Between the Sheets

Chapter 4

Jace and I wound up sleeping the night through.  He left early in the morning, the rain having stopped, saying to “dress pretty” and meet him at the bookstore at 11.

the hours ticked by slowly as I stressed more and more about why I was meeting him.  Finally, I put two and two together and realized it was for our date.  Panicked, I jumped in the shower, scrubbing every inch of my body and using the smelliest soaps I owned. I paused, foaming shampoo in my hair.

“I’m primping... for Jace.” I said out loud, astounded. “I'm in a rush to make myself pretty for Jace Fugging Caspar!”

I finished my shower, still in disbelief and wound up walking around my room and dressing in a state of near shock as it finally hit me that I was going on a date with Jace.   Shaking myself out of my stupor, I looked at the time.

10:30

My eyes widened in horror as I flew to my closet. Digging  through every drawer i pulled together an outfit consisting of a flowing black top, skinny jeans from PacSun ,a  light shrug and slide on shoe. I quickly applied makeup and ran downstairs.

“Mom!” I shouted,  running through the basement.

“Bedroom!” she called back.

I skidded around and head back, coming to a halt at her door.

“Mom! I'm supposed to be meeting Jace in 15 minutes and I need a ride.”

She turned, her greying blonde hair bouncing, "Grab my purse and I'll be in the car!”

Sliding into her room, I grabbed her bag off the floor. My shoes squeaked as I ran to the car, the door almost slamming into my head as i jumped in.  The ignition turned over and we were on our way, my eyes darting to the time every few seconds. My hands twitched at my sides, my heart rising in my throat.

Date. Ok, date. With Jace. Jace Caspar. Best friend, I thought to myself. What am I doing....

My breath began to catch and my heart raced. A small pop caught my attention, turning my gaze to the seat. My nail punctured the seat, my knuckles white.

“Jessica, what’s wrong?” my mom asked, her eyebrow arching,

    I gulped, “I, uh, have a date with Jace.”

    “Whoa.”

    She mumbled under her breath.

    “What?”

    “Oh, I was just saying that it was about time.”

    I stared at the windshield in shock.

    She knew?! I mentally shouted.

    At that moment, we pulled up in front of the bookstore. I saw Jace pacing just under the big sign stating the name for the world to see  . He looked terrified, chewing his nails, his hair swooped to the side and accentuating his sharp cheekbones. A dark wool jacket hung from his shoulders over a grey vest and button down shirt. I breathed slowly before getting out of the car, the metallic sound getting his attention. He attempted a smile, the fear shining in his eyes, as i walked toward him.

    “Hey,” he swallowed, blinking. ”Hey Jess. Right on time!”

I turned to look at my mom, she waved before driving away. Leaving me alone.

“So.”

“Do you want to go in?” he asked shakily.

I nodded.

Jace waved me in front of him to the door. The familiar handle opened with a small pull, the bell tinkling. We stepped inside, Jace ducking under the chimes hanging well above my head. “Book smell” and coffee grounds drifted into my nose and I sighed happily. I followed my feet to the fiction section, fading spines both familiar and new called to me. Reaching out, I skimmed my fingers over the paperbacks; a smile growing on my face. A particular novel stood out just at the end of the shelf. I pulled it out, opening the pages, a puff of smell wafting out as if to say, “Hello old friend.”