Many Chance Summer

Gracing you with my Presence

The next morning goes by too freaking slow. But basically, Susanne comes to get me-I request this myself-and I say goodbye and thank you to Theresa and we leave. I can't walk find, just need to take serious exercise in precaution. Not that I'll be running or anything, so whatever.

We go the motel and I still haven't texted Jamaal. He, on the other hand, sent me a long text message about how he never meant to hurt me and that he loves me. Basically everything he said to me last night that he doesn't know I heard.

I don't want to text him back yet. Not yet. Because I am hurt.

My friends pamper me all day and it's getting so annoying. Even in the beginning, I didn't enjoy this treatment because of the reasons for it. Under different circumstances I probably would've felt another way.

I have to break away and get some me time.

I find myself at the pool. I am actually looking for Susanne to formally thank her. I was in a shitty mood this morning and it took it out of on everyone. I haven't even called Petra yet.

"Hey, Jason." He looks down at me from his seat in his lifeguard spot.

"Janaeya." He jumps down effortlessly. "You..." I holds his arms about and fumbles with his words. "I heard you were in the hospital ju-just this morning. I-I mean I literally just heard this morning. Like, um..." He claps his hands together. "Are you okay?"

I open then close my mouth.

"Hey, what's up with Jamaal?" He puts his arm behind his neck. I let my arms roam his body. "I kinda heard what happened. Not really. Just your injuries. Are you okay?"

I nod, smiling tightly.

"No, actually. But whatever. I'm strong, I'm live."

Jason chuckles nervously and looks behind him at the two swimmers. Then he turns back to me.

"Hey, I know things aren't really going well with you and your man but, uh..." He scratches his head and I watch his arm muscles move. "Do you wanna grab, like, lunch or something and talk? Like, as friends? I don't know. I don't really have a lot of friends here and Jamaal is up at his parent's right now so..."

"What?" I am shocked. "I mean, I knew he'd be there but after what he did to me I didn't..." Jason looks at me, confused. I shake my head and I am angry. So filled with rage. After what happened, Jamaal leaves. He can't...reschedule?

"So-"

"Yes. Lunch. I'd love to. When?"

"Uh, I have a lunch break at 1."

I check my phone time.

"So thirty minutes. Perfect."

He pretend sniffs his armpits and I smell.

"I don't think you'll have time to shower or whatever. So we'll have lunch with you smelling like bleach."

"I actually didn't go in the water." Jason smiles down at me. "Just sweaty. It's hot as balls out here."

"I know, it really is." I fan myself. "But, uh..."

"Yeah, I'll come to your room or you can meet me here in forty minutes so I can wear a clean shirt and-"

"Yeah, I'll meet you here instead."

     Jason smiles down at me, looking perfectly like a sun god.