Adventures of James and the God of Love, Cupid

5. Charlene

Meeting Jessica was interesting. She was definitely as short as advertised and she definitely could weigh more than 100lbs. She was tiny but extremely cute.
We decided on going to the Outlet mall in our college town. It had every major store you could think of, the fancier ones being on the left side and the more "affordable" stores being on the other. In my opinion the stores on the right fit my muse. We walked around a bit and the whole time I was thinking about the arrow Cupid wanted to use. I was tired of missing my shots with girls and he provided a garauntee. The person hit with the arrow will fall in love with the first person they see. This seemed easier than putting in the usual effort to get to know someone especially if I had been doing this for weeks now. I was tired of trying to find that connection that sparks interest in eachother. Why not have the love master do it. It technically wouldn't hurt anyone and talking to Jessica for the half our we've walked around I knew I liked her. She was so funny and goofy. Any store we entered she'd try on the most outrageous outfits and I'd be the judge 1-10 of its outrageousness. There were definitely a few 10s. I felt like we had something here but I still felt off. It always hard to tell with girls how much they're feeling you. They're pretty good actors. One of my main reasons I thought I missed out on opportunities with girls was I thought I was too goofy or too friendly. I knew girls wanted more of a guy with strong opinions. Not a yes man. Not a guy that seems too uncaring. I needed to be more more of a force on the date. The more outfits she tried on the less playful I got. I become more annoyed and made sure to show that I wasn't easily entertained. After many dates in the past I realized that women like the idea of the chase. They don't want a Prince Charming or Edward Cullen. Thats all fantasy, because girls get that from every dude. They want something different, something that keeps them on their toes.
I decided I wasn't gonna use the arrow. I was gonna show her I was more than just another dude that tries to appease everything she does in the name of getting pussy.

