Abi tried to go back to normal after her argument with Jay. She told herself it was no big deal, it wasn't like a break up. They hadn't even been together in the first place. So she was trying to get on with her life. But that didn't stop Jay showing up everywhere afterwards. Literally, everywhere she went he was there. She couldn't get away from him no matter how hard she tried.
"So, what went down with you and Jay?"
Abi was at the cafe with Lola a week later trying really hard to make it look like she wasn't staring at Jay who was sitting on the table across from them with Ben.
"Erm, what?"
"Abi, you've been trying to look anywhere but at him since they got here and you two haven't spoken since our night out last week. What happened?"
"Just stuff, you know."
"No, I don't know. But what I do know is that he's been sulking around like a lovesick puppy and you've been doing everything you can to avoid him, so can you please explain to me what is going on between you?"
"Nothing is going on." Lola raised her eyebrows. "I mean it, nothing."
"That's precisely the problem. Something happened between you two and then it didn't."
Abi sighed. "Can you keep a secret?"
"Do you even need to ask me that?"
"We slept together."
"I knew it!" Lola spoke loudly causing the boys to look over at them.
"Keep your voice down," Abi whispered. "I don't want everybody knowing my business."
"So, how was it?"
"The same as it always was." She tried to keep the smile from her lips. "But then..."
"Then what? What happened?"
"I told him I didn't want it to happen again."
"Abi, why not? It's obvious that you both still like each other."
"Is it?"
"Duh!"
"Lola, he broke up with me because of you. He liked you. I was just some girl he was using for sex."
"But nothing ever happened between us, Abi. I promise you."
"That doesn't mean he didn't want it to."
There was a pause while Lola took a sip of her coffee.
"You know, you're not just some girl Abs. Not to him."
"Lola, you're not getting this. He broke up with me."
"No, Abi. You're not getting this. Jay has regretted that from the moment he did it."
"Then why didn't he do anything about it?"
"Because you got together with Ben as soon as he ended things. It killed him seeing you both together, Abi."
"I didn't get with Ben straight away. You make it sound like I'm some kind of slut."
Lola laughed. "We both know you couldn't be a slut even if you tried."
Abi allowed herself to sneak a glance at Jay. "We can't be together."
"Why not?"
"I've lost count of the times me and Jay split up. There must have been a reason for that."
"And you kept getting back together, there must be a reason for that too."
"No, Lola. This is it. Me and Jay, its never going to happen again."
"Okay," Lola nodded. "Fine. But do you want to know what I think?"
"Please do not lecture me."
"I think that we need a night out."
Abi looked up and smiled. "Now you're talking."
"Hey, dad," Abi went through to the kitchen.
"Alright sweetheart? There's some post on the side for you."
Abi picked up the thick envelope and ripped it open.
"What is it?" Max questioned.
"It's from school," Abi scanned the letter. "Confirmation of my place at sixth form."
"You're really doing this then?"
Abi smiled. "Yeah, things are about to change."
"That guy keeps looking at you," Lola told Abi.
"Where?"
"At the bar, in the suit. Don't look."
Abi turned around and ran a hand through her hair, trying to look casual.
"I said don't look."
"Well, then of course I'm going to look."
"So, what do you think?"
Abi shrugged.
She hadn't really been able to get a good look at him from the other side of the club, but from what she had noticed he had dark hair and some facial hair, the beard that everybody had at the moment. He was wearing a suit; black trousers, black jacket and white shirt with a bowtie. She thought that was cute.
"He's alright, I guess."
"He's more than alright from where I'm standing. You should go talk to him."
Abi played with the hem of her dress. She hadn't really dressed up tonight. She'd kept it casual with a skater dress and converse. Abi hadn't expected to talk to any guys tonight.
"I don't know. It's too soon."
"After Jay, you mean?"
"No, after Ben. How's it going to look if I keep jumping into relationships?"
"Abs, nobody is asking you to marry the guy. Just talk to him, find out his name."
"I don't think I know how."
"You ask him what he's name is, why is that so difficult?"
"I haven't chatted up a guy in a while. With Ben I never needed to and me and Jay kind of clicked straight away."
"So now is your chance. Just think of it as practise for future prospects."
"No, I can't do it Lola."
"Fine."
The girls sat in silence for a while longer before Lola spoke up again. "You know what, Abi? I would love another drink right now but I don't have any money."
"What are you talking about? You brought plenty with you."
"Would you get me another one?" Lola gestured towards the guy and the bar.
"Lo, I said no."
"I'm not asking you to speak to him, but if he speaks to you, well then that has nothing to do with me."
Abi picked up her purse and stood up. "Fine. But for the record, he won't."
Abi sashayed to the bar trying her best to pretend she hadn't even noticed the guy.
"What can I get you?"
"Two vodkas and lime," she told the guy behind the bar.
"Coming up."
She lent against the bar as she waited. She heard a laugh coming from the direction of the guy. She liked his laugh, he laughed like he meant it.
"That'll be £3.35 please, love."
Abi went to give him the money but a hand on hers stopped her. She looked up.
"It's okay, I've got this." Suit guy told her.
"Oh, no. You don't have to do that,"
He pulled out a tenner and gave it to the bar tender before she could protest.
"Thank you."
"It's no problem, erm..." he waited for her name.
"Abi," she told him.
"Abi," he repeated. "I'm Jamie. It's nice to meet you."