She Belongs to Me

I Get Asked Out on a Date

"Morning Lori."

"Good morning," I smile at the boy. "Uh, Jaques was your name, right?"

"You have such awful memory," He chuckles. "Mhm. That's my name."

"But I remembered your name." I protest, sitting down.

"Psh, barely." He turns around.

I frown at the back of his head when he chuckles.

"You can't remember the name of the only person you talk to in lectures?" He leans back to look at me.

"Well, I don't even know why you talk to me." I retort.

"Cuz you're......what's the word?" Jaques takes a moment to continue. "Interesting."

"How so?"

"Well, if I told you, you'd probs freak out." He grins.

"Uh-huh," I nod.

"Bloodthorn, Kijo-Yasha, head over to the library to bring over the textbooks, won't you?" Mr. Rodriguez instructs.

"Sure, thing, Mr. R!" Jaques gets up with me. "C'mon, Lori."

"I'm going." I get out of my seat.

He waits patiently for me if for about a second when he grabs my hand and tugs me forward.

"C'mon!"

"Okay!" I trip over my bag. "Okay, let's go."

We walk out of the classroom, and I try to tug my hand free.

"You can let go now; I'm not going to get lost." I assure.

"You could get into danger, and who's fault would it be?"

"Walking to a library can't be that dangerous."

"You'd be surprised," Jaques smirks. "Plenty of people have died in the most unusual ways lately. Dying on the way to the library can be your unusual way of dying."

I shudder at the thought of death, and he chuckles lightly.

"You're pretty cute when you're scared."

"I'd take it as a compliment, but it didn't sound like one." I look up at him.

"It was, Lori." He winks.

Jaques Bloodthorn has been pestering me since we met last year at orientation. It's been half a school year and he's been in all my lectures and everything, after not being present for a week. Yet, his presence is somehow comforting even if it's somewhat suspicious.

"What's it, Shawty?"

"You weren't in lectures the first week and then you suddenly appeared," I recall. "Why?"

"I was sick and totally not trying to bribe the principal to switch me into your classes for personal reasons," He grins. "We're here."

I frown as I turn to the library door, unsure how we got here so fast and trying to process what he said.

"Hello, Miss Librarian who I forgot the name of!" Jaques exclaims. "We came from Mr. Rodriguez's science class for the textbooks."

"Ah, right, here they are."

I reach for a set of textbooks when Jaques shoos my hands away and stacks the two pairs on each other before carrying them with one arm.

"How did you-?"

"I figured you were into someone with strength to show off," Jaques treats me to a cheeky smile. "Let's go."

"Are you sure?"

"You can open the doors," He assures. "That's more than enough help."

I nod as I open the library door and we walk out.

"My hand." I try again.

"So insistent, aren't you?" Jaques laughs airily. "You really want me to let go?"

I think on the warmth I feel from his hand and, although embarrassed, I shake my head. I get a smirk of triumph as a reward for my honesty, and we continue on towards our classroom in silence.

"Lori, talk to me."

"About what?"

"I dunno," He shrugs. "What's your favorite color?"

"Black." I blurt out.

I feel my cheeks flare up and try to smile. Black is literally the only color he seems to know as it's the only color I've ever seen him in.

"And-and red with silver," I add.

"Really?" He sounds amused. "I like those colors too. Man, I should wear them for you one of these days."

"F-for me?" I look at him.

"Yeah!" He smiles. "I mean, I'm only ever wearing black, so...... why don't we meet up this Saturday? A couple of my friends are tossing a party, and we can go together."

"Oh, um." I nod. "Sure."

"Three...two...one."

"Wait, is that a date?" I stop walking.

"If you want it to be, it can be." He nods. "Just means we'll have to follow it up with a thousand more."

"Jaques, what're you trying to say?" I ask, genuinely curious and dumbstruck.

"You're such an idiot at times, it's cute."

"I find that it's just part of my charm." I say matter of factly.

"Got that damned right," He chuckles. "So, what do you say, Shorty Lori? Yes?"

"Yes." I nod.

"Good," Jaques gives me a seductive smile. "Now, open the door. My arm's falling asleep."