was it ever real?

12. doesn't feel so good

vinnie pov -

the restaurant's calm and supported by the low lighting around us. jazz music adds to the restaurant's atmosphere and the clinking of the glasses being served - does as well. jenae's menu towers over her, sitting at an angle as she tells the waitress what she wants to order.

we're seated in a booth at the corner of the restaurant and she's in front of me. earlier, her long ginger braids began to aggravate her, so she twisted them into a simple low bun. the corners of her mouth are upturned as she talks to the waitress, displaying an innocent smile and revealing her dimples on both cheeks. her smile also exposes a tooth gem that sits on her right fang.

how come i never noticed that before?

once the waitress leaves, her large dark eyes dart at me, and then her face twists. she whispers, "you've been staring at me this whole time, is something on my face or-?" while leaning in.

to tease her a little more for the night, i lean in too, and barely pinch at my nose, indicating something in her nose. immediately i watch the embarrassment flash on her face. "a boogie?" she quickly covers her button nose.

i chuckle, leaning my back onto the seat, "i'm teasing you again jellybean, you have no...boogies." i sigh, finally catching my breath from the good laugh. but i guess it wasn't too funny to her because she scowls at me.

"you think you're such the comedian tonight, vinegar?" her eyes squint at me and her fingers fidget with the wrapper from her straw. "i'm actually a very talented man?" my shoulders shrug and i make a 'what can i say?' face.

in return, she gives me a 'bleh' face.

"so tell me about yourself, jelly bean." i take a sip of my water, watching her cringe at the pet name again. "you already know me." she groans, rolling her eyes.

"a lot can change in 2 years, especially when you cut someone off after you both just had-"

her face flushes and she narrows her eyes at me. "no i did no-" jenae shouts at first, but then she lowers her voice into a shout-whisper, still leaning forward. "i did not cut you off!"

her voice cracks, casually reminding me of the horseness in her voice. i don't understand why she acts so ashamed of it most of the time, it's pretty attractive.

i scoff, "yeah right. you left the next morning with no sexy note or something to tell me where you went. i just assumed you went to take the internship."

her face softens and shame fills the emotion in her eyes. she presses her lips together and looks down.

"yea, it doesn't feel so good, does it?" i snicker.

she looks away from me, "stop holding me to that night...you just don't understand the whole thing." she begins to mutter.

"then help me understand."

"can we not talk about that right now?" her voice is still low, but now her head is resting on her hand.

"yeah...let's just change the topic." i soften my tone. "so tell me about what's changed."

"i seriously don't think anything's changed. i got my own fashion business and moved back to cali."

"you don't smile much like you used to. i mean i remember you being shy, but not like this."

her eyes light up and her lips slightly open as if she wanted to say something but not a single word came out. "let's just talk like old times. let's forget that night and just have a good dinner."

i try showing her a friendly smile to show i'm being sincere.

she sighs taking another sip of her drink, looking away onto the other tables. "it's just been a hard week..." she pauses. her eyes snag on a specific table behind me which causes me to look as well. it was a guy and a lady at a table, but for some reason, jenae's eyes were practically glued on the guy in dread.

"do you...know them?"

she doesn't answer

but her gaze is still fixated on the couple.

since it's pretty obvious both she and i are staring, the guy glimpses at jenae with his mouth hung open too. this causes the woman to glance at us too. now it's weird because all four of us are staring at each other in confusion.

"stop staring!" jenae harshly whispers as the waitress strides to us with the plates of sushi flat on her palms. she places the plates on our table, blocking the sight of the couple, and wishes us a good meal.

"so are you gonna explain who they are?" i ask, picking up my chopstick and breaking them. her eyes flutter to grasp back into reality before answering me. "it's him..." she mutters, hesitating to break her chopsticks.

whoever this is isn't good news...

jenae's practically in shock just from the sight of them.

her posture's droopy and her eyes are still fluttering in regret.

"who...?"