I woke aching and tender with light bruises on my hips and thighs. Adam's image was in my mind. My lower stomach muscles quivered. I lay in bed twirling my hair with a big grin. The man I was with last night was very different to the impression I had created of him on the train. I didn't believe he worked in the transport department and was sure whatever he did was illegal. After witnessing his strange interaction on the train with Stan and seeing his rough handling of the man on the platform, I was sure he was a drug dealer.

However, the person who took me out to dinner and interacted with the restaurant staff gave me no sinister impressions. His lovemaking had been intense and amazing. I smiled and shuddered with pleasure as I rolled on my side and hugged my pillow. This man had two sides. I wanted to see him again.

I focused on his strange phone call and realised that every phone call he'd received sounded odd. Most of the time, you can pick up on what the person is talking about. Adam's phone calls were short and to the point. Someone had needed his help. A girl named Kay was involved. It would take him an hour to get there. The person didn't like that it'd take him so long. Adam had said, 'take it or leave it'. Could Kay be someone he was involved with? This idea made me sad.

I climbed out of bed and got dressed. I wasn't going to mope around all day. I rang Belinda. She bombarded me with questions.

I laughed and said, "Let's meet at Kibbles. I'll tell you about it."

Kibbles is a small coffee shop near the shopping centre. I put on my joggers and headed off.

Once we had ordered, Belinda said, "Well...?"

I laughed at her goofy face and said, "He was amazing, so different to what I thought he'd be. You remember how I told you about his mate on the train and stuff."

Belinda jiggled her head. She wanted a moment-by-moment, word-for-word commentary on how my evening went.

I told her everything but stopped after I said, "Then he took me home."

She cocked her head and dragged out the word, "Well...?"

"That's it," I said.

Belinda shoved me on the shoulder. "You can't bullshit me, Jasmine. I'm your best friend. Did you or did you not have sex with him?"

I laughed as I shook my head.

"Lair!" She pointed her finger at me. "You can't lie to me; you're blushing. That means you're lying, so you better spill everything."

I choked on my coffee, leaned towards her and whispered, "I couldn't walk this morning."

Belinda squealed, waved her arms in the air and stamped her feet, saying, "Tell me, tell me!"

"Shush," I said, embarrassed. I checked to see if anyone had heard, then told her everything.

Belinda sat open-mouthed.

When I told her about the car park, she slammed her hand against her mouth and gasped, "You didn't?"

I nodded.

She added, "No way...not you...oh my God!"

Belinda laughed and then flapped her hands at me. "Come on, keep talking. I know there's more."

At the end of my story, she asked what time he left and when I'd see him again. I told her about the phone call and said, "He didn't ask for my number."

Belinda smiled and brushed the phone call aside, saying, "It was probably a mate who fought with his girlfriend, and he forgot to get your number because of the commotion."

"So why didn't he tell me that? Instead, he said that he had to go."

Belinda shrugged. "You know men. They don't go into detail about anything unless you interrogate them." She smirked and added, "Maybe you should have stayed home in case he comes over."

"Uh...uh." I shook my head as I took a bite of my scone. "I'm not doing that because every time I've waited for a guy to call me or come around, they don't, and I get depressed." I wagged my finger at her. "I'm a new woman. Strong, independent and after last night, I have decided I've missed out on a lot by being too respectful. I know I won't see him again, so I'm not going to think or talk about him anymore. I'm going out with you next weekend to hook up instead of standing back watching you and Macy have all the fun."

Belinda screeched with laughter. "You won't."

I raised my eyebrows at her and tweaked my head with confidence. "You watch me."

I went home and planned to write, but I couldn't get Adam out of my head. Each time I heard a car or footsteps outside, I waited for a knock on my door. My mood darkened. I decided to go for a walk. I kept telling myself to get over it, he wasn't coming back. As I walked, I thought about my conviction to Belinda. Could I do what I had done with Adam with another man? Nope. What was so different about him to trigger this other side of me?

It drizzled. I checked the sky. Dark clouds rumbled in the distance. Melbourne is like that. One minute it's sunny, the next it's raining. Within an hour, it'd be sunny again. People say it's the only city in Australia where you can experience the four seasons in one day. I went home and ate dinner in front of the TV, hoping Adam would turn up.

The news came on. The big story of the day was the murder of a small-time drug dealer in the city. A police officer discussed the unrest between the gangs and said the city could find itself in turmoil if things got out of hand. He called for witnesses to the point-blank shooting. The newsreader's last words were that the victim was eighteen.

On that depressing note, I switched the TV off and went to bed.

To all the girls reading, do you tell your bestie everything about your dates?

I hope Adam didn't have anything to do with that shooting :(

Photo copyright - Alamy

Word Count - 994