Indulgence (Incomplete)

Leap of Faith

"Come to the beach with me tonight" Derrick insisted

"It's the middle of September"

"What does that mean?"

"It's going to be freezing. I don't like the cold" Jennifer was laying on the bed with her feet hanging off.

"So I'll make a fire. It'll be dope, please come." Derrick was on the floor and sat up

"If I freeze to death it's on you." She rolled her eyes

"I'll just throw you into the fire problem solved" flashed a smile

"And this supposed to make me go to a beach with you?"

"Yeah, I'll pick you up at eight okay?" Derrick stood and went to walk out the door.

Jennifer's phone rang, at first Jennifer was going to ignore it but saw that was Aaryn.

"Hello?"

"Can you come over tonight?"

"Tonight when?"

"Um, I'll let you know okay."

"I kinda have plans though." Jennifer sounded annoyed

"So cancel them okay."

"Yeah okay." And she hung up

Derrick stood in the doorway trying to control his anger.

"What?" Jennifer demanded

"I'll be here at eight. I hope you'll be here too." he then left.

Jennifer laid in bed thinking about what she should do. She didn't want to go to the beach, but she did want to spend time derrick. But Aaryn called, she never not answers. How would Aaryn react to being stood up? Maybe that should be tested, start playing Aaryns game back. Jennifer can't always do flips just because Aaryn asked.

It was like she was two different people. With derrick she felt alive, like it was okay to be flawed, and with Aaryn she felt like wanted, like for once she was enough. But what is more important being alive, or being wanted?

Jennifer laid in bed thinking about her choices till the sound of her inner voice began to annoy her. When she checked the time it was only seven-thirty. At this point Aaryn hadn't called, and there was no reason to not go. Well no valid reason.

Jennifer got dressed, and packed a small blanket just in case she got cold. She also packed a change of clothes just in case Aaryn called. That was fair in her mind. Go to the beach and leave later best of both worlds. She sighed heavily. Jennifer felt disgusted for even thinking that. She left the extra clothes and headed out the door.

When she got outside derrick was just pulling up. She got into the car and smiled.

"Thanks for choosing me" he sounded sincere, this caught her off guard

"Yeah, no problem... where else would I be?"

They stared at one another, both knowing the answer. They broke eye contact. Derrick pulled off. They drove for a while not talking, just listening to whatever music came on. Jennifer kept sneaking glances at him, how lighting outside framed his strong jaw line, but amplified how nice his eyelashes were. She noticed when he drives how strong his hands are but how gentle he grips the steering wheel, and lets it slide under his hands when he turns. She realized she could stay in this car for a long time and not want to leave because it felt safe, it was nice to feel safe. Derrick eventually stopped and put the car in park.