Back for You

“Why do you keeping looking at the clock like its some time bomb?” I turned away my gaze from the clock that’s hanging on the wall to my laptop screen where Mike was furrowing his eyebrows and keeping his eyes on me.

“Actually,” I sucked a breath, “I have no idea.” I decided to not tell Mike about the date I have tonight with Liam. He told Mum about Liam before so now I didn’t think it’s a good idea to tell him about the date too.

“You’re weird.” He mumbled under his breath but loud enough for me to hear.

“Geez, thanks,” I rolled my eyes, “So, what is it?” I quickly changed the subject.

Mike told me just a half hour ago that he wanted to Skype me. At first I said no but of course he kept begging and told me that when he comes to London to see me next time, he’d cook for me. I couldn’t resist that.

“Nothing, just wanting to check up on you,” he grinned innocently and I held the urge to roll my eyes and scoff at him.

“Anyway, how’s life? Have you met any girl yet?” I quickly asked, trying to find a subject to talk to.

“Ah, about that,” he grinned once again, “I met this girl at work actually. To my surprise, she’s not a German. She’s actually from France and it feels really… refreshing to talk with her.” A genuine smile cracked on my face. After 3 years of not seeing anyone and struggling with moving on from his ex-girlfriend, Dana, that he dated for a year he finally met someone.

“Really? What’s her name? What’s she look like? When are you going to introduce me to her?” I asked, feeling genuinely curious and interested with the things he said.

“Whoa. Relax there,” he chuckled, “Her name is Elisé and she’s from France. God, I know what cross your mind when I said that! You might be thinking that she’s from Paris and she dressed all girly in branded clothes,” Well, maybe I just thought like that, “but she really is from Paris and she’s lived there all her life but no, she’s not really into those branded clothes and all of that. She dresses a little bit like you actually,” he chuckled again and caught a breath, “I can’t really picture how she looks into words so I guess I’ll just send you her picture?”

“You have her picture? Where did you get it? Did you just ask her for a picture or something? Geez, Mike! Where are your manners?!”

“I didn’t just ask her for a picture you moron,” he rolled his eyes at me, “We went to Berlin Wall last weekend and we took a picture together.”

“You went to Berlin Wall with her? How long have you known her actually? It’s like you’re already close with her!” Again I glanced at the clock as soon as I finished saying that. It’s just a little over 5pm. Okay I still have 2 hours before Liam picked me up. I could have another hour talking with Mike though.

Right before Mike could reply my words, the door of my room opened and, “Jenna! It’s only 2 hours away before Liam comes! How come you not start getting ready?” That was Sienna and she just literally told Mike that I had a date tonight.

“Whoa. What? What did I miss, Jen?” Mike finally spoke up and I turned to give Sienna an ‘I’ll-definitely-kill-you-if-you’re-not-my-best-friend’ look.

“She didn’t tell you, did she?” Jenna stepped in further and stood casually next to me, facing my laptop screen.

“No, she didn’t.” He said innocently.

I just buried my head in my hands, letting Sienna casually telling my big brother that I have a date with Liam tonight. I couldn’t help but feel really bad for not telling Mike about my date when he actually trusted me enough to talk about Elise. But I couldn’t help it. He told Mum about Liam without even telling me in the first place and I didn’t like it. I didn’t like the way he did it.

“So you have a date with Liam tonight, eh?” I looked up and realized that Mike had a smug smile across his face, “Aw, my little sister is growing up.” He cooed.

“Oh God. I don’t even know what to say anymore.” I turned to look at Sienna who’s already going through my dresser, trying to find something for me to wear tonight.

Mike smiled and told me that it’s best if we hung up so I could get ready for my date with Liam. He even made me to promise that I’d text him the details about the date. Actually I had no idea why I promised him though. I’m so not looking forward to the absurd conversation I’d have to do with Mike later.

“So what are you going to wear?” Sienna asked, still trying to find something decent for me to wear.

“Well, he told me to just wear something casual so I’m thinking of… jeans?” That’s the only thing I could come up. I spent all my afternoon thinking of what kind of clothes I should wear and I could only come up with jeans.

“Jeans?” She turned to see me and raised her eyebrows, “No. I remember you bought a nice skirt when we’re shopping a while ago and I haven’t seen you wearing it before so tonight you’re going to wear that.”

“Alright.” It’s not like I had a choice though.

