Unless I'm With You

Chapter 5: On the Rocks

Jackson POV

After what just happened at the café, I totally not in the mood to do anything. My mind just only thinks about Annie. After so long I tried to find her, and now, she just in front of me. Just for a moment, and she's gone again. I don't know where I can find her again. I really need to talk to her. All the love that I had for her, how I miss her, I want to see her again.

*phones ringing*

I ignore the first ringing. Then came the second rings. I checked my phone, and it is from Mark.

"Hello."

"Hey bro, how are you?"

"I'm fine. Just in my lazy mood. What's up?"

"Well, I'm in town today. Wanna go dinner together? Jaebum and Bambam also here with me."

"Sure, what time? Where?"

"8pm, at our usual restaurant."

"Okey, see you there."

"See ya."

I must think straight. Keep my mind together. I know there will be another chance for me to meet Annie again. I just need to find a way.

It's 6.30pm and was getting ready for the dinner. Wearing black shirt and blue jeans, with sneaker. I drive my car to the destination and lucky me, there was a spot for me to park my car. Mark, Jaebum, and Bambam had arrived waiting for me outside the restaurant, while waiting for our turn to be seated. It has been a long time I didn't meet them since my last visit to Korea for my fencing competition. We started to know each other from our sport camp, and they also knew Annie. After me and Annie broke up, they help me a lot, even introduce me with other girls, but it didn't work out. Seeing them again do brings back a lot of memories.

While waiting, I saw someone familiar inside the restaurant. It's Mariana. I still remember her because she's like a cousin/twin for Annie and she is Annie's coach. She always with her during training and sometimes been the third wheeler whenever we go out. If Mariana was here, Annie must be here too. I need to see her, but I know she doesn't want to see me, even if I ask for Mariana's help. I ask the waiter for a small note and a pen, the only way for me to get to her by the note.

As it is our turn to be seated, Mariana is on her way to walk out from the restaurant, and she saw me. The way Mariana looked at me, I know that Annie didn't tell her anything. Behind her, I saw few other people, probably their teammates, and a guy that I sort of clingy to Annie. He keeps on clinging to Annie, and I know she doesn't feel comfortable with him. The guy grabs her arm, but Annie immediately releases it from her. Mariana being Mariana, she tries to step back but accidently bump into Annie, and I saw that they are whispering something and Annie immediately looking at me.

We're both say hi to each other awkwardly. I know Annie try to avoid me by not looking at me. I can feel the tense. As me and Mariana said goodbye to each other, I walk pass by Annie and grab her hand and put the note on her palm without anyone notice. I didn't say hi to her, I wanted too, but I can't. Looking at the guy beside her, I really want to punch him due to jealousy, but I control myself for not making any scene. I just walk straight to our table.

"What was that all about bro?" asked Bambam. I just keep myself silence. No word can describe my feeling right now. None.

"You didn't know Annes was here?" another question from Mark. All eyes on me, waiting for my answer.

"I just know about it today. We've coincidently met at the café. I tried talk to her, I tried. But she just like last time. She left. She didn't give me a chance; I just want to talk. I don't want any explanation; I just want to talk to her. 5 years, 5 years I've been searching for her."

I started to cry. I just don't care anymore. All the burden that I felt in my heart for her. The boys try to calm me down. They understand my situation. Once I'm relax, we started to order our food. Ten minutes later, our food came, and we started to dig in.

"So, what's your plan Jackson? Are you going to chase her again?" Jaebum start the conversation.

"Yes, I will always gonna chase her Jaebum. She's the love of my life."

"How? You don't know when her flight was. She even lied to you this morning saying that she's going back home tonight." He starts to question me.

"I know that, but my instinct said that I will get her back this time."

"I know man, but how?"

"You guys don't have to worry okay. I will find a way." I assure them.

"Fine, just promise us, don't get yourself hurt again. Like last time. Seeing you hurt because of her, we don't want you to experience the same pain. Says Bambam.

"I promise, this time I will not hurt myself."

After the dinner, me and the boys hang out at my house. We just talk about our times training together and laugh at our silliness.

"What time is your flight tomorrow, Mark?" I asked.

"It's at 3pm. Can you send me to the airport?"

"Yeah sure. I am still in my day off and I don't have anything to do."

"Okay, I will be waiting for you at the hotel."

"Okay. You both, how long you guys gonna stays here?" Looking at Bambam and Jaebum.

"Few more days as we have another training here. You gonna join us?" ask Bambam.

"Depends, you know that I'm not an athlete anymore, right?"

"Yup, Coach Jackson Wang. You are a teacher now." Bambam rolled his eyes and everyone laughing.

"It's getting late, I think I have to make a move. See you when I see you both. And you, Jackson, see you tomorrow bro." says Mark as he walks out from my house.

"Yup, see you tomorrow man."