Piercing Chill
Chapter 8

I woke up disoriented and feeling cold. Ishivered and tried to pull the covers over me but I didn’t feel my duvetanywhere. I kept on patting my surrounding until I hit something next to me. Itgroaned in response. Panic settled into me. I slowly ran my hand down the mouldnext to me scared to turn around. The mould felt like it had skin and finallyfingers. They were ice cold. I slowly opened my eyes before turning my head tomy left. A boy was sleeping next to me, his back to me. I scurried away fromthe body. That’s when I remembered. Last night I had brought Jason home with mebecause he was drunk. I glanced at the clock, it was six am. Mum was probablyback from work.

Curious, I stood up from my side of the bed and walked to the other sideto face Jason. His eyelids were closed, blue veins prominent in them againstthe dim light of dawn that sipped through the curtains. All the muscles in hisface and body were totally at peace. His hair fell in front of his face. Iresisted the urge to move the hair from his face. I crouched down to get abetter view of his face. My hand didn’t listen to my body because it reached upand slowly moved the hair from his face. He was incredibly pale. I had neverseen skin as pale as his, but he was still human, he mustn’t have gotten a lotof sun from where he was from. I inspected every inch of his body, taking inall his beauty, he was so different. He fascinated me. His body moved under my hand.I stiffened as he sighed before turning his back towards me.

I sighed before eyeing Jason again. I remembered how cold his hand wasearlier. I rushed to my closet and grabbed a small wool blanket. I draped itover Jason, hoping that it would warm him up a bit.

A cold chill went through me. Time for a warm shower, I thought. Igrabbed my towel and some clothes before heading to the bathroom. I took aquick shower, fully aware of Jason’s presence in the next room. I searched mypile of clothing for a pair of underwear but it was no where to be found. Iswore before wrapping my bathrobe tightly around my body. I walked towards thebathroom door and peaked through the door. Jason was still fast asleep on mybed.

I slowly opened the door and tiptoed towards my closet. Which wasdangerously close to where Jason lay on the bed. I breathed out before eyeingJason, then back at the drawer. I slowly opened the drawer containing myunderwear, making sure not to make any noise. I picked underwear with pinkstrawberries on it.

“Mhmm, strawberries. Me like.”I heard a voice behind me.

Shocked, I whirled around and faced Jason sitting on my bed with a smirkon his face. I scrambled in attempt to hide the underwear behind me. He stoodup, still wearing the smirk on his face. I tried to back away from him, unsureof what to do, but I bumped into the open drawer behind me. Feeling trapped, Istood in place watching Jason warily. Regret flooded in my veins. Why had Ithought bringing Jason here was a good idea? I should’ve just stayed withCraig, at least he wouldn’t have tried to corner me like this.

Jason was only an arms length away now, his gaze exceptionally hot. Icould feel my palms begin to sweat behind me. I had to look away from him. Idid but I saw his left arm trapping me followed by his right arm. A small smiletugged on Jason’s lips. He lifted his hand and traced my jaw until it rested onmy chin. I could feel my breath increasing. My feet suddenly felt jelly belowme. He held my chin and lifted my head towards his. I dared to gaze at hiseyes. They watched me curiously as if trying to analyse my soul.

“I could get used to this. Wakingup in the morning and replaceing a beautiful angel standing before me.” Jasonteased, his breath hitting my face. A chill shimmered down my body.

My breath got caught in my throat at his words. It suddenly felt hot inthe room. He gave me a dark and inviting smile and the thoughts I have tried sohard to forget wriggled into my mind. At this rightful moment I wanted to kissJason.

He chuckled, killing the mood. “Why am I here?” He asked moving awayfrom me, leaving me feeling naked.

A wave of coldness overwhelmed me, bringing the cold chill that hadtemporarily been banished. For a moment I stood there trying to catch mybreath. I clutched the drawer behind me to keep myself upright.

“You don’t remember?” I breathed.

He shook his head, a serious expression covering his face.

“Well, I received a call from your phone. You were at the bar located atcorner of Ross andMurry Street. Apparently you refused to leave and were throwing a tantrum. Ipicked you up, well actually I drove your car here. I don’t know your addressso I had no choice.”

