All I wanted right now, was to be in Jesse's arms. For him to hold me close, to comfort me, and tell me that everything was going to be ok… But he wasn't here… And I don't think that it was going to be ok…
I sat down on the end of my bed and thought about what I should do about Brett. If I tell Jesse about what's going on… He would probably go after him and beat him to a pulp… Not that I didn't like the sound of that… But the last thing I want right now, was for Jesse to be charged by the police… Or worse, put in jail!
Like hell, I wanted to see Brett again, but I figured that maybe if I just let him talk, perhaps he wouldn't harm me.
It took every ounce of will power and courage that I could fathom, for me to pick up the phone and dial his number. My hand was shaking like crazy as I held the phone to my ear, listening to the dial tone ring.
Was I making the right choice? Or was this a crazy mistake…
"Hey, Brett speaking," He answered, sounding cheerfully.
I was lost for words, after I had regrettably heard his spine tingling voice on the other end of the phone.
"Ah, hello. Anyone there?"
"Um, it's me…" I managed to choke out.
"Suze? Is that you?"
He sounded surprised, but I could sense that devilish grin was upon his face. I decided that I didn't want him to think that I was weak or afraid of him, so I confidently spoke up.
"What are you playing at, Brett? You know that I can take this to the cops..."
"I didn't think that you'd reply so hastily Suze," He said, totally ignoring me.
"But I am glad that you decided to give me another chance"
"I am not giving you another chance! It's over Brett. In fact it never really began…"
"Oh please," He interrupted me.
"Can you honestly tell me, that you didn't appreciate my company?"
I remained calm and focused, forcing myself not to explode my anger, which I could feel growing quickly inside.
"I called, because I have agreed to talk…" I said through gritted teeth.
"Fabulous! That's all I'm asking from you, Suze"
"Only if you agree to meet me at the mall" I continued.
Well, if we are going to meet, it was best that we went to a place where there are lots of people… It's definitely a lot safer!
"The mall? Come on Suze, why don't we go out for dinner?"
"No. I won't have it any other way!" I demanded.
"Fine. That's fine with me… You never know, maybe I'll get the chance to save you again…"
That caused cold shivers to run all through my body.
"I doubt that!" I cringed icily.
"Great, then it's a date?"
"No!" I blurted out quickly.
"I'm kidding Suze," He laughed. "Lighten up will yah. I'll meet you around 12:30pm… Unless you want me to pick you up?"
"I'd rather be picked up by the Grim Reaper, death itself. Thanks!"
"Suit yourself. Take care darling… And watch your back"
Man, this guy is a bull-shitting con artist! Before he had the chance to say anything else, I hung up. I don't think I'd be able to cope if he had wished me goodnight… Creepy!
I sighed. What have I done? I thought, resting my head in my hands. What have I done?
What is a Querida? - Saturday Morning
The next morning, I woke up and pushed all of my evil thoughts about Brett out of my mind… Or at least, in a small dark spot far, far back in my head.
Today is a new, fresh day and it's going to be great! Waterslides and Jesse, what am I waiting for?
Anyway, I finally get the chance to wear my new baby blue, triangle bikini. After I had put my costume on, I slipped into a black mini skirt, a plain t-shirt, and headed down the stairs.
Everyone was scuttling around, packing picnic and swimming gear into the boot of the car. I turned into the kitchen and found that my mother and Jesse, were deep into a conversation… Which apparently involved my name being used.
"Good morning Suzie"
"Good morning Susannah" Both of them said at the same time, awkwardly breaking off their little chat.
"I wasn't interrupting anything was I?" I asked suspiciously, while putting some bread into the toaster.
My mother turned to Jesse, who was smiling and rubbing the back of his neck. I eyed them, waiting for an answer… Which didn't seem to be coming anytime soon.
"I'm going to pack this basket into the car," My mother said, picking it up and leaving the room smiling from me to Jesse.
"Ok, spill it out. I want to know what you were talking about"
I said, grabbing my toast and taking a seat next to Jesse, who casually took a drink of orange juice.
"This juice tastes really good," He smiled, wiping his mouth.
"Jesse" I whined, poking him in the stomach with my index finger.
"You were talking about me, weren't you?"
"Maybe…" He smirked deviously.
I crossed my arms and raised one of my eyebrows.
"I slept well last night. In fact, as Doc had informed me, I slept like a log. It is rather amazing, finally experiencing some proper rest…"
"You're trying to change the subject" I interrupted.
"No, I'm not. I am simply informing you of my nights rest," He said, taking another drink from his glass.
