She Belongs to Me

Le Party with Jaques Bloodthorn Begins

"Lorelai, you're going to a party this late?" Mom asks.

"I'll be fine," I assure. "I'm going with a friend."

"And they're stopping by for you, right?"

"Mhm." I nod. "Probably."

"Be careful and call me if anything bad happens, okay? Be wary of the drinks and god forbid you do anything without necessary precautions." Mom instructs.

"You've always been so touchy about me going to parties," I frown. "I'm eighteen. I know what I'm doing."

"So did I when I was your age and now look at where I'm at."

"That is the nicest way of calling your only child a mistake," I chuckle.

"Leyley, that's not what I meant."

"But you said it and it hurts!" I protest. "Relax, mom. I'll be fine. I always am."

"Take care."

"Bye."

I quickly run downstairs and out the door, making sure I have everything before checking my phone again.

Pick you up around nine

And it's nine o three and Jaques still isn't here.

"Hey, Lori. Mom cause you an inconvenience?"

I jump as I turn around to come face to face with Jaques. He leans in close to my face before smirking.

"What did I say? You look cute as hell when you're scared."

"That's not funny." I frown.

"Don't frown, it makes you look bad." He takes my hand. "Come on, now. We'll make it just in time for the opening ceremony."

"I'm not underdressed, am I?"

"You're just fine, but I don't like the thorough exposure on your shoulders." Jaques pokes my left shoulder as he says so.

"What do I do, then?"

"You shouldn't be so easily inclined to take the suggestion of a guy simply because he stated he doesn't like what you're wearing," He points out. "That's what leads to high insecurity rates amongst young women. You're just fine. I don't like it, but if you're comfortable, it's fine."

"Well, can you at least tell me why you don't like it?" I ask.

"We're going to a party with a bunch of my friends," Jaques reminds. "I don't want them to think you're easy."

"I'm not!"

"Says the girl who easily let me take her on a date," He retorts.

"That's different."

"How so?"

"I know you?"

"Do you, now?"

"If you don't like it, I'll go change." I stop walking. "I have other dresses."

"Lori," He sighs. "How do I say it without making the atmosphere weird? You and everything about you is something only I get to see, okay?"

"Thanks for making everything fucking weird." I look up at the night sky.

I hear him laugh before he throws his blazer at me.

"Wear it for me, okay?"

I slip into it, and I'm engulfed in his scent and the warmth he left from his own body.

"Much better," He grins. "Let's see. Oh, right. I was going to ask; you're not afraid of the dark, right?"

"If I'm with someone," I take his hand again. "No."