Under My Umbrella

Turning the Tables

Ivanna's POV

I literally dragged the drunken, bloody nosed, idiot out of the Japanese restaurant by the collar of his shirt. All the while he still continued to yell obscenities back at Victor who was being held back by three men and Natsuki.

"Give me your keys." I demanded with my hand out. Reno fished around in his pockets for his keys and handed them to me. I got into the car and contemplated just driving off without him. However he quickly made his way to the passenger's side and sat down. He surprised me by laughing out loud.

"What a little bitch…couldn't even take a joke yo!" He sniffed and wiped his nose with his hand, then wiped his hand off on his shirt. I gagged.

"You are a joke." I muttered under my breath as I drove off towards the apartment buildings. A huge weight suddenly landed on my shoulders… How was Reno getting home? "Call your friend." Reno smiled although there was no kindness in my voice.

"Why?" Though he was pretty drunk, his mind still seemed to be full of schemes. There was no way I was letting him stay in my apartment for the night. He would be sleeping in his car or dying in an accident before I let that happen. He grinned that mischievous grin of his.

"Because you need a way home. You're not staying at my place, forget it." My tone left no argument and he seemed to get the hint as he sighed loudly and turned away. He laid back against the seat looking out the window. When we pulled up to the apartment buildings he turned to me with his bottom lip poked out.

I glared at him. "No."

"Ivanna… you know, I've got a lot of respect for you. I'd never even think about gettin into your pants on the first date yo. I wanna build somethin real with you. So if you think that's why I wanna stay at your place…it's not! I swear! I'll even sleep on your floor! Just let me be in the same place as you… please?" He stared up at me from his slouched position with his sparkly green eyes. He may have just been sweet talking me…making up lies to make him seem like a genuine guy… but for some reason his words really affected me. He was the first guy to ever tell me he wanted something real… I looked down and contemplated what I would do for a few minutes.

Reno then spared me the decision. "Hey… it's ok. I understand. I can get home fine." His voice didn't carry that cocky spunk that it usually did and it made me feel as if I hurt his feelings, but my pride wouldn't let me apologize and tell him he could stay so I got out of the car. Reno slid across the seats to the driver's side and rolled down the window. "But don't think this is me giving up yo! 'Cause that'll never happen!" He grinned at me one last time before taking off in his friend's black car.

Reno's POV

Rude was still up sitting in his boxers watchin TV when I came home. "How was it?" he asked. I plopped down next to him and snatched the bag of Doritos out of his lap.

"Amazing…" I couldn't help dazin out, thinkin about her beautiful face. I knew exactly what I was doin back there at her place. She was about to let me stay. I saw it in her eyes yo! But now it's my turn to play hard to get and see if she'll come to me. Hehehe yeah my game is that tight. I laughed to myself causing Rude to look at me all weird. He has room to be lookin at other people like that. His bald ass is sittin here inside where sunglasses at night. I ripped them right off of his face and this was the start of my second bitch fight of the night…

Ivanna's POV

Five days went by and I wasn't pestered at all by Reno. As pathetic as it made me feel…I missed him. No, no I don't…definitely not. I realized I was completely zoned out in the middle of class. I turned back and looked at the clock. Oh my! I was zoned out for longer than I thought! I've got to start focusing on what's importing and forgetting about guys. But those eyes… "No!"

A few classmates turned their heads towards me. I covered my mouth with my hand and sunk down in my chair. I then just gathered my stuff and left the class entirely. How embarrassing! Leaving class early made for a long wait for the bus. How come he never stalked me at school? I would appreciate a ride home from school better than one from work. The school was even further from my home than the ice cream shop. I wished I hadn't thrown away that crumpled piece of paper with Reno's number on it. I could have called him. Finally that damn bus arrived and took me home. I arrived at my apartment just after seven o'clock at night.

The next day at work was complete torture for me. The long hours with nothing to do were really pushing me to think about that stupid, stupid man. I tried busying myself with the same chores over and over, but it was getting old. Not to mention I was wasting cleaning fluid. I don't know what my boss would think if I used a whole bottle of cleaning fluid in one shift. Finally it was time for me to leave and I secretly hoped to see Reno waiting for me on that bench.

"Boo!"

"Ah!!" I screamed as I felt two fingers stab into each of my sides. I looked behind me to see Reno snickering with that grin on his face.

"Ya miss me?" he asked without letting that grin fall for a second.

I looked away. There was no way I would admit to missing him. I felt two fingers jab into my side again. "Stop it!" I hissed at him. He didn't stop, but stabbed me again and again with his fingers until I was laughing.

"Aha made ya laugh! Are you coming or what? Rude and I got things to do this evening." He said sounding almost professional which made me want to laugh again. I wanted to ask just what did he have planned, but didn't want him to think I cared.

"Let's go. I've some things to do myself." I lifted my chin into the air and walked to the black car parked by the curb, letting myself in this time rather than letting Reno open the door for me. The ride to my apartment consisted of me trying not to laugh while Reno belted out a love, rock ballad to me. I managed to keep a straight face ninety percent of the time. When we arrived at the apartments I got out and quickly made my way to the apartments totally unaware that Reno had followed me like the lost puppy he appeared to be sometimes. By the time I realized he was standing there it was too late… I had already unlocked my door. Reno pushed past me into my apartment.

"Score!" He pulled out his cell phone. "Yo Rude, you can take off I'm gonna be here a while." He grinned at me and raised his eyebrows up and down a few times. I sighed loudly and rolled my eyes and I closed the door. How would I ever get rid of him…?