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Jackson
February 12, 2019
***
It’s two days until the dreaded Valentine’s Day and, once again, I’m alone this year. I have to admit, I’m kind of tired of just dating girls. I know I was saying not that long ago how I’m not interested in getting involved and becoming serious with anyone, but what can I say? I miss having someone around I’m really into. Maybe it’s because the holiday is right around the corner that’s making me feel this way, but I do miss having someone special in my life. I miss being in a relationship, but oddly enough, I don’t miss Amalia. Maybe it’s because of the way things were left off or because of what she did to me, but I just don’t miss her.
Well, it’s been a few days since court, and Paige has been acting all types of weird. I don’t know if it’s something I said, but she doesn’t seem the same around me anymore. Sure, she’ll say hi and talk to me when I walk into her office, but something is definitely going on with her. It’s as if she’s afraid to open up and talk to me like she used to. I wonder what the hell is up with that. Her carefree character and laughter have always been what have drawn me to her. I love the friendship we have, but for the past couple of days, it just hasn’t been the same.
And now, it’s Tuesday morning, and she’s still not in the office. She wasn’t in yesterday, either. I guess she isn’t well. It’s not like her to miss two days back-to-back unless she’s really sick. I should probably call her and check in to make sure she’s OK. But what if she’s resting, and the ringing of her phone wakes her up? Maybe I’ll just send her a text. But again, what if that wakes her up, too?
I flick my wrist to check the time on my watch. 11:45 a.m. Maybe I will text her. Hopefully, she’s awake and not feeling like shit. But I need to know. Whenever I’m out for more than a day, she always checks on me. Would I be considered an inconsiderate friend if I don’t? Probably.
I look up for a moment and see Jill smiling my way. I smile back nervously. She’s always smiling at me. I had to smile back. What else was I supposed to do? Hopefully it doesn’t give her the wrong signs.
I avert my eyes back down and pull out my cell phone.
Me: Hey, Paige. Just checking in to see how you’re feeling?
I hit send and put my phone down on my desk. Usually, she responds instantly, so I just wait.
And wait.
And wait.
And wait.
But over an hour has passed now, and there’s still no word from her.
***
AFTER A DREADFULLY long day at work, I finally pull into my driveway. I think it has felt like the longest day ever because Paige hasn’t been in to distract me with her funny and quirky ways. And I’ve missed our stupid conversations about absolutely nothing at all. Granted, it’s only been two days, but what can I say? I miss my best friend.
I step out of my car and grab my briefcase from the front seat. I haul it over my shoulder and then lock the doors. You know, for February, it’s not that cold out. Usually, the weather would be in the thirties or so this time of year, but today feels like spring already.
I look around and see some of my neighbors sitting out on their porch with cups of coffee or tea, just enjoying the evening. Tonight would be a perfect night to sit on the pier and just talk with Paige... I wonder how she’s doing.
I pull my phone out from my pocket, but I’m left disappointed once more when I realize she still hasn’t responded. She’s either pissed at me about something I have no idea I’ve done, or she’s so sick that she hasn’t even bothered checking her phone in the last couple of hours. Fuck, I hope she’s OK.
Taking a deep breath and placing my phone back into my pocket, I walk over to my mailbox and check to see how much junk is in there. Of course, I’m sure bills are in there as well. Those never fail, but luckily, I’ve always been pretty well off that they never really manage to pile up.
Reaching in, I’m right. There’s so much in here today that I could start my own freaking post office. I lean against the box and begin skimming through the envelopes.
Bill, junk, junk, bill, bill, junk, junk, jun-... wait, not junk. What is this?
I place all the other envelopes on top of the mailbox and look over a pink and white one with a sparkly red logo on it that says Single Status. This has to be some new type of advertising they’re trying to do. I flip it over in my hands, but there is no return address or anything of the sort on the back. The only thing on the top back portion of the envelope that really catches my eye is my name scribbled in pen. I don’t recognize the handwriting, but it’s definitely not computer generated. This isn’t some mailing scheme from the company, it’s real. Underneath my name it states the following message:
Message from your Secret Admirer Inside!
Secret admirer? Who?
My brows furrow as I continue looking over the suspicious piece of mail. My curiosity is piquing, getting the best of me, but before I decide to open it, I grab the rest of the mail, and head on inside.
I unlock my front door, walk inside, and place all the other pieces of mail onto the kitchen table. I only take the letter from my “secret admirer” with me into the living room and take a seat on my sofa. I take a breath, flip it over, and carefully rip it open.
When I go to reach inside, I find a lollipop attached to a heart-shaped note-card. A candy gram? I haven’t received a candy gram since high school. I chuckle to myself and read the contents of the note:
Your secret admirer wants you to know,
That she has been wanting to hold you so.
The feelings she feels for you are so intense,
She hopes you’ll soon bring her happiness.
Enjoy this treat, a special lollipop,
That with each lick and suck, you will make her heart stop.
So if you indeed get a sugar rush,
Meet her on Valentine’s Day, and find out who’s your special crush.
Jackson Fierce,
Your presence is required on Thursday, the Fourteenth of February 2019 at the Harborstone Pier at seven p.m. sharp. You, along with nine other singles will be assigned to a table to enjoy a fun night of painting and devouring the sweetest treats. Candies and chocolates will be spread across the tables while you paint the gorgeous scenery over the pier. The one who sent this candy gram to you will be there, sitting across from you. Do not disappoint your secret admirer and crush her dreams. Give in to your sweet tooth...
Fuck, that’s in two days. Knots begin to form in the pit of my stomach. I’m honestly speechless. I’ve never received something like this before. But who is it from? A sugar rush? Give in to my sweet tooth? This is crazy.
Oh, fuck. Could it possibly be Jill who sent this? Would she do something this brazen? I don’t suspect anyone else who would have a crush on me.
A crush? I haven’t heard that term being used in this sense in so long. But I can’t deny that it’s kind of cute. To know someone thought of me and went out of their way to do this must really like me.
But would Jill be the type of person to do such a thing? I don’t know... she doesn’t seem like it. Maybe it’s Tristan’s sister, Candace. I think she may find me attractive. Right?
Fuck! I don’t know, but now this whole thing is going to torture me for the next two days. Who could it be?
I need to know who did this. Faces of all the women I know run through my head. Which one of them is guilty? The possibilities are driving me wild.
And now, I really want to know.