Chapter 27 - Don't you want me to be with you? (J)
As days passed, Anna and I went on more dates and became closer than we have ever been. She finally quit her job after her dad’s continuous persuasion and now that she is free we hangout every weekend at either mine or Emily’s or Gabe’s house. Jamie and Blake joined our group hangouts and as much as I hate to see Blake near Anna I know he cares for her and is not someone I assumed him to be.
Jamie and I are back to friends which made Gabe very happy; I know it must have been tough for him to choose between his best friend and sister and I am glad I didn’t have to face that problem with him and Elle.
Though Elle still spends most of the time at Kyle’s, she started hanging out with Emily and Anna more than before. She was even ok hanging out with Jamie during their girls’ night outs which came as a shock to me and Gabe; I think Elle realized Jamie’s over me which brought a drastic change in their relationship. They changed from enemies to acquaintances and I hope they become good friends soon.
Emily is still as mad as ever. She takes the girls on a shopping trip every time she has a date with Alex; luckily it’s him asking her out now. I don’t understand why she can’t go and buy few dresses at once instead of running every time. I am happy my girl isn’t like that; she tries to be as casual as possible, yet more beautiful than the last time I have seen her.
She seemed happier too; the shy girl I saw in the store is completely different from the girl she now turned out to be. I agree she is still shy and talks less when she’s with the group but everyone understands her and accepted her for what she is; however, the case is different when she is with me or Gabe or Em. She still teases me with Gabe but I know he considers her only as a sister and nothing else. I know she became very important to him and he loves her as much as he loves Jamie and me.
Though my two best friends are her besties too, I know her more than anyone else does; her fears, likes and dislikes which made our camaraderie more special and close than the one she shared with Emily or Gabe. The group has become a second family to her and she loves everyone so much that she often requests me to cancel our dates so that we do not miss the group hangouts.
She became closer to her dad too who visits her every alternate weekend; his wife Fergie came along with him too once. She is a very good person and got along with Anna the instant they met. Though they are far away from us, they make sure to call Anna everyday while her dad George visits her once every fifteen days in spite of being super busy and had to get jetlagged every time he comes here.
The group hangs out at Emily’s house whenever he is here; in spite of everything happened because of him he won hearts of every person of the group including mine which I definitely won’t accept in front of him, of course. The way he is protective and caring towards her made me hate him less every time I met him.
In spite of being filthy rich and busy he is very down to earth and keeps in touch with his daughter’s best friends- me, Emily and Gabe. During our interactions I learnt that his family owns number of businesses like textiles, retail, financial services, oil refineries, shipping, construction and a lot more. While George owns shipping and steel industries, his cousins - the other Phillips’ own the other companies. With the amount of money he has, of course he wouldn’t want his only daughter to work.
Everything was perfect in our lives except for Gabe who is still feeling shy to ask Drake on a date; all of us can see that they like each other but neither of them made a move on the other. Seeing Gabe like that makes me wonder if he is the same person who played Cupid for me and Anna while he is being a wimp in his own love life; Drake is a really good guy and the perfect match for Gabe, in every way.
I remember the time he asked Anna about the gossip circulated in his first week at school regarding the pamphlets Cheryl distributed. He said he trusts her and doesn’t believe anything that’s written about her especially after he saw how good a person she is which made her decide to tell her story to him. Once he heard everything from Gabe, he hugged her and confessed he is so proud to be her friend which made him more close to all of us even if he was new to our batch.
“When are you going to ask him on a date?” Anna hissed at Gabe one afternoon when Drake and Alex went to buy food.
“Next week, definitely” Gabe muttered shyly.
“You said the same thing last week. Ask him out NOW” she ordered.
“I don’t know how to start the issue. Moreover where will I take him?” he whined.
“You can take him to candle light dinner, it will be romantic” Elle said dreamily lost in her thoughts.
“No way, that’s routine and not to mention boring” I scowled at her.
