Mr. Mendes

chapter 12 - butterflies

As I was getting all my things together for the day ahead, I realised something. I would have to face up to Jack today. That was certainly not something I wanted to do.

I continued to pack my bag while thinking about the seemingly hundreds of different ways this could go. I decided to shake them from my brain and carry on getting ready, as I was already late.

When I was leaving the house after grabbing my lunch, books and coat because it was raining heavily, I saw Mr. Mendes opening the black door of his jeep. He heard the noise of me shutting and locking the house door and motioned his hand for me to come over. The offer was gladly accepted. I felt butterflies rise in my stomach as I crossed the road and walked towards his car.

"Hey, get in, there's no way you're walking in this weather!" His voice was raised slightly to make sure I heard him over the sound of the pattering rain.

"Thank you so much," I replied gratefully, "My books are gonna get soaked. Then the 6 page analysis you had me do would be worth nothing!"

"Alright! alright! Maybe it was too much work but get inside now or it actually will be soaked!"

I opened he door and climbed in. I was met with that lovely musky scent again as I readjusted myself in the car seat.

"You ready?" He checked while looking over at me.

"As much as I'll ever be."

The journey was peaceful, the noise of heavy rain hitting the windshield was calming to me but I still had the burning question that I wanted to ask him. So I did.

"Shawn, What do I say to Jack?" I cried, "It's gonna be so awkward. I'm guessing he knows you did it for me."

Shawn looked at me despairingly, "Don't worry about him, he won't say anything to you."

"But that's exactly what I'm bothered about! The awkward silences."

"You'll be fine. It will definitely be a little bit," He paused, "Uncomfortable, but you only have to see him for fifteen minutes."

"I guess, thank you."

We had just pulled up into He school parking lot. He made sure to park right in the back corner so no one saw me getting out of his car.

"I'll see you fifth, okay?"

"Okay."

The minutes seemed to slip by and before I knew it I was sat down in form waiting for Jack to arrive. I tapped my pen vigorously on the desk, organised my bag and checked my phone. The whole time I had busied myself, Jack was nowhere to be seen. I guess he must have skipped? I wouldn't blame him to be honest.

Just as the clock showed 08:55, Jack swanned in.

Damn it Jack, I really don't want to do this.

He quickly apologised to the teacher and made a beeline straight to the seat next to mine. After a few seconds pause, he spoke.

"Hey." His voice was rough and hoarse.

"Hi Jack." I only replied out of politeness

"Look, I'm sorry about what happened on Saturday," His eyes met mine, I really didn't think he was actually going to bring this up, "I was way out of line."

I was stunned by the fact that he had started to apologise.

"I, uh," I couldn't think of what to say, his deep brown eyes where staring into mine. They looked apologetic, no wait, sad. "Thank you Jack."

But what he said next really surprised me.

"Eleanor, you've seen the side of me that barely anyone ever has. You even accepted my apology after I bruised you. If that were me I'd have nothing to do with myself." I started to wonder where he was going with this, "I can't let someone like you slip away. I know it sounds crazy and I don't blame you if you say no but please hear me out. I wanna take you out on a date. For real this time. Not because we're pretending or because my parents want us to. I want to get to know you better, and I want to discover who you are as a person and look further than the shy, cute girl that I see."

Well damn.

"I'm sorry Jack, I can't, I'm not ready." Really I said no because of Shawn

"Tell me when you're ready; I'm waiting."

The bell rings.