The Dating Club

Pressure and Peeling Onions

Chapter Twelve - Pressure and Peeling Onions


Matty is, once again, punctual and at exactly seven he rings the doorbell. I slip down the stairs trying to avoid my father but he catches me as I make my way to the door. The lounge gives a really good view of the front door so it was kind of useless anyway.

     "Is this going to be a regular thing Jess? Should we move movie night to Wednesday?" He says a little sadly.

     I nudge him playfully as I go to get the keys. "That would be a good idea Dad. I'm sorry but my Tuesdays are just really booked for the next few weeks."

     And it is Halloween next Tuesday as well. That date should be fun.

     "Did you go to that after-school club today Jess?" He says, and I pause putting the key in the slot. "I saw you come in pretty early from school," he continues.

     "They don't do it on a Tuesday anymore," I try, cringing. There's no way he'll believe-

     "There's no way I'm going to believe that Jessica Nate. You skipped it didn't you?"

     "Dad..."

     "You can forget about going out with your friend!"

     Yes!

     Wait, no! My ice cream!

     "Dad you can ask them yourself! I'll get the club to send you a letter or give me a note or something," I whine, turning the key in the lock.

     My Dad is quiet for a few moments. "Fine! Be back at ten. Just be grateful I'm so soft on you and your sister. If your mother was still here -"

     "She would be exactly the same. Don't lie about what mum used to be like, I do remember!" I hiss angrily.

     He storms off to the lounge and I open and lock the door and march over to Matty, stood leaning against a Porsche Carrerra, without saying hello.

     "Drive," I say and he chuckles. But he does as I say and we leave.


     "You can slow down you know," I say a little weakly as we enter Lincoln and my stomach lurches suddenly. "Like, slow down so much we stop moving. There must be something else we can do for a date Matty."

     Matty doesn't say anything but I see the corners of his mouth lift slightly.

     "Matty..." I whisper, the car rolling into the car park of a massive building I have never seen in my life. The walls are grey and scary, and it gives me the distinct impression of something sinister, like a prison.

     He opens the door for me but I don't make a move, my body glued to the seat and my back rigid.

     "Come on Jess," he sighs and I shake my head once.

     "No, no, no, no..." I say repeatedly, staring straight ahead of me.

     Matty tries bribing me. The tantalising sight of the ice cream makes an appearance but even that fails to convince me. Then he tries blackmailing me. "I will put you on my shoulder and carry you in myself," he growls and I turn my gaze to him as glare at him coolly. "Try," I hiss. 

     His face grows a little nervous at my tone but he recovers his calm composure almost immediately. "Whatever. If it means getting you in there, sure."

     I realise that he is actually serious about dragging me out of the car and I grip the leather seats tightly, my nails almost breaking through the material.

     And I find myself wishing that I had Nathan to persuade me, instead of Matty. Nathan was so much better at it, and I know that I would not have been able to get into the zorbs without his help.

     "Don't you think it's a bit of a... Big leap, to go from not even touching the water, to being completely submerged and breathing underwater?" I say quietly, shrinking in on myself.

     "Nah."

     "Matty!"

     "Jess I'm sorry but Nathan said it himself, the only way to overcome your phobia is to face it."

     "Yes but you're going to kill me at the same time! I'm going to have a heart attack or something, I'm not kidding Matty this is scaring the shit out of me!"

     His face does not portray any sympathy and I feel the fear on my face give way to a scowl.

     "I hate you."

     "Cool story," he says, taking me by surprise by closing his arms on my torso and quiet literally pulling me out. I cling to him as he closes and locks the car door and close my eyes.