"So how was it?" Cat asked excitedly as she ate her salad. I had woken up at noon to four missed calls and two voicemails from her, demanding I call her the instant I wake up. I obeyed, and then I found myself being grilled about the night before over a plate of linguine.
"It was...amazing." I said, taking a moment as I tried to think of a way to accurately describe the previous night. Honestly, amazing doesn't even come close to explaining how last night went.
"Are you actually going to make me ask for details?" Cat asked with a raised brow as she set her fork down.
I smirked, sensing her irritation, "We went to that 24-hour diner, the one we used to go to in high school, remember?" I asked, though I didn't wait for an answer before continuing, "We got coffee and just...talked. It was incredible. We have so much in common. I couldn't believe it."
"Does she love The Scissoring?" Cat asked comically.
I rolled my eyes, "She actually hates horror movies all together." I let out a sigh, "It was just...really nice."
Cat sat for a minute, clearly waiting for me to continue talking. When she got no continuation, she spoke, "That was it?"
I nodded with a smile, "We were there until like five or something. Then she dropped me off at my car and gave me her number."
Cat looked at me as if she was actually looking at a unicorn or something equally fascinating, "So what now?" She asked.
"It's my night off. I was going to maybe take her out to dinner or something." I said, shrugging.
Cat sat back in the booth and set out a slow whistle, "Wow. This is a nice change of pace for you."
"I guess you could say that." I said with a smile.
We ate and made idle chit chat until I remembered something strange about the night before, "So Tori called me last night."
Cat's eyes grew wide she she dropped her fork, "What did she have to say for herself?"
I shrugged, "I don't know. I missed the call. Haven't called her back."
"Are you going to?" Cat inquired.
"Haven't decided yet." I answered simply. Cat gave me a skeptical look, "What could she possibly have to say that could make up for what she did?"
"That she's sorry?" Cat offered.
I shook my head, looking down at my now-empty plate, "Has she even bothered talking to you? To Beck? What about Andre?" I asked. Cat shook her head after every person I listed off.
"I just..." Cat let out a disgruntled sigh, "This all makes no sense."
"I'm fully aware."
"I still think that you should give her a call." She spoke quietly, clearly anticipating my reaction. I looked at her incredulously, "Just hear her out, okay? She clearly came back for a reason! It wasn't just a happy accident that she wound up in your bar."
"Of all the gin joints in town..." I said softly.
"Exactly."
I shook my head as I pulled out my wallet to pay our bill. Cat attempted to protest, but I shook her off and handed our waiter my card before she even had a hand on her purse, "I'm not making any promises." I said, ignoring her pouting. She absolutely hated when I'd pay for her. It was something about her independence. I always rolled my eyes whenever she'd complain about it and told her she could pay for me next time and we'd call it even.
"Call me tomorrow, okay?" Cat asked as we walked out of the restaurant.
"Of course, Kit." I said as I playfully rolled my eyes.
"I'm expecting a play-by-play of the date and that phone call with Tori!" She said in a rather bossy tone.
"Neither of those are for sure, Cat." I said with a smirk.
"Leila's not going to say no unless she's crazy, and you're going to call Tori. Your curiosity always gets the best of you." Cat said knowingly.
I shook my head as I walked towards my apartment, "Whatever, Cat." I said as I waved her off over my shoulder.
I made it back to my apartment and tossed my purse onto my couch. My hand instantly went to the phone in my pocket as I thought about giving Tori a call. I wasn't really expecting much. I mean, I was kind of intrigued to see how this thing with Leila would play out. But how could I deny myself the knowledge of what Tori wanted to say?
Letting out a deep sigh, I dropped myself onto my couch and looked at Tori's name in my contact list. I gave myself a mental pep talk before pressing the call button and putting the phone to my ear.
It rang four times before she answered, "Hello?"
"Tori." I said, clearing my throat, "Hi."
"Jade? What...what do you want?" Tori asked nervously.
"I think I should be the one asking you that." I said slightly bitter, "You're the one that called me last night."
There was no mistaking the sharp intake of breath I heard over the line as silence ensued. I almost asked if she was still there until she finally spoke, "That must've been a butt-dial. Or something. I didn't call you. Look, Jade. I'm really busy, can we do this later?" She asked, her words sounding hurried.
I scoffed, "Of course we can. Butt-dial me some other time." I said snidely before hanging up without letting her get another word in. Fuck that. There's no way in hell she butt dialed me. That didn't even make sense.
I let myself simmer for a few minutes, and picked my phone up once again once my fire died down. My finger was now hovering over Leila's number as I thought about what I was doing.
