“Bye.”
I hadn't seen Jet all day, which was sort of weird, since I had been staying at his apartment all week. It wasn't what you think?we were still just friends, but I was still so freaked out over the mugging that I had a hard time staying in my apartment with Julie, or even really going out at all. He had offered for me to stay at his place, and I agreed, as long as the pillows remained between us. He had practice that day at the gym, and never came home afterwards. It didn't really matter to me, it's not like he was my boyfriend, so he could do whatever he wanted.
I did want to remain respectful, however, so I left him a note letting him know I would be out for the night with Benny, and that I would talk to him later. I then went into the bathroom to get ready. Once I had brushed and straightened my hair, I applied makeup. Now I needed to find an outfit.
I had brought some things from my apartment back to his place, and I remember Julie shaking her head when I did so. I was aware that I was acting sort of like a pussy, but I didn't care. Everyone seemed a little perplexed as to what kind of relationship Jet and I had. Kyle was the most perplexed of everyone. Every time he returned home and I was still there, his confusion grew. I preferred not to analyze it, however.
I chose an off-the-shoulder black sweater with a skirt, and assessed myself in the mirror. I had to admit that I was looking a little hot that night. It was time to forget about the mugging and start having fun again. I grabbed my clutch and headed out the door.
The club was booming that night as Benny escorted me into the bar. The music thumped through the walls, and the dance floor was full. Benny was not about to let me sit at the bar all night and drink, however, so I had to follow him around the room and mingle with his friends. It was kind of nice, actually, being social again. I hadn't done a lot of that since my breakup, and it was good to get back out there.
Benny introduced me to a few of his classmates, who seemed to zero in on me immediately. I danced with one of them, and the other couldn't stop buying me drinks. I didn't even need to bring my wallet at all. I was sitting with Benny and a guy named Mike, drinking rye and Cokes, and laughing my ass off when I saw Jet walk into the bar. I checked my phone quickly and frowned when I didn't see a message from him on my phone. He had to have gone home and seen my note, so why didn't he message to meet up? Why do you care, Natalie? You didn't want a boyfriend, remember?
I watched Jet as he made his rounds around the room, saying hi to friends, and flirting with anything in a skirt. He took a girl’s hand, led her out to the dance floor, and proceeded to do something that could only be considered foreplay. I rolled my eyes, and downed the rest of my drink. Mike ordered us all another round, and winked at me. I was starting to feel a pretty decent buzz, and I had Mike to thank for it. I looked back over at Jet and felt my blood pressure rise as he continued to dance with the girl. Was it really necessary for them to be that close?
I shook my head in disgust until I realized once again that I had no reason to act crazy. There was nothing between Jet and me, so why did it matter who he was dancing with, or how close they were dancing? And they were dancing very close. I had a difficult time taking my eyes off of him and the girl, and the whole scene was starting to make me sick to my stomach.
I turned to Benny. “Who is that girl dancing with Jet?”
He glanced over and shrugged his shoulders. “She looks pretty random to me.”
When I looked back over, the two of them were leaving the dance floor. Jet walked over to a booth and started talking to another girl. Wow, he was sure on fire tonight. He hadn't even noticed I was in the room, and didn't even seem to care, for that matter.
My mouth dropped open as I saw Jet grab the girl by the hand and lead her across the room. I couldn't believe it, but he was actually leaving with that girl for the night. I guess that meant I wasn't spending the night at Jet's again this evening. I would have to return to my own apartment, and think about the two of them having sex all night.
“Jet just left with a different girl.”
Both guys looked at me, confused. Benny asked, “The girl from the dance floor?”
“No, someone else. He just found her in a booth, and they left together. Who is she?”
“I have no idea. Why do you care so much about what Jet's doing? The guy likes to play around?that's what he does.”
Something quite akin to jealousy brewed up inside of me, and I felt a little out of control.
“I need to go talk to him.”
“He just left with another girl. They are probably fucking right now, or very soon.”
That propelled me out of my seat, and I grabbed my clutch and headed across the room. Benny was by my side in an instant.
“Natalie, what are you doing?”
“I need to stop him.”
“Why?”
He tried to grab for me, but I dodged him.
“Look, Natalie, you're drunk. Just go home, I can take you there. But chasing after Jet when he's left with another girl is a really bad idea. Really bad.”
I ignored him as I went down the stairs of the club and out the door. As I got out onto the sidewalk, nervousness came to me as I thought about the mugging. How could Jet assume I wasn't spending the night? Or had he gone to the girl's house instead? I hailed a cab and watched as it moved to the curb.
Benny finally managed to grab my arm and pull me away from the cab. “Natalie, what's going on? Is there something you're not telling me about?”
“No. I just need to talk to Jet. He's my friend.”
Benny laughed and shook his