I rolled my eyes, and scraped some peanut butter onto my toast.
"Did you sleep well?"
My face dropped. Yeah, I thought, as images of Brett appeared in my mind. I received a threatening note and I have arranged to meet with the scum of the earth… But I slept great!
Not that I was going to say that out loud or anything.
"I just wished that…"
I sadly stared down at my toast.
Jesse moved his chair closer to mine, and with his head resting on his hand, he leaned his elbow onto the bench, looking inquisitively at me.
"You wish what?" He asked, tilting my head up to meet his gaze.
My eyes met his, and then flickered past him and out to the lounge room, where my stepfather was heading towards us.
"Last night. I missed you…"
I whispered, before lifting myself off the stool, moving backwards and taking a bite from my toast.
"Like the deserts miss the rain…" Jesse enthusiastically sang.
I looked at him weirdly, shocked from his musical outburst. Andy, who was also surprised, was standing near the entrance to the kitchen.
"I didn't know we were holding talent quest tryouts…" He said, looking at Jesse, who blushed ever so slightly.
"I heard it on David's radio this morning…" Jesse softly answered.
"Anyway, we're just about ready to head off. Got your stuff?"
"Yes, Mr Ackerman"
Jesse replied, getting up from the stool, and heading over near me to wash his glass.
As I casually leant against the bench near the sink, with Jesse now standing right beside me, I noticed that he was wearing boardies, like I had informed him. Then my eyes wandered up to his masculine torso, watching his arm movements as he washed the glass.
Whoa, was I looking forward to when he took that shirt off later! Unknowingly, Andy was trying to get my attention away from staring at Jesse.
"Suze, anybody home?" He called from the doorway.
I snapped out of my daze and embarrassingly looked over towards him, shoving the rest of my toast in my mouth as a diversion.
"You ready to go?" He asked, with his mouth growing into a slight grin.
I mumbled with my mouth full and nodded my head. Jesse had now turned around, still standing by my side, and faced my stepfather. Before Andy left the room, he gave Jesse a wink and smiled.
Ok, so he thinks I'm infatuated with the 'exchange student' on the second day of his arrival… No big deal, right?
I sunk back against the sink's edge while still chewing. Jesse, turned his face away from mine, trying to hide the fact that he was about to burst out laughing.
I rolled my eyes and reached for a glass from the cabinet to the left of me. As I closed the glass door, I caught him staring at me in the reflection of the glass. Continuing to go about filling my glass with water, I pretended to not notice his eyes upon me.
"Susannah. I was wondering…"He trailed off and ran his hand through his hair, rather nervously. I turned to face him, taking a sip of water, waiting for him to continue. But instead of continuing with what he was about to say, he gave a slight chuckle and closed his eyes, shaking his head.
"What were you going to say?" I asked inquisitively, taking a step towards him.
He looked down at the curious look, which I was displaying on my face. We were now standing only about an inch away from each other.
"Err… um…" He mumbled uncomfortably and took a small step backwards.
"I am glad that your family seem to except me into this household"
I knew that wasn't what he had intended to say, but I wasn't about to pressure him into telling me, whatever it was…
"You're so sweet and polite, Jesse. How could they not like you? … Well, maybe Dopey isn't that thrilled. But that is just because he's jealous…"
Jesse looked out into the lounge room, as if to make sure no one was listening. I finished drinking, washed my glass and placed it in the drying rack.
"Come on let's go, everyone is waiting for us," I said, motioning him to follow me.
I didn't even make it to the kitchen entrance, before Jesse had taken my hand and pulled me back against his body, bringing both of my hands up close to his chest.
"Whoa," was what had escaped my mouth, in reaction to his sudden choice of action.
"You have got to stop startling me with your sudden outbursts" I giggled, as I looked up into his beautiful, dark sincere eyes.
"I was wondering if later, we could spend some time alone… Just you and me"He insisted, speaking rather quickly until he got to the 'just you and me' part.
My eyes widened in utter shock. 'Alive Jesse' really isn't holding back with his feelings… I like it!
My eyes darted from each one of his eyes, down to his lips, and then up to his eyes again. His eyes were firmly fixed on mine, waiting for me to reply. I wanted nothing more than to answer by kissing his lips, but instead, Andy had to go and beep the car horn.
Oh come on. Talk about crappy timing!
My initial reaction immediately forced my body to move away from his. Jesse must have been holding his breath, as he suddenly released a sigh of disappointment.
I felt so horrible. I mean, the guy had just put his emotions on the line, only to have them trodden on.
