You're So Pretty On the Outside

*Jennifer*

I groaned as my phone rang on the nightstand beside me, rousing me from my nap. I sat up, scratching the back of my head and yawning as I allowed my eyes to rest on the screen. I groaned louder when I realized it was an unknown caller. I reached down and picked the phone up, flipping it open as I brought it to my ear. It had better not be a fucking creeper.

“Hello?” I asked, stifling a yawn.

“Hello? Jennifer? Is that you?” an unfamiliar female voice came from the other end.

“Umm... yes?” I replied, frowning. “Who is this?”

“Angel,” she replied, hesitated then continued. “That asshole’s boyfriend? The one who caught you?”

“Oh, shit,” I blushed. “True enough. What’s up?”

“I need your help with something,” she replied.

“Shoot,” I stated, standing up.

I walked out of my bedroom and down the stairs, glancing at my roommate, Venita. She was sitting on the couch across from the TV, hypnotized. Literally. I turned my full attention to Angel as she explained her dilemma to me.

“So you’re asking my opinion on what job you should take?” I asked, laughing slightly.

“Well,” she started awkwardly. “Yeah, I guess.”

“Well, I feel special,” I grinned as I sat down at the table with a glass of juice.

“I’m sure you do,” she laughed. “So anyway, what do you think?”

“I think it’s a good idea, although do you have the money for that?” I replied.

“Oh, umm... well...” she trailed off.

“Hold on, I have an idea,” I cut in. “How about, if you’re not too busy, we meet up somewhere and grab a bite to eat so I could give you my opinion face to face? I’m not crazy about cell phones. Not the best thing to have near your head for a long period of time, if you know what I mean.”

“Yeah, good idea,” she agreed. “I could use some time out.”

“Alright then,” I said. “Where do you live? Maybe we could meet up at the park and go from there?”

“Sure,” she agreed. “Wait, you drive?”

I laughed. “Hell no, those machines are murderers.”

“I see,” she laughed. “Well how about we meet in a half hour? I’ve gotta get ready.”

“Works for me,” I smiled, jumping up. “I’ll see ya then.”

“Bye,” she replied. “Oh, and by the way...”

“Yes?” I urged.

“Thanks for helping me out,” she finished.

“No problem, hun,” I smiled.

We hung up and I ate a quick breakfast before dashing upstairs to take a fast sure and make myself decent. I slipped on a pair of denim shorts and a purple tank top followed by my greyscale plaid converse and a belt through the loops of my shorts. I grabbed some money and slipped it in my pocket, taking my All Time Low messenger bag and sprinting out of the room.

I left the apartment after shouting a goodbye to Venita and began my trek to the park. Okay, it wasn’t really that bad but I’ve never been much of a walker. I preferred riding my skateboard but the stupid thing decided to bust when my dumbass of a best friendVenita figured it’d be fun to crash into a tree! Yeah, that’s exactly it. Slammed directly into the tree on the other side of the street. Poor board didn’t even have a chance.

I glared at said tree. Of course, I chose to do that at the worst fucking time. My shoulder bumped into something. I was praying I could just walk passed and pretend nothing happened but I heard someone curse behind me as the sound of paper and books falling filled my ears.

I sighed and turned back around to see a guy crouched over a pile of books and papers. I walked over and knelt down beside him, gathering up some of the papers that had dropped on the grass. I picked up a science book, frowning, and stood with the pile in my arms held out to the guy. He smiled up at me thankfully. Yeah, he was pretty short and believe me I’m not trying to be mean!

“I’m sorry,” I said as he took them back.

“No, no,” he said with a heavy British accent. “I should be apologizing. I should look where I’m going. Thanks for helping me by the way.”

“No problem,” I said, glancing down at his books.

“What’s your name?” he asked.

“Jennifer,” I answered, smiling. “Jennifer Hastings. You?”

“Lee Malia,” he replied. I nodded.

“You British?” I asked. I mentally punched myself for asking such a dumb question. No shit he’s British! Jen, you’re a dumbass.

“Yes,” he replied, laughing slightly.

“Figures,” I blushed. “Sorry, that was a really dumb question.”

“It’s okay,” he laughed.

“Yeah, umm...” I started, remembering my date with Angel. “Anyway, I have to go meet up with someone. It was nice meeting you, Lee.”

He nodded and we bid each other farewell after he thanked me again. I smiled before walking away, registering how cool the guy was. I have to admit, whether he’s my type or not, he was chill. Fuck and that accent? I swear t- Okay, no Jen! No! Poor guy’s gonna think you’re a creep!

I groaned and shook the thoughts from my mind, finally reaching the park. I smiled when I noticed someone I recognized and placed her as Angel. She seemed to have recognized me as well because she walked over with a grin on her face.

“Hey,” I smiled. “Sorry I took forever.”

“It’s okay,” she laughed. “So where do you wanna go?”

“I dunno,” I shrugged. “Tim Horton’s?”

“Sure,” she agreed.

We walked to Tim Horton’s and ordered our meals. She took a soup, donut and coffee while I took a wrap and iced cappuccino. We found a table and sat down to eat. Half way through, she brought up the point to this meeting.

“So what do you think I should do?” she asked.

I looked down at my food for a minute and thought of a way to say what I thought. I finally settled on just being blunt.

“Well, personally I think you should check if you have the money to move all the way to Wales. After you’ve done that, if you have enough to pay for the plane, an apartment and all the necessities for the first few months there, than by all means go for it!” I replied, smiling. “If not, you should consider getting a smaller job around here with a good pay and save up until you have enough. You got a roommate or something?”

“Yes,” she replied.

“Alright then, get her in on it too if she works,” I said. “Maybe you guys could go down there together? Two salaries are always better than one, right? So, that’s what I think. You might wanna ask others about it but that’s my opinion on the subject. Other than that I say do what you want. It’s your career at stake here.”

She smiled at my comment and nodded, reaching down to grab her cup. She brought it up to her lips and took a sip before turning back to me. “That definitely makes sense. Thanks for sharing.”

“No problem,” I smiled.

We fell into a silence after that, drinking as we looked at each other. Finally she struck up a new conversation, smiling.

“So,” she said. “I pretty much only know you as the chick that my ex cheated on me with. Care to change that?

“Sure thing,” I smiled. “What do you want to know?”

“Well, I don’t know...” she laughed. “Well, let’s start with age?”

“19,” I answered.

“Really?” she asked, brow raised.

“Yep,” I smiled.

“Shit, I thought you’d be at least 21 or something. Okay, anyway, I’m 22,” she replied, still dazed. “Hobbies?”

“Skateboarding, listening to music, pissing of my best friend/roommate and her boyfriend, playing bass,” I replied, grinning.

She laughed. “Holy shit, what the hell was Jason thinking when he hooked up with you?”

“Heeyy!” I whined, my bottom lip sticking out. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“He hates skaters,” she laughed.

“Oh!” I smiled. “Well, I believe your ex was slightly retarded so it doesn’t really matter.”

“Why is that?” she frowned. I raised a brow.

“Hello! He cheated on you!” I exclaimed.

“True enough,” she smiled. “Hey, since we’re done here, how about you come back to my place? Meet my friend? She’d love you.”

“Sure thing!” I smiled.

With that said, we left.