A few days have passed since I have come to realize that Jessica and her father are in the apartment next to mine. It's quite a coincidence really, but I haven't run into either of them since that day. I am thankful that I haven't seen the cutie in the hallways alone again as I really don't see it fit for a child her age, but what do I know. I'm not a parent, and more so I am not her guardian. I have no say. But when a child comes into your life and takes hold of your heart, it is hard not to feel protective of said child. That's how it is for me with Jessica. From the small amount of time I've spend with her, she's weaseled her way into my heart, and okay, yeah, that does sound a bit creepy depending on how you look at it. I promise you, though, I mean it in the most innocent way possible. I am—in no way, shape or form—a pedophile.

In the time that has passed since I last saw Jessica, I have come to realize who that unknown number was. It turns out that Emily had given William Lock my number because he had been asking about me. When I found that out, I about died! Will is that gorgeous jock that everyone loves. To find out that he even knows who I am, it's exciting. In high school I had the biggest crush on him, but of course I didn't pursue it. Chances are he's straight, but he wants to hang out with me! It's exciting, so my plans for the day are revolving around Will coming for a visit.

His coming is the reason I'm in the bathroom, finishing the last touches of today's outfit to make sure I'm all set before he gets here. My eyes are lined perfectly in a thick coat of eyeliner, done up to make cat eyes, a light coat of blush is added to my pale cheeks, and a layer of clear, watermelon flavored gloss is spread across my lips; while my bleached-white hair is resting on my shoulders in braided pigtails. I make my way to my bedroom to pull my black heeled booties with the hot-pink laces, tucking the bottom of my dark washed ulta-skinny-fit jeans into them. Standing, I straighten out my black Blink 182 'Good girls like to sin' t-shirt before making sure I have everything in my bag that I'll need. Once I'm sure I do, I leave my apartment, locking the door behind me.

In the elevator on the way to the lobby, I text Will, making sure I haven't kept him waiting. He tells me he's only ten minutes away, which makes me smile. When the elevator dings, telling me I have arrived at the lobby, I don't take my eyes off my phone as I walk causing me to bump right into a body larger than my own. A gasp slips past my lips as my phone falls from my hands and I stumble about to fall before a hand reaches out, grabbing my arm, steading me. Lifting my eyes, I come face-to-face with a pair of deep, sorrow-filled caramel eyes, and like a switch being turned on, my face flushes a soft pink with embarrassment at the recognition of the gorgeous man before me. “Oh, my goodness! I am so sorry! I wasn't paying attention to where I was going! I hope I didn't hurt you...” I trail off, taking my bottom lip between my teeth in an attempt to calm my nerves. I never was very well at not making a fool of myself in front of attractive men.

Quiet chuckles fall past his lips sending the musical sounds to my ears. Biting my lip harder, I watch as he bends down, grabbing my phone before handing to it me. “It's all-right. No harm done, plus you looked like you were in a whole other world there. Must have been one special person you were talking to.” I take my phone from him as my cheeks flush a darker shade of pink. Slipping my phone into my bag, I shrug.

“He's just a friend I'm excited to see,” and really, I'm not sure why I'm telling him this at all. It's none of his concern, and I'm sure he doesn't even care. Plus, atop all that, I'd love for Will to be more than a friend to me. “But, anyway, thanks for picking my phone up, and thanks for not letting me fall.” I smile, moving to walk around him. He seems to have other plans, though, as he steps in my way, blocking me from going anywhere. His eyes travel the length of my body and back, finally resting on my face that, by now I”m sure, is scarlet red.

“Jessie's been asking about you. She's been begging me to let her play with you. I know we don't know each-other, and this is entirely weird, but she seems to think you're this amazing guy. You do have an impeccable fashion sense and you listen to Blink, so you must be okay...” My right brow raises while he rambles on. I'm not entirely sure I understand him. Is he asking me to have a 'play date' with his daughter? “We have these movie nights on Thursday's where my friend Jack comes over, and the three of us watch whatever movie Jessie chooses. She wants you to come, if you're, y'know, not busy...”

