First Date

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Erik

"Stop all of that fucking shaking and eat your fucking sandwich," I quietly growled at Jezebel from across the table. She hiccupped while tears streamed down her face, and I quickly forgot my anger.

She's cute when she cries.

"P-please...can you let me go?" she begged as the shivering continued.

My fingers drummed against the tabletop and my legs furiously bounced underneath it. I was becoming frustrated with Jezebel's lack of gratitude. We were on our first date, and it seemed she wanted to be anywhere but with me.

"Why would you ask me that? You would enjoy yourself if you loosened up," I callously said.

"Y-y-you kidnapped me," she pitifully moaned. My eyes darted around to make sure that no one overheard her. Everyone seemed to be minding their business as they fucking should. Pausing to consider my actions, I could see how one might construe my behaviors as such.

"Give me a break, Squeak. You're not a child; therefore, you can't be kidnapped. The word you're looking for is abducted."

A Few Hours Ago

"Oh? And Jezebel?" I called out before she ran away.

"Y-yes?" she adorably asked.

"I loved the dinner scene when Celie cursed Albert. What did she say again? Until you do right by me, everything you even think about is going to fail."

Jezebel's eyes widened in disbelief. I was a little offended, to be honest. Knowledge was power, and to limit oneself was ignorant.

My eyes stayed trained on Tucker's, and I wasn't surprised when they followed Jezebel back to the circulation desk. It sickened me. His eyes were swimming with lust as he watched the gentle pendulum sway of her rounded hips that she attempted to hide under those childish dresses.

Correction...someone tries to hide them because no sane teenage girl would volunteer to dress like a cast member from The Little House on the Prairie.

"You might as well give up now, Tucker," I said, snatching his attention from Jezebel's child-bearing hips. "How many years of bullying did you put Jezebel through because you were a pussy and couldn't admit your feelings for her?"

Tucker's Adam's apple bobbed when he noisily gulped at my accurate accusation.

"I-"

"Shut the fuck up because the only thing that will come out of your mouth is lies," I accused, not leaving any room for argument. "You sicken me because you used your popularity and influence against her because you didn't want anyone to have her. Congratulations, Tucker...it worked...until now. Because what you hadn't banked on was me; someone with eyes that could see and a mind of his own to think. And you're so fucking predictable. I put a little pressure on you, and you come running in here, giving her veiled compliments and trying to engage her in conversation. The fuck do you think is going to happen, Tucker?"

I paused to give him a chance to answer, but like a bitch, he remained silent.

"Do you really think that after years of emotional abuse that you can show her a little bit of attention and have her running into your arms? Jezebel might be pathetic, but she's not desperate. It's not going to happen for you, Tucker, and I'm going to make sure of that. The only name that Jezebel Holmes will be whispering from her lips is Erik King."

I snatched the book out of his hand and returned it to its rightful place on the shelf.

"Sorry, but let's not pretend an asshole driving around in a pickup truck with an "It's okay to be White" bumper sticker can appreciate the complexity of the characters and empathize with their struggles. Mein Kampf seems more fitting, but I doubt you'll find a copy in this library."

"Are you done?" Tucker incredulously asked, hoping to get his point across.

"I'm never done."

"Good to know. I've heard rumors about you and how you're supposed to be some badass everyone is supposed to be afraid of, but you don't scare me."

I wanted to laugh in his face at his false sense of bravado.

Tucker should be afraid. He should be terrified because he has no idea what I am capable of-I have no idea what I am capable of. I have yet to determine how low I was going to crawl, how devious I was ready to be, or how sinister I was willing to act. The possibilities are endless.

"Good. I'm glad you're not afraid of me. I don't want you to be. In fact, I want us to be buddies. Who knows? Maybe you'll be my best man when I make Jezebel Mrs. Erik King."

"What is your obsession with Jezebel? You don't even know her!" Tucker angrily spat.

"Shhh. Keep your voice down. It's a library," I chastised. My eyes widened when Tucker grabbed the collar of my shirt and slammed my back into a bookshelf stacked with poetic works of art. I hated to admit it, but Tucker successfully caught me off guard and knocked the wind out of me.

Perhaps, I shouldn't let my guard down around him.

