The Movies Make It Look Easy

Chapter 13

Shannon’s P.O.V:

The five of us spent a couple of hours wandering around London looking for jobs. We went into all different types of shops but most weren’t hiring.
Eventually we gave up, all of us agreeing that we couldn’t possibly walk any more.
My cheeks ached from having to paste a smile on my face and my feet were in bits.
My shoes, though gorgeous, weren’t so nice after a couple of hours of walking.

‘So, Shan you coming to lunch with us?’ Natalie asked.
I opened my mouth to say of course, when I remembered my promise to Nick to treat him to lunch.
I hadn’t thought about him all day, as surprising as that is.
‘Nah, sorry, I can’t’
She raised her brows, silently waiting for me to continue.
‘I’m going to lunch with my roomie’
Her eyebrows rose even further and everyone else turned to look at me.
They didn’t know much about our situation; only that Nick and I didn’t really get on very well.
They’re probably staring as much because Natalie is quiet – it didn’t happen often – as because I’m going to lunch with Nick, I mused.
‘I thought you hated eachother?’ Lee piped up, looking angry?
I blushed slightly, ‘yes we, uh, made up last night’
I inwardly cringed as soon as the words left my mouth realising how they’d sound to the others.
Sure enough Natalie’s eyebrows, which had just managed to return to their normal level shot back up as she stared at me with a smirk on her lips.
‘What did you two hook up or something?’
I blinked at her bluntness and could feel my cheeks beginning to heat
‘No! We just talked’

I only then noticed that we’d stopped walking and the four of them were standing watching me with different expressions on their faces.
Robbie and Emma both stood with their arms entwined looking mildly curious, – I’d noticed in the short time I’d known them that they were really two parts of the same person and were practically inseparable. I couldn’t imagine them ever breaking up – Nat looked amused and Lee still looked almost angry, though I didn’t know why.
I looked slyly at Natalie,
‘He did manage to get my top off though’ I announced airily before continuing to walk down the path leaving them standing, staring after me.
‘Whoa, whoa, whoa!’
Natalie managed to grab my arm and pull me back before I could get too far away from them.
‘You can’t just drop that little bomb and walk away! Explain. Now.’
I giggled. ‘It’s not what you think’
‘So you didn’t take your top off?’
‘No...He took it off for me...’
She rolled her eyes ‘Shannon I’m going to give you exactly three seconds to explain...1...2...’
I laughed ‘I’m joking, he did take my top off, but it wasn’t sexual if you know what I mean’. Unfortunately! That ever present voice in my head said spitefully.
‘I spilled tea down myself and he was just helping’
She looked almost disappointed that my story wasn’t more interesting.
‘Sorry’ I told her ‘I won’t attempt to make a joke again’

We resumed walking, Lee trailing a couple of steps behind us.
‘Anyway’ I continued ‘Very long – and unfunny – story short, I said that I’d treat him to lunch today, which is why I can’t come to lunch with you’
Silence surrounded us for a moment.
‘So we’ll see you later then?’ Robbie asked smiling kindly at me.
I nodded, returning his smile, thankful that someone had broken the thick silence. ‘I want to meet this boy’ Natalie announced suddenly,
‘Anyone who can get you out of your clothes so easily sounds like someone we’d all like to meet, right guys?’ She laughed, Emma and Robbie joining in.
Lee just looked away.
‘Have fun with lunch’
Nat winked at me and they all chorused their goodbyes before turning to leave – some in better moods than others, not that I’m going to name names.

I stood in the middle of the path, rooting in my bag, looking for my phone. Eventually I found the slim black phone and blowing a few strands of hair out of my eyes, I called Nick.
Our phone call lasted about a minute and consisted of grunts, a couple of yes’ and a muttered bye before he hung up.
I sighed, he was so talkative...note the sarcasm.
I sat down on the nearest bench to wait for Nick.
Because my feet were sore I made him agree to meet me instead of me having to walk all the way back to the apartment.

As I waited I watched the people passing by the bench I was sitting on. Some strolled, some jogged and some marched. Some had phones pressed to their ear, some stared at the ground and some took in their surroundings.

What mainly caught my attention though, were the couples walking past. Some had their arms wrapped around eachother, some were lost in conversation and some walked in comfortable silence.
I even saw a couple in the middle of a heated argument.
A wave of longing washed over me every time I saw a couple passing my bench, I missed having a boyfriend, I missed being in a relationship.
I sighed; it didn’t look like I’d be in a relationship anytime soon.

