6. How to deal with mistakes

Emily comes back to my room. She knows I am an awful mess right now. She always knows how I feel. This fucking party and my initial longing for a one-night stand definitely backfired.

I don't do relationships ever since what happened. Instead I have fun to shake off my past. Seems like last night it was a very dumb idea, I should have stuck to Evans.

Emily interrupts my thoughts making me look up at her.

"I think Evans is really in to you. What are you going to do about it?"

I sigh heavily. "I have no idea. I mean I like him too, he doesn't seem the jackass type like most of them. And he sure is hot. But he's my neighbour, I can't just have a one-night stand with him and then pretend nothing happened."

"And if you don't just go for a one-night stand? You could try dating him," she carefully suggests.

Dating him? Could I try that? I mean, he obviously still is a total stranger I only met beginning of the week. But he sure has something interesting about him.

"You know I don't do dates", I answer instead.

"Sam it's been five years. This isn't healthy anymore. Why not try something different for a change? I mean if it doesn't work, we can still stick to all the other boys here. I just think you shouldn't make it a none option to have a real date." The concerned look she's giving me, tells me just how serious she is about this.

I let out a cynical laugh. "Oh, and what do I tell Evans? Hey sorry, I fucked the guy you warned me about while you were waiting for me to return. But would you like to date me now?"

"Gosh Sam, you don't need to tell him, do you? What did Jake say? Will he keep it to himself?"

"Last night while we were wearing our masks, he said Evans won't find out. Do you think he'll stick to it now that he knows who I am? Gosh, I should have kicked him out right after our first round. We wouldn't have known who the other one is, and it would have been just fine."

"Don't you think you would have recognized him on some party sooner or later?"

Once again, I sigh and know Emily is right. "Fuck Emi, what do I do if I meet him again on a party?"

"Stay away from him. Act like he is a total stranger. I mean after five years you practically are. He knows nothing about your life today, he doesn't know how much things have changed you. And let's face it, he obviously has changed too. I mean shy Jake has turned into a fucking hot womanizer." She fans her face to underline her words.

Yeah that doesn't necessarily make it better, he is really fucking hot. Gosh, I can't believe this is the same guy who had been my boyfriend for nearly one year and whom I had known since I was four. Shy Jake, who didn't have anything to do with those features from last night. Piercing, tattoos, his whole muscular build, and of course his attitude. He's an absolute womanizer who seems to fuck anything he can get. Guess Emily is right. We both have changed in those five years a lot.

"Ben and Jerry's with N*****x for today? And tomorrow we'll just forget you had the night of your life with your ex?" She gives me an understanding and comforting smile.

"Babe, I love you! You always know what I need", I exclaim. "How could I survive the last five years without you being near?"

"Because no matter how far apart we were, we were always together. No one could stop us", she chuckles. "Love you too, Sweetheart."

She's right, no matter how hard her parents tried to part us, they couldn't manage it. We always stuck together, we even watched N*****x together while texting or being on the phone for hours. At some point even her parents gave up on parting us.

We spend the rest of the day, chilling on the couch with N*****x, Ben and Jerry's and later on pizza. Surely the right thing after a hangover and unknowingly making out with my ex. Binge watching with my bestie is definitely one of the best things in life.

By the time we head for our bed at 2am I'm feeling a lot better. I decide to ignore the fact I had fucked with my ex and just put it down to having fucked a stranger. Which he technically is after all these years, Emi is right.

***********

Waking up in the morning, I feel back to normal. Only a couple of days left until college starts. Emily and I decide to make a use of the day, and to take some time to prepare for it. We still need some stuff and want to take a look where we need to go once Monday comes. I like to be prepared instead of being too late for anything.

Walking out of the door of course we bump into Evans first thing. For a moment I feel uneasy, not knowing what to say. It's not like we are together or anything, yet I feel guilt washing over me. Looking into his face takes that uneasiness away very fast when a boyish grin appears on his face.

"Crazy as Shit, today?", he laughs. "How's your hangover today?"

Having lost the tension, I give him a bright smile. "Fine, slept it off, alright. Just needed to chill a bit. Sorry for leaving without saying goodbye'" I apologise sincerely.

"No worries, you did say you needed to step out. Was just worried something had happened. Hand me your phone."

"What? Why?" I ask, confused.

"I'll enter my number, the next time you leave, you can text me, so I know I don't need to worry."

Emily gives me a nudge, I know what she is thinking. He is acting ever so sweet. And again, a wave of guilt washes over me.

I hand him my phone and he enters his number.

"Now it's your decision, if you want to text me or not", he says with a wide smile plastered on his face, telling me he doesn't just mean if I disappear on a party.

"Ok", I answer smiling back at him. "Well we need to leave now, but I'm sure I'll see you soon."

"Can't wait", he answers with an excited tone.

Once we leave the building, I know Emily can't hold back any longer.

"OMG he is so fucking sweet. Honey you have to date him, you've got nothing to lose anyway. In the worst case, you might just end up having life changing sex with a guy who isn't a total jerk. This is what you need right now." She's firmly gushing over him.

She's right, that's exactly what I need right now, so I decide to text him.

Sam: Hey friendly neighbour, now you have my number too. Statement girl ;)

It only takes seconds for him to reply.

