banana | erikleen

0.5

"erik," i whisper to myself, then i become aware of what just happened, and my eyes widen. "oh my god, erik!"

i jump off of the couch beneath me and start running after him. for some reason, i can't stop. my feet just keep running and running, no matter how hard i try to stop. what are you gonna do when you reach him, i think to myself. what, are you gonna hug him?

my thoughts are interrupted when i run into a taller man, with brown hair. when he turns around i realize it's him, and i can't turn back.

"hey, pretty, couldn't resist being away from me for that long, huh?" he smirks. oh no, there he goes again. how in the world is he this beautiful? i've only known him for like three minutes and his smile already melts me to pieces.

"uhm, no, actually, i um.. came to uh," i blush a little. "you know what, never mind."

i look down and sigh. why can't i think of anything to say? usually with guys i like i never stop talking, yet i can't find any words to use in this moment. colleen stop, you don't like him. you barely know him.

"ahh, i see. cat got your tongue, baby?" he puts his fingers under my chin and lifts my face up to meet his. "it's alright. you don't need to say anything, i can already tell i'm gonna like you."

i dont say anything, i just stand there in silence. "look, cutie, i gotta go," he says. "use my digits."

"wait, what? seriously?" i say. all he says is he thinks he's gonna like me and he doesn't even make a move, or try to talk to me? i'm so confused right now.

"what, what's wrong?"

"you're just up and leaving," i say and scoff. "just like that."

"look, i don't mean to disappoint you, but i have a date to get to," he says. "you have a problem with that?"

"um, actually yes." deep down, i kinda had the feeling he was just a player. that this was all a fairytale and he didn't actually like me. and you know what? turns out i was right.

"and why is that?"

"because you're sitting here, hitting on me, telling me you think you'll like me, and all of a sudden you have a date?" i snap. "you know what, forget i even talked to you. you're a player, bye erik."

i turn on my heel and begin walking away, when he says, "you know, i never hit on you!"

-

"oh my god, this is my jam!" i say loudly so my friends can hear me over the music. teeny, rachel, and i made up after i talked to erik. i told them i was sorry, and i told them everything that happened. right now, we're dancing. i figured i might as well enjoy myself tonight, and not worry about a guy and what he thinks.

i keep dancing until i feel a hand on my shoulder, and i turn around. a guy, who isn't that attractive in my opinion, stands there, smirking at me. "hey pretty," he says and grabs my hand, dancing with me.

"bye ugly," i say, and turn from him. definitely not one of my proudest moments, but you know. it's whatever.

"how about i call a taxi and we get out of here," he smirks.

"how about no," i say. "go away. i'm not interested."

"oh, come on, let me buy you a drink."

"i said no, stop."

"yes, what do you like?" he asks, pulling on my hand. "i'll buy you whatever you want."

"please, don't-" i start to say, but i get interrupted by someone pushing us away from each other. "she said no, get away from her!"
i look and see erik standing there, his eyes fixed on the unattractive man, his facial expression angry. the other man walks away, and erik turns his gaze towards me. "you okay?" he asks.

i don't say a word and walk away from him. i leave the party, and as i'm walking to my car i hear someone behind me.

"colleen," a man yells at me. the voice is familiar. too familiar if you ask me. "don't get in the car."

"no, erik. i thought you had a date to get to," i look at him. "so go to your date. i'm done with you."

"i just protected you and you're treating me like this?" he scoffs. "what is wrong with you?"

"i don't need protection, erik! especially not from you," i say. "i'm single. we're not together, and we never will be."

"colleen, please, stop," he says and walks up to me. "don't get in that car. come with me."

a part of me is telling me not to go with him, that i should stay away from him. yet, another part of me is telling me that i should go with him, and maybe we'll have a happy ending together. i know they say to trust your gut, and my gut is telling me to stay away, but what if you don't want what your gut wants?

"fine," i whisper. "i'll go with you."

he calls for a taxi, and when it gets to the house we both get in. the car ride is awkward. we aren't saying a word to each other, me looking out the window, and erik on his phone. our hands laying in the middle seat, only inches apart. he puts his phone up and brushes his hand against my own, then lays it on my thigh gently. my breath hitches. i should've listened to my gut. i really need to stay away from erik stocklin.