Once

Chapter 6

Melanie Martinez – Carousel

It's Thursday today...time passed so fast. Tomorrow it's already Friday. I actually enjoy studying. With Ted and Harry, I have only joint history classes. I rest during the other lectures and try not to communicate with them every time when they attempt to bother me with their jokes. I have learned to ignore them, because of Jess.

All these days she was talking about Brian, about how kind and cheerful he is. My friend looks happy, so all what I was left to do is to keep my mouth shut and be happy about her. I met with Michael after the lecture. He invited me on a date on Friday, so I won't have to spend time with Jess's new company. I was happy that I won't have to stick with her new friends. Of course, I can lock up in my room, but something tells me that they won't leave me alone so easily.

"Jess, tomorrow I'm going on a date with Michael, so our apartment will be all yours," I decided to inform my friend about a date with Michael.

"I knew it! You're doing it on purpose, right?" she asked me, bugging her gray eyes out. Jess got really mad; I didn't expect her to react this way.

"No, I just want to spend time with my boyfriend..." I replied, staring at my plate.

It is true, I really miss Michael. This week we haven't practically met.

I wished to move to Stanford as soon as possible and spend more time with my boyfriend. However, even though we live nearby, we are still far away from each other. It is easy when I am with him; we have been dating for two years already. My parents like Michael too. Moreover, our fathers are companions. We met with him on a charity event, which was organized by my mother.

"Emily, so you...want, well, you know switch to a new level?" Jess asked giggling and looked askance at me.

Because of her indiscreet question, I choked on my food and she continued to giggle.

"Jess, what got into you? Because of you I almost choked!" I began.

My cheeks flushed and I stared at my plate. I was pretending that I keep having a dinner, without looking up.

"What? Don't tell me that our good boy Michael finally decided to do it? It's a high time. I was beginning to think that he's gay..." Jess couldn't calm down.

In response, I kicked her under the table, but she didn't stop laughing.

"We just needed some time, and yes, Michael is 'a good boy'," I replied, pointing with fingers imaginary quotes.

Of course, we kissed and even slept in the same bed, but there was no sex. Jess was still giggling and I kicked her again.

"Emily, enough, it hurts," the girl was gurgling with laughter and fighting back.

If my cheeks were red because of embarrassment, hers were red from laughter. Recently, I felt myself like a jester or a clown. People laugh at me every now and then, although I don't even make any effort to amuse them.

"Okay, but still. This date may end supposedly with that?" Jess asked, raising one eyebrow.

"Maybe..." I replied and got up from the table.

"Well then, tomorrow we're going shopping. I'll do your make-up. And then we'll have to fix your hair too. I'm your friend after all and I won't let you go on a date with a messy hair," my friend said.