4. Thirsty much

MICHAEL

I said something impulsive and now I regret it. I told Alison that I wanted her brother to join us on our date.

I could hardly think when I was around him. And we only hung out for a few hours and we barely talked. Why did I think it was a good idea to spend a whole evening with him?

Maybe it was a good idea. I must be overthinking things, and maybe once I spend more time with him, I won't feel flustered anymore. I mean, what am I feeling flustered about in the first place? I had no idea.

Alison and I decided to meet them at a Steakhouse for dinner. The plan was to eat some dinner then hit up the local bar to have drinks and play pool.

"Um...do we really have to do all that? Can't we just have dinner and go to the movies?" I asked Alison.

"Oh come on, we won't be able to talk during the movie, so that would defeat the purpose of spending time together," Alison said dismissively.

That was the idea. I felt like I'd say some awkward, and Jacob would think I'm a total loser. The less we talk, the better. I can at least stuff my face with food at the restaurant every time I want to stop talking.

We arrived at the restaurant at eight pm and got us a booth then waited for them.

"Jacob is late as always," Alison said. "I wonder who his date is."

I wondered too. What kind of guy was he into? I could hardly contain my curiosity. I ordered us some drinks and appetizers and waited impatiently.

Alison said something to me, so I tried to turn my focus back to her, but my eyes kept lingering towards the front entrance. Jacob and his date could enter any moment.

Then I saw him. He was wearing blue jeans and a tight black t-shirt that showed off his biceps. Next to him was a guy in his early twenties who looked like he could be on the front page of GQ magazine. Oh great, here comes another guy who's better looking than me.

"Sorry to keep you guys waiting. Francis was having a crisis," Jacob remarked.

"What kind of crisis?" Alison asked.

"He couldn't keep his lips off mine," Jacob said nonchalantly.

"Eww, Jacob! Spare us the details." Alison giggled.

"Yeah, let's not scare them off before we finish hanging out. You must be his sister Alison, I'm Francis," Jacob's date smiled at Alison then looked at me. "And you must be Michael." He extended his hand toward me, and I took it.

"It's nice to meet you," I said politely, but my stomach felt like it was twisted into a knot. There was something about this guy I didn't like. Maybe it was the way he was looking at me. He had a smug expression on his face. Or maybe it was his fake smile.

Jacob sat across from me and gave me his dimpled smile. My heart started racing again. Oh, there we go again. I was getting nervous over nothing. I gulped my drinks down and tried to calm down.

"Thirsty much," Jacob said and smirked at me.

"Ah...yeah. Should we order?" I let out nervous laughter and signaled the server to come over.

"So Francis, Jacob told me you were a med student?" Alison asked.

"That's right. I'm only on my first year, though," Francis said. "I can't wait to start my residency. I am planning to be a Pediatrist."

"Aww that's great. You must love kids," Alison chirped.

Francis laughed. "Yes, of course. I love kids."

Jacob looked at me. "What about you, Michael? Do you like kids?" He gave me a crooked smile.

"S...sure," I said awkwardly and looked at Alison. "I have to go to the bathroom," I said and stood up, then strode away from the table.

I asked one of the servers where the bathroom was, and she pointed toward it. So I went inside and turned the faucet on.

My ears and neck felt hot. Maybe I was starting to get sick, I thought. Ugh, I hope not. I was on my spring break in College, and it'd be a shame if I have to stay in bed the whole time.

I heard the door open and Jacob walked in. He looked at me intently then stood behind me.

"Are you alright, man?" he asked.

The hair on my neck stood up as he was standing so close to me. I felt his warm breath on my skin.

"Yeah, I'm okay," I drew a sharp breath.

He placed one of his hands on my shoulder. "You don't look too good. Your neck is all red. Maybe we should call it a night."

And miss the chance to hang out with him...

The thought made me upset.

"No, no. It's nothing serious. I am fine, really. Thanks for checking on me," I said and chuckled to show him how fine I was.

Jacob wrinkled his forehead and looked at me for a second as if to decide whether he should believe me or not, then shook his head. "Alright, if you say so. Maybe you're just hungry." He put his arm around my shoulder and drew me closer. "Let's get some food in you." he chuckled and patted my stomach with his other hand.

The closeness of our bodies was unbearable. I felt like I couldn't breathe, but I didn't want to tell him to let go. What if he thinks I am rude? I'm sure whatever this was, it'll pass.

Jacob was right. I was feeling better after I ate. I probably had low blood sugar or something.

"Let's get out of here. We are going to the bar Francis and I had our first date at. It's pretty nice with pool tables and live bands," Jacob announced.

"Sounds good to me. Are you ready to go, Michael?" Alison looked at me.

"Yeah. Just a warning, I am terrible at playing pool," I said.

Jacob lightly punched my shoulder from across the table. "You're in luck. I am a pro at pool so just stick by me, Kid. I'll show you the ropes." He offered me a friendly smile.

"I look forward to it," I said and exhaled sharply.