I Can't Own You? (BOOK 1)

18

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~ Flashback ~

I sit alone at TGI Friday's, sipping on lemonade at a bar. The crowds around me are loud and rowdy. A Friday night. Someone's birthday is today, and the employees make this known by singing: "happy birthday" to two teenage twins, who are so embarrassed that they blush bright red. The sweet gesture ends in applause when the teens blow out candles of a chocolate cake. This sentimental scene doesn't sway me. My mood is too critical.

Cheer up...even if my life is shitty right now.

I decide to open Tinder on my phone, letting out an irritated sigh. "Alright..." I swipe left on a few hot guys...they only lead to heartbreak...they're fun tho, but it doesn't last long. Maybe I should try a simple guy and not go off of looks so much. I need a real relationship, like my parents. I just need someone with a great personality ahead of appearance.

"Let's try a nice guy." My fingers swipe on, dismissing muscular and attractive matches. Nope, nope, nope. Like Arya says, not today! As if I jinx myself, I swipe right by accident. "No, Damn it!" He's not a simple guy he was...well, delicious yeah, but most likely a player...good looks come with bad egos and drama.

It's hopeless...I keep finding my way to these types of guys. What the hell, am I cursed?!

I let my phone fall from my hand and onto the bar, and lay my head down in desperation. A tv blasts ahead; music swarms behind me, and commotion becomes louder. These sounds push me to the edge, starting up a headache, one that wasn't curable by aspirin. A life struggle headache.

I need to gorge on food and hibernate. Where is my food? I ordered an hour ago!!

"Can you bring my fucking order!" I yell at a passing waitress.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I'll check on it." Her tone is flat and uncaring.

"Bitch!"

A few customers eyes shoot to me; I feel the heat of their gazes hit the back of my neck...standing my hairs upward. I wipe my hand over my face. Stressed. Fuck, why do I feel like crying, WTF NO. Stop, I can deal with a breakup better than this. COME ON!!

A notification lights up my screen: you have a new match, Tinder informs me. I unlock, because I'm stupid and shallow right now, and butt hurt for revenge. I find that it was the guy I accidentally swiped on...his name was Sam, 23 years old, 3 miles away.

Hmm...he's kinda too old for me...I'm only 18. But maybe that's what I need, someone who's mature. Guys my age are immature. Sam hasn't replied yet, I expect a DTF, or send nudes, message. I get ready to block. It always goes this way. While I wait, giving him the benefit of the doubt, I view his pictures. He seems fun, a traveler of mountains and foreign cities; has a sweet apartment, and looks his age, in the right way. His wardrobe is well mannered, sophisticated, and he has a gentle mannerism. Maybe older guys are the way to go.

Sam's smile is a sunrise hinted with dimples, sage eyes, dark hair. He honestly seems worthy...but then again, that's how they all seem before they rip your heart out.

I receive a message:

SAM: Captain America, sorry that's my boo thang 😬

I burst out laughing, not caring that I'm over loud. I look up at a waitress passing back, hoping she has my food, only to see that they're delivering to a table in the back. Then the craziest thing happens. Sitting towards the back with a group of friends, is Sam, the guy who's texting me now.

This is a prank...this guy is definitely into girls, I mean three pretty ones are with him right now, smiling and laughing. At me...making me a joke??? Sam enjoys them too much, glows too much around them...he's not gay. He did swipe on my profile, though. This feels like a joke.

My food finally arrives, a hamburger and fries. I dump hella ketchup onto my plate. Then text back:

ME: Don't start a civil war 😈

Oh god....too nerdy, why did I send that?

SAM: 😂

I nervously chuckle. Okay, be straight forward now.

ME: So...is this a prank?

SAM: What do you mean?

I dip my fries in ketchup and munch.

SAM: Just so you know I was singing JB as I sent that 😉

I giggle.

ME: u seem like u go for girls...no offense. I think this is a joke...

SAM: I do girls you're right...it gets boring sometimes so I switch it up from time to time 😏

Oh..so I wasn't entirely wrong...or right on the matter.

ME: well, my conspiracy is debunked 😐

I pick up my burger and take a chop as I wait for his reply. Chewing.

SAM: lol

A chat bubble loads for a few seconds. Seems like he still wants a conversation after my goof moment. No mention of sex yet, dick pics, or a video chat. That's a good start.

SAM: Woah ur into ice skating too 😍 Johnny Weir is mine 👏👊

I look back at his table, the three girls are now huddled around him, their attention on his phone like hawks; one attempts to grab it from him, but fails. "See who it is!" I read this girl's lips over the loud restaurant.

Another girl manages to snatch his phone up real fast and reads the screen. Sam tries to get it back, but can't because the girl gets on her knees and holds it high up above her head, away from Sam's reach. He runs his hands through his dark hair in defeat.

"What's his password?" The second girl's lips read.

Hmm...they're kinda clingy, mind ya damn business.

I text:

ME: No stalker shit but we're at the same place right now...look at the bar.