"Listen, man. If you wanted a kiss, then all you had to do was ask." I chuckled as Tucker's face morphed into a disgusted sneer. "But to answer your question, I'm not obsessed with Jezebel. I've done something that you've failed to do."

"And what is that?"

"I've recognized her untapped potential," I casually answered.

"Watch your back, Erik," Tucker warned.

"I'll definitely watch my back while we're in the showers. I'd hate for you to sneak up on me when I accidentally drop the soap."

Tucker stormed out of the library, forgetting all about the little morsel of goodness that sat at the front desk.

"Fucking loser."

***

"Oh!" Jezebel squeaked in surprise when I slammed a copy of some random book I pulled off a shelf onto her desk. "D-did you experience any difficulty finding what you were looking for today?" Jezebel dutifully asked.

"No, I'm looking at it," I replied, subtly licking my bottom lip. Jezebel anxiously slid her crucifix pendant back and forth on the chain.

I should replace the necklace. Yes, I think I will. It'll have a pendant of my name. Whenever she's anxious, she can tightly grip it between her soft fingers and think about me. She can silently pray, hoping I will come and save her.

"Do you know you squeak like a mouse? That's what I'm going to call you from now on."

"Mouse?" Jezebel asked with a curious head tilt.

"No...Squeak." Jezebel released a heavy sigh. She probably thought I was trying to be an asshole by calling her Squeak, but that wasn't the case.

"C-can you please call me by my name?"

"Why would I do that when you hate your name?"

Jezebel's face became laced with panic.

"I don't hate my name," she lied.

"Squeak...there is one thing I hate more than my stepfather. Do you want to know what that is?"

She furiously shook her head.

Too bad.

"Liars. I'm sure your Bible says a thing or two about liars," I reprimanded.

"I'm surprised you've seen The Color Purple. Not many students these days have," Jezebel said, effectively steering the conversation away from an uncomfortable topic.

"You'll cream yourself when you find out my father took me to see it on Broadway."

"I'll do what?" she curiously asked.

Oh, my. She's too innocent for her own good. Ruining her innocence will be an absolute delight.

"Don't worry about it. I rather show you than tell you. But we'll save that for another time."

***

I waited in my car until the final bell rang and the eager students poured out. I sighed in relief when Jezebel rushed out of the front entrance with her pink backpack and afro puffs bouncing in the sun. I slowly pulled out of my parking spot from the back of the parking lot away from the newly licensed drivers. I'd hate to have to put another person in a coma for dinging my doors.

I took my father's wise advice when he insisted I try to get to know Jezebel a little better before I declared my love for her.

What better way to get to know someone than take them on a date? There is a diner not far from school that boasts they serve the best sandwiches in Texas. We are going to test this claim.

I followed Jezebel to a convenience store and parked on the side of the building near a busted payphone that probably hadn't been used since 1997 and a ransacked red plastic newspaper stand littered with graffiti.

"Just ask her out, Erik. You got this. She can't possibly say no to you."

I had never feared rejection, but this was the first time I had to pursue a girl. Usually, I had to beat them off with a stick. Box Bleach Barbie came to mind.

I entered the less-than-welcoming establishment and immediately found Jezebel perusing the candy aisle. She happily strolled to the checkout counter with a handful of chocolate bars.

She has a sweet tooth. Good to know.

I stayed out of sight until she paid and followed her outside the store like her own shadow.

She really should be aware of her surroundings.

Jezebel was blissfully unaware of my presence as she tore into her Twix. I thought about chickening out for a brief second, but I found my nerve after giving myself a final pep talk.

Just ask her!

"Don't scream, or I'll shoot you in the back," I menacingly growled as my fingers poked Jezebel in her back. Of course, she did the exact opposite. I clamped my hand over her mouth and dragged her to my SUV. Thankfully, we were the only ones in the parking lot, and the clerk was probably too high on shrooms to react or care about a young woman's distressed screams. I shoved Jezebel into the passenger seat and slammed the door shut. I laughed when she desperately tried to escape.

Thank God for child safety locks.

10/07/2022

Author's Corner

Um...Tucker didn't seem to heed Erik's warning.

Erik out here committing felonies on the first day of school.


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