So after turning off my laptop, Sienna quickly ushered me to take a shower and just get ready for tonight. Sienna told me that she’d do my hair as always while I’d do my own make-up. So for tonight she made me to wear the pale-pink skirt that I’ve never worn before and a simple white sleeveless blouse under my denim jacket. At first, she said it’d be best if I wore a pair of heels or wedges but I quickly said no. I wanted to wear my cheery red Dr. Marten boots and no one’s going to change that, not even Sienna.

As I applied a light amount of make-up on my face, Sienna braided my hair, “I can’t believe you’re finally going on a date with Liam.” She gushed for the fifth time today.

“I know,” I mumbled under my breath as I applied a light layer of cheery lip-gloss on my lips. When I realized that I’d be going on a date with Liam Payne, 1/5 of One Direction, I put the item on the table and shut my eyes, “Si…”

“Hmm?” She hummed casually, still braiding my hair.

“I don’t think I can do this.” I mumbled softly under my breath, still with my eyes shut, “This idea... actually, the fact that I’m going on a date with Liam is just crazier than I thought before. It’s so crazy I might even want to puke right now.”

“What is it, Jen?” This time she already finished braiding my hair and I could hear her sitting on the edge of my bed and feel her staring at me from the mirror.

“I don’t know,” I sighed heavily as I finally opened my eyes, “It’s just… from all the girls he’s met before, why me?” I asked, staring back at Sienna from the mirror.

She sighed softly and got up from her seat, approaching me. She put her hands on my shoulder and smiled softly, “Because you’re who he wants, Jen,” she said in a ‘duh’ tone, “That’s all I can say because honestly, I have nothing left to say.” I couldn’t help but chuckle when she said the last words.

Right when I stopped chuckling, the bell rang, “Wait here.” Sienna said before I could say anything else. I took that time to get up from my seat and grabbed my phone then put it in my bag, “Jen! Liam is here!” Taking a few deep breaths, I finally walked out of my room.

He stood there casually waiting for me with a white button-up shirt under his denim vest, dark jeans and his usual white hi-top sneakers. And I just walked towards him, feeling as ridiculous as ever because I looked nothing compared to him. He looked absolutely stunning in those clothes and a dazzling smile across his face while I looked practically ridiculous in my cheery red boots and black fedora on my head.

Blinking a couple times, his smile only got wider, “You look beautiful.” He said and I felt myself blushing wildly because of that.

“You don’t look bad yourself,” I smiled softly as I approached him.

“So, let’s get going, yeah?” he turned to me as he asked and I just nodded. We linked arms and I gave Sienna a glance before saying goodbye to her and walking out of the front door with Liam by my side.

The walk to his car was quite and in a comfortable silence. Sometimes I would steal a glance or two at him every now and then to make sure that I wasn’t dreaming or something. But with him standing next to me in flesh and blood, I was sure that it wasn’t a dream. It was just as real as reality.

*****

Liam took me to “Oliver’s Fish & Chips”, a place that he said served one of the best fish and chips in town. I never tasted fish and chips before so that’s why Liam took me there. He said it’s such a shame that I’d been living in London for a few years now yet I still hadn’t tasted any fish and chips.

The food was delicious though. The fish wasn’t oily but crispy and I liked it. We talked while had the meal. We talked about our family, pets, hobbies and just something random. I mentioned a bit of my parents’ restaurant and how crowded it was most of time and he said that he’d like to go there some time.

We’re done at “Oliver’s” by about 10pm and he didn’t take me home just yet. I knew it though. I’d be sad if he just took me home straight after dinner. I wanted to spend more time with him. Gladly, he took me to have desserts at one of this ice cream parlor not too far from “Oliver’s”. It’s only 10 minutes away I guess.

The place was a bit empty. There were only some teenagers in a group that not too far from the door while Liam and I decided to just sit in the corner so we could have our privacy. We shared a bowl of ice cream together and talked again. I didn’t remember how long we’re there but the time we’re done messing with our ice cream and talking, it’s only a little bit before midnight.

“You tired?” Liam asked me as we got up from our seat and I just shrugged my shoulders. I walked to his side and as I approached him, he immediately grabbed my hand, intertwining our fingers. I felt a shock of electricity run through my veins as he squeezed my hand gently.

“C’mon, let’s just go home.” He said as we started to walk towards the front door but suddenly he just stopped walking and, “Shit.” He cursed under his breath. I frowned at his choice of word because I haven’t really heard him curse before. This was rare.

