Jasmine's methods are quite...intense.

I mean, it's great that somebody might be of help in this situation but she can be quite offensive and irritating.

-You look like John Mayer.-She suddenly said once.

-Is that good?-He asked.

-Joe, I'm a fucking swiftie.

And we don't get along so well, we disagree a lot.

-Do you want to be a charmer or a nerd?-She took the book out of his hands.

-Uh... both?

-Not happening.

Sometimes I question myself if this is really worth it.

-Oh my God.-She muttered as he walked out of the changing room.

Jasmine managed to drag him to the mall so he could buy something she called "appropriate, unlike the trash you wear".

-So?-He lifted his arms in the air, he felt like a clown honestly.

-I didn't know someone could look so bad.-She said it as if that was a war crime, with her hands covering her mouth - Guess I was wrong...

But then I remember you.

Someone entered the shop, exchanged smiles with the salespeople and his eyes suddenly locked into a certain direction.

For you, anything it's worth it.

-Joe?-Erica said out loud so she could believe it was actually him.

-Erica.-He let a smile escape.-Hi.

He tried to walk towards her but the skinny jeans he was forced to wear didn't allow him.

-You look so...different.-Something in her tone made it clear that he looked ridiculous.

-Yeah, um...Actually-

-Okay, what about yellow? I know it won't work but maybe...-Jasmine entered the area, she had another shirt in her hands, a bright yellow like mustard. Erica immediatly looked at her, then at Joe.-Oh, heyy, I saw you at Mooney's, right?

Not again.

Jasmine greeted her with a kiss on the cheek.

-So, what brings you here girl?-Jasmine asked as if they were long time friends.

-Just window shopping, actually.-Erica asked a bit uncomfortable, but faking a smile. Then looked at Joe- And you two are...?

-Oh, buying Joe a new wardrobe of course!-Jasmine laughed.- He dresses terribly, don't you think?

Erica glanced lovingly at his face while replying:

-Not really...

-Ha, you're too kind!-Jasmine mocked.-Come on joey, put this on.

-But- he tried to object.

-Go!-She pratically pushed him.

As soon as he left, Jasmine dragged Erica into a conversation. But Joe wouldn't just leave them alone, of course he wouldn't. Instead of trying that horrible shirt on, he hid behind some shelves, just watching them engage in a conversation.

What is she telling you, Erica?

Erica gave many expressions through the conversation, mostly forced smiles, while Jasmine always with that mocking happy mean girl behavior.

After solid 7 minutes he couldn't hold himself any longer and rejoined the two again.

-I hate the shirt.-He told Jasmine.

Erica sniffed but pretended it didn't look bad, trying to be polite. Joe gave a smile.

You laughed.

-Not my fault you can't look good on anything.

-Ouch.-Erica joked.- You're quite a harsh girlfriend, Jasmine.

Girlfriend...?

-What?-Joe asked confused.

-I'm gonna check on the pants' section, excuse meee- Jasmine said blowing a kiss.

As soon as she left Joe hushed towards Erica:

-She's a nice girl. Very pretty too.-Erica complimented the blonde.

-Wha-

-I'm happy for you.-She gave a bittersweet smile, then looked down-But that shirt...-She laughed- It's a big "no" for me.

He chuckled.

-I agree.

She searched for something on a shelf, them grabbed a light brown shirt, put above his chest. The contact of her fingers for a brief second touching him felt eletrifying.

-Hm...Not bad...-She wondered-Hold this.

He did as she ordered and she squated on the ground searching for a pair of pants that weren't jeans.

He tried not to stare at her from behind.

Failed miserably.

-Try this...-She gave him the pants- And this jacket.

-Are you sure I won't look like I stepped out of a brazillian carnival?-He joked.

-I'll pretend you didn't say that. Now go.-She chuckled.

Joe took some seconds to change, unlike he did to Jasmine, wich he took longer on purpose so she would give up.

He stepped out of the changing room, beige to yellow shirt, a dark brown jacket, dark green pants. He seemed like a mix of the 80s but also casual chic in the 2020s.

-These are quite high pants.-He joked.

Erica seemed a bit out of this world. Her eyes glued to his figure for a second.

-So, what do you think, Erica?-He asked.

-Gostoso (hot).-She said still oblivious.

-What?

That's when she shaked her head and woke up from the trance, giving a thumbs up for him.

-Good. I meant good.-She lied, he believed.-Give us a spin.-She smiled.

He spinned around showing the full outfit.

-I love it.-She said.

And I love you.

-I think I like it too.-He told her.

-Wait.-She walked towards him-Just...-She adjusted the collar of the jacket around his neck.

He could smell her floral perfume again, observed her close, each part of her face was fascinating to him.

Can we stay like this forever?

She looked towards him with a caring glance.

