The Chase

Chapter 3

  CECILIA

    I rush into my apartment leaning my back against the door, attempting to slow my heart rate and trying to process what had happened in the car. I lost control as soon as his lips touched mine. It was like electricity shot through my body. A warmth from deep in my stomach pushing me to be closer to him.

    My skin still tingled where he had touched me, kissed me, sucked on me. I slid to the floor and and hug my knees to my chest. I shake my head to try and stop myself from thinking too much. I couldn't put into words just how he made me feel. But one things for sure I was not behaving like myself. I never in my wildest dreams would of made out with some random guy from a bar.

    Hopping on his lap and considering letting him undress me was never anything i saw coming. But I liked it and I wanted more. I needed more of him.

    Splashing cold water on my face helps sober me up enough to organize my thoughts. I curl up into a ball in my bed and thoughts of his lips against mine carry me off to sleep.

    Jasper's fingers dig into my hips pushing and pulling me closer. Only stopping to slip eager hands up my tank top and under my bra. I don't stop him, instead I lean down kissing him softly and pulling his bottom lip between mine. Enjoying ever breathy moan that escapes his mouth. 

    His fingers find their way to the waist of my jeans. Tickling me as he makes skin to skin contact.

    I don’t want him to stop. I want to stay like this with him forever. His warm touch and passionate kiss feel like home. Jasper pushes me forward far enough to lock eyes with me.

    “I love you” He stares at my stunned expression blankly. He can’t mean that. Even I don’t believe in love at first sight.

    I wake, disoriented as a door slams loudly. Quickly realizing that I am in home, in my small room and not in the car I had run from the night before. Tapping my phone to see that it is 9:15 in the morning. Meaning the door slamming was Tabitha must be home. Wait she was out all night?

    While waiting for the sound of the shower I throw on leggings a tank top and tennis shoes. The running water would mean it was time for my great escape. Don't get me wrong, I love all forms of Tabitha. But no one likes her when she's hangry and hung over.

    I tip toe out of my room after hearing the shower running. "Where's the aspirin?"

    I've been caught "It’s in the cabinet... Isn’t it?"

    "Noooo. I just looked there, obviously." she whines.

    She must be in a mood "Hang on, let me look." I say as she flops down on the couch covering her face with a pillow.

    There it was. In the cabinet, as I suspected. I open the bottle and pour two oval shaped pills into my palm. "Here you go."

    "OMG... You're like the best" She squeals followed by a twisted expression. Her head must be killing her.

    I roll my eyes and grab banana and lean on the counter "Weren't you supposed to work this morning?"

    "Beauty of owning the shop means I open when I feel like it." She drags herself to the bathroom and slams the door closed behind her.

    I inhale the rest of my banana and settle onto one side of the couch. I flip through the channels on the flat screen hoping to stop on something familiar. 

    'WE WERE ON A BREAK!’ I laugh as Ross screams at Rachel. I love friends. Unfortunately I stopped flipping just as the episode is about to take a commercial break.

    "Are you lonely?" asks the attractive middle aged women. "Do you find yourself eating alone?" yes but that's none of your business. I roll my eyes. "Do you find yourself longing for companionship?" Get to the point b***h. "Try our app 'Chase' where the chase can finally end!" she exclaims.

    "No thanks!" I mute the TV and pull out my phone for entertainment until the commercial break is over.

    Scrolling through f*******: judging all the heavily photo shopped girls, feeling somewhat self conscious when there it is. A sign that my phone is absolutely listening to everything going on around it.

    An add for 'Chase'. No I don't need an app to help me get a guy. Last night was proof that I couldn't get some if I wanted. But who would it hurt if I just downloaded the app. You know, just to see what kind of people are on it and to laugh at the pictures people pick. 

    I choose a few random pictures from my camera roll to create my profile. What witting phrase should I add to my biography? Inspirational quotes fly through my mind. All too cheese and don't want anyone thinking that's how I carry myself. Not that I cared, of course. I decide to leave it blank and i'd come back to it later. 

    While browsing through profiles. Young men, clearly looking for a hook up. Old men, clearly looking for arm candy. I was actually surprised by the attractiveness of some of the men. Men that looked like they would have absolutely not problem getting a girl. Maybe being single wasn't all the uncommon.

    The first thing I notice about a guy tends to be the eyes. You could tell a lot about a guy through his eyes. No matter how good an actor you were your eyes always showed how you were feeling inside. 

    I click on a profile labeled Jamie. His bio read "Playful blonde, looking to show a girl a good time. 6'4." Why specify his height? Is that a thing? Should I put 5'7 in my bio? 

    Almost as though my phone had read my mind again I see a familiar green. A handsome man with blonde hair and greenish eyes wearing a black t shirt with grey sleeves. The profile was labeled Jasper. No way. Why would he be on here. He wasn't looking for love. He was looking for a hook up in the back seat of a car. Something with no strings attached obviously.

    I'm pulled from my thoughts as my phone dings. I tap on the small envelope icon in the top right corner. Are you kidding? I have to pay $39.99 if I want to so much as see who has sent me a message. I'm not that desperate. 

    I try to occupy my mind with profiles of fake men, pretending to be actually being searching for love. But my attention is drawn back to the message icon. I don’t care. I’m sure it’s a lame pick up line from a semi attractive guy. Couldn’t help but secretly hope it was Jasper. As long as I didn’t open it I could think it was from him.

    That is pathetic even for me. I have to know for sure. After entering my credit card information and cringing from how expensive my insecurities were, the message is unlocked. The odds were in my favor. My lips curl into a smile that hurts my cheeks.

    Jasper: Hello stranger..