It Was Only Ever Erin

Chapter 9 - Tally Marks

Erin’s P.O.V

It was gone 11 when I left my Mom’s and by the time I rolled in through my front door it was closer to midnight. I kicked off my shoes, stretching out my toes as I made my way to the bathroom. After a quick shower to loosen my aching muscles and to give my hair and body a speedy scrub, I wrapped a towel snugly round myself and moved towards the sink. As I brushed my teeth however, my eyes suddenly caught writing on the wall just to the left of the mirror – I leaned in closer…

'I did Blanchard - |'

As much as I wanted to be annoyed at the graffiti on my bathroom wall, I just couldn’t stop the smile spreading across my face – cheeky bastard. Walking through to my bedroom I picked up my phone, found the number that had called me earlier and typed out a quick message.

ERIN: So now your crimes extend to petty vandalism huh?

JASON: I felt you deserved your own tally.

JASON: Though I was unsure - as I made you c*m twice does that count as one or two points?

ERIN: Surprisingly I never stopped to ask the girls what the rules were

ERIN: By the number of tally marks you either made a few girls very happy lots of times or were insanely busy throughout senior year?

JASON: Both

JASON: I guess I’m just gonna have to come over and add to your tally again soon

ERIN: Is that so?

JASON: Babe, you saw what I could do with one hand

JASON: Imagine what I could do with two…

ERIN: Oh I will

ERIN: Not to mention the fact that I can’t resist a man who uses proper spelling and punctuation in texts

ERIN: Instant turn on

JASON: Don’t make me break out the semicolon; you’ll have to add another tally mark

ERIN: Ohhh god yes…

JASON: Haha! Dr Blanchard, who knew you could be so dirty?

JASON: When can I next see you?

ERIN: I have a day off on Friday?

JASON: 4 days?!

JASON: I know they said hospital wait times had gotten longer but really, 4 days until I can see my doctor!

ERIN: In 7 minutes it’ll be 3 days

JASON: Ever the optimist

JASON: What if I need medical attention?

ERIN: Then I’ll come and kiss you better

JASON: Keep talking like that and I’ll shoot myself in the other shoulder

ERIN: But then how would you text me to call for help?

JASON: Darn your iron-clad logic woman!

ERIN: Hehe! Anyway, right now your doctor’s gonna be good for nothing tomorrow if she doesn’t get to sleep soon

JASON: Ugh, fine if you insist! talk to you tomorrow?

ERIN: You’d better

JASON: Sweet dreams babe x

ERIN: Night handsome x

I placed my phone on my bedside table and settled into my sheets, falling asleep with the biggest grin still plastered on my face. Oh yes, life was looking good.

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

Jason’s P.O.V

“What are you grinning about?” Ollie asked.

“Nothing,” I said as I pocketed my phone. As I was benched work-wise because of my shoulder, Ollie and I were having to oversee the weekly dishing out of merch to our smaller dealers at the warehouse. Generally college and high school kids supplying for peers and at parties to make some extra bucks like we used to do.

Towards the back of the room I suddenly spotted a kid run in and join the others that I hadn’t seen before. He stuck out like a sore thumb because of how tall he was – really tall and skinny with spiky dark hair and dark eyes.

“Who’s the new kid?” I asked Ollie, nodding his direction.

“A friend of Aiden’s, you know, Dean’s little brother.”

“Where did Aiden find him? He looks young.”

“I dunno, school I guess? And you’re one to talk; you started selling when you were 14.”

“True.”

I kept my eyes on the kid, something bugging me… but I couldn’t think what.

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

Erin’s P.O.V

Sat in the hospital cafeteria I was smiling down at my phone, sandwich in hand and trying to make the most of the 10 minutes I had left of my 20 minute break. Jase had been texting me for the last couple of days and tomorrow was finally my day off.

Since he left my apartment I’ve been living with a permanent case of butterfly belly, occasional bouts of nervous excitement shivers and a serious addiction to checking my phone for messages. I know I’m a trainee doctor but it doesn’t take a genius to diagnose this one.

“Good God woman, will you put your phone down!” said June as she dropped down into the seat opposite me. June’s a fellow medical student and we became close friends from the beginning, bonding over our shared terror of what was to come. “You have been glued to that thing for days.”

“Sorry, phone going away now.”

“Thank you. I know you’re Mom’s excited about getting a new phone, but does she seriously have to text you every 2 minutes?” Yes, I had told June that it was my Mom excitedly texting me from a new phone. Things were just so new with Jase and me and I knew I wouldn’t be able to answer half the questions she’d ask me about him if I brought it up.

“What can I say? It’s the little things that make her happy,” I grinned sheepishly.

“So what are your plans for tomorrow?” June asked looking up at me from her tub of salad.

“…I’m seeing… my Mom. Figured my phone could use a break.”

“Cool, you still gonna be around in the morning for me to pick up your fold out chairs?”

“Yes, yeah that’s fine.”

“Are you sure you don’t wanna come with us? It’s gonna be so much fuuun… and I know Bryce wants you there,” she added with a wink. I responded with a look that said ‘we’ve talked about this, don’t go there’.

“Yes, I’m sure. In fact the only two words you ever have to say to ensure my absence from an event are ‘Bryce’ and ‘Barbecue’.”

“What’s wrong with Bryce and Barbecues?”

“Well, firstly I prefer to eat food that hasn’t been cremated and touched by a million flies and secondly, Bryce is a d**k. Actually, that’s a point how’s that gonna work?” I asked pulling a convincing expression of concern and confusion.

“What?”

“Well… how’s Bryce gonna flip the burgers when his head is stuck so far up his own ass?” June laughed loudly.

“Okay, the guy is full of himself but he’s super hot. You could just make it a one-night thing? If I remember correctly it has been some time since you got any action.”

Oh June, how wrong you are…