It wasn't bad, was it? Granted, I had just got completely fucked over by the girl of my dreams and now I was about to ask out another girl. There wasn't much in-between time. But let's be honest, when the universe hands you a gift, it'd be rude to deny it. And that's how I saw Leila: a beautiful, green-eyed, insanely intelligent gift.
Anyway, it isn't like I was asking this girl to rent a U-haul and move on in. It was dinner. Simple as that.
Fuck it.
I hit call and put the phone up to my ear yet again. It rang three times before I heard a voice clearing and a husky, "Hey there."
A smirk easily found its way to my lips as I sat back in the couch and reveled in that voice, "Hi."
"What can I do for you on this fine day?" Leila asked playfully.
I hummed for a moment, "I know it's against the unwritten rules of dating, but I thought last night went so famously, I was just wondering if you would be interested in accompanying me to dinner tonight?" I asked, ignoring the nerves that were building in my stomach.
"You're right, that is against the rules." She cooed, and for a moment my heart fell, "Fuck it. You're cute enough, I can let it slide this time."
I chuckled, "Flattery will get you everywhere, Fitz."
"Nicknames now? I guess I'll have to wait until tonight before giving you one." She said.
"Can't wait. Text me your address and I'll pick you up around 7:30." I said smoothly. She agreed and we said our goodbyes and suddenly I was overwhelmed with what I had just done.
Fuck. I hadn't been on a proper date in years. Seriously, years. There was one girl that I was seeing rather steadily after graduation, but that fizzled out quite quickly. Not to mention she insisted on always being the one orchestrating all of our dates and everything else whenever we went out. So let's add something else to my panic: I hadn't taken anyone out on a proper date since...well, ever.
Fuck's sake. I groaned loudly as I made one final phone. I hit the speaker button and dropped my phone on my table as I slumped further into the couch.
"That didn't take long." I heard a giggle come through.
"Cat. I'm fucked. I'm genuinely, one hundred percent fucked."
"What's wrong?" She asked, her voice sounding alert and confused.
"I've never taken anyone on a date." I grumbled loud enough that she could hear.
A loud laugh erupted from her end of the phone line, "That's what you're worried about? Oh my God, Jade. I'm on my way." And before I could voice any sort of protest of needing in-person support, the line went dead and I was left alone with my thoughts.
Well, alone with my thoughts for five minutes before turning on my iPod dock and letting Florence + the Machine settle some of my nerves. Fifteen minutes later, there was a knocking at my door and I managed to drag myself from the sofa and over to the door, letting Cat inside.
"Okay, so I take it Leila said yes." Cat said with a smirk as she kicked off her shoes and walked over to the music dock, turning it down a few notches.
"She did indeed."
"Did you call Tori?" She asked as she sat on the sofa with her legs tucked underneath her.
"Let's not talk about that now. We've got more important things to worry about." I said vaguely as I walked into the kitchen and grabbed a water bottle.
Cat looked at me with a furrowed brow when I came back into the living room, "Okay...So what is your plan of action for tonight?"
"Fuck, I don't even know. Dinner? Maybe a walk through the park? Is that a good date idea?" I asked frantically, "I mean, should I take her to a movie? That just seems kind of impersonal."
Cat stood from her perch and walked over to me, placing her hands gently on my shoulders, "A nice, quiet dinner and a walk through the park sounds like the perfect date. Where are you going to take her?" Cat asked and let me go, I'm assuming once she thought I would self-combust.
"I was thinking Roscoe's? I mean, it isn't incredibly fancy, but it's a nice place." I said with a shrug.
"Fantastic!" Cat cheered with a clap and a small shriek, "This is adorable! My little Jadey all grown up! Beck will not believe me when I tell him you're actually going on a date!"
"Christ." I said, rolling my eyes as I walked into my bedroom.
"Oh! What are you going to wear?" Cat shrilled as she followed me and jumped in front of me before I could make it to my closet.
I paused and looked down at what I already had on, "What's wrong with what I'm wearing now?"
Cat stopped short and looked at me apologetically, "I mean. Nothing. I just thought you might want to wow her."
"I don't look like I could wow her in this?" I asked, somewhat insulted.
Cat bit her lip, realizing she wouldn't win this, "I think I can find something that'll make her blush when she sees you." She offered.
I rolled my eyes and sat on my bed as she rummaged through my wardrobe. I sat patiently, and somewhat bored, until my phone buzzed.
1 New Message: Leila Fitzpatrick
I never asked where we're going. How should I dress?
I smiled as I punched in a quick message:
Not telling where we're going. Dress casual, but make sure you bring a jacket.
Roscoe's wasn't an incredibly swanky place. More of a locally owned restaurant with a killer burger and long islands to knock your socks off. Cat and I accidentally stumbled on it one day last summer after spending an early afternoon getting drunk at my bar. I set my phone back on my bed and returned my attention to Cat who had already laid out three different outfit choices. She sat staring at her work with her lip pulled in between her teeth. Her own ringing phone brought her out of her concentration as she pulled it from her jean pocket and looked at the screen.
