Three is better than one.

Chapter3: She's Beautiful When She Laughs

*Author’s POV*

Jack arrived at the mall after casually following Priya and Kelly. He told his friend Jeremy to meet him at the main entrance. He waited and looked around until he finally spotted him.

“Hey Jeremy!” Jack motioned him to come over.

“Hey man, how’s a going?” he replied making his way over.

“So you know the plan right?” Jack asked

“Yea, let’s just go and find them,” Jeremy suggested as they walked through the doors. “So where are they?”

“Right over there,” Jack said pointing at the girls walking into Forever 21. “Keep it cool.” He added as they strutted towards them.

“Hey babe.” Priya heard from behind her, she was absolutely appalled by how someone could greet someone so rudely until she turned around to see Jack.

“Ugh, it’s you again.” Priya said, disgusted.

“Well, nice to see you too.” He replied, offended.

“So who’s your friend here?” Priya asked curiously.

“I’m Jeremy, nice to meet you.” He answered politely and handed Priya a card with his number on it.

Priya looked over to Kelly who was dazed by Jeremy’s brown eyes and bleach blonde hair. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to know that she was already head over heels for him.

“Nice to meet you too,” she shook his hand, “I’m Priya.” And smiled sweetly.

He extended his arm to shake Kelly’s hand as well but she simply stood there frozen. Priya nudged Kelly hard on the elbow so that she wouldn’t mess up her first impression in front of a guy she liked.

“Wha-uh-…I’m K-Kelly.” She managed to stutter and shook his hand.

“I know this sounds sudden, but would you like to accompany me for lunch? I think you’re really cute.” He flirted as he snaked his hand around her’s. He sneakily started to walk away with her as she blushed madly.

*Priya’s POV*                                                      

No! Kelly don’t leave me with this loser! Jeez, that girl is so easily swooned. To my displeasure I looked over to the left and saw Jack suspiciously grinning.

“What are you looking at, pervert?” I said coldly.

“Gosh, harsh much? I’m in the same position as you, my friend just left me too.” He said sounding somewhat hurt.

 I suddenly regretted what I said. “Sorry, I didn’t realize.”

He could see that I had some sort of remorse. “It’s okay, why don’t we make the most of this? Wanna go to the park or something?” he suggested, I could tell he was trying to make me feel better; maybe he’s not such a bad guy after all.

*Jack’s POV*

I don’t know why I suggested to go the park. That was the one place I always went to clear up my mind, I guess it was too late to change my mind now. Besides, teasing Priya is fun, regardless where. We finally arrived at the park after we got smoothies at the Booster Juice place we happened to pass by. As we sat on a bench, things became awkward. I’ve never been in such an awkward situation with a girl; we’re always either making out, partying, or she’s left crying after I break up with her. I decided to break the silence when I heard her start to slurp her smoothie quite loudly. Perfect chance to start teasing her.

“Whoa, slow down there. You sound like a backed up toilet.” I said, giggling.

She started to blush in embarrassment but eventually started laughing with me. She’s beautiful when she laughs.

“Hey you know, this is kind of like a date.” I said hoping she would get all flustered.

But instead she suddenly became serious and said,

“Well it shouldn’t. Your girlfriend would be upset.”

“Girlfriend? I don’t have a girlfriend. What are you talking about?” I was genuinely confused.

“That girl you were on the phone with the day we met.” She said sounding upset. Hold on, does she like me? Or is it just my imagination?

“Oh, her? She’s long gone. I already broke up with her.” I said bluntly.

“What? Why?” she questioned, looking at me.

“Well…I don’t know. I do it all the time.” I replied.

“What? That doesn’t even make sense. I haven’t even had a boyfriend before and you do this kind of thing all the time?” she argued.

“Yeah…I think it’s a hassle to stay in a relationship.” I explained truthfully.

“What makes you think it’s a hassle? What if you find the right person?” she asked with concern in her eyes.

“Well, I guess it has something to do with my parents. They always fought and soon my mom left. I was also pretty young at the time, so now I think it’s better to just not put in the effort to keep it together.” The words flowed out of me.

I don’t know why I’m telling her all these personal things. We just met the other day but I just feel so comfortable around her and she just listens to me despite probably hating guts.  Things fell silent, until we suddenly heard a loud thunder clap. We were both shocked and I nearly fell off the bench. But what shocked me even more was when Priya grabbed onto my arm by reflex. I looked and saw her quivering; she looked like a scared turtle.

“Are you afraid of thunder and lightning?” I questioned her.

“N-no.” she answered as she adjusted her grasp away from me. BOOM! She grabbed onto my arm again, even tighter this time. I chuckled. How cute.

“It’s fine if you’re scared,” it started raining, “we should find shelter. Come on, I can’t get his jacket wet, it’s expensive.

*Author’s POV*

Jack started running but Priya just stood there.

“Aren’t you coming?” He said as he stopped jogging towards shelter. “I thought you were scared of thunder.”

“Yeah, I am but I think the thunder stopped. I actually like the rain, it’s really refreshing.” Priya admitted as she removed her pony tail and began to prance in the rain. “Come on, Jack. It’s fun!”

He hesitated, however when he saw Priya smile brightly even in the dark clouds, he couldn’t resist. Jack threw his jacket aside and joined her. They played tag in the rain and laughed like they were the only ones on the planet. After a while, the grass they were playing on began to become slippery; making it harder to run without falling.

“You think you can catch me?” Priya teased as she ran backwards, suddenly she slipped and fell flat on her butt, bringing Jack down with her. In a flash, he toppled onto her and…

Their lips touched.