Chapter 4 - Ian

Polly came outside the bar's door. There was a smoking lot. Several people were smoking outside the bar at the stairs. Polly sat down at a staircase. She took her cigarette out, and lit it up. Vincent was sitting several steps up on the stair case. Vincent was drinking alcohol in a glass, with his cigarette held between his two fingers. Jade was walking up the stairs from the first floor. She saw Polly, and smiled.

Jade: Hey, Polly. How have you been?

Polly: Hi, Jade. How have you been?

Jade: Good! Good! I will see you inside. Long time no see!

Polly: Indeed! I will join you soon.

Jade: Yeah, sure. I am meeting a bunch of people inside. You are welcome to join me.

Polly: Sure, that sounds great.

Jade: Are you here by yourself tonight then?

Polly: No, I am with my date tonight.

Jade: Sounds wonderful. See you inside.

Polly held up her cigarette package to Jade.

Polly: Hey, do you want one?

Jade: Ooh, yeah. Sure. Of course. Why not.

Polly: It has been a long time since you changed your school.

Jade took the cigarette, lit it up with Polly's light given to Jade. Vincent ducked down on his lap, holding his cigarette between two fingers.

Jade: Yeah, now I live in the suburb. I don't get to hang out with you like before anymore. I am kind of sad because of that.

Polly: Yeah, me too.

Jade: So, Polly! Tell me about this guy that you are dating.

Polly: He left already.

Jade: Oh?

Polly: I know. He said he wasn't feeling very well because of his dinner today. HE ate some cucumbers.

Jade: Is he allergic to cucumbers?

Polly: Apparently.

Jade: What did you guys eat?

Polly: Chinese food and it had some cucumbers.

Jade: I see. What is this?

Jade took a look at the cigarette that she was smoking. It was Polly's.

Polly: It's the vanilla flavor. This, Africa Rula, Capsule.

Jade: What a complex name for a cigarette.

Polly: I agree.

Jade: How long have you been dating this guy?

Polly: About a week now.

Jade: Is he nice?

Polly: He is cute. He is sort of shy sometimes.

Jade: Haha. Sounds like a sweet guy.

Polly: He's sweet.

Ian was walking up the stairs, holding a light and a cigarette pack. Found Polly and Jade up on the stairs. He looked at them. But he passed them by. He opened the bar door, and went inside.

Jade: You know what?

Polly: What is it?

Jade: Did you just see that guy entering the bar?

Polly: Yeah, I saw.

Jade: I think he likes me.

Polly: Really?

Jade: He paused there, and hesitated like he wanted to talk to me.

Polly: Yeah, he kind of stared at you for a second.

Jade: He is definitely going to come outside again.

Polly: What made you think so?

Jade: To check us out. I mean he was holding a cigarette pack already too.

Polly: Do you think he is going to smoke outside with us?

Jade: Not with us, but he might start to talk to us.

Polly: Do you love him already?

Jade: We didn't even talk to each other yet.

Polly: What are you going to do?

Jade: Just let me control the ship.

Polly: Alright.

Both of them got silent, smoking quietly.

Ian came outside to the smoking lot. He lit up his cigarette. Vincent sat up. he saw Ian right beside him.

Vincent: Hey, Ian.

Ian: Hey, man. What's up?

Vincent: Nothing much. I saw you entering the bar.

Ian: Nice.

There 2 guys smoked silently then. Polly and Jade finished smoking. They threw the butts in the bin.

jade: Let's get inside Polly.

Polly: Why?

Jade: Just follow me, dear.

Polly: Alrighty.

Both the girls went inside the bar.

Polly: Why did you leave him?

Jade: His name is Ian. I am not leaving him there for a long time.

Polly: Wow! How do you know his name already?

Jade: His friend just called him under that name.

Polly: I see.

Jade: You were right beside them talking.

Polly: Yeah, they talked beside us.

Jade: Didn't you overhear anything?

Polly: I was just looking at his shoes.

Jade: Why the shoes?

Polly: I don't know. Just tried not to appear that we had talked about him.

Jade: You are silly, sweetie.

Polly: I know, I know.

Jade pulled Polly's hand to the door.

Polly: Out again?

Jade: Pretend that you have met him before. His name is Ian, okay?

Polly: I don't know how to.

Jade: I will help. Let's go.

Both the girls went outside the bar again. Jade and Polly stood next to Ian. Ian was almost done with the cigarette.

Jade: Ah! Ian! It was you! I almost didn't recognize you! Did you cut your hair or something?

Ian: Oh, well. Hey, how are you? I didn't recognize you either. Sorry about that. Did you lose weight or something?

Jade: Oh, yeah, maybe. I am so happy because of that.

Jade stomped on the floor merrily. Ian threw his butt in the bin.

Polly: Hi, Ian. It's Polly here. We've met before. Do you remember?

Ian: Oh, yeah. Polly. That's right. I am kind of trying to recall the memories. But, I can't really... No, no, oh, I just remembered! I remember you.

Jade: It's so nice to see you again!

Ian: Yeah, it is! How are you?

Jade: Actually, my phone number has been changed a month ago. You should update my phone number. It's been more than a month since we did met last time. Time flies!

Ian: Oh, sure. Why don't you please type your number and your name on my phone?

Jade: Sure, I will. Give me your phone.

Ian took his phone out, and unlocked it. He gave his phone to Jade and Polly. Two girls typed their phone numbers and their names on his phone.

Ian: Please type your names too, please.

Polly: Yeah, sure. Nobody knows how to spell my last name.

Ian: Oh, that's right.

Ian's phone got returned to Ian. He looked at Jade's name on the phone screen.

Ian: Can I call you tomorrow or something to catch you guys up?

Polly: You are more than welcome to do that by us, Ian.

Ian: Good. Good. See you around.

Jade: We will see you inside.

Ian: That's right, Jade. I will catch up on you guys tomorrow too.

Jade: you can just join us tonight too.

Ian: That sounds, wonderful.

Ian got inside the bar.

Polly: Wow! How did you do that?

Jade: It is just the skill to make him feel guilty not remembering us! Pretend that you have had a nice talk before very friendly. That way they get not too protective thinking that we are already acquainted.

Polly: You are such a player.

Jade: Sweetie. I can't be a player. I am poor at these things.

Polly: You were so skilled with Ian today though.

Jade: Thanks! Let's get the drinks and join Ian.

Polly: Right on!