No Effort

I spent the whole day in bed watching Harry Potter. I ordered takeout for lunch AND dinner. I couldn't be bothered to make anything, I was having a self pity day. I checked my socials throughout the day and Jason posted pictures of him having fun with his friends which made me even more sad and angry that he choose them over me.

I laid on my bed thinking of all the pros and cons of being with him and the cons were starting to outweigh the pros. I knew what was coming but I felt like maybe if I gave him a second chance things could maybe work out? Charlotte is right, I need to put myself first for once and choose myself.

-------------------------------------

Me and Charlotte are having breakfast talking about her night with christian when the door bell rings. We both look at each other, we weren't expecting anyone. I walk over to the door and open it.

"Lina Thomspon?" The guy in the blue suit says before looking back at his screen. His holding a huge bouquet of roses in the other hand.

"Yes?"

"Please sign" he says pushing the tablet in front of me. I sign it dragging my finger on the screen

"Thank you, have a good day" he says giving me a warm smile and handing me the flowers.

"Thanks, you too!" I close the door and turn to Charlotte who has a huge smile on her face.

"They are beautiful" she says.

"Wait there's a card" I open it

-To Lina, Happy Anniversary, I hope to celebrate many more with you. I love you J- I smile at the note, at least he is trying. I find a vase in the cupboard and place the roses in it.

"I can't believe he sent these and he texted me this morning, he has a whole evening planned for us" I smile at Charlotte.

"That's great babe, it shows he is trying to make it up to you, As long as you're happy I'm happy" Although Jason is trying to make an effort I had a weird feeling, like it just wasn't right, I felt like I was forcing it. I know I am settling for someone who for the past year hasn't treated me properly, but what if he is changing and becoming the man he is suppose to be. I can't throw away 2 years, I was somehow riddled with guilt, I didn't want to hurt him even though he was hurting me.

"I am going to give you the best make over for tonight" Charlotte is grinning at me.

"Nothing too crazy please!"

"I can't make any promises" she laughs

------------------------------------

"So what do you think?" Charlotte is standing behind me in the mirror smiling. I can't deny that she has done a good job. I loved the natural makeup look, She straightened my hair with a middle parting. I looked like a complete different person.

"Charlotte, you are amazing! I love it." I clap

"Thank you, I'm so happy you love it" she smiles widely at me.

"Okay, now clothes" she says holding up a strapless dress in her hand and spaghetti strap silk dress in the other

"This one" I say pointing at the silk one.

"Got it" She throws the other one on the bed and unzips the silk dress. After an hour I am fully dressed and ready. We hear a car beep outside. Must be Jason, I'm so excited. I haven't been on a date with him in a long time.

"Okay, you best wake me up later I want all the dirty deats" Charlotte says, I give her a kiss on her cheeks

"Yes I will!"

I walk to Jason's car and turn back to wave at Charlotte before getting in. "Wow, Li you look beautiful" he says leaning over and kissing me. I kiss him back.

"Thank you" I smile at him "So where are we going?" I say excitedly

"You'll have to wait and see" He smirks at me. After a 20 minutes ride, I was starting to piece together where he could be taking me

My eyes widen when I see the crab shack sign. I thought it would be something a lot more romantic.

"I know you love seafood, so what better place. And you remember we came here on our first date" he smiles at me, I give him a smile and look back the restaurant. He is trying Li at least he remembered this is where you had your first date. It's the effort that counts, he is trying and it's thoughtful.

As I walk in my eyes fan around the restaurant. I am clearly over dressed, but I'm not going to let that ruin our night, I dressed up for the occasion we are celebrating.

The waitress takes us to our table and we sit down. I take the menu and scan it, one thing he's right about is that I love seafood, I couldn't wait to have some crab. After a while the waitress comes back over.

"You guys ready to order?" she says smiling at me

"Yes, I'll have the crab boil please" I hand her the menu

"Yeah, I'll have what she's having and we'll have two beers please"

"I'm so excited, we haven't been here in so long" I say giving him a warm smile and reaching for his hand. He takes my hand and gently strokes it

"I'm glad you're happy baby"

"Jason is that you?" Someone shouts from across the restaurant "Bill!" Jason gets up and they fist bump.

"Bro I haven't seen you in so long! We need to catch up" Bill says with a big smile "and who is this?" he says glancing at me

"Bill this is my girlfriend Lina. Lina - Bill. Bill and I went to college together"

"Wait that's your girl?" Bill points at me

"Yep" Jason grins

"You lucky dog" I smile uncomfortably

"Jason here use to be a ladies man, I can't believe you have a girlfriend man" I give him a tight smile.

Jason turns to me " Be right back babe, I'm going to grab our beers" him and Bill walk to the bar. I watch as they chat away laughing, patting each others back from time to time, even play fight.

The waitress brought our food over. I couldn't wait for Jason any longer, if I did my food would be cold. I was already half way through and he was still talking to Bill.

"Oh my, I wasn't expecting to ever run into him again, he's such a character" Jason says sitting down. He looks over at my plate which is nearly empty and pouts.

"Yeah he looks like it" for the rest of the night I was quiet and just couldn't be bothered to have Jason make more excuses.He could have told Bill we were on a date and to catch up another time. He was suppose to be spending time with me to make up for yesterday. My thoughts made me feel like I was asking for too much or I was too needy. So instead of speaking my mind I decided to just let it slide. Let it all slide

We chit chatted about his night with the boys and work on the way home, well I listened mostly while he went on and on about his life. "Thanks for tonight, see you later" I kiss him on cheek, he frowns at me.

"Everything okay?" He asks

"Yeah just tired".

"Okay. I'll text you later babe" I open the door and walk to the house.