Ask Jake (Book One of the Whisper Series)

Fifteen: He had that Coming

One of the graphic designers, Sarah, saw me on the plaza today, joining me for lunch. She's about my age, covered in tattoo's and has died her hair jet black with a white strip down the side, like Cruella de Vil.

"This might be the best burrito I've ever eaten," she says, putting her food down for a moment and taking a drink. "I've never tried the food trucks before. It doesn't seem sanitary."

"Really? I eat out here all the time. It's a nice place to people watch and the trucks change all the time; it keeps it interesting. They can't be any dirtier than some of the places to eat around here. I hope," I say, smiling at her.

"What's the most interesting person you've ever seen out here?" she asks before taking another bite.

"Huh?" I say, taking a moment to think about her question. "Well, can I be completely honest?"

Sarah pushes her sunglasses up on her nose and tilts her head, "Uhhh, yes," she sings. "Don't hold back."

Her bird tattoos that are covering her arms, making a beautiful sleeve of ink. She is dressed in black jeans, black knee high boots, and a really cool black shirt with rhinestones and pieces of black fabric hanging off parts of it, making it look a little tattered. There is no way I could ever pull off her look, but it looks really sexy on her.

"You," I say and giggle before I take a drink. "You are the most interesting person I remember seeing out here. If I didn't know you, I would come up with a thousand stories about your tattoos and what they mean and how you must love Cruella de Vil because of the hair. Without knowing it, you would entertain me for my entire lunch."

Sarah's head falls back, allowing a loud laugh to escape her throat. "What would you say about me? If you did not know me?" she asks, looking at me with a grin.

I laugh with her and think for a minute. "I would look at your bird tattoos and assume you love them. I mean, who would go through all that if they didn't? You look artistic, which would be correct, but I would assume something more than a graphic designer, like a painter. You go clubbing -a lot - and I'd assume some drugs and alcohol would be involved, but no judgment there - to each his own. Also, you don't like to wake up before noon, which annoys the hell out of your roommates. I'd imagine that you're a music snob and know all the local indie bands and argue about how mainstream bands are sell-outs, while dragging on a vapor cig."

Sarah claps her hands and laughs out loud. "You are right about so much! Except, I get up really early, every day, and that used to annoy my roommates. I don't do drugs or drink; alcoholic parents will do that to you. I love birds, and go to bear mountain to go bird watching with my husband, a lot. He's a tattoo artist, which explains the tattoos. The white streak in my hair is, actually, a birthmark, but I do think it's cool to look like Cruella. I am a painter too. I'm completely addicted to indie rock and am, a major, music snob. Smoking is disgusting but I hang out in vapor lounges with my friends sometimes."

We both laugh together before we take more bites of our food.

"No wonder you're such a good writer. You notice details," she says, shocking me.

"You think I'm a good writer?" I ask.

"Yeah. You add more to your articles than some of the other writers. The extra details you add always make designing your pages a lot easier."

"Thanks Sarah! That is really nice. I'm flattered." She nods her head and smiles with closed lips, chewing her lunch.

I chuckle, while picking off a tomato with my plastic fork.

"God, I love casual Friday's," Sarah mumbles, drawing my attention. Glancing at her I follow her gaze across the plaza. Adam is walking around the smaller fountain, which gives my heart a double beat.