“Maybe I shouldn’t be drinking on this sofa.” Apple pauses, her wine glass halfway to her mouth. I push my glasses up my nose and grab my own glass.
“I’m a klutz. I know stains come out easy on these sofas already.”
She laughs and takes a big gulp of her wine. I do the same before picking up my phone. Biting my lip, I debate doing what I’ve been thinking about doing since I got home.
“Maybe we can Google him a little.”
Apple’s eyes light up. “You just said we shouldn’t!” She puts her glass down on the table. “And what do you mean a little? What’s a little Google?”
“I don’t know. I changed my mind.” I put his name in the search engine. “A little is a look at the images, not clicking the links or anything.” I don’t know why, but this makes it seem like it isn’t so bad.
“You sure you wanna do that?”
I look over at Apple, my finger hovering over the search button, all ready to go. This was her idea to begin with.
“Why? Do you know something?” I feel a tight ball form in my stomach like I’m about to lose something I never had. Maybe I don’t want to see. Or maybe it’s better to know.
A smile spreads on her face, making some of the tightness fade.
“Search. You’ll either fall more for him or…” She trails off, but I’m already hitting search and scrolling through pictures of him. There are photos of him at events, and a number of articles have been written about him over the past year.
In many of the photos, he’s with his mother or his sister. In the other photos, he’s alone. I can’t stop myself and I click an article that talks about him losing his mother to breast cancer and how he donated a whole new wing to the local hospital, dedicated to cancer research.
“Jesus, he’s even more perfect than I already thought.” For some reason this makes it worse. I don’t know what I thought I would find. Maybe something that showed some flaw. Or that maybe he was out with a different woman every night. But none of that was there.
“And that’s what I meant. You’re going to talk yourself out of dating him because of that.”
“Can you not date someone because they’re too perfect? Is that a thing?” I ask, moving to pick up my wine glass to take another drink. Instead, I hit the glass and spill my wine all over my Harley Quinn shirt and yoga pants.
“Oh my God. I bet I’m going to do that if I go on a date with him.” I point to the wine on my shirt, making Apple snort.
“Why do you think all the single teachers are always talking about him? He’s like a freaking unicorn no one can catch. Not even for a fast fuck.” Apple wiggles her eyebrows.
I get up and go into the kitchen, trying to clean myself up. Apple appears moments later.
“Listen,” she says, putting her hand on her hip. “Don’t freak yourself out. Look at the facts. He’s never seen out with a woman, and now he’s asking you to go out on a very public date. Not only that, everyone has been whispering about how he’s always looking at you. Something he’s never done with anyone else. Just you. All this shows me is he really wants you. This isn’t a game. He’s more than into you.” She takes a step closer, handing me my refilled glass of wine. “And after what I’ve seen today, that date will be happening one way or another. Drink your wine and let’s think on what kickass Halloween costume you’re going to wear tomorrow.”
I take a big gulp, knowing she’s right. I could tell today Jack is going to have me. It’s just a matter of how long it will take.
Chapter Four
Jack
I walk into the school gym and look around, searching for her. This day has felt like an eternity, and I know I can’t wait another second to get my eyes on her. Touch her. Finally know how soft her lips are.
The room has been transformed into a Halloween mansion, complete with people who have been hired to perform tricks. The school goes over the top every year, but always raises a lot of money for charity with the event. Looking around the space, I see students, parents, and teachers playing games and dancing.
Scott tugs on my hand and points, and I follow his line of sight. Kim and Eric come up on his other side, and they see our exchange.
“Come on, Scott. Let’s go see if your dad will buy us some cotton candy.” Kim winks at me and they all step away. Scott is full-out grinning. He’s been my little wingman through all of this.
I scan the crowd again and spot the red and black. Of course Raven is Harley Quinn. I smile to myself as I walk over and look her up and down. She’s got on the classic Harley costume. Not the new one from Suicide Squad, but the black and red jester outfit that hugs her lush full curves in all the right places and makes my mouth water. Her hair is down, and the dark curls frame her face. She’s not wearing her glasses, and her eye makeup is heavy. She looks like a nerd's wet dream, and I’m having a hard time walking a straight line to her.
I don’t know how I'm going to keep it together. My guess is I’m not going to be able to. I’ve wanted her for too long, and all this need is pushing forward, finally wanting out, and it’s going to take all my control not to take her on the nearest surface and finally find out just how sweet she really tastes.
She finally sees me and her mouth opens a little in shock before her full lips form a perfect little O. She looks me up and down, and then a smile pulls at her mouth.
“Don’t we make a pair,” I say, opening my arms a little.
I’d spotted a button on one of her bags a few weeks ago that had I love The Joker on it, with a green heart. I knew then exactly what my costume would be. If she loves The Joker, then that’s exactly what I would go as.
I see her cheeks blush as she takes in my dark suit with the neon green tie. I’ve got my hair slicked back and I’m wearing a half-mask that covers my mouth. It shows a menacing smile with scars on either side of the mouth.
“You look scary,” she says, but takes a step towards me. “I didn’t recognize you at first.”
I pull the mask down and let it hang around my neck. “Better?”
She nods and bites her lip. The move is so innocent and sweet, but she looks so naughty in her costume. I take a few steps forward, and she mirrors my move, stepping back farther into the dark corner. Whoever she was talking to earlier has stepped away, and now we have this private area all to ourselves.
There’s a wooden structure that’s been built for the event right beside us, and it’s perfect for what I want. I just need a taste. A small one, I lie to myself. A small anything with her will never do, but I still can’t stop myself. I reach out, taking Raven’s hand and pulling her back behind the structure. It offers us even more privacy, which is what I desperately need with her right now.
“Jack?” She says my name in a questioning tone, but there’s also a hint of excitement there. I can see it in her eyes. I’m starting to see I’ll have to push her a little. She needs it. And from her voice, I think she desires it, too.
Once we are hidden, I press her back softly against the wall and stand in front of her, shielding her from view if anyone happened to walk back here.