After walking around a few more stores, I decided I wanted to get some Chipotle which was connected to the outlet mall.
Usually the simp thing to do would be to offer to pay for her meal but this time I wasn't going to be the super nice guy.
When we approached the register we talked about what we both usually get in our bowls and then I let her order first. The guy at the cash register asked if we were doing together or seperate. Before Jessica could look at me to ask I said seperate. Her eyebrows raised at how adement I was amount being separate. Hopefully she wasn't expecting anything because she wasn't getting anything from me.
"It's almost impossible to wanna shop in the heat". Jessica sat down at a table, glad to be away from the 90 degree weather. Walking around had drained both her and I's energy to shop. Neither of us had wanted to buy anything anyway.
"I hate how the clothes most stores sell are for winter time. Like who's wearing long sleeves in this weather?" I really wondered how people weren't wearing shorts and t shirts. I would see people defying the climate of our state all the time and it never failed to leave me in awe. I noticed that this date was getting to be about the weather which was definitely going down the wrong path. This was the epitome of first date going to shit.
When finished our Chipotle and I had a bright idea. "Hey would you wanna come chill my crib? We could get out the heat." I honestly didn't expect her to wanna come home the first date out.
"Uh yeah, I mean its better than being out here right now.". Jessica picked up both of our trash to throw away. I said thank you.
I was surprised that she agreed to this. Also, she didn't even ask what we were gonna do. Most girls would think the guy wanted just sex. This was different to me. But then I paid closer attention. Jessica was really attentive to me and always asked a bunch of questions to keep the conversation going. Her eyes would lock with mine and hers would gleamed when she laughed at my jokes. When we walked outside she walked close even though the heat was unbearable now. I was getting a different interaction with her than I would with any of the previous girls before. This was something.
I started to drive us back to my apartment, happy to finally be in AC. We cruised down the freeway and then I felt my phone buzz. Someone was calling me. And that someone was Charlene. I didn't remember giving her my number but obviously she got it somehow and I also had hers saved.
I was on a date though so I couldn't answer. I was curious though. Why call me if she was back with her ex? Im not sure what came over me but I picked up her call after a few rings with Jessica in the car. "Sorry one of my friends needs me real quick" I whispered before putting the phone to my ear. Jessica shrugged and didn't seem to mind.
"Hello wassup"
"Oh hey! What are you up to?"
"Nothing much just...running some errands"
I could see Jessica make a face.
"Well sorry for calling randomly... I just wanted to see how you were doing and to tell you me and Johnny aren't a thing. I know what happened a few nights ago and I feel so bad. I wanna make it up to you."
Charlene seemed to be hinting at something and I was guessing it would be reminiscent our actions before her ex intruded. I was intrigued obviously but this is exactly what my dick wants. My heart though? Not so much. The thing was pussy was pussy. Yeah its nice but its all the same in the end. One girl's isn't too much different than others. And right now I was on a date with Jessica and usually when I move on to a new person, the previous feelings I felt for people disappear. Anyways, I had a mission I needed to accomplish and I wouldn't let Charlene get in my way.
"Well I'll let you know if I can uhh help you out with that in a bit. I am busy right now though. I'll text you later...okay bye"
I hung the phone up thinking I would be getting stared at but Jessica was looking out the window. I couldn't tell if she was bothered or not. I wanted her to be a bit but not too much to ignore me the ride back considering we were heading to my crib.
"My bad my friend needed me to help her move some furniture. She always asks me"
"Oh no you're fine. If you need to go help her. You can take me home, I don't mind."
I had a slight panic. "Oh nah, nah you're good imma gonna just help her later." I swallowed for a second. "Its not urgent or anything."
She turned to actually face me now. "You help alotta girls move furniture?" She smiled a bit, softening the mood again.
I chuckled a bit. "Nah she just a close friend I met in dorms when I first got here. We just been cool ever since."
I could tell she cared a bit that I had other girl's attention. And im glad. That was my plan all along. Girls love to have a good chase.
I tried hiding my smirk. "U fuck with Bryson Tiller?" I put on my favorite track as we continued to my place.
...
As we got back to my apartment I realized I never had anyone come over here before. Jess was the first girl. And I also remembered something urgent. WHAT THE FUCK AM I GONNA DO ABOUT CUPID???
Before letting Jess into my room I told her to wait outside for a second because I needed to "clean something up". It was embarrassing enough to act like my room wasn't clean but I didn't want her to see the grown man without a shirt in my room. Wouldn't be a good look.
When I went into my room though, Cupid wasnt there. I looked in my closet, under my bed, in my bathroom.....nothing,nada,ziltch. Well I guess this was perfect. No Cupid meant I could seranade Jess with no interruption. I opened my door ready to let Jess see my now "cleaned room" but...she wasnt there. My initial thought was that she bailed on me which came from my inner pessimissim. Then I heard laughing coming from the kitchen. Two people laughing. Hmm.
I walked downstairs to the common area of my town house and I saw Jess laughing and talking to..to Cupid. This time Cupid had on a shirt and a apron and was cooking something in the kitchen whilist making jokes with my Jess. She saw me come down the stairs and called "Hey James, your roomate Chris was preparing a cake for everyone."
Chris? Who tf was Chris??
I decided to go along with it. "Oh yeah Chris is always baking new things. What flavor is it?"
Cupid noticed my irritability but didn't seem to care. "Strawberry Lemonade, I just found the recipe online the other day". He winked.
When the cake was finished baking, we all I got a slice. I tasted it reluctantly, and was delighted. This cake was the best I ever had in my life. I noticed Jess thought the same and quickly finished her plate. I could tell she was very impressed by Cupid and his talents and im sure he had many. But he seemed to me be making moves on my date which wasn't much appreciated. Noticing this I told Jess "Hey we should go see my room"
"Well I like all of us hanging out. Do yall have monopoly?"
We actually did have monopoly. And guess who knew exactly where it was. Cupid.
"Oh yeah we definitely have monopoly. That'd be rad to play. I never lose board games! James I can go find it if you're cool with that?" Cupid seemed so innocent in the question and I technically didn't have a reason to say no.
"Yeah we can play. Cu-Chris you can go in my room it should be unlocked. Cupid walked up the stairs to find Monopoly which gave me a second to talk to Jess alone. I felt kind of mad for some reason. "Hey you know this is supposed to be a date right? Not a game night. How am I supposed to get to know you with my roommate around?"
I usually wasn't this picky about things but I noticed how she looked at Chris.
"James chill... I just wanted to do something fun. Im sorry I dont wanna just go up stairs and fuck you. I just met you."
"Im not trying to fuck you dude I just..." I couldn't really make an excuse, I just didn't want to be around Cupid right because there's something about him where Jess seemed to gravitate towards him. Before we said anything else, Cupid came down the stairs with monopoly in hand and as excited as can be.
The entire night I was winning the game taking buying up as much land as possible. The issue was that Cupid and Jess seemed to get along more and more almost to a point of flirting which definitely hurt my stomach. Stomach aches usually ruin me. I dont want to do much else until the pain subsides so I lay down to try to ease the aching. The game seemed to be over anyway and Jess and Cupid we're in a full conversation without me now. They chatted the whole night and thry basically forgot about Monopoly. Finally though, it got late enough and Jess needed to go home. I noticed my stomach ache subside when they finally stopped talking. What a coincidence.
Me and Jess rode silent in the car with music to fill the awkwardness. She looked out the window barely ever glancing at me and when I dropped her off I stopped her before she left.
"Hey I had alot of fun with you today" I leaned into her motioning for a kiss.
"I had alot of fun too" She maneuvered so she could embrace me in a hug completely dodging my kiss. I felt my face burn hot in my failed attempt to be romantic. She withdrew from the hug and opened the car door to leave "I hope you feel better James, ill see you around!" She closed the door behind her and walked to her apartment. My embarrassment turned to anger. I was pissed at Cupid for flirting with Jess even if it was accidental. He definitely had explaining to do.
...
"-Its not something I can't control! Im the god of Love for fucksake its comes off naturally" Cupid was giving me his shit apology for stealing Jess from me.
"I shoulda used that damn arrow. Would that have over-powered your god-like charisma?"
"Actually yes, my arrows are the strongest form of love in all the worlds. Whoever is struck with it feels the most uncontrollable desire for the next person they see."
I couldn't be mad at Cupid honestly. He really did want the best for and I thank him for that but I dont see how I could bring anyone here if he was gonna be able to steal them away so easily. I really don't know how to move foward from this. I've tried everything to nice dinners, my favorite place, being the rebound, to trying to act nonchalant. Nothing worked. Maybe love isn't destiny for me so I have to take matters into my own hands.
Cupid noticed me settling down. "I have an idea. It may sound dumb at first but we can finish this once and for all before I am doomed to perish and I have to kill you."
This didn't faze me because I wanted to know the answer.
He continued, "What if we just bring back the original culprate. We make Mandy fall in love!"