“Sounds great!” I exclaim, “Let her know I'm excited for Thursday, but I really must be going.” He steps aside mumbling some unintelligible thing, allowing me to make my way to my car. I can already tell I'm late meeting up with Will.

-♥-♥-♥-

Walking into Starbucks I spot Will right away, seated by the side window with a disposable coffee cup setting on the table in front of him. I take the seat across from him with a smile, noticing how his navy polo shows off his muscular chest and arms just the right amount. “Hey, stranger,” I announce my entrance, setting my bag on the seat beside me. Will turns his attention from the window to me, his eyes widening a bit upon fully taking me in. My smile falters a bit, but I try my hardest to not let it be noticeable. I'm used to people being disappointed in how I dress- how I look- how I am. This isn't anything new. I can handle this.

“Wow, you look...” he trailed off slightly, allowing his eyes to run over the part of me not hidden by the table. My mind throwing every memory of the horrible words spat my way about my appearance at his words. He's too nice to be like them, I remind myself, just barely catching him breathe out, “amazing.” Once realize hits, my cheeks catch fire, my eyes cast downward, and a shy smile graces my lips.

“Thank you.” I peek up at him, taking my bottom lip between my teeth, I mumble, “Um, I'm going to go..” I trail off, pointing to the counter.

“What would you like?” Will asks as he gets up, “I've got it.” I give him my order without a fight. My eyes follow him as he walks, trailing down his lean frame to rest on his ass. Before he catches me, I turn back to the table, allowing my racing thoughts to calm. Things like this don't happen to me. People don't just accept me as I am. What's going on? What if this is some sort of joke? No, no, no, he seemed genuine while we were talking via the phone. He drove three hours to see me, no-one would do that for a joke!

“Not a joke,” I mumbled to myself, only being snapped from my thoughts by Will reclaiming his seat.

“What's a not a joke?” he asks, handing me my coffee. I smile my thanks, taking a careful sip as I contemplate what to say. I can't exactly tell him, that would be rude, but I don't really want to lie either.

“Just something I was thinking. Until you said anything, I didn't realize I even muttered anything aloud. It's nothing, really.” I take another sip, tapping my finger gently on the table top. “So how was your drive?”

“Long, but it was worth it,” he adds a wink at the end causing me to blush, my shy side winning over at the moment. Grabbing my hand, “You really do look amazing, Ze. I know girls who don't have half the fashion sense you do.”

I pull my hand away, resting it in my lap as I ask, “What about Amanda?”

A look of hurt flashes through his baby blues before disappearing behind a look of confusion. “What about her?”

“Um, I mean, last I heard you two were still an item...”

He gets up, motioning me to follow him. I grab my bag and my drink before following him out the door. We walk side-by-side down the street in silence for a while before he finally speaks up. “We split up months ago. She just couldn't get over the fact that I had my eye on someone else, so she continued to hang off me, not listening when I'd tell her to bug off.”

“Ohh, I want details! Who's the lucky girl?”

We take a seat on a bench at the nearby park. I take a sip of my coffee while he says, “Not saying, you have to guess,” and I pout in response.

“At least tell me about her, so I can guess!”

“Well, they have the most beautiful shade of hazel eyes, and those plump, rose lips are always stretched up in a genuine smile. Height-wise, they're kind of short, but it fits their personality well, and allows them to wear their beloved heels without towering over everyone awkwardly. They really know how to stand out, and look great. Personality-wise, they're kind of quiet and shy, but I can tell once opened up, they're the life of the party. And I've heard from people they're kind and caring and loving. I think my favorite thing about them, though, is their hair. How even though it's dyed to a white-blonde color, it doesn't look unnatural. It fits them perfectly.” He ends with his hand on my thigh, giving it a gentle squeeze with a wink. A quiet, barely there gasp slips past my parted lips as my cheeks flush a brilliant shade of red because there is no way he is actually talking about me... Right?

Notes

I kind of picture, like, an old school Izzy Hilton from myspace days as Zeke. What do you guys picture? I'm curious.
We're only four chapters in, and already I feel like this story is moving too slow and too fast all at the same time.