𝐈 𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮

Althea

  If I were to have a list of all the decent men I have ever met, Aiden Fairfield would be pretty high on that list. My skating partner was kind, held up decent conversation, and he was attractive which was ultimately an added bonus.

  It had been a little over two weeks into the school year, and while Jonesy and I were on better terms, there was still this awkward tension that loomed in the air whenever we were in the same vicinity. Aiden had become the closest thing to a friend, since becoming friends with Gemma meant also becoming friends with Jonesy.

  I didn't have anything against her, at least not anymore; I was more embarrassed with myself for thinking she would be interested in dating me after one two minute kiss. My ego was still so incredibly bruised and my pride wouldn't allow me to admit that I was the one in the wrong. Jonesy had done nothing wrong and yet I was the one keeping her out in the cold.

  I had considered going to the bar she and her friends played at over the past weekend and sitting in on one of their sets, but my pride got in the way. Again.

  I had relayed all of this to Aiden who gave me a tentative ear. I also couldn't help but notice how much more talkative he became after I mentioned that I was solely interested in getting rid of all the awkward air between her and I.

  Despite me liking the kiss, neither of us were interested in being in a relationship with the other. Aiden must have seen this as his moment, because no sooner had I mentioned it he asked me out to dinner. I had initially told him I wasn't in the place to date, but then thought about how just one date wouldn't hurt. It would also give me the time to clarify a certain issue of mine that had been plaguing me for months, if not years.

  He told me to give him my official answer by tonight so he could go ahead and call the restaurant. Even at that moment, I knew I would not exactly enjoy this date, I just didn't have the heart to tell him no. Thanks for passing on the people pleaser genes, Dad.

  He was so sweet and excited, I didn't want to hurt his feelings. Besides, it would also show Jonesy that her refusal to date me hadn't hurt or stuck with me at all. Not that I had even wanted her to date me, I simply didn't like the rejection.

  When I arrived back at the dormitory, I found Jonesy lying on her bed, her chin propped up on her hand. A pretty blonde girl sat cross legged beside her. Of course her type would be blonde girls. They had books open between them, yet none of the notebooks seemed to have been written in.

  Jonesy instantly shot up into an upright position when I entered, completely ignoring the protests coming from the blonde. It wasn't hard to know that not a whole lot of studying had been going on.

"Sorry, I would've knocked if I knew you had company over." I said, placing my book bag on my bed. I could feel the blonde shooting daggers at me with her eyes as Jonesy's face turned various shades of pink and let out a nervous chuckle.

  What did she have to be nervous about? We were both adult women who had certain needs that needed to be met. I knew we would eventually come to this moment, and while we had never discussed what to do when it happened, there was some sort of unspoken rule: put a sock on the doorknob. I guess in her case, this rule needed to be spoken.

"There's no need, we weren't doing...anything." Her gaze flickered to the blonde who sent me a scowl, obscuring her pretty face. "Someone left you a basket by the door, it was here when I arrived. I brought it in, it's on the counter."

  The sinking feeling in my gut told me exactly what I needed to know about who sent it. I quickly made my way into the kitchen, ignoring the sound of whispering coming from the blonde.

  There, sitting on the counter was in fact, a basket overflowing with roses and chocolate. A handwritten note sat on top of the roses and the familiar lettering made my stomach twist.

"Who's it from?
I turned my head to find Jonesy leaning against the doorframe, her arms crossed. Turning back to the flowers, I picked up the card and read it aloud.

"Althea, allow me to take you to dinner this Friday evening. I have made reservations for two at La Maison Des Glaces at 7pm. I eagerly await your response. Aiden Fairfield."

  Jonesy let out a snort that turned into actual laughter as she moved away from the door, uncrossing her arms. "Jesus Christ." She let out a slow whistle.