-You look very good, Joe.-She spoke slowly, with an enchating sight, not in a way friends do.

He dared to reach for her hand, still on the collar of his jacket, putting it above hers, stroking lightly with his finger.

-Erica, I..-

-I'm baaack!!-A pictched voice broke the silence. Erica stepped away from him promptly, trying to get herself together.-Oh wow, look at this guy!

I hate you, Jasmine.

Jasmine had the most weird pieces of clothes on her hands, with vibrant colors and astonishing patterns, nothing that would make much of an interest to him.

-You look pretty good huh, did you do this missy?-She asked Erica.

Yes, you did. You can do anything.

-Oh, he just tried this on, I didn't do much.-She spoke, her cheeks were still a bright red.

The way you blush and stare away. God, Erica you confuse me. You confuse me so much. It's like you want me close but still push me away, I can't understand, and it's frustrating yet makes me even more determined.

-Well, thank you very much!-Jasmine exclaimed.- He looks decent now.-Gave a loud laugh.- Oh, by the way, so, I see you on saturday?

-Um, I'm not sure...

What are you talking about?

-Come on, Erics, it'll be fun!-She pushed her with her arm.

-I'll talk to Sam about it.

Not that girl again.

-Great! It's a date then!-Jasmine celebrated and embraced an arm around Joe.-We gotta go, say goodbye Joey!

No, I don't want to say goodbye.

-Bye, Joe.-Erica said sweetly.

-Bye, Erica.-He replied with a thousand invisible knives stabbing his chest.

As soon as they left, Joe stopped, asking what was all that about, ready to freak out if needed.

-What is all this about? Girlfriend? You said you would help me!

-And I am! Chill.-Jasmine rolled her eyes, pulled aside a strand of her blond curly hair.-Can't you see? She's jealous, she likes you.-The girl explained- It's basically psichology, people want what they can't have. They valorize something when it's gone. You didn't date, she pushed you away. You date, she brings you closer.-She crossed her arms successful.

I guess Regina George here is not completely incorrect.

Were you really jealous Erica?

I'd love to see that.

But at the same time I don't. I want you to have what you want, love who you want.

And by that I mean, me.

If this plan works, I promise you will never have to feel jealous again.

Because I'll only be yours. And yours only.

-And what was that saturday thing about?

-Oh that.-She reminded herself.-We've got a double date.

-What?

-Prepare your armor prince, you're gonna face 'Sam the Dragon" and steal the damsel in distress.

...

I honestly don't know what is worse Erica. Sam, holding your hand by your side or Jasmine flirting with the waiter so she can get a discount on a milkshake.

But let's be real. I'd understand Sam's attitudes towards you if I were her. Always cuddling or giving you kisses.

I mean look at you!

Using a blue retro blouse, a pair of loosen jeans, white shoes and a high ponytail that shakes everytime you walk.

You look so adorable that I wish I could lock you up and not let you go.

Not a bad suggestion actually.

But no, you are here. In front of me, across a diner table, with an e-girl who stares at you like you're a piece of meat, and I am with a barbie wannabe who checks her make up every 3 minutes.

It's obvious that we are in the wrong positions here.

-Is there anything glutten free?- Jasmine analyzed with attention the red and white menu in shiny black letters- How much calories are there in a hamburguer?

-I hope they have a vegan option.-Sam commented.-Or I'll denounce this place online.

-I bet they have dear, just look around.-Erica tried to calm her partner.

-What are you eating, Joey?-Jasmine asked.

-Um, I'm not sure.-He replied.

-Try to get something that doesn't make you fat.

Erica furrowed her eyebrows at the comment, then turned to Joe with a smile.

-You should try the X-Burguer. -She contradicted Jasmine- It has three burguers. Fantastic, honestly.-She leaned towards him on the table and showed the menu.- You won't be hungry, I promise.

-Well, if you say so.-He smirked.

-Are you eating that?-Sam looked at Erica offended.

-Um, yes?

-Do you know how many cows were sacrified to make that? That's cruelty-

It's a fucking fast food. What did she want here? Jelly beans?

The waiter tried to take the orders. Erica glanced at Sam, who gave a reproving expression.

-Maybe..a salad? Do you have anything without meat?-Erica asked.

Sam wasn't hungry, she just ordered an orange juice. But Erica on the other way...

-We can take the meat from a sandwich.-The waiter said.-It's the best I can do.

Erica's stomach growled. She tried to ignore it.

-Okay. Yeah, I want that.

Now that is just mean.

I have nothing against vegans, but Sam is taking this too far now.

That vegan vampire should at least let you eat whatever you want. But I wonder, if she has this type of diet, why did you agree on bringing her to a place full of meat?

Sounds almost as if you don't know her at all, Erica.

-So, where do you know each other from?-Jasmine asked curious.

-Oh, we met online.-Sam told her.-Tinder.

