Moments Captured

Sleep Over

We were still sitting on the cot when my phone began to ring.

Ring. Riiing!

I looked the caller ID, Auntie.

Oh no!  Quickly I picked up the call.

"Youra? Where are you? Do you have any idea how late it is, do you know how worried I've been? I've been trying to reach you for hours and-"

"Auntie. It's okay. I'm okay."

Jade watched me from where he leaned against the wall. His expression seemed to be begging the same question I was thinking. Was I really okay?

"Where are you?"

"I'm with Maddie. I'm sorry Auntie Gin, we made last minute plans for a sleep over and I forgot to message you."

Jade raised a brow. I ignored him continuing with my story.

"I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to worry you.... Is it okay if I stay at her place?"

My auntie sighed at the other end of the line.

"Okay... As long as you are safe."

My eyes caught Jade's at that exact moment and it was hard to look away as I replied.  "Yeah.... I'm safe."

Forcefully I pulled my eyes away from Jade's.

"I'll be back tomorrow. I'll go to school first, of course. But I'll be back."

"Okay Youra, but text me when you leave for school."

"Of course. I will talk to you tomorrow. Good night."

"Night."

I ended the call and quickly texted Maddie to cover for me. She began asking a million questions, but I told her I would let her know when I saw her.

I put the phone down and stretched. I was exhausted.

"So we're having a sleep over now?"  Jade smiled and I scowled at him.

"We're not having a sleep over. I am going to go to Maddie's place and sleep there. Thank you very much.  Now if you'll excuse me I'll be leaving."

Surprise crossed his face as I got up and started to move past him.
He blocked my path.

"It's not safe this late." He said.

"It wasn't safe during the day either."  I spat at him.

"Youra I told you I didn't stalk you on purpose.  Maddie was the one who sent me in the first place, remember?" He paused briefly before continuing.  "I also didn't mean for things to escalate like that." He sounded exasperated.

"Yeah well. Even if you didn't mean it, it happened and thanks again for digging up those unpleasant memories up from the depths of where they were buried. I haven't had those nightmares in years and if it wasn't for you-"

I abruptly stopped biting my lip. In my anger I had unwittingly said too much. I wasn't supposed to talk about it. Talk about them. Shaking my head I made to walk away, but then Jade snaked his arm around my shoulders and I felt both annoyed and that weird feeling again.  I gritted my teeth.

"Let go of me Jade."

He leaned forward to speak. His breath tickling my ear.

"And if I don't?"

"Then I will happily attack you again."

Jade laughed.  Though it was strained this time.  He then stepped back letting go of me.

"At least let me explain myself to you."  He sighed.

I gave him a glance over my shoulder.  He looked sincere enough.  So I decided I would give him a chance to explain himself.

"Sure. But not today.  You can explain yourself tomorrow at school.  However, if I don't like what I hear then this tentative -" I moved my arms between us. "whatever this is, is finished. Got it?"

Jade gave a curt nod and I just stared back at blankly.

Pulling myself out of my clouded thoughts, I grabbed my coat and phone.  Making sure my keys were in my pocket before heading out.  "Okay I'm out."

"Youra."  Jade suddenly spoke.

I turned in time to catch whatever it was Jade had thrown at me.

Turned out to be a set of keys.

"What's this?"

"Keys."

I deadpanned.

"What are the keys for Jade."

"Haha.." Jade petered off mumbling to himself.  I thought I heard him say something about it being too early for jokes.  I narrowed my eyes.

"Jade!"  I yelled.

"Yes, sorry, they're for the car out front. You can't get to Maddie's if you don't take it.  We're all the way across town."

We are what?  All the way across town?  I glared at him - he seemed to realize this wasn't helping his case and averted his gaze.

I left without another word.