problem is people don’t like me (Anymore I must add).

“Sure Happy to help. Better bring your dog next time.” He nods uncomfortably. I realize Dad is still giving him looks.

… …

Adults start with their nightcap routine. Amy takes June to her room for some board games. That leaves me and Jacob sitting in the living room watching tv. I want to lay in my bed. It was an exhausting day. But I am sure dad won’t appreciate Jacob in my room. Thanks to the innocent Dull-Mean-Happening comment. I chuckle, recalling that conversation.

He glances and raises his eyebrow in question. I realize it's not appropriate to laugh at the scene that is playing on tv.

“Quite a stunt you pulled in front of my dad there,” I say, smiling.

He cringes and says, “Sorry. I was nervous.”

“Don’t be. It was refreshing to watch.” I say sipping my water in hopes it was beer.

He grins and turns his attention back to tv. It’s been long since I’ve hung out with someone my age. His smiling profile with a dimple in the perfect spot isn’t helping me. 

Sigh!

I fall for the same types of guys. Don’t I. Gorgeous, athletic, malicious. Him being in hockey is certainly cherry on top. It’s a pattern I follow. I sincerely hope by the time my prefrontal cortex is fully developed, I start making some better decisions. But that time is 8-9 years away. 

“So, what did June tell you about school?” I am damn curious how much he knows.

“Well, she tried, but I stopped her.”

I frown, and he grins. “I would like to experience things myself. And moreover, I am sure she has nothing to tell apart from gossip.”

“So you don’t like to get warned about things. Would you rather experience

it?” I ask in bewilderment.

He chuckles softly. “Yea... It has landed me in strange, less comfortable situations sometimes… but it makes life exciting.” He frowns then adds, ”Sometimes miserable… but it’s worth it so far.”

“Wow, that’s bold.” I always get anxious when I don’t know what’s happening behind my back. The answer is ‘usually a lot’.

“So what was the worst situation it has gotten you into?” I ask after a pause.

He thinks for a while and says, “My friends thought it would be fun to watch me evade a girl who stalked me real bad. They never informed me if she was around. Even though I begged them to. If I had any idea about her nature, I wouldn’t have dated her.”

“Wow, was she beautiful?”

Don’t judge! I like to gossip. OK!!

“Yea... But sometimes things don’t click, you know.” He adds after a pause, “Girl stalking a guy might sound funny, but it isn’t. People usually don’t take it seriously if it happens to a guy.”

I feel bad instantly. Indeed, it’s sexist. I didn’t consider it to be a problem when he said he had a stalker. I would have certainly taken it much more seriously if I or Amy had a stalker.

“Sorry.”

“Don’t be. Just understand it’s a problem,” He says, then adds,” So going back to the main story… If I had followed Gossip among my friends or school rumors, I would have known better. But rumors usually can be right or wrong, so I am still happy to take my risks.”

I nod. “Although… I am sure you have many girls trailing behind you in your school.” 

He raised an eyebrow. “Are you interested to know?”

“Nah. I just know.” I chuckle.

“Ok! I won’t correct you…”

Now it’s my turn to raise an eyebrow. I don’t believe him, but I’m not gonna press it.

“What about you... any boyfriend or stalker in the picture?”

My smile fades as West flashes through my mind. Not sure why he still torments my mind. He looks at me, noticing stupid emotions cross my face. 

“No” I regain my composure and glue my eyes back on tv as if some historic event is being telecasted and I cannot afford to miss it.

As we hear our parents calling Amy and June downstairs to say goodbye, I contemplate if I should ask for his number. Also, if I should ask him not to acknowledge me at school. There is a reason people don’t wanna talk to me anymore. His demeanor might change once he joins the school… Meanwhile, I could enjoy getting to know this new neighbor. I have a week after all.

If Jacob has some spine, we could still be friends.