Datestuck: Chapter 3
Eventually, the sky began to darken and the friends said their goodbyes. Jade lingered for a bit talking to Rose, then started to walk away. Dave hurried after her and spun her around by the arm. "Do you have a ride home?" He asked.
Jade just smiled her same, cute smile. "I came on the train, actually, so I'm good."
"Cool. My car's right over there." Dave looped an arm tightly around Jade's waist and led her through the parking lot. Jade rolled her eyes, not really complaining about getting to take a ride with the Strider.
He would never admit but it had taken a lot of guts and pondering to deliver that smooth one-liner. So he was totally unprepared when, driving down the city streets, Jade turned and asked, "So, does this mean I'm your girlfriend?"
Dave was silent for a bit, trying to think of a suitable answer. "I would say that this makes me your boyfriend." Jade frowned. "Yes, Harley, you are my girlfriend," Dave surprised himself by saying it with a light laugh.
"Again, no asking! Just assuming." Jade shook her head in amusement. "Not that I'm complaining... So why are you giving me a ride home?"
Dave shrugged. "Well, John told me to keep you safe. Just making sure a bro don't worry."
"Sure, that's the only reason," Jade glanced at Dave out of the corner of her eye. She tucked her legs up under her on the seat, which made Dave smile. "Also, it's funny, Rose told me to use protection."
Dave's face froze. Lalonde, he thought. You couldn't take your shade-covered eyes off of her for one minute. Dave decided to change the subject. "Is there anyone at your house?"
"No, you know that I live alone." Jade answered, fully aware of the deliberate subject change.
Suddenly, Dave flicked his blinker on and made a very illegal u-turn. "Cool. So we're going to my place."
Jade threw her arms up in the air. "This is probably kidnapping!" But she couldn't help but smile.
"Not if you're ok with it. I would never really kidnap you, Jade." Dave turned away from the road to look at her. "Besides, now I started to think about all the horrorterrors that could scare you." Dave teased.
Jade sighed. "I have a dog, you know." She didn't even try to ask Dave to actually take her home. They both knew she was going to lose that argument.
"Yes," Dave shot back. "But at my apartment you would have your ironically protective boyfriend." Jade settled back down in her seat and watched the buildings flash past. She was very content.
Dave apartment was exactly like what you would expect. He lived with Bro on the top floor of a blank building. The inside was far from blank, however. Smuppets and discarded shirts littered the floor and every available surface. The only corner untouched contained an impressive turntable set up. "Bro's turntables," Dave whispered, leading her insidewith a hand on her shoulder blades. "Don't touch them."
"Why are you whispering?" Jade asked. Her voice sounded extremely loud in the darkened apartment. Dave grabbed her and clapped his hand over her mouth.
He listened, motionless. When he was sure his bro wasn't going to sneak up on them he let Jade go. "I'll be right back," Dave said, still whispering. Jade smiled and watched him pad silently up the stairs. She cleared a space on the couch and plopped down. Everything smelled like him.
Dave went straight to the bathroom. He took off his shades and splashed water on his face. Keep cool, Dave Strider, keep cool, he thought to himself. He grabbed his shades and found the katana under the sink. Holding the sword at the ready, he nudged open the door to his bro's room, careful of any booby traps or puppets. A note fluttered to the ground. It was written in Bro's handwriting and said: "A girl, huh? Smooth". Dave crumpled the note and made sure Bro was sleeping. Perfect. Leaning his crappy sword on the banister, he headed back down the stairs.
He found Jade dozing on the couch. Her narcolepsy must have set in. He smiled and sat down next to her. Dave knew she would be embarrassed if he let her sleep. He gently shook her shoulder. "Jade? Babe, wake up."
Jade opened her bright green eyes and yawned. "How long was I asleep?" She asked, sitting up and stretching.
"Only a minute," Dave moved hair out of her eyes and leaned down to kiss her on the forehead. But Jade shifted and their lips met instead. She was a sneaky one. Dave kicked off his shoes and laid down on the couch over Jade, held up by his elbows. She pulled away and smiled up at him. Dave said nothing for a few seconds. Then he sat back up and moved to the turntables, putting on a record he thought she would like. Jade stood up and danced with him.
