Chapter 3
"That's it, I'm leaving."
That fucking movie nerd lied. She could hear the faint voice of his dad over the phone and it does not definitely had something to do with her. Do… not let the girl… far away…home. The girl could be anyone. But she's sure his dad did not mention anything about a tumour in his brain. He's stalling. That sealed it.
He acted like he's telling the truth and pretend that he's angry she didn't believe him. "Go on, leave. I don't need you here anyway."
A quick expression of hurt flashed across her face, making Jesse feel bad, but vanished almost as fast as it appeared.
She packed her bag, dumping all her belongings in, not caring to organise them like she always did. She pulled a straight face as she face him "That's funny," Beca said, sarcasm lacing her voice. "You should go entertain your dad, see if he laughs."
His plan backfired, she's really ditching him. How did she find out he's lying? I got an A- for acting back then in high school.
The chair made a loud screeching noise on the ground as he stood up hastily "Beca wait! I…I can explain…"
He shifted in discomfort, looking down at his feet then back to her, her face fuming and beads of perspiration was trickling down her neck.
"I... was uh… trying to protect you." He started feebly. Real smooth Swanson. "Protect me from what?" she said hotly. "If a ghost or a rapist or a murderer were to pop up right now, you'd be the first to run away."
"You know I won't" he said, slightly pissed she'd think that.
"You totally would"
"Will not"
"Yeah? Prove it"
"Well, you see," he took a few steps closer to her, smiling coyly. "I'm the ghost, the rapist and the murderer."
She tried her best. But failed. A series of laughter escaped before she could stop herself. Goddamnit.
"I'm still mad at you." She said, madder at herself for even caring enough to stay. She could just go home and snuggle into her bed for hours.
Jesse didn't respond but instead looked down.
"Don't act like you're reflecting. What was that all about?"
"Like I said, I'm protecting you."
"And what exactly are you protecting me from?" her voice sounded like a grumble.
He reach forward for his water bottle, taking a mouthful, letting the liquid wash his dry throat. He gulped down everything before replying. "I don't know. In case you die on your way home."
"Jesse"
"I'm serious"
Okay he's pissing me off.
"Look, I heard your dad through the phone. It was pretty loud in this quiet room." She told him, hoping he would tell her the truth.
He cursed softly and cross his heart to change his phone right after…this.
When he stood without a word, she continued, "I'm the 'girl who needs to stay far away from home'?"
He nodded and did not give her any time to respond, immediately plunging a question in. "Do you… want to get a drink at the bar…with me?" he asked, embarrassed at the squeak that escaped on the last word. Now she's going to think that I'm trying to get her drunk and then rape her.
She looked past him at the wall clock, then focused on him again. She barely know him, they've only been stacking CDs for less than a week. She has been conspicuously ignoring his incessant talking, very much always.
Meanwhile, Jesse was busy fidgeting about with his fingers, deliberating what his dad will do to him and worse, what will happen to her if she decides to leave again.
"Okay"
Jesse blinked, momentarily surprised by her voice. He almost didn't hear her, he was thinking harder than he had in a while. Then it hit him.
She said okay.
He held his hand, trying to control himself when he felt it rising to for a fist pump. She surveyed him sceptically, waiting impatiently for his reply.
"Do my ears deceive me, or did you just say okay?"
He had to ask. In case it was his mind playing tricks on him again.
"Just. Promise you'll be frank with me if I go."
It's a challenge to comprehend her thoughts, but whatever, she agreed.
"Sure". The word slipped out of his mouth before he could stop himself. He really hates his job, knowing that he'd have to lie to her later. And loved it at the same time as he gets to meet and follow a scary, mysterious yet amazingly beautiful person.
"Fine"
"Okay. Let's start with getting out of this sultry place. Also, I can feel Luke eavesdropping."
Beca fought the urge to roll her eyes at him. Luke had already left for England and he wouldn't be back for a week.
She followed him as he hurried to the car that was parked horizontally outside the freshly painted building.
He couldn't stop smiling at the fact that he managed to lure her out with him so easily. A knock on the half closed window grabbed his attention. He looked out, seeing her irritable face staring right back at him. "Jesse, the door's locked."
"Oh, yeah, um… sorry" he said grinning sheepishly as he unlocked the car door and stretched to open it from inside.
"Actually, I know a bar just nearby." She remarked casually as she slid in and grasped for the seatbelt, slamming the door with her other hand. He pulled his eyes away from the steering wheel.
"Where is it?"
"A few blocks away. Why?"
"Let's walk to there instead."
The words sit there, undisturbed, for an uncomfortably long time.
"…okay"
The night was dark and quiet as they walked in silence.
It was so quiet he couldn't take it anymore and opened his mouth to speak. "So…, where do you live?" His dad never gave him her address since he was only responsible for her safety everyday till 10pm. It was way past time now. But he regretted it as soon as he asked the question. Why can't I start with something that won't creep her out?
"Inside the bar we're heading"
WHAT?!
"You can't go home now" he hissed, promptly turning around and tried to make her walk the other way.
She suddenly burst out laughing hysterically and pointed at him with a shaky finger. "Your… face is…hilarious." Her laughter ranged in his ears like jingle bells and all he could do was stare and inaudibly scold himself for believing that she'd live in a bar. Is there even anyone who lives in a bar? He vouch secretly to himself to count the number of times she laughed whenever she's with him. Twice in a day is a lot. Or maybe not.
She was still laughing, holding her sides as she looked at him.
His attempt to appear angry failed terribly as a smirk slithered out of his crooked lips. Fleetly, he began to laugh with her. She had a really unladylike and boisterous laugh which made him laugh even harder seeing her face all scrunched up.
It languished into giggles minutes later as their ribs began to hurt. Beca was glad that it was late and not a single passer-by witnessed their laughing fit.
She grinned "You're an idiot"
"You're an asshole"
"Jerk"
"Prick"
"Weirdo"
Jesse's mouth twitch as he fought back a smile. "Seriously. You find that word offensive?"
"What. It's clearly an insult."
"Nope" He said, popping the 'p'. "I think it's cute you call me that"
She scowled at him "Ugh just stop talking."
"You know you don't want me to"
"I don't want you to talk"
"Oh really" he quipped at her ears, his voice raspy.
His hot breath blew across her skin making her shudder. She glared menacingly at him as he smiled at her smugly.
"Dude your breath stinks"
"You happened to smell your own and blame me for it?"
She giggled and punched his shoulders lightly. "Jesse and jerk rhymes"
What is wrong with him? If he was having butterflies in his tummy a while ago, hearing her giggle threw a herd of elephants in. He felt queasy.
"Hey. I'm a nice guy" he said, remembering it was his turn to speak.
"You hesitated"
"Just thinking of the things I'd do to you if I weren't actually…nice." He smirked.
"Are you drunk already? You drank water"
"I knew it, you spiked my drink!"
She rolled her eyes and ignored him as they continued walking down the dark alley.