“Wow, you’re one brave girl. I didn’t expect that from you.” He replied,“Won’t your parents be concerned to see me here and my car outside.”

“My mom will be sleeping right now. She works nightshifts, so when Ibrought you in she wasn’t here. As for your car. I parked it in the street, infront of our house. If my mother saw it, she would’ve just assumed it wassomeone else’s.”

I don’t know why but the words tumbled out before I could stop them.

“Right. Weren’t you scared I was going to do anything to you?” He inquiredtracing his finger’s along my book shelf.

I shook my head. “You were drunk and seemed to be in dreamland.” Ilaughed.

“You know that when people aredrunk, their true colours show right?” He warned, a dark shake flooding hiseyes as he cornered me again. I tried to scramble away from him but I couldn’t.“What were you going to do after rescuing me? Did you ever stop and think ofwhat I could do to you?”

“But you didn’t do anything.” I interjected.

“Yet.” He replied, causing a cold chill to fuse into my bones. A darkcloud covered his eyes.

“I’m not scared of you.” I stammered holding his gaze, my pretentiousbravery coming back again.

“You’re lying.” Jason chuckled before leaning towards my ear. “Yourpalms, your face and your whole body are glistening in sweat. There is nobetter sign than that to prove how scared you’re right now.”

I swallowed at his words. I was scared but had to be strong. I feltJason clasp his hand on my waist pulling me towards him. I gasped when I hithis chest.

“What do you think I’m going todo now?” He whispered before placing a kiss on my shoulder. I shivered. Hecontinued north leaving a trail of kisses. My brain was flooded and I couldn’tthink properly. I felt my legs buckling under me. Jason hung to my waist.

“Stop. You need to leave now.” I whimpered, I had wanted my voice tocome out more strongly but I just sounded like a dying cat. Jason released me,a mischievous smile tugging on his lips.

“Fine, but we will have to continue later.” He winked before grabbinghis belongings from the side table, “By the way, you look beautiful with yourhair like that.”

I watched him in disbelief. There wasn’t going to be any continuation.

Did he also mean that my usual unruly hair made me look ugly? Hedisappeared behind my bedroom door before I could question him. Thenrealisation struck me. What if mum was awake? I raced towards the door. Iopened it and ran straight into Jason’s back.

“Couldn’t wait that long, angel.” He smirked before turning to face me.

“Shut up.” I quickly whispered, glancing around us furiously. “Come withme.” I took his hand and tiptoed down the stairs dodging all of the creakyplaces.

We made it downstairs successfully. I continued to drag Jason towardsthe door. I opened it and motioned for him to leave. He glanced at our hands. Iquickly removed my hand from his and cleared my throat.

Jason chuckled before asking, “What are you doing next Saturday?”

“I don’t know yet.” I replied quickly glancing around me, scared mumwill suddenly pop up.

“Good. I’ll come and pick you up at five.” Jason smiled before exitingthe door.

I didn’t even get to answer him. A sizzling blush made its way up mycheeks. I sighed again before making my way back up the stairs.

***

“What?!” Tina’s voice sounded from the other side, “Jason interruptedyour date with Craig? That son of a…”

“I know.” I replied cutting her off before she swore.

“But, you don’t sound disappointed.” Tina observed.

“What? Of course I am.” I sighed, “Craig has been nothing but nice to meand I betrayed him.”

“I think you should stay clear of both guys for a while.”

“You think so?” I questioned.

“Yes. Next Saturday there is the Food Festival downtown. We should gotogether and have some girl time.”

“But Jason said he wanted to take me somewhere.” I informed Tina, kindof disappointed.

“Cancel it. We can’t manage having boys tearing our brains.”

“Ok T, sounds like a plan.” I finished.

The plan didn’t go as planned. Everywhere I was, Jason was there. On theother hand, Craig wasn’t visible anywhere at school. Was he still angry at whathappened?

Thursday night I decided to stay at the school library to finish myhomework. I didn’t want to spend the night pulling my hair and shouting at thecomputer due to our slow dial up connection. I had Japanese homework to finish and I neededthe internet for google translate. I know, very lazy of me. I chose the desk inthe corner of the library, far away from the entrance. I was just getting intomy homework when I heard someone clear their throat. I looked up and it wasJason. He smiled genuinely.

