Chapter 05: Jackson's

Chapter Five

Cole

Flashback

" You both would make the perfect match" Brad tipsily said showing me a picture on his phone , he thought he did, actually he just lit up the screen and showed me his wallpaper , a picture of his beloved Beyonce.

"And you're drunk!"

"I'm not" He waved me off shaking his head; he stopped doing so when dizziness hit him. It was as clear as water that he was way too drunk

" Yes you so are, Brad come on look at yourself man, you won’t be able to walk after this" I pointed  to the glass of  neat whisky he held in his hand, hoping to talk some reason into him

"Okay, I am not... I mean I am!" He said in between hiccups, I chuckle; he was unbelievable at times.

"I'm serious though,” He added on my amusement

"You were supposed to talk me out of drinking remember?  Now you're the one getting drunk instead"

"Yeah you're right; but I am dead serious man. At least Ivy will treat you better, unlike Sarah's never ending drama and flirting"

"Yeah you're right I should probably take you home now" I huffed

"You should take Ivy as a wife I tell ya!" He alleged proudly raising his glass of whiskey in the air

"Okay let's go now," 

I tipped off the bartender before literally dragging Brad out that night. It was a day after his birthday and I had just broken up things with Sarah. We were supposed to spend a boys' night out but he ended up drunk and I ended up carrying him around.

End of flashback

I dialed his number

"Hey, where are you man?" Brad's sober voice greeted me on the other end

“I’m good; something came up with the parents, I won't be able to join you unfortunately"

"Oh fine no worries; call me when you're done okay"

"Okay, have fun without me"

"Sure as hell we will" Brad chuckled before he hang up, I shook my head I swear he was bipolar sometimes

He invited me over for ice cream. Not that the invitation wasn't compelling but honestly after what just happened with Ivy, I guess I couldn't  well behave any longer when she was around. It seems as if she keeps falling into my arms and I just don't know how to react anymore. My body responds to hers and last time I checked I’m tight in my slacks.  I am afraid next time I won't be able to hold myself; Certainly not to my apprehension but now I needed  some air, I need to ease out the tension I’m feeling. And by that, you know what I mean.

I can't go out around Brad like this and Ivy all evening under my eyes is not going to make things any easier for me. God she does get to me. The way she bit on her lip, her flowery fragranced perfume and the softness of her skin under my palms... and I’m hard

Ok , I need some air !  

****

 At Jackson's

Ivy

The coffee shop was crowded although there reined an appealing ambiance around the place. We liked it there, the chairs were of wood and the booths of a dark brown all decorated with mini lamps and those little jasmine decks on the tables.

Brad arrived first as usual and Anna before my arriving. I made a straight line to where they sat by the corner. It’s like it became our spot .

Jackson's coffee shop was not far from campus either so we usually hang out there with the girls, meaning, Emily and Anna. Although as its name indicated, it was a coffee shop but we went there for ice cream. He served amazing flavors, and the coziness of the place made it even delightful. We went there for coffee as well; mind you. However, the ice cream was awesome.

  My appreciation for the gathering soon faded as I heard Brad saying that Cole had bailed on him, I could not say that I ran into him like few minutes ago but then I wondered why he cancelled last minute.  Knowing I was coming maybe  Nah this can’t be  The thought evaded my mind as soon as Brad explained that something came up with his parents and so I understood why he said  what he said earlier.

"It's okay, I'll call them back”

 The gathering couldn't go worse when dad called and said I needed to go home earlier so we could have a talk.

My adoptive parents were never strict or harsh on me but this time I should have expected nothing less from my little step-monsisters.

When I got home, I was chocked hearing my adoptive father saying I wasn't welcomed any longer at their house. Well friendly spoken of course .He never said those exact words;  that was my own interpretation of the facts. Anyway, he never meant to say or hurt me in any way but then as he argued that the girls were getting older, that the house would not suffice, and I was over eighteen and should be independent

As soon as I heard that, I understood that it was the girl's doings. Cassie was the oldest and friendliest  she always considered me as a true sister and she was the best sister ever and then there was  Audrey.   

Audrey was the youngest but oh that young creature sure had a lot on her plate for me! I always felt as if she hated me for no rational reason, she flashed me two days ago with a phrase like

"The room seems smaller when us three gather and I have a lot of stuff, don't they give you dorm rooms at university? Oh,  how I wish I had my own room!  I think you better take advantage of that and take all you stuff there as you are adult and now free of living with the parents".

Anyway we agreed that I should take the rest of my stuff  to my dorm room at North high CU and after  graduation  I should consider finding a job so I could have my own place. I had a scholarship for my studies expenses so I was good for the time being

That matter didn't press enough for them to stir the knife in the wound but honestly I thought that my life was soon about to change and I should have known better than to count on anyone else other than my own self. Life has never been fair to me anyway but being put under the microscope like that was frustrating.

After the talk , I made my way out to my dorm room , we agreed that  at by weekend  they would help me pack the few things I had left at the house . so I went to my dorm room empty handed for now. Once inside I changed into my night PJ's   and laid effortlessly on my bed. Feeling all warm and comfy I soon fell into sleep.

***

Cole

 After coming back home, I took a quick shower and changed. Ivy kept popping into my head, she scared me to death when she almost fell over the stairs

I lay in my bed after coming home earlier and all I have done was tossing left and right. Then I just stood, walked my way to the window and lit up a cigarette.

 Tonight was going to be a long, long night...