Chapter 32 Give him a chance
FINLAY HIGH SCHOOL
Jovy sighed heavily as she wiped at her forehead even though she wasn’t sweating. Her thoughts was everywhere. She had woken up feeling numb and nothing seem to please her. Not even Alice’s stale jokes made her smile. She could tell something was off with Arlo from their short conversation last night. It bothered her and she began to wonder if he had already lost interest in her so soon. It made her already shallow self lower.
Alice slapped her back hard as they head out of the class. “Sometimes I wonder if you are an old lady occupying this sexy body cause why you brooding so much?”
Jovy gave Alice a tired glance. “Can you not talk to me?”
Alice winked. “Not if I can actually help it.”
Jovy turned towards Alice. “Do you think Arlo is actually interested in me?”
“What do you mean?”
“So-”
“Hell no!” Alice cuts in as she stood up abruptly. “Tell me all about it. In details, like right now.” She grabbed Jovy’s hand tightly and pulled her through the crowd of students shoving whoever got in her way aside.
Jovy was almost beginning to regret blurting out those words. She had been too preoccupied with her thoughts that she didn’t remember to tell Alice about Arlo coming over to the diner with his friends to see her. Jovy stared down at her firmly gripped hand by Alice and she realized the main reason she had kept it all to herself.
Alice sat her butt down in an available seat. She took in a deep breath and sat opposite Jovy with eagerness in her eyes.
“I am expecting to hear you. So start talking.” She pressed on.
Jovy rolled her eyes. She snickered deciding to play ignorant. “I have no idea what you mean by that.”
“Oh really?” Alice raised a brow. She realized what Jovy was trying to do. She smirked as a thought came to her mind. “I see you are hiding that boyfriend of yours-”
“Alice!” Jovy whisper yelled.
Alice had raised her voice to enable the others in the cafeteria to hear them. She always does so whenever she is trying to get an information out of Jovy. She knows how much Jovy hates being focused on.
Alice laughed out. “You know that you don’t have to always make me do that before you talk.”
Jovy rubbed her temples. “Sometimes, I actually do regret being your friend.”
“Well my dear friend, I can’t help being me. Just tell me what happened exactly.”
“Well, I was at the diner yesterday after school when Arlo showed up all of a sudden.”
Alice gasped too loudly. She knew Arlo would be at the diner as he had asked her for Jovy’s work address. And willingly without being pressured Alice had sold her friend out. Although with the hope that things would actually works out between them.
“Spill all of the tea!” She giggled.
Jovy leaned into the chair and folded her arms on her chest. “I would if you don’t interrupt me every passing second.”
Alice raised her hands in surrender. “Fine! Fine! Please just make it snappy.”
“He had come around with his friends and they had made me choose their order…”
Alice interrupted her again. “How did that feel like?”
“Alice! Please can you let me finish?” Jovy was getting pissed at her friend’s continuous interference.
“Fine!” Alice huffed in response
“It felt awkward at first, but then they just kept their cool and his friends were the first to leave. Arlo…” She emphasized a bit too long on the name. “… he waited till I was done with work and walked me home.”
Alice wiggled in her seat and she squealed. “This is a start of something new.”
“It is nothing new, Alice. Amelia was waiting right outside with her vicious stare.”
“Come on!”
“I am not even playing right now.”
“Since when did she become your bodyguard?”
“She has been on the lookout since the incident from the last time.”
“Oh, I see. So, why does that bother you?”
“I feel like he might be bothered. I tried calling yesterday but he sounded off.”
Alice groaned. “Why would you even think she has anything to do with that?”
“I don’t know either.”
Alice watched as Jovy’s fine line creased into that of worry. Why she is always paranoid eludes Alice. She understands that Jovy is seeking for an excuse to let Arlo out of her life.
“What exactly are you scared of?” Alice asked.
Jovy glanced around slowly, her heart constricting. How was she supposed to respond to the question and not sound like the world’s greatest fool? All through the night her mind kept drifting back to him and she woke up feeling a different sensation to her body whenever she dreamt about him.
“Answer the damn question, Jovy!”
Alice was becoming agitated with her silence. She has a feeling like she already knows what Jovy was about to say but she kept herself away from being judgmental.
“I still can’t get over him. And I feel like me associating with Arlo would make me forget about him in no time.”
Alice scoffed in irritation. “You never cease to amaze me. This same person who didn’t check on you for weeks. Have you lost your damn mind?!” She pulled at her hair in frustration.
“I can’t help it, Alice.”
Alice heaved a sigh. Jovy’s thinking about this strange man was becoming more of a threat to herself. From her description of the man, it was obvious he is the controller type and would do anything to keep whomever he wants at bay. Alice stared at her best friend, she looked lost, more like she is uncertain of what she is suppose to do or not.
“His memories keep haunting me everyday. It’s almost as if he is next to me…like I can feel him right with me.” Jovy muttered.
“It’s just your illusion.” Alice said.
Tears welled up at the corners of her eyes but she tried hard to blink the tears away. Jovy sniffed repeatedly as she fiddled with her fingers. “Why does this keep happening?”
“I just need you to not bother about him and live your life, Jovy. You are still too young for this. And it is so obvious that Arlo is interested in you so give him a chance.” Alice stated in a calm tone.
“What if he leaves me hanging like Logan?”
“You can only find out if you try. But Arlo wouldn’t act the same way he-”
A ring from Jovy’s cellphone interrupted her intended words. Jovy stared at the phone screen before looking up at her best friend again. “It’s Arlo.”
“That’s right!” Alice slapped her hand against the table in excitement. Right timing! She thought. “This is what I am talking about. Put the phone on speaker.”
Jovy ignored her friend’s drama and picked up the call. She clicked on the speaker. ‘Hey.’
‘Hey there beautiful.’ Arlo’s voice rang out from the receiver, sending jitters down Jovy’s spine.
‘How are you?’ Jovy smiled shyly, forgetting he isn’t in front of her.
‘Just chilling.’ Arlo cleared his throat. ‘I was thinking if you would like to spend sometime with me after work today. I would be rounding up my classes at the time you are leaving the diner. What do you think?’
Alice urged her on to respond to his request positively. Jovy cleared her throat. ‘I guess I can be chanced at that time. I wouldn’t mind.’
‘Awesome! I would come pick you up and then drop you home afterwards.’
‘You own a car?’ She asked exchanging glances with Alice who mounted yes.
Arlo laughed out. ‘Tons of it baby. Not to worry, I got you. See you in few hours.’
‘Bye.’ Jovy muttered, grinning sheepishly as she disconnected the call.
“I tell you, this is going to be one hell of an interesting ride!” Alice screamed, getting the attention of people around. “Mind your fucking business y’all!” She retorted.
Jovy was laughing her head off as she checked her time. She stood up abruptly. “It’s almost time to resume at the diner.” She waved at Alice. “Bye.”
Jovy blew kisses to her friend who was acting crazy at the same time. “Bye best friend! Enjoy!” Alice screamed behind her.
Jovy left the cafeteria. And as she walked towards the school exit, she hoped her palpitating heart is all just for nothing.