The Shop

Chapter 9

Now I know why people crash while texting and driving, because it's hard to fucking see the road and your phone screen at the same time. The address Jasmine sent me is in greek, where the hell is this place. My GPS takes me to the bad side of Chicago where all I can see is liter, smoking pot heads and graffiti. The sky is getting darker, I've been driving around for about an hour now. All of the brick buildings look the same, with shady characters lingering in the premises. I don't know how I feel about Jasmine living in this neighborhood. She is my friend, I have to care for her. The building numbers are a blur and a taxi driver honks at me as I double park on the road. This was probably just some practical joke and Jasmine was hired by one of my shitty friends. But recalling our small bonding moments and the connection between us, I know this isn't fake. I've never given out my trust that easily. Jasmine breaks down my barriers, leaving me weak and exposed. 

I circle the block one more time, making sure I'm not blind. I carefully scan each building and spot a tiny figure standing on the steps of one building. Pulling up closer I can see wild, curly hair. This is Jasmine's place. In my rear view mirror I can see her as she skips down the steps, waiting for me on her side of the street. I find a spot to park, then take a deep breath while climbing out of my 2016 grey mustang, a prize from a raffle.  

"Hey stranger." Jasmine chirps and I instantly forget the annoying car ride. 

"Let me just prepare for this movie." I sigh and rub my temples , Jasmines releases a smile. 

"Your jokes are my favorite." She says it almost in a whisper as I follow her back to the big brick building. We walk up the steps in silence and I'm looking down at my knees. This doesn't feel awkward, but it's not comfortable either. Jasmine opens the gate for me then we head up the steps to the front door. Obviously the apart building itself is not high quality but I have to respect it because Jasmine lives alone, or does she? There we go again, I know nothing about her. The inside smells like cigarettes and there isn't a doorman or even a front desk. Just a plain set of grey stairs and a few doors with numbers on them. 

"Follow me." Jasmine flashes a quick smile at me and makes her way up the stairs. No wonder she has such sexy body, the stairs keep her in shape. Finally reaching the third floor, I'm out of breath and Jasmine is unlocking the grey front door. I memorize the door number for when I come back, which I will. Friends hang out with each other. 

She opens the door and steps out of the way to let me inside. Wandering in I expect a poor-ish looking apartment with cracked walls and dusty floors. Instead I fine beautiful dark hardwood floors, flawless bricks walls and ravishing furniture. Best of all, the huge flat screen TV. 

"Make yourself comfortable." Jasmine gestures to the couch and before I can step into the huge spacious apartment, she stops me. 

"Woah, woah, woah! Your shoes!" Looking down at my black boots, I begin to slide them off. Ugh, women. Making my way over, I plop down on the brown leather couch. Jasmine has disappeared into the apartment and I can only hear her footsteps. Looking around, I get a very urban feel. There is one door to the left of me, I assume it's the bedroom. Tilting my head back I see Jasmine fiddling in the kitchen. 

"Are you stealing stuff back there? You are awfully quiet." She looks up and winks at me. I flip her off and the following laughter is melodic. 

"I'm making snacks! What do you want?" Jasmine calls from the kitchen, I have not eaten all day and I'm starving. I guess Jasmine was just so distracting. 

"Food!" I holler back.

"I can order a pizza!" 

"Ok! Get half pineapple  and half bacon!" Jasmine grabs her phone off of the counter and I can hear her talking to an employee over the phone.  She walks over to me and collapses on the couch. 

"I've never tried pineapple pizza before." Jasmine comments, while grabbing a remote off of a coffee table in front of us.

"You'll love it trust me."

"Ok, I trust you." Her words hit me on the chest heavily, it's a wonderful feeling having some trust you.   

"Let's get this movie started!" Jasmine shoots her arms up in the hair and waves them around. While I laugh at her, she swats the back of my arm playfully. Jasmine clasps her hands together and shouts, "Lights." I swear if these fucking lights turn off I'm going to flip out. Jasmine senses my frustration with her fancy apartment and lightens the mood. 

"I'm kidding, they're regular light switches." Jasmine moves from the couch and flicks the light off. When Jasmine returns, she sits cross legged on the couch and we are literally two centimeters apart. Her eyes focus on the screen intently and I try to watch the movie, but I find myself looking at her from time to time. It's cute how she explains some scenes to me and I pretend I'm listening. Just watching her lips move makes me wonder what it would taste like kissing her. Why does my mind keep doing that? I love Tara and Jasmine is my friend. That's it. With a swift knock on the door Jasmine gets up and grabs money sitting on the coffee table, it's about time because my stomach was eating itself from the inside out. The pizza smells good from my spot, Jasmine carries it over and rests it on the coffee table. Opening the box, steam hits my eyes and makes them water. A plate gets shoved in my face while Jasmine returns to her seat next to me. We sit in silence while eating the pizza and watching the movie. For the first time in what it feels like forever I feel completely relaxed, especially since that one night...I can't ruin this with those thoughts. Jasmine eats almost all of the pineapple slices and I'm impressed. Most girls are too embarrassed to show their appetite in front of guys. But Jasmine isn't like any girl I've ever met...

The front door's handle begins to jiggle and the first thought that comes to my mind is that someone is trying to break in. I sit up straight and Jasmine doesn't move, continuing to watch her movie in the dark. 

"Hey Jasmine, I'm home." A male voice calls as he joins us in the apartment.