Evans: Glad you gave it to me. Can't wait to read your messages. ;)

He obviously wants to text more often with me. Taking a side glance, I see Emily smirking while looking at my phone.

"He is so into you. From what I saw, he's friendly to everyone in the house. But no where near, like he is with you."

To be honest at the moment I don't know if this is good or bad.

"Focus Emi, boys, booze, party. Remember?"

"Well he is a boy. To be precise a hell of a good looking exemplar." She winks at me.

"Yes, but boys are more than one."

"Gosh Sam, you are being picky now. Fuck if I had someone like that after me, I'd jump his bones without a second thought." I laugh about her big mouth. Yeah, she definitely would, no doubt at all. "Anyway, to be precise he would be more than one, after all you...."

"Ah, shut up", I cut her off before she can even mention my huge mistake.

Just as I am about to put my phone in the pocket, I hear another message coming in.

Evans: Know you are busy now with Emi. Fancy meeting up later?

A little insecure, I show Emily my phone. Fuck what am I to do?

"What are you waiting for?"

"I don't know if I should do it."

Before I can even react, she grabs hold of my phone and texts back.

Sam: Sure

"Fuck Emi what did you just do?" I complain immediately.

"I'm making sure Jake doesn't mess you up again. If it hadn't been for the night with him, you would have went, right?"

I sigh knowing exactly she's right.

Evans: What would you like to do?

Thinking about it, I need to go somewhere we don't get tempted.

Sam: Would like to check out Oxford Wheels Project park. You in?

Evans: A Skatepark? You take me by surprise ;) What time?

Sam: 6pm?

Evans: Settled. Looking forward to it. :)

Emily looks at me in total disbelief.

"A skatepark, serious? Girl, what's wrong with your brain?"

I shrug. "You know I love skating. And at least I can't do dumb things there."

"I thought doing dumb things is what we are here for." I know she really wants to whine about this.

"Maybe one dumb thing for the first week is enough", I laugh it off.

Emily and I head for buying our books and writing stuff first before heading to our college. Even if we aren't in the same courses, at least we are in the same place. A lot of people don't know, the University of Oxford has thirty-nine colleges. It's crazy when you think about it.

The buildings are amazing. The architecture is breathtaking. All the gargoyles everywhere. I feel like put back way in history and somehow also like into a fantasy/fiction movie. I had seen many photos before, but seeing it for real is a different dimension. This sure will be an inspiring place to be writing.

"Ok, seen enough? My feet are killing me", Emily complains with a pout.

"No wonder with those heels", I chuckle.

Guess she was hoping to see some guy she could drag back home with her. We have a quick stop for a Baileys hot chocolate before heading back home. There's this tiny cafe near the Christ church, I swear they do the best hot chocolate ever.

It's nearly 6pm when we finally reach home. Not wasting any time, I quickly slip into a more comfortable jeans, put my hair into a ponytail, and put my favourite pink cap on.

When it knocks at the door, I feel all excited. The thing is, I don't know if it's because of Evans or because I can't wait to test the skatepark here.

Quickly, I grab my skateboard before heading to the door. Emily was faster to let Evans enter already.

"You are such a boy," Emi calls out while eyeing my outfit.

"I am not. I am wearing a short crop top and pink cap, yeah?"

"Tell her Evans, skating isn't a girlie thing. And those Chucks and torn jeans aren't either. And which girl wears a cap? Especially for a date!"

I blush at her words, and Evans seems to feel uneasy too for a few seconds until he sees me. His eyes stare at my cleavage, longer than decent. Then, scanning my whole body. I see him gulp and running his fingers through his hair before saying a word.

"I like girls who don't stick to clichés", thankful I give him a huge smile.

"See Emi, thanks for the backup Evans", I say while giving him a quick hug.

This is how I should greet a potential date, right? I mean, it's weird as I only know him a couple of days. But it does feel good.

He blushes slightly, which is really cute. A good-looking, tall guy with tattoos, blushing at my hug. What more could I want, right?

On our way to the skatepark, Evans keeps on eyeing me and my skateboard.

"What? Something wrong?"

"Nope, just amazed. Didn't think you'd be a skater girl. And your board is quite cool. Sure, you can handle it?"

To my surprise, he has a board along too.

"Didn't think you'd be a skater boy. You think you can keep up?" I counter with a huge smirk biting my lips. "And yes, I love Harley Quinn."

I have Harley Quinn underneath my board and bright pink rolls, matching my cap. I see an amused smirk on his face.

"Harley Quinn, yeah? What do you like about her?"

"She's tough, a crazy bitch, doesn't give a damn about the bullshit around her, she's damn clever, a fighter but deep down inside her she has her soft spot no one really knows."

"Wow, never thought about her that way. Let me guess, you like how she acted independent from Joker in Birds of Prey?"

"Hell, yes."

He gives me a big laugh, making my tummy feel all fluttery. "Ok, so you are passionate about her. But she's on roller skates, and you are on a board. What are you more passionate about?"

"I never said she is perfect," I chuckle. "I've been skating ever since I can remember."

"I like the idea of our first date being in a skatepark. Doubt, I would have found out as much about you as taking you for a dinner. You are different from all the other girls I know."

So, he does see it as a date. It feels weird, to be honest. But can't say I mind the thought, though.

"Wait and see if you like it once I've kicked your ass," I chuckle.

"Can't wait."