[ IP ] Rainy Night

They were supposed to be here *hours* ago, I thought to myself. I suppose I could open my books to read myself to sleep, or i could write in my journal how utterly insignificant I can be. Perhaps a nice episode of self-loathing and feeling bad for myself would take my mind off of the disaster that was tonight. 
 
 
 It was board game night, the best night of the week. And what did Jacee and Jeni do instead of come over? They went on a double date with the two hottest guys on campus. *Harrison Berge and Liam Long. * 
 
 
 I had dreamed over those two hunks for the longest time, falling into a drowsy sleep-like trance. *Yawn*, of course my friends would turn on our plans for tonight. It's not like we grew up together and swore to never betray each other, right? It's not like they have a paid way through university and an allowance where they can choose to go out every other night to impress guys. It's not like my student loans prevent me from having fun, right? 
 
 
 *bzzzt* My cellphone buzzed, taunting me with the inevitable message from the two J's that they forgot about board game night, *again*. I peered at the phone. I felt lost looking at their message. It was so predictable, a line of fate, drawn for the sheep to follow. They were both Aries, independent, strong willed women of courage and optimism, destined for greatness. And inheritance of the highest kind, the kind that a prince would deserve if he was n't a royal bastard. 
 
 
 I pushed the phone away. I concentrated on the rain, the only constant thing of the night. Keeping me company, the splashes on the window soothed my temper, cooled my thoughts, emptied my mind. The condensation on the window was beginning to build up. I drew a cloud with my finger, the cold touch ringing a satisfying feeling of superiority. 
 
 
 *bzzzzt* my cellphone cried out again. An apology from the J's saying that they would have invited Brad Pickerston, but he could n't make it out and I could join them at the high end club at the other side of town. Or in a completely different city miles away. I did n't even bother looking at the phone. 
 
 
 The rain drops were thin slices of this translucent purity, slivers of light coming down like tiny sails. It was a pleasant company to the dark background, spotted with the yellow and incandescent street lights. I thought I would get my journal to remark on the futility of one of the rain drops when- 
 
 
 *bzzzzt. bzzzzt. bzzzzzt. * My phone was n't crying. It was weeping now, a red anger nearly surfacing. 
 
 
 Someone was calling. 
 
 
 *UNKNOWN NUMBER*. I answered. 
 
 
 `` Hello?'' 
 
 
 `` Hey! Is this Jeni?'' 
 
 
 `` No... You have the wrong number, sorry goodby-'' 
 
 
 `` I'm so sorry! Do n't worry, I was n't looking for her. I was looking for her roommate, Frederique? I do n't suppose you know if she is around?'' 
 
 
 The voice sounded familiar. My cheeks felt hot. `` That's me. Who are you?..'' 
 
 
 `` Oh God, sorry, I'm so sorry. I'm such an idiot, calling you like this, do n't even think you have my number... This is David, from Professor Lichtenstein's marketing class. Do you remember me?'' 
 
 
 His voice was shaky. As shaky as my own. `` Sure. I think I remember you. Do you need help?'' It was an offer since I knew the teaching assistance. It would n't be the first time someone asked me for a favour... 
 
 
 `` Actually, this is kind of embarrassing... Uhh...'' 
 
 
 `` You want the notes for marketing from last class? I did n't see you there last class.'' His face was clearer now. A ginger with bright freckles, short rugged beard and- 
 
 
 `` Oh no! I heard you were playing 7 Wonders and Settlers tonight... my roommates Harrison and Liam ditched our LAN party for a double date... Wanted to know whether you were still playing with your roommates?'' 
 
 
 I smiled, on the verge of laughing. `` Well, uhh... David.'' I chortled finally, and said through broken fits of laughter. `` My two roommates are with your roommates on that date. I've been drawing on my window since dinner.'' 
 
 
 A long silence on the other side of the phone, but I could hear him smiling. `` Ai n't that a kick in the head. What'chu up to tonight then?'' 
 
 
 We were n't close, we were n't even acquaintances, and yet I felt connected to him in ways I did n't even feel for the friends that I had known for years. `` Well, I was thinking of writing a passive aggressive note to my roommates dating people who ditch on their own roommates, but I thought that might be a bit much. You could come over to help write it, might even save some time.'' 
 
 
 A wide grin on my face was followed by a huge shock. *What did I just say? * I had only thought that stupid response in my mind and yet I can hear the tension over the phone. The dim reflection in the mirror was as pale as paper. I waited for a response. 
 
 
 `` Sure. I guess. I do n't have anything witty to say to the varsity jocks but if it.. well helps, I can come over.'' Hesitation. I do n't know who's but it became very, very awkward. 
 
 
 I had no idea what to say. 
 
 
 `` Cool.'' That was all I had managed to articulate. Not, *I think that we should rant about how crap our roommates are and bond over the fact that we are basically having a date*, or *You know what, we're two steps away from having*- 
 
 
 `` All right. See you in a bit.'' 
 
 
 Thank God he interrupted that thought. That unGodly, unpure thought. I suppose rain was the only consistent thing that happened tonight.
