Page 25 of Afterglow
“Do you want to come in?”
Immediately, I followed Jaz inside. Besides the multiple rolls of fabric scattered across different parts of the living room, the apartment is clean. Although it’s smaller than mine, there is a cosy atmosphere with sentimental pieces that spread throughout, showing the lives of those who slept here.
I make my way to the kitchen while Jazmine has disappeared. Making myself at home, I open every cupboard and the fridge to find something for Jazmine. On the ride home, I noticed her turning paler by the second. It wouldn’t surprise me if she hasn’t eaten, which pisses me off to no end. I don’t know whether it’s on purpose or not, but I will make her eat if I have to.
Eventually, I found the ingredients for a basic omelette. This is probably the extent of my cooking skills, besides the ability to grill a steak. My low hums fill the kitchen, while strands from a streetlight cast through the window behind me.
Jazmine has pulled back every layer of protection tonight and I want to show that I care. Because I know for a fact, tomorrow she will resort to insults in hope it will push me away. Little does Jazmine Allen know, I want to see every part of her—happy, sad, angry, it doesn’t matter.
I slide the omelette onto the plate, leaving it on the bench. My eyes linger on Jazmine as she approaches a black stool. I try to keep my gaze on her face but Jaz still has my jumper on and it has engulfed the rest of her body. Although, I can make out a short pair of white pyjama pants.
Jazmine’s eyes bulge and it’s as if I can see the gears spinning in her mind. She flicks her head between the food and me.
“Did you make this?”
“I figured you haven’t eaten. Besides, you look pale.”
Jazmine went silent. Clearly, she is struggling to understand my motivations behind not only the omelette but tonight.
“Just a couple of bites,” I say, but it is a plea.
She grabs the fork I am holding, while the smile on my face becomes brighter every time she eats more.
“This isactuallypretty good, Theodore,”
“Wow. Your confidence in my abilities is appreciated,”
Jazmine muffles her laugh.
“Don’t do that,”
She tilts her head.
“Don’t muffle your laugh, I like knowing I make you happy.”
A red flush travels Jazmine’s neck, reaching her cheeks. Her smile is blinding—genuine, not a fake mask to conceal her emotions. Colour is slowly returning to her face and I can’t take my eyes off her.
Jazmine’s curls are long, flowing down her back and she has wiped all the make-up from her face. For the first time, I can see a cluster of freckles littered across her nose and cheeks.
She is beautiful.
“Theodore?”
“Mmm?” It’s an incoherent mumble, but I don’t care.
Jazmine smiles shyly. “You’re staring,”
My cheeks heat as she calls me out for staring. “I can’t help it, Princess,”
My phone vibrates in my back pocket with the notification reminding me of tomorrow.
“Everything okay?”
“Yeah, I have to go home. I’ve got an away game tomorrow. I’m going to message Jayden and tell him what happened,” Jazmine tries to interrupt me. “Before you tell me off, he should know. He only wants to help,”
She grumbles in reply.
“I wrote my number on the fridge. Call me, text me, or Facetime me. Whatever. I’ll answer.”