Suddenly, it was almost like an invisible force was pulling me back towards him. Our bodies were now touching, and I lifted my arms up so that they rested on his chest.
"I couldn't imagine anything better, than to spend time with you, Jesse"
A smiled appeared on his face, as he wrapped his arms around the lower part of my back, which brought my pelvis into his. My head rested under his chin, which he lowered onto the top of my head.
"We should be making our way outside…" I said, with my voice being muffled from being pressed against his chest.
After all, I really didn't want to move, but this was the first time that my pelvis was so close and feeling the warmth from his… So it was a little bit, um how do I say it? … Weird …
I think that he was feeling the same, as he gently released his hold on me and moved his hips back a little. His smile warmed and melted me, causing the awkwardness to disappear.
He took my hand and we made our way out to the garage.
I was the last person to get into the seven-seated vehicle. Sleepy and Dopey had already vacated the back seat. Between them, they took up the whole back seat, which was actually designed to fit three people instead of two. Well, they were practically fully-grown men… Just like my Jesse…
Andy and mum were up the front, which left Doc, Jesse and I to squash in the middle row. Doc had moved along to the far side, followed by Jesse, who was in the middle.
I climbed and in shut the door behind me, immediately realising that my skirt had rode up quite a bit, once I had sat down.
I pulled it down quickly, accidentally brushing my hand along the side of Jesse's thigh… but he didn't seem to notice.
As I pulled my seat belt across my chest, I realised that it was going to be a tight squeeze, fitting my hand down there to buckle it… perfect, I smiled to myself.
Jesse caught on to what I was about to do. "Oh here, I'll…"
He reached down and brought the buckle up to meet my seat belt, brushing against my hip in the process. This is even better I thought, buckling my seatbelt in.
Dopey leant forward and brought his head right behind both of mine and Jesse's and whispered… "Don't get too excited, guys"
Jesse straightened up and turned his head to look out the other window on Doc's side.
I on the other hand was pissed off. I turned to look at Dopey, who had a disgusted look on his face. Shut up! I mouthed to him.
As we drove off and left the garage, Jesse and I had soon found out that from turning corners, it was hard to avoid our bare legs from rubbing up against each other's... For a dark haired guy, his legs weren't that hairy…
The warm feeling from his thigh against mine, was enough to make me want to unbuckle my seat belt, climb on top of him and kiss his lips.
But I don't think that my family would appreciate me making out with the 'exchange student', especially in the car. So I had to contain all of my urges and keep them to myself.
I looked out the window to try and clear my mind, which was craving and longing for Jesse.
Suddenly I felt a soft, subtle tickling on my right knee. I looked down, and realised that Jesse was rubbing his index finger against it. An excited shiver ran up my spine.
Out the corner of my eye, I noticed that he gave me a quick smile. Then he gently ran his finger higher up my leg, tracing the hem of my skirt.
Ok, down boy! Not in the car… Not in front of my brothers…
Secretly I was loving it, though… But all good things unfortunately come to an end. Soon enough, Doc had to go and ruin the moment by sneezing, really loudly.
This startled Jesse and he quickly moved his hand up to scratch his ear, elbowing me hard, in the side of my head.
I yelled out in pain, and raised my hand to my head.
"Oh my goodness! I am so sorry Susannah!"
He immediately held his hands to my head and rubbed it gently. Everyone turned to look at what happened.
"What happened?" My mother demanded quickly.
"Mr Suave here, tried to knock Suze out" Dopey laughed. "Nice one mate"
"It was an accident, I would never hurt my Querida"
He quickly said, soon regretting about calling me his Querida.
"Whoa! I think we're missing something here!" Sleepy blurted out, leaning forward.
"What is a Querida?" Doc asked, not pronouncing it correctly.
Jesse gave me a worried look as he continued to rub my head, sinking embarrassedly in his seat.
"It means that someone here, has a crush on Suze!" Sleepy chuckled, showing enough enthusiasm to last him a lifetime.
We were suddenly bombarded with wolf whistles from the boys. I closed my eyes, trying to block it out. Great, this was all we needed…
"Leave them alone boys, I think it's sweet"
My mother silenced them and told Dopey and Sleepy to sit back in their seats, before smiling at Jesse and I.
"How'd you know Spanish anyway?" Dopey asked Sleepy.
"Oh, I dated this Spanish chick once…" He replied chuckling silently.
Damn brothers!
Well, at least that gets me back for elbowing him in the groin last night…
I pressed the side of my face against the window, sighed and watched the road pass by.