“Is there anyone sitting here.” He asked gesturing to the empty chair infront of me. I glanced around me. I was surprised to witness that every singletable in the library was occupied.

I shook my head. I wasn’t going to stop him from sitting down. Hegrinned before taking the seat in front of me.

“Since when do you come to the library?” I asked curious.

“I come here all the time.” He replied casually opening his exercisebook. “I usually choose the other side but as you can see it is occupiedtoday.”

“Right,” I turned my gaze towards my notes.

“What are you doing?” Jason spoke making me whirl my gaze at him.

“Japanese.” I spat the word, trying to focus.

“Amazing. Kon’nichiwa.” Jason replied bowing his head, hands claspedtogether. I stifled a laugh at his horrible accent. “I’m good, aren’t I?” Jason winked beforeturning to his books.

I smiled and took this as a cue to turn towards my own books. I wonderedhowever, how was I going to concentrate with Jason only a few feet away fromme? In close proximity to Jason, I experienced a perplexing polarity ofemotions. I shook my head at the thought and tried my best to ignore hispresence. However, I couldn’t. An hour passed and no word was exchanged betweenus but I couldn’t stop fidgeting. I only managed to translate ten words. Icould feel Jason’s gaze on me from time to time and this only made it worse. Icrossed and uncrossed my legs. I bobbed my right leg up and down until thetable shook. I couldn’t handle this anymore. Maybe my sugar was low. After all,the last time I ate was at lunch time. I had to replace something to eat.

I saw Jason frowning in the corner of my eyes. Iignored it and continued scribbling Japanese characters in my book.

"Hey Mary-Kate. Are you ok?” Jason spoke, revivingme from my trance.

“Yes, sh. You’re distracting me.” I scolded, my legstill bobbing up and down below the table.

“You’re shaking the table. Are you sure you’re ok?”

I glanced up at him. Eyes warm and worried. Istopped the bobbing before speaking, “I think I’m having low blood sugar. Thelast time I ate was at lunch time and it was only a muesli bar.”

“That’s not good at all. You have to eat.” Jasonargued. “Then how about we go and get something to eat. My treat!" Jason suggestedlooking at me waiting for an answer. Dinner with Jason? again? I possiblycouldn’t. I was going to leave him penniless by the end of the term.

“Well, ifyou’re scared that I am going to do something, I promise, I won’t.” Jason saidsearching for my eyes.

“No, I can’t.” I said jumping to my feet.

“If you’re worried about money its fine. I told youI can pay for it” Jason said standing up as well. I just looked at him withoutan answer. It had been almost three weeks since he attacked me and I still hadno idea what he wanted from me. I still couldn’t trust him. I mean, he tried toattack me, how was I to trust someone like that.

“Look, I know you still do not trust me. But justthis once? Just think of it as a thank you for saving my ass that night at thebar.” Jason pleaded.

I looked at his beautiful and entrancing blue eyes.I caught myself in a conflict of emotion. Tina very well told me to stay clearof both guys this week. I wasn’t succeeding. On the other hand, I couldn’t denyJason his thank you.

“Fine.” I heard myself reply. I packed my booksinto my backpack. “But you’re going to pay because I don’t have any money.”

"Awesome! C'mon, I know the best place to havedinner." Jason said picking up his books from the table as well.

"Here, let me carry that for you." Jasonsaid taking my backpack from me before I could answer. For a moment I wasshocked but then a small smile formed on my lips.

I should give him a chance! Right?

Jason opened the library door for me. "Thankyou." I returned the gesture smiling. He was trying to flatter my heartbut that was not going to work!

"You're welcome." Jason said behind me.His warm breath hit the back of my neck, making me shiver.

"Are you cold?" Jason asked looking at meworried, but didn't wait for me to answer. He took my hand and said."Don't worry we will be in the car soon and it will be much warmer.

I looked down at our hands and then back at Jason.He was smiling. He dragged me with him towards his car.

