He returns to the road, and I cannot help but observe his contentedness. I am still amazed by how much our bodies craved each other. A peaceful silence settles in, and I can see the sadness in his eyes; he must have loved her deeply. I will do my best to lift his spirits and make him smile again; I was hopeful to see him smile before.
It's unclear what transpired that prevented him from saving his friend, yet it's evident that his affection for her ran deep.
As soon as we had entered the house, I sat down on the couch, and Jason informed me that he was going to take a shower. Is it possible that he was attempting to avoid the situation earlier? Regardless, I turned on my Netflix account and began watching my favorite show, Stranger Things.
After nearly two episodes, Jason stomps in, his hair still damp from the shower, shirtless, and sporting a black jogger that flaunts his defined V-line and six-pack. As I examine his tattoos, I notice a small initial around his chest that reads "Sel." My heart thumped like a drum in my chest as his tall, muscular frame towered over me.
'Badge over, Marie.
My stomach flipped at his proximity. But I did as he said and shuffled over on the couch; Jason wavered. He dipped down next to me after a brief pause, leaving me to wonder if he was having second thoughts.
He smelled good. The scent of a soft, refined mix of citrus and musk made my pulse quicken before he even spoke a word.
"What are you watching?" he asks as he sits beside me.
God, please! Please refrain from tempting me into losing my virginity in this manner.
"Your classes start tomorrow. Are you ready?" he asks.
I nod slightly.....
I will be back; he stands and walks out hastily for the exit.
****************
Having completed the entire season, I find myself still waiting for his return. I rise from my seat and make my way to my room. I swiftly step into the shower, the warm water cascading over me, before slipping into my pajama shorts and a delicate spaghetti strap top, subtly accentuating my figure. I have a strong feeling that he will not join me in bed. 'Why am I even worried he made nothing official yet.'
I start preparing for my class tomorrow; I'm so excited to start my classes. I am also eager to make new friends.
A soft knock echoes in my ears, prompting me to turn my gaze towards the door. 'Don't come in,' I shout loudly enough for him to hear.
The door slowly opens, revealing Kate.
She looks at me from top to bottom in awe.
"What?!" I raise my hand, halting her gaze from wandering further.
She shakes her head, her voice trembling with urgency. "Jason,' 'He's wasted, refusing to move. I tried calling you, but I didn't have your number.
Without thinking twice, I found myself at the door. Great! At this point, I have no idea where we are headed. Now that I have turned around, I look at Kate, who appears to be stunned by the sudden movement I made.
"Apologies, do you mind taking the lead?" I let out a chuckle laced with sarcasm.
I trailed Kate as we made our way to Jason's location, hurrying to reach a small club downtown.
The moment I stepped through the doors, the world shifted. A pulse of deep bass throbbed through the floor, vibrating up my legs and into my chest like a second heartbeat. Lights slashed the darkness—violet, electric blue, and blood red, dancing across bodies that swayed and collided in rhythm, a sea of strangers moving as one. The air was thick with perfume, sweat, and the sharp bite of alcohol, each breath tasting like something wild and forbidden. Laughter, shouts, and the DJ's hypnotic beats clashed and tangled into a chaotic, thrilling soundscape. My senses spun, overwhelmed, electrified, and alive in a way I'd never known before. It was excessively loud and overwhelming, yet, paradoxically, it was precisely where I desired to be in order to locate Jason and escape this place.
I was surprised to see Kate plant a soft kiss on a girl, but I shook off the feeling and tried looking for Jason in the crowd.
'Have you seen Jason anywhere?' I question no one in particular. I turn back to see if either Kate heard me, but she was busy making out with the red-haired girl. "gross!" I said to myself.
'Nope, haven't seen him; he just disappeared.' The red-haired girl mumbles, her mouth still glued to Kate's. I cringe one more time: 'Great. I guess I will have to look for him myself then'.
I walk off, dreading pushing my way through the sweaty crowd.
'Back off!' I hear Jason's drunken voice, and people gave him a wide berth as he stumbled my way, still clutching his tequila bottle.
"Sel!" he stopped beside me and swung his arm around my neck. I can't believe you're here. I've missed you so much, and here you are, flesh and bone.'
It hurt so much to hear him mention another girl's name, and here I was standing right beside him, and yet he knew nothing about me nor recognized me.
'Let's get you home, buddy.' I try to push him, but he stops me.
'Marie,' Is that you?'
'Yes, Jason now lets get you home.'
'If only you agree to sleep with me tonight," he smirks. great, he's drunk I roll my eyes at his drunkenness...
After we arrived home, Kate left us. I don't understand why she wouldn't take care of him since they seem to be together, but after what I saw at the club today, I am having second thoughts about them.
"Did I wake you up?" he slurs.
'No, I was awake,' I say, full of sarcasm.
As if he is witnessing a phantom, his gaze is fixed upon me.
"Do we have a problem?" I ask.
"I—Uhm," he says, stammering.
"Let's get you to bed,"
I crawled into my bed, wrapping the duvet around my body.
"Can we talk until I am asleep?" he whispers.
"I want to sleep, Jason."
"Don't be like that," he whines, touching my hip and pulling me to him; my heartbeat quickens with his touch.
Oh God! what is happening to me?
"I'm sorry," he says in the realization of his sudden touch; the heat that was creeping up slowly is now fading away.
I don't say anything because I want his hand back on me. I want to feel his touch. I turn to face him; our faces are only inches away. He wraps his hand back around my hip, his touch causing my heartbeat to quicken once again as I feel his warm breath fan my face. I move closer, inching unbelievably nearer.
He looks into my eyes and then removes his hands quickly and jolts up off the bed.
"I—I need to go," he stutters hastily for the exit.
I feel hurt that he just left without telling me the reason.
I feel my eyelids close, but I can't keep them open for too long, so I fall into a soundless sleep.
I tried to move, but nothing happened. The scene was not new; I was stuck in my place, frozen like a statue once again.
I could feel a tickling in my arms and legs as I tried to turn around and get the hell out of there, but I couldn't move a muscle. I could hear screams calling out, but I'm not sure if it was me they were calling out to. Sel, Sel, Who's Sel? The boy appeared to be calling out to someone. Am I in this room with someone else?
I search around the room, and the roof begins to fall with the blaze spreading rapidly.
There she is, and as I gaze upon her, something about her eyes captivates me. She bears a striking resemblance to me, albeit at a different age, as she cries out for help.
I tried getting up to help her out, but I couldn't. I was hamstrung. the fire kept getting closer and closer, and I could feel my heart whizzing.
I attempted to scream, but my voice also vanished.
Please, help me, help me.
I cry out in my head, but it makes no difference; I keep my eyes closed, too afraid to see what's around me, and the more I toil, the more immobilized I become until nothing in my body will budge.
I could hear the little girl calling out to Jason.
'Jason, please help me!'
I pray my words are heard as tears stream down my face and my body quakes with fear.
It's okay, Marie; you are safe now.
I hear Jason's voice, but it sounds so far away. Where is he? Help me, please. A little boy reaches out his hand toward me, but his face isn't visible. "You can trust me," he says.
I feel hands running all over me as my heart thumps against my ribs, and my stomach turns at the feeling.
Please help me, Jason...
"Wake up, Marie," the voice cuts through the darkness, and I jolt my eyes open. I frantically search the room, waving my arms around to be certain they still work.
"It's okay, Marie. You are safe now." Jason's voice comes from above, and I connect with his eyes. I begin to relax as he strokes my hair.
I'm in a cold sweat...
'Please don't go, Jason!'...