A flower in the furnace

How I met Jill

Disclaimer: I do not smoke and I don't encourage it, I chose the pic because it capture's her 

It was at a party at the University and a girl had just thrown a glass of beer at me, the usual.

A head with blond curls popped out of nowhere and with a wad of tissues began wiping the drops that had got on my laptop.

"I thought no one brings a laptop to a party , you must be some nerd "she said giggling.

"Says the one who is struggling to stand straight," I lashed back.

"Nerd and attitude , I see why you got splashed with the alcohol," she retorted clearly not getting the signal to back off.

" Way to go Einstein" I muttered and tried to make my way through the crowd to my room.

Jill stepped in front of my door blocking it or atleast as much as her five foot -one frame could muster.

"Move out of the way , lady" I growled, the nasty smell of alcohol seeping into my clothes was making me lose my cool.

"Make me" she announced staring back sardonically.

That was when I lost it. I lifted her and stashed her into the overhead loft and barged into my room slamming the door behind.

I thought she would scream and holler but I heard nothing.

I was working on a paper deadline so within seconds I was in the groove totally forgetting what had just transpired.

It was about five in the morning when I ventured out of the room, trying not to step on the people who had crashed on the floor.

I looked up and saw a small bundle curled up in the loft and felt a lump in my throat.

And that's when I realised how much of a mess I was as a person and I vowed to make it up to her and all the people who were in my life.

I got a stool , carefully carried her to my room and tucked her under the covers.

" End of flashback " she professed and skipped inside the diner with the rest of us in tow.

That night, what was meant to be a date, turned into a tearful reunion of childhood friends.

Although, frankly, the only one who shed tears was Jill.

As we walked the desolate streets, the clock struck midnight and Jill let out a loud yawn.

I was about to turn to others and suggest calling it a night when Mika tugged my coat sleeve.

I gently tried to remove her hand but she didn't let go and looked at me with quiet resolve.

" Do you really think that Unni and I came to just have pizza." she asserted.

"Oh yeah , we forgot about the ice-cream" chirped Jill totally off-track but also definitely her usual self.

Taylor stifled a laugh.

Mika frowned but did not break the eye contact.

"Jill , can I call you a cab?" I said, as I quickly nodded to Mika.

"That won't be necessary," said Jill looking serious for the first time that evening.