When we reached his car, he opened the passengerdoor for me, I got in and he closed it after I was safely tucked in. The car smeltlike Jason. I took in a deep breath, breathing in the beautiful smell that Ihad grown to love. I know what you’re thinking. I should have been dislikingeverything about him, but I just couldn’t help it.

I heard Jason opening the door on the driver's sideand taking the seat right after. He turned on the engine and turned the heathigh. I could feel it burning my cheeks. They were already warm from all thecrazy thoughts I always had anyways.

"Is that better?" Jason asked. I noddedin reply and we drove off.

"Here we are." Jason said parking in aparking lot of a restaurant. I heard Jason opening his door. I put my hand onthe door to open it, but Jason beat me to it.

I walked out of the car and was greeted by the coldwind. We were in front of Cibo Incredibile.Shocked I glanced at Jason.

“Isn’t this your uncle’s restaurant?” I askedbewildered. Why would he bring me here when Craig could possibly be here?

“It is. I get free food that’s why I come here.”Jason informed, “And don’t worry about Craig. He won’t be here.”

I was aboutto protest when Jason wrapped his left arm around my shoulders and said,"Come on, before you freeze to death."

Somehow I didn’t feel the need to get out of hisembrace. It was surprisingly warm and comfortable. My cheeks started heating upagain. This time I didn’t try to stop them from doing their thing.

When we got inside, we were greeted by a petiteyoung woman with her hair tied into a high ponytail, wearing a short blackpencil skirt, a black blouse and a name tag that said 'Carla'. I gasped at thesight. She didn’t seem to recognize me.

"Hello Mr Brudney, how are you today?" Carlapurred smiling at Jason.

"I'm good thank you." Jason repliedsmiling before looking at me as if to say, "say hello".

"Hi." I said to Carla. She turned towardsme and I could see in her eyes she recognized me. “How are you? It’s good tosee you again.”

“I’m fine. Same to you.” She replied, smiling, howeverit didn’t reach her eyes.

“Wait, you guys know each other?” Jason, surprised,choked.

I nodded my head, “Yes. We met at Craig’s gettogether.”

“Right.” Jason replied not very impressed.

I turned towards Carla with a big smile on my face.She glowered at me, her face moulded into an expression I couldn’t comprehend.She looked as if she was angry, jealous and furious. Was she only pretending tobe happy to see me again? She replaced the expression with a fake smile. Sheturned her attention back to Jason before saying, "Follow me MrBrudney."

Jason started following her, but I just stood therein disbelief. Why was she being all nice to Jason and not me? We were bothcustomers after all.

"Are you coming, Kate?" Jason questioned,eyeing me questionably.

I nodded and jogged a little to catch up withhim.

The more I took in my surroundings, the more Inoticed that most of the people dining were wearing expensive looking suits anddresses. This was enough to support my suspicions about this restaurant beingan expensive restaurant. When Jason said he was going to take me for dinner, Ithought it was going to be at a fast food restaurant or something not asexpensive looking as this.

I looked down at my black jeans and pink longsleeved t-shirt. Not very classy. Jason didn’t pass for classy either. He waswearing black jeans and a blue and white raglan shirt.

"Here is your table." Carla motioned toJason.

I was hundred and twenty per cent sure that she wasflirting with Jason.

I was about to pull my chair to sit, when I feltJason's hand brush mine as he pulled out the chair for me. I smiled at him andtook my seat. I looked at Carla with a smirk on my lips, but she looked away,annoyance written all over her fleck free face.

Yes, one point for Mary-Kate.

Wait - what?

Was I getting into a competition with this girl Ididn’t even know, for a boy I didn’t really know either?

"So what drink would you like, while youdecide on what you want to eat?" Carla bit her lower lip as she watchedJason scanning the menu in front of him.

"Can I please have lemonade?" I requested.When she didn’t reply, I turned my gaze towards her. She didn’t seem to noticeor hear me.

"What would you like sir?" She askedJason, totally ignoring me.

"You know, the usual" Jason said and shequickly wrote it down.

"Of course sir, your drink is coming rightup." Carla turned around and walked away, swaying her hips from left toright.

I watched her as she disappeared behind a door witha signage saying “staff only”. I turned my head towards Jason and he was stilllooking where Carla has just vanished, a small smirk on his lips. I let out anangry sigh. Jason quickly turned his head towards me, still smiling.

