DATES

Saturday, the 17th of March

Samantha's spent the last ten minutes nodding her head. I've considered saving her but she hasn't replied to my message and I'm not sure what to do. It's the first I've been asked to stalk someone's date.

I slouch against the table and take another sip from my mocktail. Perhaps spiking this cocktail with alcohol would make this night better?

"We meet again." Jayden chuckles. "I had drinks with co-workers and noticed you at the bar. I hope it's okay that I've come over."

"No, that's fine." I laugh.

"What are you doing here?"

Jayden takes a seat beside me and leans against the bench.

"I'm here in case my friend needs to be bailed out of her date."

"Which one is your friend?"

I subtly nod towards Samantha, who is still nodding while her date is talking passionately about something.

"When are you supposed to help because she looks miserable?"

"She hasn't messaged me the code word, so I don't know."

"Since you might be here for a while, can I buy you a drink?"

"Thanks but I can't put any more liquid in my body."

"Have you eaten? Their steak burgers are delicious."

"I have to warn you, I have a boyfriend."

"Is he the one you were hiding from last time?"

"I'm not hiding from anyone tonight." I chuckle.

"I don't know about you, but I haven't eaten tonight. Some company would be nice but I won't force it on you."

"Food and some company would be nice while I wait for Samantha."

We move to a small table nearby which has an okay view of Samantha and her date. We order our burgers and more drinks. I'm mildly jealous of Jayden's beer.

"You're clearly from Australia, have you lived in America for long?"

"September of last year."

"Still fairly new then." He nods. "Are you enjoying your time here?"

"It's ruined my love for snow, but I've made some good friends here."

"Little towns have their charm, but the beach is amazing." He nods.

"Agreed."

I peer over my shoulder and smile because Samantha's laughing and it seems genuine. Perhaps they've managed to salvage their date.

"How's your friend going?"

"She's laughing which must be a good sign, right?

"I hope so."

The waitress brings our dinner and I grin. I take a bite into the burger and moan. He gives me a funny look and then replicates the same sigh of delight.

"This was a good decision." I nod.

When I'm halfway through, I place it on the plate and lean back in my chair.

"I always over eat, it's a bad habit," I grumble.

"I only do it when I eat out."

"Charlie?" The sound of his voice sends shivers crawling down my spine.

Jayden frowns as I turn around to look. My stomach knots and my heart races. What is he doing here? Jarrod crosses his arms and glares.

"Who's this?" Jarrod points to Jayden.

"Are you the boyfriend? Charlie mentioned she had a boyfriend and I just offered to keep her company while she waits for Samantha to finish her date."

"He's not my boyfriend."

"Why are you talking to him? I thought you had a boyfriend." He raises an eyebrow.

"We're just talking." I roll my eyes.

"Does your boyfriend know you're here with another man?"

"In the nicest way possible, this is none of your business."

"I think it's time you left," Jayden comments.

"Shut up, I'm not talking to you."

"Jarrod." I glare.

His facial features soften and his eyes swirl with sadness.

"Can we talk somewhere?"

"I don't want to speak to you."

"Charlie-"

"It's time you left, you're causing a scene in the restaurant."

"I'm not leaving until we talk."

"How about we leave then? Do you need a ride home?"

"Please."

Jarrod storms to Samantha and Jayden rushes to the staff behind the bar. Two bounces cross the room and escort Jarrod out of the restaurant. Jayden returns to the table and takes a long sip from his beer.

"How long has that being going on for?"

"Too long. Once I'm away at college, I won't have to worry about him."

"You should speak to the police about a restraining order."

"I might have to look into it." I frown.

Samantha appears beside me and buries her face into her hands.

"I'm so embarrassed and sorry about his behaviour."

"You can't help how he behaves."

Jayden frowns and cocks his head to the side.

"Jarrod is Samantha's cousin."

"Who's this?" She frowns.

"I'm Jayden." He waves.

"We met last time we came."

"Oh."

"What happened to your date?"

"He quickly left after Jarrod was escorted out of the building. Things were a little awkward in the beginning but we sort of found our way through it."

"Perhaps you can talk about it tomorrow? I'm sure he'll come around."

"I doubt." She sighs. "Are you finished, can we go home?"

"Um, sure."

Jayden stands up and we wander to the parking lot.

"You didn't have to walk us here, but thanks."

"Can't have you wandering this dark parking lot, especially after what just happened."

"Thanks." I smile.

"Goodnight, ladies."

We wave goodbye and slip into Samantha's car. She turns the engine on and reverses out of the parking bay. I fiddle with the radio until I hear something.

"Do you hear that?"

Samantha shakes her head.

"Wait, I think I hear it."

She puts her window down and frowns.

"Damnit, Jarrod!"

Samantha turns the car off and leaps out. She races down the road and I follow.

Jarrod and Jayden are wrestling in the middle of the parking lot and Jarrod isn't winning.

"Stop it right now!" Samantha screams.

Jayden is quick on his feet and manages to dodge Jarrod's fist. Samantha calls somebody and people begin to gather in the car park.

"Please stop this Jarrod, you're scaring me." My throat burns.

"I'm going to teach this asshole a lesson."

"Leave or I will press charges," Jayden says.

"Call the fucking police, I don't care."

"You're being stupid! Get in the car," Samantha pleas.

