Boy Out Falling (4 page)

“What is funny about that?”

“The other nine guys said that the dreams tell you everything about me.”

“Nine other guys?” He sounded shocked.

“You make it sound like I've slept with all of them.”

“You didn't?”

“No, I'm not easy.”

“I'm not saying you are. Now what are you doing in an hour?”

“Nothing it's Friday night.”

“You are now.”

“But-.”

“Don't say anything. I won't take you out. We can stay at your place. One of the things I don't know about you is where you live.”

I gave him my address. Then he hung up. I text Meridith 911 and she text me back right away. She was on break. I told her to call me.

              “I don't know how I got myself into this.” When I answered the phone.

              “Calm down and keep the blinds closed.”

              “Meridith!”

              “I'm not saying to get into his pants. By the way he stared at you I don't think he would mind. You should know I mean so the pops don't look inside.”

              “I wouldn't be surprised if he's used to girls trying to get into his pants.” Meridith and I laughed.

              “My break is over. Now don't stress out over this.”

              That's all she left me with. How could I not stress out? I tried to stay calm until the doorbell rang.

              I hesitated when I opened the door. I was relieved when Steven was the only one at the door with no paparazzi.

              “Good evening.” He said. I moved aside to let him in.

              “Good evening.” I closed the door. “Let’s get this started.” He turned around and looked at me. “If you are going that way then you can leave. I'm saying for getting to know you.”

              “You could have done that online.”

              “No, there are things that aren't true. I would rather you talk about yourself.”

              “I feel like I'm being interviewed.”

              “It kind of is.”

              “You're joking.” His face looked shocked.

              “No, I'm not.”

              “Can we do this over a few days’, months even? Maybe throw a few years in there.”

              “A few months are okay since it takes a few weeks to months to meet the right girl.”

              “Are you sure I haven't already met her, and she is standing in front of me.”

              “Since you are talking about me then that is a no.” Then under my breath. “I never am.”

              “Why would you say you never are?”

              “Well that is something that wouldn't be on the internet super hearing.” I laughed.

              “You have a cute laugh.” he said as he stepped closer. I stepped back.

              “I don't want you to get close to me this is a job.”

              “Does that mean you don't find me attractive?”

              “I do but like I said I'm not the one that is going to be with you. Remember nine other guys before you.”

              “What if ten is your lucky number?”

              “It's eleven.”

              “Eleven. I guess I'll move aside for number ten so I can be your number eleven.”
              “Still not going to happen.”

              “Okay, I'll change the subject. I brought a movie.” He pulled it out.

              “We can watch it.” I looked at the time it was nine and I had to get up early. I wasn't sure if I would be able to stay awake long enough.

              Forty-five minutes into the movie I was leaning on Steven trying to keep my eyes open.

              I woke up the next morning in my bed by myself. I got up and dressed for work. I walked into the living room and to my surprised Steven was sleeping on the couch. I went into the kitchen. I grabbed an apple and wrote a note.

                            Steven, I had to go to work. I won't be back until four. I'm not sure if you would                                                         rather go home than stay here.

                                                        Jen

              I placed the note next to him on the table. Then I left for work.

              Work had gone by fast for when my first break. While I was on break I looked at my phone and saw a message from Meridith. She was asking how last night went. I told her about the movie and how I fell asleep during and waking up in my own bed alone. He was on the couch. My break was over as quickly was my work was. When I went back to work it started to drag. Lunch went by fast and no messages. The last part of work also dragged and I was happy when it was over.

              When I got home I was not happy that to see people parked outside of it. So many cameras. I was starting to wonder if Steven was still in the house or if he had left. I was about to find out.

              “Are you and Steven together?” One person yelled to my left. “Are you two now living together?” Another on my right shouted. I tried to stay quiet while I was walking up to the door.

              I opened the door and bolted it shut when I got inside. I looked around and Steven was gone, but this time he left me a note.

                            Jen

                                          Thank you for leaving the note to let me know you had to go to work.                                                         Next time come over to my place like tonight or when you have time.                                                         Text me when you get this.

                                                        Steven

                                          P.S. Are you sure you aren't the one.

              I didn't text him right away I wanted to shower. Right before I got in the shower my phone vibrated. It was from Meridith. Telling me that I was on the tabloid again. I just showered. Once I was out of the showered and dressed I went to look out the window. The cameras were gone. I felt like I was able to breathe again.

              I looked at my phone trying to figure out if I should really text him or not. I sat there looking at my phone for ten minutes. I grabbed the phone to text him, but I didn't know what to say. All I put was I got your note. I threw the phone to the other side of the couch. Then I realized that I wasn't treating this one like I normally did. I was acting like this one was the plague.

              I picked my phone back up and text Meridith. I told her if she didn't have the night off to get it off. Right after that was sent I got a text from Steven. He asked if I wanted to see him tonight. I wrote back that he could come over if he brought a friend for my friend he met at the beach. Right away he said yes, and he will be over soon. I text Meridith to come over there was going to be a guy here for her.

              Meridith got the night off and had rushed over.

              “I hope it's Westley Pete that he is bringing.” she was excited. I was surprised she was jumping around.

              “I think you are his type.”

              “I know I am his type.” She smiled.

              Every time we heard a car Meridith would look out window.

              “I think you're going to scare him away.” I laughed.

              “They're here.” She said as she ran to the bathroom.

              “Okay. I'll greet them without you.” I yelled to her as I went to the door. I opened the door before they reached the steps. “Hello.” I smiled.

              Steven went in for a hug, but I stepped to the side. I heard Meridith open up the bathroom door when Westley Pete stepped inside. I heard her gasp when I was closing the door.

              “Westley this is Jen's friend.” Steven started to say.

              “Meridith” She went in for a hug.

              “Hi, Meridith.” Westley said. I was walking around them and saw that he had a huge smile on his face.

              I walked into the living room and sat in the chair so I would be by myself. When they came in it didn't help since Meridith sat in Westley's lap. I saw Steven wanted something like that. I know I did, but I couldn't let myself open up to him. I knew this wouldn't last like he was thinking it would.

              “I was thinking you two should come visit us.” Steven said.

              “Yeah!” Meridith was enthused.

              I stayed quiet. I didn't like the idea. The whole night I stayed quiet. Which made Meridith upset.

              “Jen what is wrong with you.” When the guys had left.

              “Meridith you don’t understand.”

              “I must not, but I do understand that Steven Patrick likes you.”

              “It's not real it's the dream thing.”

              “Whatever.” Meridith grabbed her things and went out the door.

              A few weeks went by and I ignored all the text and phone calls from Steven. I was at work three weeks after that night and when I got to my desk in the morning my phone lit up. It was from Steven.

              “I keep telling myself I'm not the desperate type.”

              I grabbed my phone and put it in the desk drawer. I hadn't talked to Meridith in a few days. I left my phone there until Thursday. I looked at my phone at the end of the day and saw another text from Steven.