"Did you tell her what you wanted?" Jasoninquired when he noticed my face. I'm sure it had angry written all over it.

"What does it look like?" I asked sighingagain. Jason looked at me confused. "That girl was flirting with you.Didn't you notice? She didn't even listen to me when I told her what I wanted."

A smile formed on Jason's lips. "Are weallowed to change who takes orders for us?" I asked not to anyone inparticular.

Jason's smile grew bigger. "What's wrong withyou?" I paused, waiting for an answer, but he kept on smiling whilelooking at me. "What's so funny?"

He chuckled.

"Here is your drink sir." Carla saidplacing a glass full of red liquid on the table.

"Where is my drink?" I asked looking ather in disbelief.

"Oh, sorry. What did you want again?"Carla said batting her eyelashes innocently.

"I wanted lemonade." I said at herannoyed.

"Ok, won't be a moment." She said turningher head towards Jason and winking at him, he smiled in return. I looked at himin disbelief.

"What?" Jason asked looking at me stillsmiling.

I groaned in annoyance and took the menu andbrowsed through. If I wasn’t hungry I would have bailed already. All of thefood on the menu looked expensive. How was I going to pay for this?

Oh wait, Jason said it was his treat!

"Choose whatever you want." Jason said asif to reassure me of his promise.

I smiled at him and went back to looking at themenu. After a few minutes I was debating on whether I should get chickenparmesan or chicken marsala.

"Do you know what you would like toorder?" Carla's annoying voice interrupted me, making me more confused ofmy decisions.

"I will have the usual." Jason said. Howmany times had he been here?

"Sure."

"What about you Kate?" Jason asked.

"I'm not sure yet. Can you give me a littlebit more time?" I asked bitting my lip.

"Whatever," Carla replied uninterested.

"Excuse me; she still hasn't gotten herdrink." Jason reminded Carla.

"Oh, I'm so sorry I forgot. I will get it foryou straight away." She retorted in a high pitched voice that made me wantto rip my ears off and throw them far away from her annoying voice.

I know I sounded like a drama queen but she wasstarting to get on my nerves. Jason as well. The least he could do was respectthe fact that I was here with him and not Carla.

"Do you want me to help you?" Jasonasked.

"Sure." I said. "I'm deciding onwhether I should get chicken parmesan or chicken marsala."

"That's simple. Get the chickenparmesan." Jason suggested confidently.

"Are you sure?" I asked.

"Trust me. You will enjoy it." Jason hintedbefore winking.

I tried to ignore the fact that his wink had aneffect on me. I look towards the “staff only” door, where Carla just emergedfrom.

"Oh, by the way you are going to have to tellyour crush over there my order, since she listens to you only." Iacknowledged, watching Carla as she walked towards us holding a glasscontaining what looked like lemonade.

"Here you go." Carla said placing theglass in front of me.

"Thank you." I sure hope she did not spitor do something much more disgusting to the drink. I hesitantly took a sip.

Thank goodness it tasted like lemonade.

"She will have chicken parmesan." Jasoninformed Carla.

"Of course." Carla replied."Anything else?"

Jason shook his head. "Thank you Carla."

"Anytime." she said and then walked away.

"So, do you come here all the time?" Iasked Jason, making him turn his head away from Carla to me.

"I come here most of the time. I’m too lazy tocook. Besides, my uncle promised me that I can have whatever I want for free.”

“Wow! That’s very kind of your uncle.” I retorted.

I watched him as he watched me. I then realisedthat I still didn’t know why he ambushed me that night.

“Jason,” I hesitated. He hummed in response takinga sip of his drink. “You still haven’t told me why you did what you did thatnight.”

Jason slowly lowered his glass onto the table. Icould see he was trying to formulate his answer. “I have an impulsive behaviourthat makes me do things without any thought. I didn’t mean to scare you thatnight. I was a little drunk and I had just had a fight with my uncle. I wantedto take the anger out on someone else. However, I saw you and you were stupidenough to walk alone at night. When I saw you close though, I couldn’t hurtyou.”

“Right. But how did you make all the sound effects?How come you were very fast at your actions?”

