Midnight Parking in Olmos Park

Chapter 14: Jase

"Dude, are you okay?" Jackson tosses a paperball at me. "You've been staring at your phone all day."

"Yeah," I mumble. "I'm just making sure my Pop hasn't texted me." I lie, because I'm debating if I should text Michael.

I took an assortment of the keychains and stuffed them in my bag, and I plan on giving them to him. I'm just debating on the perfect time.

I'm really debating if I should give these to him. Not because I don't want to, mostly due to the urging thought that it might be a bit corny.

And I'd be pretty embarassed if he laughed at me, but I don't think he would. Maybe...

The only time I gifted Berevice anything was for special occasions, such as her birthday, christmas, valentines day, or our anniversary.

And she'd be pretty picky about the things she'd accept as gifts, so after spending so much time planning the perfect present for her... it never ended well for me.

This one time she asked me if I kept the receipt for this pink iPod I had bought for her, because she hated listening to her parents arguing all the time.

It's probably wasn't the best solution, but it's all I could come up with. I even downloaded her favorite songs onto it, however, it still didn't get me anywhere.

I thought if I tried harder, then maybe it would have gotten better. But, it eventually went downhill the longer we were together.

I'm probably overreacting with these keychains.

They're just keychains.

Not a promise ring with a note rolled up inside it that says, "If you don't treat me as bad as my ex did, then I'll promise to marry you and give you the best sex of our lives."

Keychains. Just, keychains.

I jumped in my seat when my phone started to ring on the counter. Michael's name appeared on the top of my screen, causing me to quickly slide my finger to answer the call.

"Hey," I say with too much excitement, even for myself.

"Do you want to go to a party with me tonight?" He questions.

"I'm sorry?"

"Oh, um, my bad ... Hey, how's it going? I know it's been a week since we last spoke, but would you like to go to a party with me tonight so I won't have to feel out of place with my childhood best friend and her new friends?"

Wow. "Um, okay?" I say without fully thinking. "Wait, uh, I actually have to do a few things before I'm able to give you a full answer, but I don't see why not." I explain because I'm not sure if Hillary will be by tonight.

"Oh, um, yeah, no problem," Michael utters.

Shit, I'm losing him. I clear my throat, "Can you give me one minute to make a phone call, real quick?"

"Sure," I don't give him time to say goodbye. After hearing him consent his approval, I immediately hang up and dial Hillary's number.

She answers on the fourth ring, "Hi Jase, is everything alright?"

"Yes, everything is fine. Are you free to watch my grandfather tonight? I'll understand if you already have plans." In the midst of me talking, Jacksons eyes are burning a whole through me as he assists one of the female customers.

"Oh, well I do have plans," My inner excitement starts to feel defeated. "But, there with your grandfather."

Oh. "Oh, um... okay. Thank you, and sorry for bothering you."