Tinder?!

Erica, the romantic, sensitive and wonderer, Erica...met her girlfriend through Tinder?!

You have a profile on tinder? How did I not think about that?

Wait, did you creat later? After our kiss? It might be it.

You wanted me out of your mind, so created a profile to find someone else fastly.

God, Erica, why? Now you're stuck to this authoritary emo chick.

The waiter brought the food, Erica was the most disappointed one. She was starving, the bread was so thin and she wasn't a fan of salad.

Sam didn't bother to care.

I can't watch this.

You are starving while she's there, worrying only about herself. What type of relationship is that? Erica where's your voice? Your sense of opinion and attitude?

You brought this girl to shut me down but instead she did that to you.

-Joey-Jasmine called him.- I think there's something dirty but I can't find it.

This was previously rehearsed of course. I should clean a spot on Jasmine's face, I find it dorky.

The last time I did that, it was actually you, Erica, who cared for me. But instead, I need to watch out for this...polly pocket doll.

He grabbed some tissue and cleaned the corner of her mouth. Erica looked away.

-Thanks honeyyy-She spoke loudly.

Erica held a laugh.

Of course you'd find her cringy. That's one of the things I love about you.

You're just...real.

-And you two? Isn't it wrong for a boss to date an employee?-Sam asked cetic. She always managed to kill the mood.

-Um...-Joe didn't know how to reply.

-That's so old minded sweetie.-Jasmine retorted.-I am fully capable of doing my functions without being privileged by my honey dovey.-She squeezed his cheek.- Don't stereotype us.

Please stereotype her.

-And what do you work with, Sam?

-Eletronics. Mostly hardware.-Sam glanced at Joe.-And you work with books, Erica told me.

-Me?-He asked to confirm.- Yeah, I'm the manager at a book store.

-I knew you had a bookworm face.

I don't know if that was a compliment or not. Strongly believe it wasn't.

-And blondie here works there.-She concluded, she probably just knew that they worked together, not where.

-Yup.-Jasmine said before sipping a bit of her green juice from the pink straw that matched with her lipstick.-But tell me...eletronics, does that give you much money?

Once they started a conversation, Joe and Erica remained silent, exchanging glances until one of them started:

-And how's college?

-Awesome.-She simply said.-Actually, makes me pretty busy, but I like it.

-Great to see that you're happy.

She smiled at him.

But not happy to see you starving with this bitch.

He sneaked and exchanged their dishes with her before Sam noticed. He didn't eat anything.

Erica said "no" at first, well, mouthed, so her girlfriend wouldn't listen, but he insisted. Seeing that it was useless to protest, she agreed.

-Thank you.-She mouthed with a smile. And quickly took a huge bite.

Adding a new hobby to my list: watching you eat.

You make the most unusual expressions, smile and mess the whole dish in the process. I'd give you as much food as you'd want just so I could see you happy like this everytime.

And wow, you eat fast. Or maybe you are eating fast so she won't catch you.

It's terrible to see you like this. Pretending to be something you aren't.

Do you really like her, Erica?

You don't even bring her to your apartment. I watch the recordings everyday and I can confirm.

It's almost as if you are with her just so...I don't know, just be.

You don't match with anything. You don't agree with anything. And neither of you seem to develop deep caring to each other besides exchanging saliva.

In a matter of 3 minutes she joined a deeper conversation with Jasmine than anything I saw you talking with her.

While us...

I can imagine us in a late afternoon, making you hot cocoa while we watch any show you want on Netflix, even the most boring one, I'd endure it for you, even though I hardly think you'd pick something boring. You could never be boring Erica.

You would rest your head on my shoulder, or my chest, and we'd exchange glances that would tell " I love you" in a million different ways.

And that would be enough.

You would be enough.

-Yeah, Joey and I are thinking of going to the Hamptons someday.-Jasmine said.-I can imagine him playing golf with my aunt.

-Joe? Playing golf?-Erika shaked her head and chuckled.-I don't think so.

You know me so well.

-What? I do.-Jasmine continued.- Or I could teach him-She hugged his arm-Might use it as an excuse to stay close to him.-She giggled and touched the tip of his nose.

He glanced at his friend.

You look disgusted. And I have the same reaction honestly.

-You know what I saw him reading recently? He's so cute honestly.-Jasmine laughed.-That book, you know they made a movie of it, about the guy on the wheelchair and Emilia Clark.

Erica suddenly stopped. Joe and her met glances, the past seemed to come back with all strentgh, an impact hitting the atmosphere.

Oh no. Erica...

-He even read it to me.-Jasmine lied.- Said that he thinks of me whenever he reads it.

NO. NO. NO.

Erica closed her fists above the table, tried to look away but her eyes showed full pain reflected on them. A mix of hate and sadness.

Erica please don't listen to her.

