Short Stories

Lily Jones

I couldn't help myself but stare at her from the other side of the bar. She wasn't like the other girls here actually trying to get to my buddys attention. Yeah the girls were gorgeous and all but seeing that girl wearing a black shirt and sweatpants made me get out of my chair and walk straight over to her. She was beautiful and looked friendly. I stopped at her table and waited for her to look up from her book that she was reading and when she did, she looked up uninterested. "Can I help you?" She asked me and I nodded. But what did I want. Her name and her number and maybe a date. "Hi. I wanted to come over here and tell you how beautiful you are. I couldn't stop thinking about you." The girl closed her book and glared at me.. "What's your problem? What is it with guys always fooling around with girls making them feel bad about themselves. Why don't you go talk to my sister Lexi. She's over there in the blue shirt." Ouch. That stung. She opened her book again and started reading. I looked over and spotted her sister. They looked exactly alike.  "What's your name?" I asked the girl reading the book. She didn't look up from the book to tell me. "Its Lily Jones. What's yours? Actually don't tell me. Why won't you leave me alone.?" Lilly asked now looking up from her book. She looked really annoyed. "Because you're beautiful. Your hard to read. You seem lonely over here too." I sat down in the seat in front of her and looked at the book she was reading. Its was The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks. Interesting. "Is the book good? I've seen two of his movies and both of them made me cry.  I saw her look at me with a raised eyebrow and roll her eyes. "The only reason i'm here is to watch my sister. To make sure she won't do anything stupid. Why don't you go and make someone else look stupid. I know what you guys do at bars. My sister got pregnant once because of guys at bars..' She got out of her seat and picked up her book and left the bar, What was I supposed to do. Follow her or do what she's been telling me to do. Leave her alone.
    My buddy Alex came over to me and patted me on the back. "Go after her dude. This is your one shot to be with a girl. I'll take care of her sister." I thanked Alex and made my way outside. I found her sitting on the bench reading her book. I plopped down next to her and looked up at the darkened sky. It was filled with stars. "What do you want? What will it take to for you to leave me alone?" I ran my hand through my hair and took a shaky breath. "Go on a date with me. You can choose." I looked over at her and saw her looking at me. "Why? Why do u want me?" It wasn't a hard question to answer. She was different than other girls. They made it easy and I hates that. I wanted a challenge and this girl...Lilly made that happen. I liked that. "Because you're beautiful and you make it hard to want you. I like having a challenge." I smiled and I saw her smile back. She took out her phone and asked for my number and I gave it to her. A minute later my phone beeped. "Now you have phone number." I need to get my sister and take her home before she does something stupid. I nod and walk with her back inside the bar. I watched as she told her sister Lexi it was time to go and Lexi nodded and told my friend she had to go and he gave her his number.
    "I guess we'll talk later. Thanks for not being a jerk." She smiled and then kissed my cheek and then she left. I stood there shocked at what had just happened. Alex came over and put his arm around my shoulder. "Good job dude. You're finally a man." I laughed and then headed to the bar to get me a Corona light beer.
    The next day I woke up with a major headache and cussed at how bright the sun was shining in my eyes. Last night's events came crashing back to me and I smiled when I remember getting Lilly's number. Oh crap I never texted her last night. I reached for my phone and opened up her contact and texted her "Good Morning." I'm pretty sure she's not awake yet but I sent her the text anyways. I got out of bed and went to the bathroom and took a shower.
    When i got done I found something to wear and my phone went beep. I went over to it and opened up my phone and saw Lily's name pop up on my screen. "Morning. Is that how you always text the girls you met at the bar. Lol i'm just kidding with you. I'm not much of a morning person but it was really sweet of you to text me this morning." I smiled and put on a pair of blue boxers and jeans with a black shirt. "Are you busy this morning?" I texted her back. I wanted to see her again. Last night was the best night in a long time. Another beep came in. "Nope. Just laying in bed. You didn't need to know that." I chuckled and texted her "Do you wanna meet up for breakfast? I don't have to go in for work until later." I sent her the message and brushed my teeth and my hair. A minute later there was another beep. I typed in my password and I smiled when I saw what she wrote. "Yes. Where do u wanna meet up? I have to drop my sister off at her classes for school so how about meeting at the coffee shop near the bar from last night." I chuckled and texted her back saying that was fine with me. We said goodbye and grabbed my car keys and locked my front door. I walked over to my car and got in. I put in the directions for the coffee shop and started the car. I took a deep breath and drove away.