Existence 03 - Ceaseless

boots,” Miranda replied without moving.
    I glanced down at the tan leather knee high boots I’d put on with the blue jean mini skirt Miranda had made me wear. “You can wear the boots if you want to. I don’t care. I’ll go find some other shoes to put on.”
    Miranda scowled. “No. Those boots won’t match what I’m wearing. Besides , you’d end up putting on your C onverse or some thing ridiculous like that. It’ s a miracle I managed to get you in those. I’m not messing up my luck now.”
    I smiled because she was correct. If I took these boots off I would slip on my Converse. “Then let’s go,” I replied , and opened the door.
    “Okay. Fine. Okay. I can do this,” Miranda reminded herself in the mirror , then turned and headed my way. Maybe I’d get her out of here before midnight.
    “It’s okay Miranda. He’s just a boy and this is just a date,” I assured her as I pushed her out the door and into the hallway.
    She nodded, “You’re right. He’s just a boy. It’s just a date.”
    We made our way down to the great room where they’d said they would meet us. I could hear feminine laughter and deep voices, as we got closer. “I hear them,” Miranda whispered.
    “Yep. Sounds like they’ re entertaining some of our neighbors,” I replied. Maybe Jay would see someone h e liked and leave me alone. Then she could deal with crazy Victoria.
    We stepped into the room to see Jay talking and laughing with a girl I hadn’t met yet , but I’d seen her yesterday when we moved in. Girls always flirted with Jay. He had that friendly kind of personality. Nathan’s eyes zoned in on Miranda instantly. The smile on his face as he looked at her made this all worth it. I liked that guy.
    Nathan elbowed Jay as we approached and he stopped talking to the redhead and turned to look at us. His eyes swept over me slowly. The girl he’d been talking to reached out and squeezed his arm and said something about seeing him tomorrow night. I almost laughed . He’d just been caught making a date with another girl while waiting for me. That was priceless. If I weren’t going on this date for Miranda ’s sake, I’d use this as my excuse and back out now. I couldn’t do that to her though. Not when Nathan had the look of awed worship in his eyes as he stare d at her. Yeah, I’d have to deal with Jay the Romeo all night. Maybe Miranda and the redhead could meet and they could double date next time.
    “Pagan, wow. You look amazing,” Jay said as he stepped toward me , leaving his new friend behind.
    “Please don’t let me interrupt you,” I replied , turning my attention to the girl left waiting on his response.
    He was nervous. I smiled at him reassuringly. “Really, Jay. I don’t mind. Finish your conversation. I’m in no hurry.”
    Jay studied me a moment and I could see the indecision on his face. I wasn’t the lovesick seventeen-year- old he’d left behind. That ship had sailed. He shook his head and closed the distance between us and rested his hand on my lower back. “I’m ready to go. I was just being friendly.”
    The frown on the girl’s face said otherwise. I moved his ha nd from my back and took a step back. “If you were asking her out then please go finish what you started. You’re being rude.” I whispered.
    He let out a sigh. “Fuck.”
    I watched him as he ran a hand through his hair in frustration. I knew him too well. I could read his body language. “You weren’t supposed to hear that. Dammit. I’ve screwed this up. Asking her out while waiting on you was disrespectful. I’m sorry.”
    I shrugged, “I’m just on this date because Miranda begged me. You know I can’t tell her no . So, no worries. I’d say you could take the redhead instead of me but Miranda needs me tonight. So, you’re stuck with me.”
    Jay’s eyes went wide, “Wait. No. I don’t want to be on a date with anyone else. I want to be with you. I’ve missed you. That back there was just me being a dick. I’m used to asking girls out whenever one seems entertaining. But it’s a habit. I would turn her and anyone else down if I had a chance at going out with you instead.”
    Well, that was sweet but it was unfortunate. Because, habit or not, I wasn’t stupid enough to go there. “That habit of yours isn’t a healthy one and it’s mean. Go finish what you started. I’ll wait with Miranda and Nathan.” I replied and walked toward the door where Miranda and Nathan had gone to give us some