Days passed and Tom insisted that I came over to his house. Saying it was important and he really needed to see me. A pit formed in my stomach, I don't know why those words gave me anxiety or maybe how he sounded seriously concerned on the phone. He kept asking if I was okay, assuming he was worried about my sudden outburst at the dreaded family dinner. I reassured Tom trying to make joke of the matter but that did little to no help as the questions kept storming back in. Since we wouldn't be having dinner later that night and I insisted I drove to his house instead of him coming to pick me up I got out of bed. It had been raining, really heavy and something about rain just made me horny. I don't know what it was or the science behind it, when I thought of rain I just thought of passionate sex. Getting out of bed I ran a hot shower, washing my hair and picking out a cute dress to wear.

The last poetry project had been turned in a while ago and I was still waiting on it to be scored. You never really get used to the fact that you are sleeping with your professor. I try to shake of the sense of entitlement that he is obligated to score all my work really high because frankly I didn't like the assignment. 'Write a poem that shows how your parents blah blah blah'. The sooner I can get my mind off of my parents the better for me. In the mean time I got some of my left over home work done. Distracted by the door opening I turned to it and Maddie walked through it. We hadn't had a real conversation in so long and last night she didn't even come back. It might sound bad but I sort of enjoyed my privacy, I enjoyed the judgment and micro management free environment. I had set boundaries for myself and it was something I put off for long, but I had to, for my own sanity. But at the same time I missed Maddie. Turning to her I smiled.

"Hey Maddie", Maddie let outa smile dropping her bags by her bed. I turned back to my mirror applying my lipgloss. She sat on her bed looking at me confused, noticing this from the mirror I turned to her.

"What?", I said parting my hair down the middle to put it into a low ponytail. She shook her head refocusing back on her lap top. I gave a puzzled look. 'That was weird', I thought to myself.

Reaching to my perfume, I put some on my neck and my wrists. Maddie peered at me again raising her head, that I could see her from the top of the lap top that hid her face.

Letting out a nervous laugh, I rolled my eyes.

"So...where u going?", Maddie asked from her bed. Turning to her while putting on my earrings and smoothing down my hair,

"Tom's, he's making dinner". I said excitedly.

Maddie furrowed her eye brows, confused at my statement.

"Um, y'all still talk". She asked her voice genuine.

"Oh my god, yes why wouldn't we".

"Oh nothing, just wandering". She said leaning back to her computer.

"You're acting weird". I knew Maddie wouldn't be happy with me still talking to Tom but some times she just has to realize that I'm happy, and she should be too. At least I would be for her. Getting to my car I decided to get Tom a gift. Finally remembering to return his book, the one where he slipped his number in at the coffee shop. A part of me didn't know what to get him, you would usually buy wine, but I wasn't old enough to. So I got him flowers, getting to the flower shop I didn't want to do roses because it felt a little too much, and didn't scream Tom. I spent a while in the store before I spotted some gardenia's. They reminded me of him, some what simplistic but still beautiful. Minimal in a sense, but there was beauty in minimalism, not too much happening to distract. Or maybe I'm over thinking it. The ride to his house was shorter this time, I passed the little beach sides and finally got into the rich neighborhood. I was brimmed with anticipation to see him, it was like a crush, that finally asked you on a date. I couldn't help think if we were going to have sex. We only did it once and...well that was a disaster. Getting to his door, I rang the bell struggling to hold up the book as well as the flowers. Greeted by Tom in an apron. We smiled at each other his eyes widened with liking when he spotted the flowers I struggled to hold up.

"Hey darling", she said pulling me in for a kiss, and pecking my cheek.

"I got you flowers", I beamed at him.

"Oh wow, no one's gotten me flowers before", he said taking them from me. Tom took my hands leading me to the dining table. Pulling out a seat. Grinning at me he cleared his throat adjusting an imaginary tie.

"So for appetizers I made crostini topped with smoked salmon cream cheese and dill ".

"Ouuuu" I exclaimed.

Tom brought in two plates setting it on the table. Returning with two wine glasses . And for some reason I wasn't scared anymore, about drinking. I felt safe around Tom and it's not that easy to feel that way about someone, but I just did. Taking the silver lid of the plates the Aroma of the food filled the room.

"Oh woww", I said giving Tom a little clap. He nodded sheepishly smiling.

"I know, I know", he said taking the wine and popping the screw off loudly. Tom poured the red liquid in my glass, and then in his. We took the first bite into the crostini and both nodded from approval.

"I didn't know you were such a good cook", I said to Tom wiping my mouth.

Tom put his hand on his chest pretending to be offended.

"I'll have you know, I can in-fact cook".

***

We ended the day with a chocolate cake. Both of us wincing from the pain of being full. Tom was slightly tipsy dropping his fork repeatedly. I always knew If was to drink I was going to be a light weight. We laughed at the slightest things and Tom had to pry the wine glass from my hand noticing how

woozy I had gotten. The room all of a sudden got hot and I took of the cardigan I wore. Letting out an exhausted sigh I smiled at Tom, I don't know if I was drunk or what but he looked so much hotter. And all of a sudden I noticed his shirt got tighter and the first two were unbuttoned.

"Eva", he said sounding slightly serious.

"Yes Tom", moaning his name drunkenly.

"So, uhh how's your mom and everything". Tom said clearing his throat.

"She's good, as long as she's with that fucker...she A- okay". I say giggling and sipping my water. Trying to keep my eyes open.

"Yeah...Chris right?" Tom said taking a bite of his chocolate cake.

"Mhm". I say licking my finger from the cake icing.

"Why don't you like him".

"Cuz he's a perv".