It was as that thought was running through my head that I saw him.
He was sauntering up the street towards me wearing jeans with holes in the knees and a thin navy t-shirt, despite the cold weather.
I’d never seen a sexier sight and I suddenly found it harder to breathe.
My eyes narrowed however when I noticed that I wasn’t the only one who’d noticed him.
Almost every girl he passed turned to watch – including some guys – all with similar expressions of lust on their faces.
I couldn’t help the jealousy that stabbed me and anger at each person who turned to stare washed over me.
He wasn’t even mine and yet I couldn’t help the sudden possessiveness that welled up inside me.

He saw me and smiled, lifting a hand in greeting.
His smile soothed the tumultuous feelings inside me and I couldn’t help feeling triumphant – he hadn’t smiled at anyone else.
Of course he didn’t idiot! My internal voice spoke up; he was hardly going to walk past without acknowledging you when you’re the one he’s meeting, that’d be weird.
Whose side are you on anyway, I retorted.
No reply.
I sighed, I’m definitely going crazy.

Smiling, I stood up as Nick reached the bench I was sitting on.
His eyes twinkled in a way that made my heart thud uncomfortably in my chest as he gazed down at me – even in heels I had to angle my gaze upwards to meet his eyes...his beautiful golden brown eyes...

Without a word we both turned and walked down the street towards a little cafe I’d seen while job-hunting.
We walked in a comfortable silence and I was constantly aware of his close proximity, reminded by the tingles that were consuming my left side.
He pulled the door open for me when we reached the cafe, allowing me to precede him inside.
He placed a hand lightly on the small of my back to guide me towards a small table for two in a quieter corner of the cafe, even though it wasn’t that full and there were plenty of empty tables.
I had to fight not to shudder with pleasure from the contact, warmth spreading across my skin despite the barrier caused by my clothes.

The silence continued as we sat, ordered and waited for our food to come.
It was only when our food and tea – it wouldn’t be lunch without tea...! – had been placed in front of us that I broke the silence.
‘Can I ask you something?’
‘Sure go ahead’ he smiled at me.
I busied myself pouring tea from the teapot that had been placed in the centre of the table into our cups
‘Did you leave the apartment, well pretty much straight after me earlier? Because I thought I saw you’
He looked uncomfortable.
‘I was heading over to Jay’s and I saw you with...that guy’
I smiled, ‘that’s Lee, he’s one of the people I went out with last night’
‘I remember’ he muttered.
I laughed to myself when I remembered how he’d been acting this morning.
Nick smiled at me but it didn’t seem to reach his eyes so I quickly changed the subject.

I asked him about his classes and his features seemed to light up as he began to explain, using his hands to describe the projects he was working on and some of the things that had happened the year before when he was in his first year.
He made me laugh as he told me of his, Mark’s and Jay’s antics and how they’d been kicked out of a couple of classes for having paint wars – that made me arch a brow in amusement when I remembered that Natalie and I had done the exact same thing only a couple of days ago.
I could tell he was passionate about Art and Photography and it made me smile to see how animated he was when he was talking about them.

When he was finished we lapsed into silence again. I fiddled with my cup of tea, not looking at Nick.
‘So how did today go? Did you find a job?’
‘No, we tried everywhere but most places aren’t hiring’
‘Are you particular about where you work or will anywhere do?’
‘As long as I get paid’ I smiled.

Nick looked at me for a few seconds before grabbing a passing waitress’ attention – she was of course willing to give him her full attention after she’d looked him over...typical! –
‘Excuse me, I was just wondering if you’re hiring?’ he smiled blindingly at her
‘Of course! I’ll bring out a form you can fill in’ she simpered.
She kept touching his shoulder and practically giggled after every word, making me gag.
Worst of all was the fact that Nick clearly loved it; he flexed his arm every time she touched him.
Eventually I cleared my throat,
‘Can I have that form now please?’
The waitress shot me a glare.
‘You want one too?’
It was clear from the bitchy tone of her voice that she didn’t appreciate me interrupting her pathetic attempt at flirting.
She looked me up and down, sneering, making anger rise up inside me.
I was just about to pass a (not very nice) comment on her (not so nice) attitude when Nick interrupted.
Though I don’t think it was because he saw the animosity between us – he seemed blissfully unaware.
‘Ah, no actually it’s just for my friend’
Nick smiled at her ‘and can we have the bill aswell please?’
‘Fine’ glaring at me again, she flounced off to get what he asked for.
‘Wow what a bitch’ I muttered
‘She was alright’ he said mildly.