“Take him to a beach and have dinner at a table where the waves touch your feet. You can dine watching the sea feeling the cool breeze----” Emily rambled with the same look that Elle had on her face.
“Where shall we transport the beach from? Miami?” Anna asked sarcastically.
“Exactly. See, I can’t ask him on a date when I don’t have any idea” Gabe yelled making his point.
“Stop being stupid Gabe. Are you going to ask him or not?” Anna snapped at him.
“I want to make it special but I don’t know how. I don’t think asking him would be appropriate when I don’t know what to do” he said sadly.
“Stop that Gabe. I am sure Drake would be happy even if you take him to the local diner or a pizza corner as long as you are with him” I advised.
“Exactly” Anna agreed.
“But I ----”
“Shut up Gabe and ask him out” Anna said just as Drake and Alex sat on their chairs munching their food quietly.
Anna looked a few times at Gabe gesturing him to ask Drake but he remained calm and tensed not saying a word.
“So, Drake” Anna started which made him look at her “I am thinking how about a date? Me and you this Friday”
Drake’s spoon fell off his mouth while I nearly choked back my food just as everyone else stared at her in shock.
“W-What?” Drake said trying to confirm what he heard.
“I was asking how about a date this Friday? Me and you” she said firmly.
“I-I thought you were d-dating Jason” he murmured nervously.
“Yeah, I was but not now. Moreover who wouldn’t want the chance to date someone as hot as you? What do you say Gabe?” she asked looking at him biting her lip to stop herself from laughing.
“Um? Yeah, maybe” He said looking appalled while I glared at him.
“Umm I- I don’t t-th-think that---” Drake stuttered looking at her nervously.
“Are you rejecting me?” she asked, her face looking pained and sad but every one of us except Drake and Alex knew she is faking it. I am going to get back to her for doing this to me.
“N-No. I mean I-I---” he stopped looking at Gabe expectantly like he wanted him to say something.
“What’s your decision then?” Anna asked looking hopefully when Gabe didn’t say anything.
“F-Fine I---” he finally gave in which was interrupted by Gabe “No. You are not going”
Anna’s face instantly turned happy but she hid it quickly and looked at Gabe sadly “Why don’t you want him to go out on a date with me?”
He glared at her “I know what you are doing sweetheart but I don’t like it”
“What’s wrong to ask the guy I like on a date?” she pouted.
“You - don’t- like- him” he spat every word angrily.
“No, I like him and we are going to a date this Friday since---” she was interrupted by Gabe “No you are not because I am going to ask him on a date this Friday”
Everyone gasped and cheered for Gabe who blushed at his sudden confession as he turned to a shocked Drake “So umm… Would you like to go out on a date with me this Friday?”
He grinned “I would love to” which made us whistle and shout at the duo who blushed and closed their ears with the amount of noise we were making.
We didn’t care if the students are looking at us like we are crazy or if the teachers would come and throw us out. All of us are happy that Gabe has finally manned up and asked him out.
“Why don’t you set me up too with a nice girl” Blake chimed in looking at Anna.
She smiled “No girl I am friends with is single including Jamie”
“My bad” he replied with a mock hurt look.
When everyone started leaving the table for next classes I pulled a leaving Anna on to my lap “Now where do you think you are going?”
“Umm, to class” she replied with a sheepish smile trying to get out of my grip and avoid my questionnaire.
“So you think Drake is hot” I stated bitterly.
“Yeah” she replied with a half dreamy half teasing smile.
“I will show you how hot I am if you let me” I said kissing her neck, sucking the skin that connected her neck and shoulder making her gasp.
Shivering at my touch she stuttered dazedly “E-Everyone’s look-king at us Jace”
“I don’t care” I said between kisses and wrapped her tight in my arms not letting her go.
“J-Jace, we will be l-late to class” she said huskily as I nibbled on her earlobe kissing all the way from her ear to neck.
“W-we have to go” she finally pulled out of my arms and tried to stand in front of me before clumsily falling off to the ground.