Jason chuckled, “I’m not fast. You must have beenscared that your unconscious mind made it up.” I glanced at him, not believinghim. He was hiding something. “Well you could say I’m a bit fast. I used to beon the track team in Romania.”

“Mhmm ok.” I replied, taking a sip of my lemonade.

“I usually don’t do this but I’m really sorryMary-Kate, for all the things I’ve said or done to scare you. I promise, I won’tdo it again.” Jason pleaded leaning over the table.

Puzzled by his apology and sincerity in his brittlevoice, I sat there dumb folded. He placed his hand on top of mine beforepleading again. Shots of wild electricity blasted up my arm. I watched ourhands for a few seconds before glancing towards his pleading face. I could seesincerity in his blue eyes and I had no choice but to forgive him. Therefore, Icame to a conclusion.

“I don’t know. I guess, it will depend on how wellyou behave tonight.” I teased him before releasing my hand from his.

I saw a smirk forming on his lips in my peripheralvision as I sipped my lemonade. I then remembered what was happening before wegot into the strange conversation.

"Are there any other waitresses here?" Iasked after a moment of silence.

"Yes there are." Jason notified."Why do you ask?"

"Because I don't like our waitress." Iinformed him folding my arms.

"What? There is nothing wrong withCarla." Jason chuckled. I wanted to wipe that smile right off his face.

"Yeah because you are busy flirting with herthat you don't even notice how evil she is." I muttered to myself. “How doyou even know her anyways?”

“She’s my friend. We go long way back.”

I lifted my eyebrow. “How far long are we talkingabout and what kind of relationship?”

“I used to hang out with her and Craig when theywere dating. About a year ago.”

“Really? Wasthat in Canada?” I asked suddenly interested in the topic. Jason nodded at myquestion. “Are they still together?”

“The last time I spoke to Craig. They were stilltogether.” Jason lazily spoke.

“How long ago was that?”

“Why are you suddenly so interested?” Jasonsmirked.

“Nothing. But if you want me to trust you, you haveto answer my question.” I replied, mirroring his smirk.

“Fine. A month ago.”

“Do you think they are still together?”

“Its possible. I mean, she followed him all the wayhere. Must be a sign.”

I scoffed at his words. Why had Craig asked me on adate when he was still dating Carla? Why did he have to make me feel like thebad person here when he was the one cheating? That two-timing jerk.

“Do you like Carla?” I blurted. Jason nearly chokedon his drink.

“Me?” He scoffed, “No and I never will.”

“Funny, it looks like she likes you.” I said as amatter of fact.

Jason involuntarily turned where Carla had justdisappeared from before turning towards me with a small smile on his face."Kate? Are you jealous?”

"Jealous? I'm not jealous." I scoffedtaking another sip of my drink.

"Whatever you say." Jason mocked, a smallsmile tagging on his lips. “Just to clear the air, I don’t like Carla and don’twish to associate with her in conditions that are out of the friendshipbubble.”

“Right, What about Brittany?” I redirected.

“As I told you the other night, I don’t likeBrittany. She threw herself at me and I couldn’t just chuck her out. I wasn’traised like that. I promise you, nothing is going on between me and Brittany. Haven’tyou noticed that I have stayed clear of her the whole week.”

I did notice but I thought maybe they were stillmeeting outside of school.

“Even outside of school, I haven’t been conversingwith her.” Jason added as if he read my mind.

“Do you have a girlfriend?” I blurted before Icould stop myself. Jason smirked at this making me look down in embarrassment ofmy question.

“No, Mary-Kate. I do not have a girlfriend, yet.”He added the last bit before sipping his drink.

I covered a smile that tried to pry my mouth open.I took a sip of my drink to rid of the smile. I felt my insides getting hot allof a sudden. Why was I happy? Did some part of me feel fond of Jason? I glancedat Jason. He was reading something on the menu. He was really good looking,smart and sweet. I shook my head. My teenage hormones were making me have thesewild thoughts again.

I mentally face palm. It had only been three weeksand I was already hooked on a boy. Not to forget a boy who tried to attack meonce. This must have been a new record.

"Here is your food." A girl, probably notthat much older than us, said placing plates with our food on the table.

