No Status Quo

10. Rejection

"Everyone in the school knows where you live." He says, turning his head slightly towards me. "This place has a name you know."

I hop off the bike and take off my helmet, giving it to Ren. 

"Thank you for the ride." I say. 

He shakes his head, "No formalities." He says with a grin and I smile. 

"Fine, I won't say it." I tell him, starting to walk towards the pathway up.  

"Wait." 

I turn, "Yes?" 

"You can keep the jacket." He says. 

He makes no move to get it so I raise my eyebrows and he nods, "Really, see you tomorrow." 

I wave at him, a fingers up and down wave, "Yeah, drive safe." I add hurriedly, remembering the accident. 

He gives me the same curious look he had given when I'd asked if he was hurt before giving me a quick smile. He starts the bike and with a last glance at me, he goes off. Putting my arms around myself, I watch him go until he's nothing but a dot in the distance. Then I head towards the pathway. Unlocking the front door, I step in the black marble foyer, still smiling. 

"Gina?" 

Hearing someone say your name in a questioning tone is hardly ever a good thing. And right now, it definitely isn't. Abandoning my current task to close the door, I turn to see my father standing some feet away, wearing his nightwear and a curious look. 

"Dad, what's up?" I say, kicking the door shut. "I thought you slept."

He laughs, "I thought the same, dear." He says, "Where were you?" 

"The zoo," I answer, making my way towards the circular staircase. Like everything else in the foyer, it's made from marble too. I try to speed walk when he asks the question.

"Whose jacket is that?" He asks. I bite the inside of my cheek, what if he saw Ren? No, if he did he would've asked about that and not the jacket only.

"It's mine." I say as nonchalantly as humanly as possible. He better believe it, "I bought it yesterday at the mall." 

"Alright." Dad says and I climb upstairs. When I'm sure I'm out of his sight, I start to run. Olivia must be asleep, I wonder what dad was doing up. Once in my room safely, I breathe with relief. At least he believed that the jacket was mine or he didn't care. Either way, I'm glad. 

I go through the motions of getting ready for bed as usual. As I'm taking off Ren's jacket, I think of tonight. Pushing the glass doors apart, I step in the walk-in shower. I untie my hair slowly, a sudden stupor clouding my mind. Then I stand under the water, closing my eyes. 

My mind swirls dizzily, full of recent events. I didn't want the time to end with Ren. One thing I've noticed, time flies when I'm with him. I wish we could've hung out a bit longer. I'm confused at first but when the steaming spray relaxes my muscles, a few certainties become evident. 

I've never been so consumed by the thought of someone in my entire life. This is the last thing I need right now, but for some reason it feels like it's the only thing I need. I think back to how I felt when he hadn't responded, how my heart raced when he was near, how easy it was to smile with him, how safe I felt in his arms, how I couldn't think of anyone else but him, his grin, his laugh...

I stumble out in the room, wrapping myself in a towel, trying to think straight. I dress in my silk nightgown swiftly, not bothering to dry my hair. Kate was right; it does take the right person to change your mind and Ren changed my mind. I remember all those romantic movies Kate had forced me to watch with her, the torturing lecture on 'love'.