Flat 64

Chapter 10

Jackson stared at me mouth agape, shock clouding his features. "No! Jesus, no, that is not what I was..." he pauses, as if trying to figure out how to word what he wants to say to me, but then his expression is quickly taken over by anger, apparantly towards what I said. "You're joking right? you really think I would do that to you?" he rushes out at me.

"Well it's not like you've given me anything else to think! We have known each other our whole lives and you've barely spoken two words to me, then all of a sudden in ONE night everything changes and you're nice to me and stuff happens and then we... ugh I don't even know. But what are you saying, That Drew was right and you just spoke to me to try and have s*x with me like you've done for all the other girls? It wouldn't surprise me, all you have ever done is f**k around when you feel like it, not caring about anyone else but yourself." I couldn't stop the disgust I felt from showing in my voice. If anything I'm surprised at how well I'm standing my ground. Usually I am not one for confrontation, but Jackson just makes me feel everything so strongly, that I can't seem to keep my emotions in check around him recently.

However, when I see his face falter slightly, I immediately feel guilty for my outburst. Was I too harsh? I mean, that is how it's come across to me, but I didn't expect to feel so hurt by him looking at me in disappointment. The need to apologize becomes overwhelming but I don't get the chance. Jackson turned and began to walk away from me. "W-wait!, Jackson I'm sor-"

"Oh f**k off, Charlotte. Think whatever the hell you want to think." He turned back and yelled at me, my mouth slamming shut as a result. "It doesn't matter anymore anyway, considering you want to stop whatever this f*****g thing is that's been happening." He forces out through his teeth, gesturing between us. We stand there for a moment, letting the silence cloud us. I want to argue back to him, but I don't. He is right after all, I am the one who asked to stop. What right do I have to question him and judge what he does when it isn't really any of my business anymore. The reality of how mean I was only makes the guilt worse, and I can't help it when a few tears fall. Jackson shakes his head at me, once again turning around to leave. Snapping out of my trance of self pity, I call out to him.

"Where are you going, the flat is this way?" I ask as normally as I can, yet with a now stuffy nose and teary eyes, my voice comes out sounding like a whimpering mess. Jackson doesn't turn to face me, only he shouts over his shoulder "Just go home," before turning onto another street.

****

A walk that should take five minutes took me twenty. Although basically nothing had happened between Jackson and I, it feels like i have just experienced an intense break up. Not something I would expect to feel after only 2 weeks of liking the guy. I like him more than a reasonable amount, much more, for that amount of time. As well as the fact that we really haven't even properly spoken in between what happened last time and then in the restaurant tonight. Was it all in my head? I just could not stop thinking about that night and it has been driving me crazy. Avoiding him these past few weeks was my best bet, not only did it mean that I could ignore how I was beginning to feel, but it also meant I was technically being a good sister and doing what Drew asked me to do. To leave Jackson alone. But obviously avoiding him was pointless after all that went down today.

Walking into the flat, I slip out of my heels, sighing at the painful relief of being able to walk normally. My phone vibrates with a text from my boss - 'Would you mind coming in tonight? 2 People called in sick and it's very busy - need the help'

Without a second thought, I reply immediately. 'Yep, no worries. Be there in 15.'

Quickly, I rush into my room and change into a tight crop top with our bars logo on the front and my black mini skirt. I shove my essentials into my bag before rushing off to work which is luckily only a ten minute walk from me.

When I walk in the staff entrance, I see everyone rushing around in a craze, which strangely I am extremely grateful for. A busy night means it will be a great distraction for me.

"Lottie! Thank you so much for coming in, I know it's such short notice but..." My manager says appreciatively when I approached the bar to take over. I smiled at him gently before I went ahead and washed my hands, ready for my shift. "No worries at all, honestly Mike you're actually doing me a favour right now. I really needed a reason to get out of the house for a bit." I reply with a sigh. His eyebrows rise in a silent question but I wave him off, knowing how many people are waiting for their drinks. We both work the bar until it gets to closing at 4am and the bouncers usher everyone to leave. The air becomes more breathable, the stuffiness of the club easing as more people leave. I'm hunched over the bar resting my head on my arms, when Ethan slides a drink over to me. "What is it?" I ask, rising up. The glass is cold so I press it to my forehead, basking in the cooling relief it brings. He laughs at me before doing the same thing with his cup. "Not an ice pack that's for sure, but you're on to something here, it sure does get too hot behind the bar." He chuckles at me. "Go on, try it."

Rolling my eyes at him, I take a sip, before grinning wildly. "Thank you"

When I first started working here, Mike made me a cocktail that I had never tried before. It is the absolute best thing I have ever tasted and definitely my favourite drink. I would have it all the time if I could, but the i***t refuses to tell me how to make it, I have no idea what the ingredients are. It isn't often that he makes it for me because we aren't allowed to drink while we work, but it is something I really appreciate.

He returns my grin, taking a sip of his own drink. "Of course, needed a way to say thank you for your help tonight. Plus it looked like you could do with something to cheer you up." He says with a raised eyebrow. When I don't reply to him, he sighs and tells me to sit with him at the bar. I immediately do so, grateful to rest my legs after working for so long. "What's going on Lottie?" Mike asks. I've worked for him for so long now that I really can't hide anything from him. We have become great friends recently, but I don't know how to tell him that I'm an i***t who can't keep a love life. Not the most fun thing to talk about. So instead I go for a half truth, hoping to get him off my back. "Just having some issues at the moment with my flatmate. It feels quite uncomfortable at the moment to be home so I was actually grateful when you said you needed help tonight, plus the overtime doesn't hurt, I could use the cash." I reply, yawning slightly after I finish. Mike looks deep in thought, before he smiles at me brightly, as if I didn't just tell him I'm practically poor and dreading going home.

"Okay, I have an idea." He says casually, but he doesn't elaborate at all. "Yeah, what is it?" I press, having no clue why he's acting so strange.

He shrugs at me, "Stay at my place tonight."