"Whoa, who was it?" I asked, questioning the rather irritated look she adopted as she typed a quick message back to whoever it was and put it back in her pocket.
"No one." She said shortly before picking up one choice and tossing it on my lap, "Here. Try this one."
I gave her a curious stare as I stood and started to change. I slipped the black skinny jeans over my legs and hiked them up. I watched as Cat typed furiously on her phone as I pulled the shirt I had currently been wearing over my head and tossing it in the direction of my laundry bin. I took the gray racerback tank she picked out and pulled it on. Walking over to the full-length mirror I had, I tousled my hair and appraised Cat's choice. I had to admit, these jeans made my ass look fantastic and the top did everything right for my slimmer waist and slightly larger chest.
"You look like you're pleased." I heard Cat say from her place on my bed.
I turned around and gave her a grin, "I can't complain."
She smirked, "You look hot." She paused for a moment before jumping up and clapping her hands together, "Well, my work here is done. I gotta head out." She said as she exited my room and made her way to the living room.
"Wait, Cat. Who was texting you? You looked upset." I asked as I followed her.
"It was nothing. Don't worry about it. Just enjoy your date tonight, yeah? We'll talk tomorrow." She said giving me a smile and a warm hug.
I looked at her with confusion as I held the door open for her as she left, "Okay. See ya later, Kit." I said as she waved and walked down the hall towards the staircase.
Weird couldn't even begin to describe that interaction.
I lounged around my apartment flipping through magazines and watching TV to try to keep my attention away from the clock. I even booted up my laptop and began revising some of my old projects for novels. Though, I quickly grew irritated when I realized just how many 40-page starters I had that were all about fantasies I had of what mine and Tori's relationship would be like it if ever happened.
After what seemed like ages, seven o'clock finally came around and I was walking out of my apartment with a spring in my step that I hadn't remembered ever having, Cat's curious behavior far away from my consciousness. I flagged down a taxi and gave the driver Leila's address and sat back, willing the nerves away as I thought about how fantastic tonight could be.
We pulled up to her building and I shakily got out of the taxi and walked up to the door. I took a deep breath and pushed the buzzer for her room.
"Hello?" Her voice came crackling through the speaker.
"Fuck, I'm not early, am I?" I asked.
"Oh shit, Jade! No, sorry. I'm just running a little late. Let me put some pants on and I'll be right now." She said and I couldn't fight the blush that spread across my cheeks as I thought about her running around in her underwear. Fuck, stop it. It's our first date. I was caught up in just what the fuck was going on with me. I never got awkward or nervous when it came to women. That was just about the only thing that I was ever absolutely certain of. Confident was the only way I ever described myself when it came to dating. But here I was, clumsily fumbling with the zipper on my jacket as I waited for my date to appear. Which she did almost out of thin air.
"Fuck." I said under my breath as I looked at her. She had dark skinny jeans and a white V-neck shirt on with simple black heels so she was closer to my height. I realized on our coffee date that she was actually quite shorter than I was. She was wearing a gray fedora hat tilted slightly forward with her dark hair in loose curls. Her dark make up accentuated her green eyes as she gave me a smirk with those shiny pink lips. I felt myself blush.
"You look...fantastic." She breathed as she leaned in and kissed me on the cheek.
"You clean up nicely yourself." I said as I walked us back to the car.
We got back into the taxi and off we went to Roscoe's.
"You ever been?" I asked once I finally told her where we were going.
"No, I can't say I have." She said.
"How long have you been in the area?" I asked, surprised that someone her age hadn't heard of it. Apparently it was quite popular among the kids our age.
"A few years. I moved here from Wisconsin." She answered.
"Any particular reason?"
She shrugged, "Needed to get away."
I nodded, getting the feeling that it wasn't something she wanted to discuss further. I scanned my mind quickly for a new topic before things could get awkward. Thankfully, the driver informed us that we had arrived. I paid him the fare and got out, offering Leila my hand as she got to her feet.
"What a gentleman." She joked, throwing me a playful wink. I shook my head as I followed her inside of the restaurant.
"Jade!" Roscoe, the owner, called to me from the host stand.
"Roscoe." I said with a grin and awkwardly accepted the hug he gave me.
"I haven't seen you and your red headed friend in a while. Did that boy with the hair finally open his eyes and claim her for his own?" He asked, waggling his eyebrows at me.
I laughed genuinely, "I'm not too sure he's gotten his head out of his ass yet." I said jokingly as I passed a sideways glance to Leila. She was watching the entire interaction with amused eyes.
