Chapter 34: Chapter 34

Chapter Two

It was evening when all the boys agreed to meet in the central park. I was the last to arrive at the park. James pulled out a pack of cigarettes and each of us grabbed one. Soon, the air around us was filled with smoke. We did not speak for a few minutes but soon, the chatter started.

"So, what's going on with you and that girl from church?" Chad asked Ryle, taking a long drag from his cigar. None of us completely turned our heads in Ryle's direction but he had all of our attention.

Ryle let the smoke puff from his mouth into the air before speaking.

"Nothing's going on with her." He told us. Ryle swung a little on his swing, on which he was currently sitting. He rubbed the back of his neck and let out a sigh.

"Her mom is being a pain. At first, she used to sneak off whenever she visited church but, now I think, her mom caught on. She isn't coming to meet me anymore." He said, blowing steam off of his cigar into the air.

"Maybe, it's time for me to find some other girl. If she's not going to meet me anymore." He told us. His story bored me. His stories about girls were all so similar.

Chad nodded his head. "Yeah, I think you should. After all, you are not used to putting in any effort, when it comes to a girl." He said.

Ryle chuckled when James groaned. Seemed to be annoyed by their talks. Fair enough. James never really cared for girls, just his sport, soccer. Of course, he never really dated a girl except for a few hookups, but never really took them seriously. Well, never serious enough to talk about them. I was like him before, but then I met Jess. Things changed from then.

Hearing James groan, Chad spoke, "What about you, Ja-"

"Don't." James stopped him before he even completed his sentence. Chad let out a big 'whoop' and it made Ryle laugh. I was just amused by all of this.

I knew what was coming next but I did not stop it. "And what about you Nick? Do you really like Jess?" He questioned me. I rolled my eyes. I honestly forgot how many times he had asked me the same question over and over again.

"How many times are you going to ask me this question?" I asked him. Taking a drag from my cigarette. It will be finished soon.

"I know. But it is still hard for me to believe that you came to like a girl. Well, like enough to stick to her and tell us that she is your official gf." He commented. My lip curled up at his word, "Official." Why was he so interested in our lives? I never understood that.

"Then don't believe it." I answered him.

"Whatever, dude." He said then continued. "Tomorrow is the last day for this bet. If by tomorrow, you make your little girlfriend say that she loves you then you will win." He explained.

"You're still stuck on that?" James asked. The first time he ever spoke to himself.

"Hell yeah. A bet is a bet dude." Chad replied, looking all serious.

"I agree." Ryle nodded his head in support of Chad. James merely raised his brows but did not comment.

Now, I was annoyed. Sometimes, I hoped that they would mind their own business. Especially Chad. On some occasions, he had crossed the line with Ryle. Ryle had forgiven him, of course. But, I was not so sure that I would be able to hold in if it ever came to me. My silent and sudden anger outburst even surprised me. Nobody had witnessed it because people are usually too busy to sort out the mess I created for them.

"I would win. Wait for tomorrow." I told them. They all looked at me, knowing that I would. I always will. It was one trait that even they admired. Once, I say, I do something then I do it.

My phone buzzed in my pocket and I took it out. Seeing the name Jess, I picked it up. "Hey, Babe." I said, hearing her breathing from the other side of the phone.

"You coming? Are we still on for tonight?" She asked me. I took the final drag from my cigarette and dropped it on the ground, squashing it under my shoe.

"Yeah, we're still on for tonight." I told her and all my friends let out laughter in the background. I gave a side-glanced to them and they quieted down. I knew what they were thinking, I was thinking the same.

Hearing my friend laugh in the background, Jess spoke. "Say hi to your friends from me. See you soon."

"See you." I replied before disconnecting the call.

I picked up my bag from the ground and threw it over my shoulder. "I am leaving." I told them.

"Off to see your girlfriend?" Chad asked me.

Without replying, I gave him a two-finger salute before I walked out of that place.

Later, I met Jess in the mall where she had asked me to. As always, I kissed her head first before taking her hand in mine and moving to check out the stalls that Jess wanted to see. She was not a fashion diva, and hardly ever wears makeup but I have noticed since we began dating, it had changed. I have seen more dressed up and wearing make-up ever since we started going out.

It gave me a huge ego boost, knowing I could be the only reason why she dresses up and does make-up now more often. My heart swelled knowing that she liked to doll up for me. Especially, since she never really did it for anyone else or ever before.

After buying some stuff and some snacks, we walked outside to the streets. Jess began talking about her day and what she did in general while I just listened.

"I told Raymond that you were different and it was okay for me to go on a road trip with you but he told me not to. He said he did not trust you. I don't know what is going on with him." Jess rambled on when I stopped her.

"Raymond told you that? Your so-called guy best friend?" I asked her. I felt a little wave of suppressed anger sweep over me.

"Yeah. Even though I told him that I trust you." She said, shaking her head in disappointment.

"Humm." I nodded my head without saying anything. I handed over a drink and she began drinking.

Raymond. What an ancient name.

I did not like this guy.