I pulled her onto my lap again ignoring the stares from few people who are still having lunch.
“Did I make your knees go weak?” I teased.
“N-No. I mean --- I don’t think so” she replied blushing. She can’t lie to save her life.
Placing my head on her shoulder I murmured slowly “I don’t want to go”
“W-why?” she asked still feeling dazed from my kisses. I love the effect I have on her.
“I want to spend more time with you; we are always with our friends” I grumbled impatiently.
Running her fingers over my hair she replied “But we stay with each other almost every minute”
“There’s always Emily or Gabe” I pointed out.
“So what do you want to do now? Ditch school?” she teased.
“Yeah, maybe” I replied making her gasp in shock.
“Look Anna, I want to discuss something serious” I told her suddenly remembering the subject she always managed to change.
When I got her attention I started “We have to talk about college. What will we do once we go to different universities?”
I have always tried to talk to her about this but every time she says something else and tries to change the topic. This time I won’t let her do that.
“Jason – there’s no point discussing about it now” she said slowly.
“Don’t you want me to be with you?” I asked looking her in the eye.
Lot of emotions ran through her eyes – hurt, disappointment, affection, love. I know I shouldn’t have said that but the way she is behaving the past few days is killing me.
“Of course I want to be with you. I-I can’t believe you even thought like that about----”
“I am sorry Anns.. I didn’t mean it like that”
“That’s ok, you need not say anything” she whispered softly pressing her forehead to mine.
“So, what do you think?” I asked again
“I don’t know anything Jace but I am sure I am going to stay with you”
I smiled at that. “So, you want to stay with me. How’s that possible if we go to different universities?”
“Mmm, I will ask my dad’s private jet that he uses to come here for travelling between my uni and yours” She replied smiling. She really is stupid at cracking lame jokes.
“Shut up, that’s not possible. Moreover that’s not just your father’s; it belongs to the Phillips household”
“May be I will ask him to buy one for me”
“Enough with those pathetic jokes; now be serious please”
“I don’t care Jace. Let’s just forget about everything until graduation; we can think about the issue once we get the acceptance letters”
“That’s not simple Anns. We can---”
“Now shush” she said shutting my mouth “Don’t worry too much. I don’t care what the future holds for us but I can definitely say one thing; I am not letting you go anytime soon. You are stuck with me and I will make heaven and hell one to make it work out with you. Do you get that?”
Removing her palm off my mouth I smiled “Yes ma’am”
“Now don’t think about it and enjoy your life here until graduation. We still have a long life to worry about other things” she said in a demanding tone.
I know our problem is not solved yet; but I am sure we will make it through. I will set things right at any cost; even if I have to put a pause to my studies for a year and try to get seat in some university near to hers, I will do it.
“So, where do we go now?” she asked looking at me curiously.
************
“How do I look?” Gabe said looking at me.
“You look great dude” I said honestly. He indeed is looking great, I am sure Drake’s going to like him. He is panicking about the date ever since he asked Drake about it that I had to convince him to get ready in my house to help him soothe his nerves.
“Hey, are you ready?” Anna shouted from outside the door.
When we told her to get in, she squealed in excitement “Wow you look hot Gabe. I am sure Drake can’t keep his eyes off you”
“And hands too” I whispered making him blush.
“Are you sure this jacket goes with this?” he said pointing himself from top to bottom.
Before I can reply Anna beat me to it “Of course baby. It’s great on you”
“Baby?” I scowled at her. She never called me that in spite of requesting her a number of times and now she’s calling my best friend with an endearment so easily.
“Yeah, he is my baby” she said locking her arm in his.
Before I could say anything Gabe interrupted “Now please don’t fight, I have a hot date to attend”
“What did you plan Gabe?” she asked curiously, ignoring me.
“Just a quiet dinner” he replied shyly.
“That’s good, I think it’s the best thing to do on your first date” she replied smiling.
“Well, thanks to Jason who showed an amazing place” he said winking at me.