"Don't fucking tell me what to do," he shouts.

Samantha roughly exhales, then runs her fingers through her hair.

Jarrod hits Jayden in the jaw and I hiss. He pushes Jarrod away but he springs back."

Police sirens wail in the distance, then flashing lights appear. More people gather around but despite the commotion, Jarrod continues to jab punches at Jayden.

"Please Jarrod, we still have time to get away."

"I don't care what happens to me. I just want to–" Jayden punches Jarrod in the face.

He stumbles back, then spits blood out of his mouth.

"I dislike violence but you deserved that."

The crowd makes way for the two officers who rush to them.

"Charlie?"

My heart leaps in my chest as I notice Dad racing towards us.

"Hi."

"Maybe they won't arrest them since it's your Dad," Samantha comments.

"They're getting arrested."

"Shit! I hope he doesn't press charges."

I hope he does because he needs to learn a lesson. Jayden and Jarrod are handcuffed and guided to the police cruiser. Dad's partner gets into the car while he wanders over to us.

"Are you okay, Charlie? What the hell was happening?"

"Samantha was on a date and I met this guy called Jayden who offered to keep me company, then Jarrod showed up and I don't know what set him off. Jarrod's been hassling me for a while now."

"Who are these men?"

"Jarrod is my stupid cousin." Samantha frowns.

"I just met Jayden the last time we came here."

"Okay." He frowns.

"Is Jarrod in a lot of trouble?"

"It depends on what Jayden decides to do. For now, I'll take him back to the station so he can cool down. He still seems on edge at the moment."

"I'll follow you to the station."

Samantha pulls me to the car and we follow them to the station. Once inside the station, she paces with a lot of mumbles.

The door opens and Noah rushes inside. He searches the room and his gaze widens as he finds Samantha and I. Another door opens and Jayden wanders outside with a plastic bag filled with his possessions.

"Thanks for coming, man."

Jayden and Noah hug and he claps his back.

"What happened?"

Jayden searches the room and smiles at me before turning his attention back to Noah.

"This is Charlie, the woman I met the other night, the one I was telling you about. I found her drinking at the bar tonight, so we decided to have dinner while her friend was on a date. This guy came out of nowhere and everything escalated from there."

Noah moves closer to me and his eyes trail over my body.

"Did he hurt you? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

"How do you two know each other?" Jayden frowns.

"Mr. East is our teacher," Samantha replies.

"Oh."

"Does your father know you're here?"

"He's the one who found us."

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm a little shaken up, but I'm fine."

"What about you, Samantha? Are your parents coming to the station?"

"They're heading down now."

"Okay, that's good." Noah nods.

I step aside and smile at Jayden, who looks a little lost. I hope he doesn't realise its Noah I was hiding from on the night we met, not Jarrod.

"I'm sorry about tonight and the bruises you'll have tomorrow. I owe you a drink or something to repay you for what's happened."

"I would–"

Noah clasps his shoulder and gently shakes him.

"Don't worry, Jayden doesn't expect drinks for heroic behaviours."

Jayden pouts which makes me chuckle.

"Thanks again."

"I'm dropping Jayden at the restaurant to collect his car. Do you need a lift there?"

"Samantha drove us to the restaurant."

"Should I call Percy to give you a lift home? Or will you father finish work soon?"

"Don't worry about me."

"We could drive you home, save everyone the hassle," Jayden comments.

Noah's olive green eyes light up and I pretend to think about it.

"If that's okay with you, Mr. East." It's so weird saying that, especially since most of our class don't call him that.

"It's fine with me."

Samantha looks torn and I feel guilty for waving goodbye. I follow them to Noah's car and Jayden climbs into the front seat while I slide into the back. It's weird sitting in the back of his car.

The radio softly plays in the background as Noah drives along the quiet streets.

"So you're in high school, hey?" Jayden nods.

"Only for a little longer."

"How's Noah like as a teacher?"

"I'm failing his class, so not very good." I chuckle.

Noah's jaw drops and he shakes his head.

"Your grades and my ability to teach are two very different topics, thank you very much."

"It's debatable."

Jayden looks between the pair of us, so I settle down and stare out the window. I don't know how to act in front of Jayden.

"You two seem very friendly."

Noah tenses while I remain calm and collected.

"We'll of course, we know each other outside of school because I'm dating Percy."

Jayden frowns but subtly nods.

"How long have you two been together?"

"We've been on and off this year."

Noah pulls into the parking lot and I've never been so excited to see this place again. Jayden gives directions to his car and he parks beside it.

Jayden unbuckles his seatbelt and glances over his shoulder.

"It was nice meeting you again, Charlie."

"Same to you."

"Perhaps we'll see each other again soon."

"Goodbye, Jayden."

He hops out of the car and we both sigh with relief.

"Do you think he knows?"

"If he talks to Oliver and Robert, I think he'll work it out."

"Do you trust him? I can't handle any more stress."

"I do." He nods.

We wave goodbye to Jayden and I climb into the front seat. Noah laces his fingers through mine and kisses the back of my hand.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine."

"I wish I could do more to protect you."

"If Jarrod hurt you, Noah, I couldn't forgive myself."

"Let's get you home, it's late."

"Thanks."

He fires the car up and rests his hand on my thigh. I wish this car was driving into the sunset or at least another town where nobody can find us.