All I See Is You

Hi, my name is Billy.

JEREMY: How's he doing?
ME: All right, I guess. He's still kind of depressed.

We were at Carter's house visiting him. He had just gotten out of urgent care that day after getting mugged and pretty badly beaten up while walking around downtown.

JEREMY: I should have stayed on the phone with him until he got to his car.
ME: Don't do that, Jeremy. You know he does what he wants.

We were both sitting out on the porch. I was just starting to realize how warm the weather was getting.

Warm weather brings out odd things in me.

ME: We should go out tonight.
JEREMY: Huh?

See what I mean?

ME: It's nice out. We should...you know...do something.
JEREMY: Something...
ME: Friendly.
JEREMY: Right, well, yeah. Of course.
ME: Are you doing anything?
JEREMY: No, um...no.
ME: Cool. Pick me up at the dorm at eight, okay?
JEREMY: Yeah, sounds good.

I walked away wondering why I just did that. Maybe it was because I knew Jeremy had stayed with Carter every second since he found out about him and he could use the break.

Or maybe I'm just losing my mind.

The latter is a good possibility.

Unfortunately, the nice weather did not hold up. At seven it started raining, and it didn't stop. When my phone rang to tell me Jeremy was here, I texted him to park and come on in. It didn't occur to me that by the time he got into my room he'd be soaking wet.

Which is exactly what happened.

ME: I'm so sorry. You should have just told me no, and you could have waited in your car.
JEREMY: I don't think I'd be good at that.
ME: Waiting?
JEREMY: Telling you no.

Was he flirting?

JEREMY: Do you have a towel or something?
ME: You're going to need more than a towel. I'm giving you some dry clothes.

I picked out a decent enough outfit considering I had no idea where we were going, and handed it to him. He went to change in the bathroom, but as luck would have it--

JEREMY: Somebody's already in there.
ME: Well, I need to put on a new shirt anyway, so...we'll just face away from each other.
JEREMY: Like mature adults?
ME: Exactly, so stop smirking.

We both turned, but it was then I realized I was turned towards my mirror. Had he noticed that? Before I could say anything his shirt was already off.

And it wasn't...it was actually...

Okay, I'll just say this.

Jeremy's kind of hot when he's soaking wet and shirtless.

I was so busy staring I almost forgot to change my shirt. I got it on just as he was turning around. I remembered to stand in front of the mirror to hide it from view.

JEREMY: How do I look?
ME: Not bad.

He smiled. Was it just me or was his smile slightly cuter than all the other times I'd seen it?

JEREMY: Let's party.

We contemplated a few ideas before settling on a restaurant/bar on the East Side. After dinner and no drinking--we're probably the only college students who can eat out for under forty dollars--we headed--where else?--to the club.

It was packed. The place was practically throbbing with bodies. We made our way down to the dance floor.

JEREMY: I love this song.
ME: What is it?
JEREMY: The new Kylie--"All I See Is You."

We were dancing--but not really with each other, but I have to admit, I wasn't that uncomfortable being in a sort of hormone-filled arena with Jeremy.

What was going on with me?

VOICE: Jeremy!

I turned around to see a boy approaching us. A cute boy. And for some reason, I didn't like that he was smiling at--

JEREMY: Hey Kevin.
KEVIN: I love how I just met you a little while ago and I'm already running into you again.
ME: Well, we do live in the smallest state.
JEREMY: Kevin, this is my--
ME: I'm Billy.
KEVIN: Nice to meet you. Do you go to Ocean State too?
ME: That's right.
JEREMY: Kevin goes to RIC.
ME: Great.
KEVIN: So Jeremy, do you ever go anywhere besides the club?
JEREMY: Like where?
KEVIN: Coffee? Dinner?

Was this muppet actually asking Jeremy out? Who does that?

ME: We should get going.
JEREMY: Billy we just got here.
ME: I'm feeling sick.
KEVIN: Are you--
ME: Who do I have to throw up on to get taken out of this festering open sore?

That got some attention.

We pulled up back in front of my dorm fifteen minutes later.

JEREMY: So what was that about?
ME: I'm just not big on clubs, that's all.
JEREMY: You're the one that wanted to go there.
ME: So I made a mistake. I'm sorry.
JEREMY: Fair enough. We all make mistakes.
ME: You have this funny way of saying things.
JEREMY: What do you mean?
ME: Everything has this underlying meaning to it.
JEREMY: Everything just naturally does have an underlying meaning to it.
ME: Okay. Anyway, I should get to bed.
JEREMY: Billy, wait--

I stopped. I wanted him to say...God, a bunch of things, but instead he said--

JEREMY: I still have your pants on.

And I laughed at myself for...for...

ME: It's cool. Give them to me the next time you see me.
JEREMY: Sure. Have a good night.
ME: You too, and, um, thank you.

He smiled, I shut the door, and he took off.

And for some reason, I just stood there for awhile...

...It was almost like I was waiting for him to come back.