Unconventional

Jaw

The next weekend, Emilio kept a close watch on Jennifer from his window, anticipation bubbling inside him. He saw her leaving the house again, this time in a fitted blouse and a skirt that showed more leg than he was used to seeing on her. Her hair was done up neatly, and she even had a touch of lipstick on. He chuckled to himself, already guessing where she was headed. Another date.

Emilio waited a few hours, his eyes drifting back to the window every now and then. He wondered if his friend Carlos had managed to find another way to mess with her tonight or if Jennifer had set herself up for disappointment all on her own. Either way, Emilio was prepared to swoop in and enjoy the aftermath.

Sure enough, as the evening sky darkened, he spotted her trudging back to the bus stop near her house. Even from a distance, Emilio could see the slump of her shoulders, the way she dragged her feet. She looked defeated. She sat down on the bus stop bench, her eyes downcast, wiping her face with the back of her hand. She was crying.

Emilio didn't waste any time. He grabbed his car keys and headed out the door, making his way to his car parked in the driveway. He drove up slowly to where Jennifer sat, rolling down the window as he approached. "Hey, Jenny," he called out, feigning surprise. "Need a ride?"

Jennifer looked up, startled, quickly wiping her eyes. She hesitated, clearly wanting to refuse, but there was a hint of relief in her face. She was too upset to argue. "Fine," she muttered, standing up and opening the passenger door. She got in, her movements stiff and tense.

As they drove off, Emilio glanced over at her. Her face was blotchy from crying, her mascara smudged. He could see she was still fighting back tears. "So, another date gone wrong?" he asked, his tone light but with an edge of mockery.

Jennifer didn't look at him. "I don't want to talk about it," she said quietly.

"Come on, Jenny, don't be like that," Emilio coaxed, though his grin showed he wasn't being sincere. "You can't be surprised, right? I mean, what did you expect? Guys on those apps are all the same. They're not looking for someone like you."

Jennifer finally turned to face him, her eyes flashing with a mix of anger and hurt. "What's that supposed to mean?" she snapped.

Emilio shrugged, still smirking. "Just saying. You're, you know, a bit different. Maybe you should aim a little lower, have more realistic expectations. I mean, it's not like you're some model or something."

Jennifer's hands clenched into fists in her lap, her knuckles turning white. "You don't know anything about me or what I deserve," she shot back.

Emilio chuckled. "Oh, don't get all worked up, Jenny. I'm just trying to help. In fact," he added, his voice taking on a more playful tone, "why don't I take you out tomorrow night? Show you what a real date looks like?"

Jennifer stared at him in disbelief. "Are you serious?"

"Why not?" Emilio said with a shrug. "We're neighbors. We see each other all the time. Might as well have some fun, right?"

Jennifer shook her head, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. "You've got to be kidding me. You, of all people, want to take me on a date?"

"Yeah, why not?" Emilio pressed, leaning closer. "Come on, Jenny, what do you have to lose? It's not like anyone else is lining up for the chance."

Jennifer's eyes filled with tears again, but this time they were more from frustration than sadness. "I'm not going out with you, Emilio," she said firmly. "Not now, not ever."

Emilio's expression darkened, his smile fading. "Why not? You think you're too good for me or something?"

Jennifer turned to face him fully, her voice trembling but resolute. "No, I just know what kind of person you are. You're mean, and you like to hurt people. I'm not stupid, Emilio. I see how you enjoy messing with me, and I'm not going to let you keep doing it."