“We could hang out later maybe?” I heard him ask for the 3rd time.

“Well, you see…” I started, desperately trying to find an excuse when Seth, coming from behind, told me chirpily, “Hey, are we still doing that karaoke-dinner thing?”

Damn you, Seth! I inwardly sighed.

I just had the time to force a smile his way when Jonathan said smugly, “I’ll join there then. Where is it?” I huffed then gave him the address in an exasperated tone. Seth’s eyes were bulging, he hadn’t expected the turn of events. Yeah, I still had to find the time to tell him about the agreement.

“So, I’ll meet you there at 6, huh?” Jonathan flashed me a one-thousand-watt smile.

Damn isn’t he persistent! I couldn’t help but inwardly whine.

I groaned in response. He took that as a yes, smiled – yet again – then finally went his way.

When Seth and I were finally on the road, he asked me, taking his most understanding tone, “Sooo, do you want to talk about it?”

I looked out of the window and said in a low voice, “I’m giving him a chance.”

“I don’t have heightened senses… Speak louder, Jas.” He teased.

“I’m giving him a chance,” I repeated in a bored tone before words started flowing out of my mouth like a torrent, “I don’t really know why. I even think it was a stupid thing to do… But he was pleading with me to give him a chance – as friends at least – and I just gave in. I shouldn’t have, huh? What do you think? It wasn’t a wise move, was it?”

“Breathe,” He drawled, looking intently at me. I sucked in a deep breath, then another and then some more until I calmed down.

“Well, it can’t be that bad,” he tried to reassure me. “He’s an alpha-ultra but he’s not forcing himself on you, and that’s as good as you can get.”

“Humph, beggars can’t be choosers.” I muttered angrily under my breath.

“It could be worse baby… it could be worse.” He smiled warmly at me, trying to make me feel good. I cracked a small smile and he seemed satisfied with that seeing as he focused once more on the road.

***************

Seth and I arrived at Jimmy’s pub 5 minutes late, we found that outrageously good-looking raven-haired blue-eyed boy – no, allow me to say man – pacing on the pavement in front of the door. His brow was furrowed, and his shoulders were all stiff.

What the hell happened? I couldn’t help but wonder then hope that something came up and he had to leave.

“You’re here.” I stated the obvious, feeling kind of frustrated because he actually found the meeting place and got there in time. Childish of me, I know.

He abruptly turned towards us, his eyes seemed to light up when he saw us – me – and the tension of his body instantly went down.

“You’re finally here.” He said, obviously relieved “I thought something happened or…” He trailed off, wisely choosing not to voice out his thoughts, and averted his eyes.

“Just traffic,” I informed him tautly.

Seth softly poked me in the ribs; as a result, I coughed as if to clear my throat then added in what would hopefully sound as an apologetic tone, “Sorry we made you wait.”

“Yeah, sorry man!” Seth exclaimed, lightly scratching the back of his head, a signature gesture of his when feeling awkward.

“It’s okay,” he waved his hand in dismissal. “Now that you’re here, we could start that karaoke-dinner thing, huh?” He grinned wolfishly.

Damn, this is gonna be a long night. I sighed inwardly then entered the cozy place with Seth on my right side and my stupid mate on the left. It was dimly lit, with tables all around, and a stage at the very back — a stage that would be illuminated when it was time for the performers to do their thing.

We were chatting animatedly when – by mistake, I swear – I spilled some water on Jonathan. As a reflex I took a handkerchief and tried to dry off his water-drenched shirt while apologizing profusely.

I felt his chest-muscles tense beneath my fingers and then an almost imperceptible shudder pierced through him, making me shiver in return. Knowing I was his mate and such, was one thing; seeing the effect I had on him by the simplest touch up close was another thing altogether.

I quickly removed my hand and raised my head to look at him, only to find him watching me intently as a hawk would his prey; with eyes darkened by what I could only assume to be a strong surge of lust.

“It’s okay.” His voice came out deep and husky; another tell-tale sign.

To think that I’ve considered his non-altered voice as a bedroom voice – how wrong of me!

I kept my eyes on the table then averted my face when I felt a blush spreading on the delicate skin of my face. Seth smiled understandingly, and that just made my face take a darker shade of pink.

Other than that small incident, which had imposed an awkward silence on us for some time; the evening went uneventful. We talked, we ate, we listened to some bad singer-wannabes and talented others. We had even succeeded in persuading Seth to sing... and let me tell you, he is awesome. To be honest, it was fun.

Seth got some girls’ numbers whereas Jonathan – constantly keeping my side, adjusting his body’s position to mine’s each time I moved so that we were always sitting close to each other – made it quite clear to the interested girls that he was not to be tempted – not at all.

“So, see you at school tomorrow then?” Jonathan asked in a hopeful tone when we were parting ways, each going to a different car.

“Yeah,” I let out as a whisper. But deep inside, I wanted to scream in frustration with all the sarcasm I could muster obviously and maybe even add dumbass or something.

Damn, that would be satisfying. It’d be an even bigger thrill to see his reaction.

I snapped out of my entertaining thoughts when I felt Seth’s hand on my elbow ushering me towards his car. It was barely a quarter to ten when I opened the front door; and I was soon met by my parents.

“Hey.” I greeted them awkwardly.

“Where have you been?” My father all but barked at me.

“We’ve been worried sick.” My mother exclaimed just before she engulfed me in a hug.

“It’s a school day; my curfew is at ten so...” I trailed off, not knowing what to say exactly, and then disentangled my mother’s arms from around me.

“Well, yeah…” Mom started but couldn’t continue seeing as dad cut in, “Why didn’t you answer your phone?” My eyes squinted at the accusation and I retrieved my phone from my pocket, my eyes widened at what I saw: 10 missed calls and 2 texts.

“I didn’t notice, sorry.” I used my sweetest tone, efficiently bringing them to give me softer looks.

“What was so important anyway?” I asked them after few silent minutes.

“We wanted to tell you that…” Mom paused to look at dad who just nodded ever so slightly “Karl is awake.” My eyes bulged and I instantly felt the tears threatening to fall.

“Really? When? How?” I choked on my words as I felt a lump obstructing my throat.

I kept chanting ‘I won’t cry’ in my mind like a mantra.

“Yes, really,” I heard mom reassure me in a soft voice.

“Today at seven pm.” Dad told me what really mattered to me.

I was just about to yell at them and ask for the reason why they didn’t tell me when I remembered the missed calls.

I nodded absently; though I couldn’t say for sure whether I’ve been asked a question or even been talked to.

“Can we see him now?” I asked in a hoarse voice.

“Tomorrow,” I was about to protest when dad continued in that firm tone of his that left no room to arguments, “First thing in the morning.”

A small okay was all I whispered before numbly taking the stairs and heading straight to my room. As soon as my head hit the pillow, I couldn’t contain the tears anymore. Therefore, I just let them run freely down my reddened cheeks. I welcomed them because they were tears of joy. I was so happy he had finally awoken.

It’s been so long – way too long.

I wanted to see him smile, to hear him laugh, to see his eyes twinkle in mischief …

With memories as vivid as ever, I gradually drifted off to sleep.