“What’s the matter?” I asked as I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. He was looking out at something outside the parlor. I followed his gaze and my eyes caught on the sight of a handful paparazzi outside this place. It’s almost midnight but they’re outside with camera on hand and questions ready to be asked.

He turned to see me straight in the eyes, “I’m sorry, okay? I honestly have no idea that they’re going to be here.” he said and I could see a hint of sadness in his eyes.

“It’s alright,” I said weakly, suddenly feeling exhausted. Without a warning, he leaned up to kiss my temple before squeezing my hand one more time and with that, we finally made our way out of the ice cream parlor.

I kept head down as Liam guided me the way to his car. Pictures were taken and questions were asked to Liam as we walked. It was all coming in together and I couldn’t even process anything as I walked. I wonder if Liam ever had a headache with all the camera flashes and questions he got from the paparazzi. Anyway, I tried so hard to concentrate on the path I took just in case I got clumsy and embarrass myself by tripping on something. I could feel Liam hold my hand tighter as we walked. He didn’t say anything though when they asked him questions. After a few minutes that felt like hours to me, we finally reached his car. He opened the door for me and let me in before walking towards the other door and slid in to the driver’s seat.

I stayed silent in my seat as he started the car and we finally drove off, leaving the ice cream parlor and that horrible scene behind. Clearly, I wasn’t expecting that to happen. I thought it was going to be just as normal as that time when we walked in town a while ago. But of course it didn’t. That was unexpected.

“That was crazy.” I said, breaking the silence around us, “have you ever gotten any headache from that? Because I think they’re more horrible than those Physics tests I had back in high school.”

He chuckled at my words, “Actually I’m not going to say that I’m used to it because I think I will never get used to it, but it’s been a while so I could handle it just fine,” I turned to see him glancing at me, “Yes it’s overwhelming but no, there’s no headache.”

“Well, if I’m you, surely I’d get headache at first and every time things like that happen.” I said quietly, a dry chuckle escaping my lips.

“Are you okay, Jen?” Liam asked suddenly. He glanced at me for a split second again and I realized that he was serious. His eyebrows were furrowed and his lips were pressed in a tight line.

“I’m okay I guess.” I spoke up and smiled weakly before turning my gaze from him to road again. Suddenly I just didn’t feel good anymore. I didn’t know why but I thought it had something to do with all the paparazzi. Maybe I was upset. Maybe I wasn’t. But I didn’t even know what I was feeling.

God, since when did I start being clueless of what I’m feeling?

The next thing I knew, we’re already out of his car and walking towards my flat. During the walk, he casually had my hand in his and intertwined our fingers. I smiled softly as I looked down to see our hands. It felt good to have his warm hand on my cold one. It brought warmth to me.

“It’s been a great night, Liam.” I said as we both stood just outside my flat. We were standing face to face and a faint smile was on his face when those words escaped my mouth. He seemed like he didn’t believe my words, “What’s wrong?”

He sighed and dropped my hand, “It’s just… I’m sorry for ruining the night a little bit because of the paps. I know it could be a much better night if they weren’t there.” He said as he ran his fingers through his short hair.

“Look, Liam, it’s okay, really.” I reassured him with a soft smile on my face.

“I could’ve taken you to the park if they didn’t show up.” Oh? So he originally was planning to take me to a park before took me home?

“Well you can do that some other time.” I shrugged my shoulder casually.

He cracked a small smile when he heard my words, “Okay,” his smile got wider, “So… I think it’s best if we call it a night, yeah?” I shrugged, “Alright.”

He pulled me in a warm hug and as I breathed, his scent filled my nostrils, “Thanks for tonight, Liam. I mean it when I said it’d been a great night.” I told him as we pulled back.

He had a soft, small smile on his face as he nodded faintly, “So… I’ll see you later, Jen.” He said and quickly pulled me in another hug. Right before he pulled back, he kissed my temple softly. And when he already pulled back, he shot me another smile and pecked my cheek.

Those things he just did were enough to make me blush wildly.

“Yeah, until next time, Li,” I leaned in to peck his cheek as well and shot him another smile. After that, he finally spun his heels and walked away from me. I stood there outside my door until he’s finally out of my sight. But when he’s already in the lift and before the door closed, he shot me that signature smile of his and gave me a small wave. I waved back and a second after that, the doors closed.

Well, it’d been an almost great night indeed. If only those paps didn’t show up, it’d be a better night than it already was.