"Thank you." Jason and I chorused.

What happened to Carla?

Who cares?

Not me.

I looked down at the plate with spaghetti andgolden brown chicken parmesan. I breathed in the delicious aroma and smiled tomyself. I could feel my mouth watering already. I cut a small cube of thechicken and placed it in my mouth and then a fork full of spaghetti. I feltJason looking at me. I looked up and sure enough, Jason was looking at me smiling.

"What?" I said half covering my fullmouth.

"Nothing. I’m glad you took my advice oneating" He smirked turning his gaze down at his own food. I didn’t knowwhat to say to this. I turned my attention towards what he ordered.

He ordered a rare steak with potatoes on the side.I didn’t even know that they sold steak in Italian restaurants. Anyway, Iwatched him as he cut a piece of the steak and placed it in his mouth. Iwondered if it tasted good. I had never eaten a rare steak before.

"Ah, I'mso full." I rubbed my stomach.

"Are youkidding me? I believed in you.” Jason asked looking at me shocked. “I’m so sadnow. You haven't even finished the meat or the spaghetti."

I looked at theplate. There was still a small chunk of chicken and spaghetti left.

"It'sbecause I'm full." I said to Jason a little bit annoyed.

"You haveto finish. I finished mine." Jason said pointing at his plate which wasleft with some juice from the meat. “Think of hungry kids in different parts ofthe world Mary-Kate.” He scared me with his serious tone.

"Ugh.Fine." I sighed taking my fork.

I took a forkfull of spaghetti and when I was about to put it in my mouth

I heard Jasonsay "I'm just kidding."

I glanced athim, annoyed.

“Son of a –.” Icut myself off before throwing the folk back into the plate.

"Well, doyou think you can fit dessert?" Jason asked. I shook my head. "Okthen, are you ready to go?" I nodded.

"Too fullto talk aye?" Jason asked. I nodded in reply while smiling.

I followedJason towards the exit. A cold and heart stopping awareness that someone waswatching me sipped into my bones. I whirled to my right and sure enough Carla'seyes were throwing daggers at me. She looked like she was about to murdersomeone. I swear I saw her mouthing "I'm going to kill you."

I quicklylooked away, scared for my life. I scooted closer to Jason and grabbed his arm.In an absurd way, having Jason in close proximity made me feel safe.

"Are youok?" Jason asked glancing at my arm in his.

"Yeah, I'mfine." I lied, not releasing his arm.

"Ok, thenlet's go." He finished, not questioning my sudden action. It felt oddlycomfortable and natural to link my arm around his.

By the time wegot home, it was already eight. I thanked Jason when he opened the car door forme. I waited for him as he closed it behind me. We walked side by side on thepavement towards the porch. The porch sensor light illuminated when we gotcloser to the porch.

"Thank youfor tonight." I said turning towards Jason, “Once again, I’ve been fed anddon’t need to cook dinner.”

"Anytime.”He didn't move and I wasn’t sure of what to do.

Wait! Inmovies, this was when the boy and girl share their first kiss and then the girlshyly wave as the boy retreat back to his car. I shook my head. No, this wasn’ta movie and the dinner wasn’t a date. It was just a “thank you” thing.

"Kate?"Jason said, making me snap my attention to him. He was smiling. He handed me mybackpack. "Good night."

I took thebackpack from his hand and smiled back. He turned around heading towards hiscar. That’s when I remembered Tina’s words.

“Wait.” Iyelled causing Jason to whirl around with a confused expression on his face.“About Saturday night.” I saw Jason’s eyes light up at this. “I can’t come.”

“Why not?”Jason asked, disappointment radiating in his voice.

“Tina thoughtwe could have a girl’s night and stay clear of boys for a bit.”

“Well, I cannotinterpose that. Girl’s nights are totally important.” He paused before a smirkformed on his lips. “Tell me, will there be pillow fights and skimpy PJs?”

A smirk formedon my lips as well. I winked teasingly, “Maybe.”

Wait. Did Ijust flirt with Jason? Shocked at my actions I quickly said, “Good night Jason."

I opened thedoor and closed it without looking back. I leaned my back to the door andsighed heavily. What was Jason doing to me?