“The lake?” she asked with an amused smile.
“Yes. Ok then I will get going, see you. Bye” he left the house leaving me and Anna alone in my room.
“I hope you didn’t mind I showed him our place?” I said slowly.
She grinned “Of course not. I know you wanted to help him, I am happy he finally got what he deserved”
“Me too” I smiled taking her into my arms.
“So, where’s Emily? Didn’t she pester you to accompany you here?” I asked softly.
Chuckling she replied “No, she has a date with Alex today. Where’s Elle by the way?”
“She is on a date with Kyle”
“Wow. Why is it all of our friends are on a date while we aren’t?” she questioned.
“Why, do you want to go?”
“Jason Samuels. Will you go out on a date with me now?” she asked shyly getting out of my arms.
Tapping my chin with my forefinger I replied “Where do you want to go, milady?”
“I am taking you, so you are not allowed to ask” she said with a mischievous smile.
“Too much of Emily is not good for your health baby” I said pulling her close to me kissing her hair.
“No, seriously. I mean it” she mumbled.
“Fine, I will go on a date with you”
“Is my dress ok for you? I mean I am just in jeans and----”
“Anything’s fine for me” I replied smiling.
“Get ready then” she ordered and pushed me into the bathroom.
By the time I was done washing my face and brushing my teeth, Anna was nowhere to be found in my room. Placing the wallet in my jeans I raced downstairs and found her sitting on the couch.
“You ready?” she asked with a mischievous smile. Am I in trouble were the first words that ran in my mind seeing her smile.
“Yeah?” I said feeling confused.
We went to my driveway and found a familiar car near my Ferrari. I have seen it somewhere, but I don’t remember where exactly I have seen it.
“That’s my car” Anna said interrupting my thoughts.
“You have a car” I stated doubtfully remembering the first time I met her at the store. Of course she had a car; I saw the same one in the parking lot of the store that day when I thought of following her.
“I never used it because I wanted to walk to school and it’s old, kind of. Whenever I wanted lift, either Emily or you accompanied me so I didn’t get a chance to drive it here”
“So, you want us to go by this car?” I asked her wanting to confirm my suspicions. The paint is chipped off and the car definitely looked old but I am not sure if taking it would be a good idea.
“Don’t worry Jason; the engine is in its best condition. I have used it for long journeys too, it won’t be a problem. Let’s go”
Her explanation seemed fair enough and I slid into the passenger seat when she sat behind the wheel.
“So where are we going?” I asked once we got on the road.
“Long drive” she smiled winking at me.
“When are we going to return?”
“Tomorrow may be” she responded quietly.
“What? We could have packed clothes or something. You said it’s a date”
“It is. And don’t worry about clothes I have packed yours when you were in the bath room”
“Did you plan this when you came here?” I asked feeling suspicious.
“No. If I had I wouldn’t have packed an extra set of your clothes for me”
“What did you pack exactly?” I asked with an amused smile. Is she really my Anna? When did she become so smart and --- thoughtful?
“A couple of jeans, t-shirts, track pants, towels and umm your boxers”
“Are you sure we are coming back tomorrow?” I teased.
“Shut up” she replied blushing.
After driving for about thirty minutes we reached the main part of the town where she stopped the car and went to pizza hut to buy dinner for us. She didn’t let me pay nor did she allow me to get out of the car. It felt really weird sitting idly in the car when she went out to get food for me.
Once she returned, we had dinner in the car and drove around to no place in particular. We discussed a lot of things that we didn’t know about each other – everything from our first crushes to our wildest childhood fantasies. We chatted nonstop until both of us felt tired and decided to sleep in the car instead of searching around for a motel in the dark.
The last thought I remember having after kissing her good night and before drifting off to sleep is that I loved doing this with her. I loved having Anna Haven (or may be Anna Phillips) beside me and I realized I am so used to her presence that I wanted her to be with me all the time, every day and night of my life tight in my arms.
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