I Will Be There For You

by Priyal Jain

CHAPTER 12

  “I didn’t want to eavesdrop but I heard you talking to Justin, so whose birthday it is?” Emma asked, really intrigued.

  “Just a friend.” I said breezily.

  “Friend or a close friend?” she asked teasing me.

  “From how close were you listening? I didn’t see you around.” I asked changing the topic.

  “Well, everyone has their talents.”

  “Oh come on, stop it Jake.” I said instantly.

  Shoot!!

  “What did you just called me?” she asked completely dazzled. She is not going to let it go.

  “Nothing……….. nothing at all.” I said, not daring to meet her eye.

  “I knew something is brewing between you two.” She said, tickling me.

  “No Emma, it is nothing. It’s his birthday on 24 Jan and Becky wants me to help that is why I am taking leaves.” I told her the truth.

  “Well he sure is a close friend of yours.” She said making quote marks.

  “Well……. I think we should start working. I can’t upset Justin.”

  “Okay, let’s begin. Taking orders, picking dirty dishes, plastering a fake smile even though you wish to kill someone. Awesome.” She said sarcastically.

  “Em, if you don’t like it here then why don’t you leave it?” I asked and suddenly her expressions changed. The charming smile was gone. She looked a bit tensed.

  “I can’t leave because I have an absolutely fantastic friend over here.” She replied but I could tell she was lying. Anyhow, I passed her a bright smile. I don’t know what’s up with her. She is pretty, tall and has an amazing smile. She looks smart, works efficiently and has been really nice to me. But she is always repining about the place and she hates to work over here yet she never leaves. She never talks to anyone except me of course and I find her really nice and witty. I really like her.

  “Ashley, I think your little vacation does not start until 22 Jan.” Boomed in Justin’s voice.

  Shoot!! Why the hell he enters the kitchen.

  “I am sorry. I was just leaving.” I said and turned around before he could say anything else. He is a pain in neck. I went outside and saw Jake playing a beautiful song, his own composition. He catches me staring at him and I turn around, completely red in my cheeks.

  “What would you like to have sir?” I asked to a customer sitting behind me.

  “Thanks love, but I have already placed my order.” he said, pointing towards Emma, who showed me her diary and laughed.

  I am so embarrassed.

  “I am so sorry sir, I didn’t realize…..” I was apologizing when he cut me in, “It’s okay dear, happens sometimes.” Then he continued in a hushed voice. “It’s none of my business but nice choice.” He said pointing towards Jake. I wanted to say that we are just friends but nothing came out of my mouth.

  Stupid mouth.

  I smiled, blushed and went away, inside the kitchen. As soon as I entered, Emma began to laugh.

  “Yes so funny. Ha! Ha!” I said sarcastically.

  “Oh come on it was fun, besides no one told you to drool over your crush in front of everyone.”

  “Oh please! I just looked there by chance.”

  “Whom are you trying to fool, babe. It’s me.”

  “I guess we should return to work.” I said charging out of the room. Note to self: do not stare at JAKE.

  It’s been an hour since I’ve come back from the restaurant and I am sitting at Beck’s house and preparing for Jake’s party.

  “So hall is booked, just payments left. And you have already taken the leaves.” She said striking off things from her list.

  “And what about the stuff you were going to do?” I asked with an edge in my tone.

  “I have called a few of his friends and some close relatives. Also, I have figured out what mom and dad will be wearing.” She said victoriously.

  That is Becky, no tensions at all.

  “I am also thinking of inviting Emma, my friend is it okay?” I asked.

  “Of course it is okay. I would love to meet her.” Becky replied.

  “Meet whom?” of course Jake.

  Doesn’t he knock? I hope he hasn’t heard anything else. Fingers and toes crossed.

  “Meet Emma. I was just telling Becky that she is a great girl.” I said.

  “Yep and I am always eager to meet new people.” She joined in with a plastered smile. He nodded and left. Thank God! I am so mellowed down we are not busted.

  “Well how it’s going with Joey?” I asked.

  “It’s great as always. I think I have found my someone special. He is the most romantic person I have ever dated.” She replied, blushing slightly.

  I slightly squeezed her arm and smiled. “It’s getting late I should leave, we’ll continue tomorrow.”

  She nodded and gave me a hug. I went downstairs and bid adieu to Rachel and Jon.

  “Hey, I will walk you home.” Jake said, startling me. “It’s kind of a habit now.” I glanced at Jon and Rachel who were smiling at us. I went all red. But I kind of wanted him to drop me off.

  “Sure.” I replied, giving a smirk. We went outside and he closed the door behind.

  “So should I assume it as flirting?” I asked, teasing him.

  “Well, take it as you want to. I have fun dropping you off.” He said and winked. And he started to grin like a fool.

  “What is the fun part?” I asked.

  “For starters, the sky is picturesque and the distance is just apt, not too far and not near. The last thing, I get to spent time with you. This one is actually my favorite one.” Somehow I control the urge to say ‘mine too’.

  “You are really sweet and it would be great if we spent more time, getting to know each other better. I say, let’s go for a coffee someday.” I said instead.

  “Are you asking me out?”

  “No, just a friendly coffee.” I said, hitting him in the stomach.

  “Deal, I will pick you up tomorrow at 7:30, after your shift, and we’ll go to some place nice.”

  “Okay, I will be waiting.”

  We covered the distance to my house and I bade him a goodbye. What the hell did I just do? I asked him out, I mean on a friendly coffee but what am I gonna talk about? Or what I will wear?

  Shoot!!

  “I am home and I am going to my room.” I declared.

  “Everything fine?” mom asked.

  “Yes mom, just a bit tired.” I lied.

  “Okay.” She replied from the kitchen.

  Oh God. I know I shouldn’t be this nervous, it’s not like it’s a date, but it gives me jitters just to think that Jake and I will be alone for sometime. Well on second thoughts, I don’t think it is a bad idea altogether. I could talk to him; maybe I can get to know him well. I could bond with him. I instantly go crimson at the thought of meeting him alone. I should ask someone for advice. Becky. No, bad idea. It will be so awkward. I asking her to give me tips to date her brother. Emma, I suddenly realize. Of course, she would be the best person to give me advice on a date with Jake, I mean coffee with Jake. Just simple coffee. I hurriedly took out my phone and dialed her number.

  “Hey you free.” I asked straight away.

  “Yes.” She replied. Strange, her voice was wobbly and she was not sounding as winsome as she usually does.

  “Are you okay?” I asked.

  “Absolutely!”

  “Emma you won’t believe what I just did, I asked Jake out!!!”

  “Seriously, that is amazing. I am so happy for you.” She replied. “I knew something was going on between you two.”

  “Nothing like that, just a friendly, casual coffee.”

  “I believe you.” I know she didn’t mean that.

  “Well I want to ask you about what to wear? How to do my hair? What to talk? How to greet him? Should I get something for him?” I finally stopped to catch a breath.

  “And you are calling it a casual coffee.” She replied sarcastically.

&nb
sp; “I know I am freaking out.”

  “Don’t worry I am sure even he is thinking about all this. Okay, relax. Just be yourself and I am sure you will rock.”