Jolene
It was Saturday and I had been holed up in my apartment the whole day. Today is the day! I am making that rice with chicken. I have been practicing the whole week and the police officers had not have to come back even once. I call that progress. Kathe taught me some basic things on Thursday before training. I can do this!
I could not do that. Let’s just forget I ever said I was going to cook. How can someone possibly be so bad at something? I was now curled in a ball on my bed holding back tears while the dishwasher washed my pain and the dishes.
I stood up and sighed. I needed to go grocery shopping again. I drove to the store and grabbed the ingredients I needed. The clerk gave me a pity look and offered me the ingredients in bulk size. I scoffed and declined. This time it will work. Or maybe… I ended up buying things for three more batches.
I put the groceries in my car and got into the car. I was about to drive away when someone hopped in the passenger’s seat.
“Chris. What the f… are you doing here?”
“Language, teacher. I was walking by and saw you so I decided to drop by to see your pretty face.”
“Whatever silly plan you have is not going to work. Stop being so petty.”
“Aw, but it is already working. We are just waiting for the right moment now.” He winked at me.
“Chris.” I pointed my index finger at his chest and frowned. “Do something to step between Lancelot and I and I will kill you.”
Chris laughed and pushed my hand away lightly. “I was kidding. Just kidding. I actually wanted to ask you for advice.”
“Advice?”
“Advice with my mate. I am getting her back.”
I laughed. If he paid as much attention to her life as he does with mine, he would know that she is already dating someone else. “Sure, sure. Get out of my car.”
“But Jolene…”
“Chris, get the fuck out of my car.”
He blew me a kiss and left without saying anything else. I sighed and brushed my fingers from my forehead and the sides of my face. I hate that kid. He is so shady. I drove back to my apartment. As soon as the door closed I stripped down. I put on some comfortable clothes and read the steps of the recipe out loud. I will do this!
The third batch… and I got it! The rice with chicken is finally ready and it even tastes good. I was so happy that I began jumping and dancing to imaginary music. Someone knocked on the door. I turned off the stove and I went to open it. My sense of smell is all numb for being cooking all day. I could not smell who it was. Otherwise, I would have tried to look decent.
“Oh, Jolene. You are here! I was so worried.” Lancelot pulled me into a loving hug. I could only see what he was holding in his right hand. A rose?
“Why were you worried?” I asked.
“We were supposed to meet at 5:30 PM and it is 6:45 PM. You were not answering the phone. I thought something had happened to you.” He let go of me and peeked at my face. “Are you okay?”
“I was just cooking and lost track of time.” I shifted my weight nervously.
Lancelot smiled brilliantly. “It smells almost as delicious as you.” He gave me the flower he was holding. “A red rosebud represents pure love.” I sniffed the rose and smiled. He kissed my forehead. “Do not worry so much about me. I am strong. No one would be able to get to me.” I stuck out my tongue and invited him in. “My apartment looks like the aftermath of a hurricane, sorry.”
He laughed and walked in. “Do not worry. I am not a big fan of order.”
“Lancelot…” I narrowed my eyes at him. I would believe him, had not I already been in his room.
He shrugged. “I will help you out.” With that, he began organizing things around.
I should probably have stopped him, but I noticed that all I was wearing was a ragged oversized t-shirt and no pants. I stared at him in shock. I felt the warmness spreading across my cheeks. Why didn’t he say anything?
He snickered when he noticed my eyes on him and my alarmed face. “You look beautiful as always, my queen.”
“Shut up,” I said before running to the closet. I got some clothes and locked myself in the bathroom. I took a well needed shower while I hummed and sang parts of Bodak Yellow.
Lancelot was laughing silently when I left the bathroom, now looking acceptable.
“What?” I asked him.
“Interesting choice of song.”
“And you have not checked my secret playlist.” I wiggled my eyebrows, or at least attempted to do so.
He broke down in laughter. “I adore you, Jolene,” he said between gasps.
“I know you do.”
Lancelot walked up to me. He cupped my right cheek with one hand and leaned down. “Don’t you adore me too?”
He is too close. “Of course I adore you,” I said quickly.
“Good. My mate is so cute.” He hugged so tightly that I struggled to breathe.
“Lancelot… food…” I managed to say. He let go of me and ran to the kitchen. I chuckled as I made my way to the kitchen as well.
I put the plate with the rice and chicken in front of him on the table and sat across him observing his reaction. He took one spoonful of the the food and hummed as he tasted it. After swallowing he smiled widely.
“Wow. This is great Jolene! I love it!” he said.
“Really? You are not trying to make me feel good?”
“Nope. I am being completely honest now. This is exquisite.”
I slumped down on the chair and sighed heavily. “Thank Moon Goddess,” I said as I covered my face with my arms.
Lancelot chuckled. “Aren’t you going to eat?”
“Later. The constant smell of rice and chicken made me numb to the flavor.”
I looked at him until he finished eating. He grinned cheerfully. “Thank you, Jolene. I think I found my new favorite food,” he said.
“Which one?” I asked arching one eyebrow and leaning forward.
“Burgers…” He said with a cheeky grin plastered on his face.
I rolled my eyes and returned to the kitchen to put the rest of the rice and chicken in the fridge. Of course he did not know that and panicked. He rushed to my side. “I was kidding. What are you doing Jolene?” he asked.
I put the food containers with the rice in the refrigerator and went to the living room without saying anything. He kept walking behind me, not daring to touch me.
“Jolene… Please do not be angry.” He tugged the hem of my top.
We sat down on the couch next to each other. I looked at him and tried to stifle my laughter but it was impossible. He stared at me incredulously as I laughed silently. I gasped for air and he rolled his eyes.
“Really Jolene? Again? I was worried.”
“Why were you worried?” I wiped off some tears.
“I thought you were mad at me.” He crossed his arms and pouted. He looks so cute.
“Aw. I told you I do not get angry so easily. Stop sulking. You are too cute.” I slapped his shoulder playfully.
Lancelot looked down at me with a sly smile on his face. He flashed me a devilish smile and before I could finish gulping he had pulled me by my legs toward him making my back hit the couch. He then crawled over me and placed an arm at each side of my head.
“Lancelot, the promise.” My voice came out very low and full of doubt.
“I remember, Jolene. I am not touching you. Am I?” He leaned until I felt as if he was stealing all my oxygen. “You called me cute again.”
“You are cute.”
He lightly nibbled on my ear lobe. “Oh, am I?” he asked, my ear still between his teeth.
This is not looking too good for me. “Okay you are not cute. You are incredibly hot, strikingly handsome and very masculine.”
I heard his melodic laugh next to my ear and I swear it was the most beautiful sound ever to reach my ears. He pulled away from me, still laughing quietly, and helped me straighten up.
“Do you want to watch a movie?” he asked me.
“Sure! Which one?” I jumped a little from the excitement. I love watching movies, but hate watching them alone. I get distracted.
He gave me a boyish grin. “Birdemic.”
“I have never heard of that one.” I tilted my head.
“Obviously. It is complete and utter garbage,” he said matter-of-factly.
“Why are we watching it then?
“Don’t you know? Always watch a bad movie to lower your expectations, so the next movie you watch is epic. We will choose something good later.”
“I think I have heard about doing that before, but I cannot quite put my finger where.”
“So, birdemic it is!” He chuckled.