That Abercrombie Model

TWENTY

I wake up without Kystan in the house. I look everywhere but the only evidence he was even here is a blanket that smells slightly like him. I wrap myself in it, reveling in the scent. Recollection of last night come back to me. I wonder if I am even allowed to like his scent this much when I rejected him.

I lay down the blanket and resolve to pay Jade a visit, to get her insight on it.

"Ta-da." I say as I enter. Instead of a jovial welcome, I walk in on her and Asher kissing. They separate, each looking embarrassed at being caught.

"Um. I wasn't expecting you." Jade says with a sheepish face and she is blushing. Not the cherry-tomato style more like the subtle Jade style, more dignified.

"It was supposed to be a surprise." I say with emphasis on surprise. "But instead, I am the one who got a surprise." I wiggle my eyebrows suggestively.

Jade looks like she would love to be swallowed up by the earth. I, on the other hand, make myself comfortable on a sofa facing them like I am watching a movie. "By all means go on with what you were doing." I say motioning with my hand for them to go on.

Jade's eyes are daggers at that moment I may need to duck soon. Asher on the other hand is enjoying this and he is fighting the urge to burst out laughing, making his face red. Jade whispers something in his ear, and he leaves, of course not before giving her a small peck.

Jade turns to me so fast that I almost get whiplash. She charges towards me; I duck behind a pile of pillows. She still gets me and starts hitting me with a pillow. I can't stop myself from laughing. "Liza, I am going to kill you one of these days." She says as she sits beside me.

"But you love me too much." I reply in a cooing voice with a pout to top it off.

"Only if you don't pull off such stunts." She says with a pointed look.

"You know I can't promise you that, right? Besides, where is the fun in that?"

She rolls her eyes. Suddenly her energy comes back and she starts bouncing on the chair with vibrant eyes. Yeah, and my curiosity spikes up, too.

"Spill." I urge.

"You won't believe it. Asher asked me out on a second date," She says, "Right before you entered and spoiled it." She scowls at me. "It's really happening." Her bounciness increases.

"Actually I can. It won't be long before you guys get married anyways." I answer in a monotone.

She glares at me, "Way to spoil it." She crosses her arms on her chest.

"But I am happy for you, girl." I poke her on the arm and she swats me away but still returns her buoyancy. "Where is he taking you?"

"I don't know yet." She gushes. "And that's much better right? I love surprises." She is over cloud nine at this moment.

"I know you'll have a great time." I add. "Asher is a great guy and you two look so great together"

"Thank you. He is really all that." Her eyes assume a dreamy look. "By the way, what went down with your great guy?" She asks with a lot of anticipation.

I can't help sighing when I remember that dinner. "It was amazing." I answer. "Well, until he asked me to be his girlfriend. Can you believe it?"

The reaction I expected doesn't come, instead she looks like she saw it coming. "I can. It won't be long before you guys get married." She throws my words at me. I raise a disbelieving eyebrow at her. "That's great though right?" She asks.

"Well, no, because I am not ready and I explicitly told him so." I say. She looks at me like I am the densest person she has ever seen. "What? I just don't want to rush into a relationship again." I add in my defense.