Roscoe finally led us to our table and left us with the menus.
"You're awfully popular." She joked as she scanned the list of burgers and other things.
"Something like that." I said nonchalantly.
We ordered our drinks and our food shortly after and conversation found us quite easily.
"So. The million dollar question." Leila said with shining eyes as she sipped her long island.
"Yeah? What's that?" I asked.
"What's your last name?"
I laughed, "I believe I said that's second date material."
"I consider this to be our second date." Leila said simply.
I narrowed my eyes, "Do you, now?"
"I did pay for your coffee last night."
I laughed again, "So coffee constitutes as a date?"
"I'd say so."
I leaned forward, "I'll humor you, since you let me break the rules by bringing you out tonight. It's West."
She looked at me blankly, "That's it? How anticlimactic." She said.
"What?"
"I was anticipating something embarrassing. Like Dahmer or Burgher."
I smiled, "I've gotta have that mysterious air about me."
"So what information do I have to wait until date four to find out?"
I thought for a moment, "My favorite ice cream."
Now it was her turn to laugh, "Seriously? What does that even matter?"
"Everything matters, Fitz." I said flatly.
The conversation had died at that point and suddenly we were left just looking at each other. That is, until my phone loudly started ringing from my bag.
"Oh fuck, I'm so sorry. That's so fucking rude of me." I said as I fumbled for the offending device.
"It's okay." Leila said with a chuckle.
I looked at the call screen and my heart just about stopped, "I'm sorry, I have to take this." I said as I excused myself from the table and made my way to the bathroom.
"Hello?" I answered once I was safely locked in the single-toilet bathroom.
"Jade." A familiar voice cooed.
"What the fuck do you want, Tori?" I snapped.
"To apologize. I was being an idiot." She said, her voice sounding breathy.
"Are you drunk right now?" I asked angrily.
"Fuck's sake, who gave her the phone back?" I heard a loud voice ask in the background.
"Jade, I think I love you." I heard Tori say loudly before she started cursing whoever had taken her phone.
"Hello?" A different voice asked.
"Yeah?" I said, not bothering to hide my irritation.
"Look, I'm sorry. She's a complete shit show right now. She's been going on and on about you all night."
"You're the girl from that night, then?" I asked.
"Yeah. Look, I really am sorry. She's been...I don't even fucking know." The girl said, sounding exhausted.
"Just take fucking care of her, will you?" I said harshly.
"Yeah. I'll have her call you tomorrow."
"Don't bother. I think we both know she won't." I said as I rolled my eyes.
The girl sighed, "I really am sorry, and I know she is too."
"Doesn't really matter, does it? Just...make sure she's safe, yeah?" I asked, sounding slightly less irritated. The girl agreed and we hung up and I made my way back to my date, trying my hardest not to seem deflated.
"What was that?" Leila asked innocently.
I shook my head, "Drunken friend stuff." I said, trying to sound bright.
Leila nodded, "I know how that goes."
The rest of the date went smoothly as I tucked away the conversation with Vega and her friend into the back of my mind. The walk was about as romantic as I could stomach. Walking through winding trails as the sun was setting with Leila's soft hand in mine. It was weird, and I was conflicted. One part of me felt like this could be the start of something great, and another part was wishing the hand in mine was a few shades tanner and attached to a certain Tori Vega. I pushed that thought away as Leila looked up at me with shining eyes once we made it back to her apartment building, having opted to just take advantage of the warm night instead of wasting cash on taxi fare.
"I had a really good time tonight." I said as I leaned against the doorframe.
"Me too." She replied, giving me a shy smile.
"I'll see you soon?" I asked, hoping my inflection didn't make me sound too desperate.
"I'm counting on it, actually." She said with a grin. We stood in an awkward limbo for a moment before I cleared my throat. She beat me to saying anything, "This is when you kiss me goodnight, Jade." She said, her eyes glinting.
I found myself blushing as I passed my tongue over my lips. Her eyes flickered down to my mouth and back up to my eyes before we both slowly leaned forward. I had anticipated just a brief, chaste kiss, but instead was met with her hand on the back of my neck and her tongue swiping across my lower lip. My hands were attracted to her hips like magnets as I pulled her closer. Before things could get too heated, I broke the kiss and looked at her with a slightly bemused expression.
"You may be all about chivalry, but I think I would have lost my mind if you didn't kiss me soon." She husked before giving me one final kiss and opening her door, "I'll see you, Jade."
"Yeah." I finally managed to croak out before she disappeared inside her building.
I know a lot of people are never too keen on the idea of an OC getting in the way of an OTP, but I promise it'll be worth it! There's always gonna be a little Jori in there. Thanks for giving this a shot. Reviews are more than welcome, you guys are always so fantastic!
Until next time ;)