Black & White [Jeremiah Fisher]

nine

ROWAN

I agreed to Jeremiah's proposal of being my date to the deb ball. Not out of pity for him, but for the self-pity that I have been wallowing in. This deb ball has been causing me so much stress, especially the date part. Sure it's easy meeting boys at parties, but that doesn't mean I can/could assume they would be down with a dance.

So when Jeremiah offered I was shocked, especially the part when he said, "Until the thought of you going with someone else started to drive me crazy." Those words have been running through my mind on replay.

The way his cerulean eyes poured into my brown ones so hopelessly. It was as if he had been waiting for me for days to ask him, but didn't dare mention it. The way his thumbs swirled around on the tops of my hands. The way his mouth partially gapped, unsure if I was going to take his words the wrong way.

I'm relieved he asked. I'd pick him over and over again before even having any feeling of excitement in going with some random guy I just met.

Jeremiah makes me feel comfortable. He's congenial. I need to be more open with him, but I don't know how.

Three days have passed since the party. At first, Jeremiah never mentioned the deb ball to me as if he didn't remember us agreeing to go together. We went on with our normal days, chit-chatting, swimming, late late-night talks, but he didn't bring it up at all.

But today, as he helped me wrap Belly and I's tickets to Niall Horan, he asked me if I wanted to see his tux and to get my approval.

I had to do a double take at him, a feeling of relief washed over me as he led me into his room for the first time.

His room smelled just like him. Surprisingly, his bed was made- not nicely but made. He had a few posters hanging on the walls as well. His room screamed his personality.

I tried not to make it seem like I was taking it all in, giving Jeremiah my full attention when he pulled out his tux with a smile.

"Looks great to me." I said confidently, even though I could give two shits about what kind of tux he was planning on wearing. Jeremiah pulls off everything nicely, even when he doesn't have a shirt on.

"My mom helped me pick it out," He said, placing the tux back into his closet. "She was very happy to hear that I'll be your escort."

I don't know why, but I felt warmth crawl onto my cheeks and my stomach began to churn. Maybe it's the thought of Susannah being pleased with the two of us going, or it's the fact that Susannah is PLEASED with the two of us going.

She knows something is going on between the two of us. Even though I'm trying my hardest not to let our relationship go past the friend's stage.

It's been difficult. He's making it very difficult.

"'Good, I'm happy that she is happy." I folded my hands, sending him a smile.

Jeremiah took a step closer to me, looking at his wall and then back at me. "And I hope that you're fine with me being your escort?" He asked smugly.

I rolled my eyes, taking a step closer to him so we were arms-length apart. I leaned over and punched his shoulder gently. "Shut up, of course I am. I'm so happy you didn't actually swear off all balls." I joked, sending him a chuckle.

Jeremiah laughed, punching my shoulder gently this time. "You're the only exception."

Those four words had me biting my bottom lip so I didn't break out in the biggest smile. Out of habit, to deal with my awkwardness, I placed both hands on Jeremiah's chest and pushed him slightly before taking off out of his room.