I’m pretty sure my jaw dropped. I quickly set my cup aside and leaned forward, pressing the back of my palm against his forehead.
He cleared his throat
‘Umm, Shannon?’
‘Sorry, I was just checking to make sure you weren’t sick, I know you didn’t just say that’
He rolled his eyes.
‘What is it with girls that they never get along, she was perfectly nice’ he shrugged, making me gape at him.
‘Ye to you’ I finally replied ‘she kept flirting with you, but she treated me like crap’ his brows furrowed,
‘We weren’t flirting’ I burst out laughing, I couldn’t help it.
A tear actually rolled down my cheek before I managed to contain it.
He just sat there frowning at me disapprovingly while I wiped my eyes.
‘Sorry you’re just really funny’ he continued to frown.

When the waitress returned she placed the form and the bill in front of Nick and waited expectantly.
He just glanced at her briefly, muttering his thanks before returning his gaze to me.
I covered my smile with my hand as the girl threw me a murderous look before flouncing off...again.
I felt laughter bubbling up inside me again
‘What?’
It took me a moment to contain it before I could answer.
‘Just the look I got when you blew her off.
He looked confused ‘I blew her off?’
I rolled my eyes...boys = stupid!
‘Forget about it Casanova!’ I grinned at him
‘Now how much do I owe?’ I asked while I rummaged in my bag for my purse.
I looked up when he didn’t answer.
He was placing a couple of notes and coins on the table.
‘Its fine I’ve got it’ he stood up with my form in one hand.
I remained stubbornly in my seat.
‘What?’ I asked.
Now it was his turn to roll his eyes
‘I said I’ve got it’ he said speaking slowly.
‘But I said I’d treat’ I still refused to stand up.
‘You didn’t think I’d actually let you pay did you?’ he laughed.
‘Well ye’ I said, confusion evident in my voice.
He rolled his eyes again, turning to head for the door, but not before I’d heard him mutter ‘Women!’

I followed him through the cafe, weaving around tables and when we reached the door he again held it open for me.
Thanking him, I stepped out onto the street.
I shivered, I hadn’t realised how warm it was inside until I stepped out into the cold.

He handed me the form and as I looked at it I noticed a scrap of paper was pinned to the corner with a number on it.
Underneath the number, it was signed ‘Call me, Jenny xx’
My food almost reappeared, right then and there.
I handed it to Nick,
‘Somehow I doubt this was meant for me’
He just stared at it before scrunching it into a ball and lobbing it into the nearest bin.
‘She’s not my type’
We smiled at eachother and I felt something pass between us – but then again that may just have been wishful thinking.

We began the short walk back to college.
I started walking slower and slower however, my feet still in pain.
Eventually Nick stopped to ask what was wrong
‘It’s just’ I huffed, not wanting to seem like a Dramaqueen
‘Though these shoes are amazing and I love them, they’re not very comfy after you’ve been walking around the city for hours’
We both stared at the shoes in question before Nick sighed and turned around
‘I’ll give you a piggyback, but’ he warned ‘if I break my legs you can pay the hospital bills’
I punched his arm for the second time that day but he just grinned at me over his shoulder.

I hopped onto his back, (which isn’t as easy as it sounds...he’s really tall) wrapping my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck.
He gripped my legs, supporting me before he continued to walk.
Cue the tingles that immediately broke out wherever we touched.
I inwardly rolled my eyes; it was really starting to get old.
I laughed ‘you know this makes you my bitch right?’
He groaned ‘fine, as long as you don’t tell the guys’
‘Deal’ I smiled smugly.

As we continued on his phone started to ring. He rummaged in his pocket for it, – with difficulty thanks to moi! – and when he finally pulled it out he took one glance at the screen and cursed under his breath.
‘I have to go do something’
I let myself slide off his back without saying anything; his voice was different, emotionless.
‘Ok’ I said in a small voice.
Without another word he turned and walked in the other direction, back the way we’d just come.
His hunched figure got smaller and smaller the further away he got.

I turned, continuing slowly on towards the college, telling myself over and over that it didn’t hurt when he walked away without a word or an explanation.
I sighed, it doesn’t hurt, it doesn’t hurt, I mentally chanted...if only I could believe that.