-Have you heard about it?-Jasmine questioned.

Jasmine do us a favor and shut the fuck up.

-Yeah.-Erica nodded and forced a smile. She clearly didn't seem okay.- It's a great book.

She seemed to struggle to stay at that table, couldn't handle it any longer.

-Excuse me, please.-She said.-I'm going to the bathroom.

-Oh, I'll go with you!-Jasmine offered herself.

-No.-Erica replied coldly right away.

I've never seen you like this.

Jasmine sat back on the bench a bit surprised. Sam played on her phone, barely paid attention to her surroundings.

I fucked up. I really did.

He got up from the bench ignored Jasmine talking on the background, directed himself to the restrooms, where he could listen to a muffled whimper behind the door.

Are you crying? Please don't be crying.

He looked up at the sign on the door.

Are you really going to make me enter the feminine bathroom? Erica come on...

He checked to see if no one was watching him.

Pardon me ladies. It's an emergency. I promise I'm not a pervert.

He entered fastly and closed the door.

The bathroom was quiet. Empty. Medium sized. It was full in white with a large mirror above the sinks. In front of the mirror, staring at her won reflection was Erica.

Her hands resting on the counter, looking exhausted. The hair in front of her face, allowing to only see a bit of her eyes.

-Erica?-He asked, walking towards her.

She immediatly turned towards him, allowing to see a bit of her messed make up on her cheeks.

You are cying.

-Joe?-She asked confused, tried to brush away the dirty mascara.-What are you doing here?

About to kill myself for making you cry.

-What Jasmine said-

-It's no big deal.

Doesn't look like it.

-But I didn't-

-I mean, it's just a book.-She faked a smile.-And we are...-The words failed her- Friends.

I can't be friends with you. I could never live and be just frjends with you.

-Erica...-

-I just...-She chuckled bitterly- ...forget it. I just imagined what I shouldn't.

He was finally in front of her. He wanted to reach for her hand, he wanted it so bad. Maybe pull her into his arms and never let it go.

-Maybe I just wanted to have something just between me and you. Like,something ours.-She lifted her shoulders.- Just...be the girl you remember whenever you read that book.

You are the girl I remember whenever I breathe.

-But you are.

-There's no need to be kind, Joe. We knos Jasmine-

-She lied.-He shaked his head. Touched her hand. Erica felt chills across her whole body.- It's you.-He confessed.- It's always been you. Since you first walked into Money's, or when we kissed at that car.-He led her hand to his heart, so she could feel it beating for her.-I remember that night everyday.

-Me too.-She admitted, feeling comfortable with the touch of his hand. Gave a bitter smile.- I missed you, Joe.

-I missed you way more, Erica.

She closed her eyes and, with the hand above his chest, pulled his shirt, leaning him towards her. Their lips collapsing into each other's, they were full of rythm, passion and desire.

She pressed him against the counter, he sighed full of lust over her, letting her do whatever she pleased.

Outside, the girlfriends would be there, waiting on the table, while she bit slowly his lower lip, as his hand slided through Erica's back, the coldness in the bathroom turning it into pure heat.

His lips lowered on her neck, her skin wa so smooth, so delicious, an addicting floral to candy scent that drived him crazy. The more he explored her body, the more he craved it.

She carressed his hair while he delivered gentle kisses next to her collarbone, until she slowly lifted his chin towards her, almost as if she controlled him under a spell.

Kissed her slowly, as a torture, a poison that invaded her veins, consuming little by little, until the point his hands made their way to the button of her light blue jeans.

He glanced at her eyes, asking for permission. The sound of the button being removed made him exhale a shaken breath towards her. She caressed his cheek as a goddess blessing a mortal, while he closed his eyes for a minute absorving the sensation of her touch.

Then, attempting to worship her, his religion, Joe lowered his body, with his knees on the cold ground, as he observed that majestic woman above him.

His breath touched her belly's skin, exposed by the crop top, making her tremble, his fingers approached slowly the fabric of the black undewear she wore, teasing slowly, about to remove it, slip it through her thighs.

-IIS ANYONE THERE? I NEED TO CLEAN!- A maid's voice cut the silence brutally.

I swear, I'm going to commit a homicide.

Erica pushed Joe away fastly, he got up as she buttoned again the pants, he adjusted his hair, and tried to fake a non existent sexual tension between both.

-I'll go first to distract her, then you leave.-Erica thought fastly.

-Okay.-He nodded.

That maid couldn't have chosen a worse time to interrupt.

...

When Joe finally managed to leave the restroom without suspicion, he found the table with just one guest.

-Where is Erica?-He asked Jasmine, the only one left.

-She said they had something to do on their schedule and left with Sam. -The blonde replied, Joe didn't believe in that excuse.- By the way, what were you doing all this time?

-Uh...praying.