Page 18 of Love, Interrupted

“Nah. Not usually. Besides, there’s only one guy I’ve got my eye on.”

For the first time ever, I think I see Brad Matthews blush.

THE FIRST DATE

August 19, 2005

Iam a type A personality through and through. I am never late. I hate being late but right now I am in fact late. I never make plans during football season for this very reason. I hate the feeling that it gives me—like I’m not in control—because I am in fact not in control, but want and need that illusion. I startle as Coach Kelly yells at us on the field to go one more time through the routine. As if we all didn’t work extremely hard to get to this level. As if we didn’t practice every single day of the week. We’re probably doing it again because of the freshmen in the back row. I never see the other majorettes because I’m in the front with the rest of the seniors. We line up again and get situated in our starting positions. As we go through the motions of the routine that I’ve been doing for the last three years, I let my mind drift, thinking about tonight and all of the things I still need to get done before Brad gets to the apartment.

We haven’t called tonight a date but I mean, how could it not be considered one. We’ve seen each other all week in classes and have texted on and off. Tonight he’s coming to my apartmentand bringing a movie. I’ve cleaned all the communal areas of the apartment and my bedroom. I’ve warned Meg and Lola that he’s coming over and if they are there to be on their best behavior. It’s Friday night so I expect Lola to be out but Meg rarely leaves the apartment unless she’s dragged out and even then it’s only for class and her commitments to Mu Gamma Phi.

I’ve got my outfit laid out on my bed and I’m counting the minutes till I can get out of practice, get home, shower and be ready. The music finishes and we take our final poses. Coach claps her hands but not in a way to applaud us for a job well done but more to get our attention. She waves us all over and I hold my breath in anticipation that she tells us we are dismissed for the evening. Kelly has been my coach my entire collegiate career and on Fridays before game day she always runs through the things she thinks we should know for the next morning. Tonight is no different. It takes another five minutes before I’m throwing all of my gear into my bag and slinging it over my shoulder.

I all but sprint to my car in the parking lot. Most evenings I just walk to practice but tonight I didn’t want to waste a second. I unlock my beat up Grand Am and throw my bag into the back. I check my mirrors and then back out of the space and exit the parking lot. It only takes a few minutes to get to my apartment. Thankfully the apartment has dedicated parking because if I had to look for a space, I’d never find one and then I’d have to parallel park and that’s not my strong suit.

I fly up the three flights of steps with my keys in my hand and zoom through the front door. Meg is laying on the couch eating chips. I spare her a glance as I cut through the room, shoot down the hallway and grab my clothing to take a quick shower. I hear her call out to me.

“You’re going so fast. Got a hot date?”

I yell out so she can hear me. “Ha ha! Very funny. Don’t forget Brad is coming over and he’ll be here in-” I look at my watch—“Oh my God! He’ll be here in like twenty-five minutes. I’ve got to get ready.”

“You’ll make it. Don’t panic. If he gets here and you aren’t ready, I’ll stall him.”

I run down the hallway with my clothes in my hand. I’ve opted to wear jean shorts and a simple, flowery top that looks casual, like I’m not trying too hard but still looks nice. Clearly, I’m trying hard. If it was a typical night I’d come in the door, immediately take off my bra and put on sweats. Clearly, I’m trying to look nice for the night. I take my shower and when I get out I check the clock. I have just enough time I think to get my hair combed and put on a little bit of makeup.

Meg watches me sprint out of the bathroom back to my room and calls out the time.Like I don’t know it already. I hear my phone beep on the desk but continue getting ready. Once I have my makeup done, I’ll read it. As I finish getting ready the nerves are setting in. Tonight is the night, I can feel it. We’ll get it all out on the table and hopefully, if I have my way, we’ll be dating because nothing would please me more than to claim Brad Matthews as my boyfriend.

I finish getting ready with two minutes to spare. I grab my phone and head back to the living room. Meg, who I thought would have gone to her room by now so as not to be seen, is still on the couch, still eating chips. I have too much nervous energy. I pace the small kitchen to check that we’ve got cold water in the fridge and a variety of drinks and snacks. When I get restless after checking, I pull my phone out and check my messages. There’s one from Brad.

On my way.

That was sent a few minutes ago as I was finishing getting ready so that means he should be here any second.

“Meg. Brad is on his way.”

“Good! I hope he ravishes you tonight.”

I almost choke on my saliva. “What?”

“I’m just kidding, babe. I’ve been reading a fuck ton of romance novels now that I’m single, have no life and destined to be alone.”

I roll my eyes because this isn’t the first I’ve heard of this nonsense. The romance book information is new but besides that I’ve heard the rest at least five times. “Stop. You are not destined to be alone but tonight you need to at least smile and make conversation for a few minutes.”

She mock salutes me. “Aye Aye!”

I shake my head at her silly antics. I start to say something just as sarcastic back but the loud knock on the door stops me. I whisper hiss to Meg, “He’s here!”

I check my watch, a nervous habit and see that he’s right on time. I smooth down my shirt and head for the door. I check the peephole and I can see him standing there looking around into the night. I tell myself it’s going to be a fun night and then open the door.

Brad turns his head as the door swings open. He waves to me with one hand, and I see a DVD case in his other. “Come on in.” I step aside and close the door after he walks across the threshold. Meg and he say hello to each other. I never explicitly told Meg to not be in the living room but I can see she’s parked for the night. I look to Brad. “Ready to watch a movie?” I gesture to the movie in his hands and he holds it up.

“Have you seen it before?” he asks.

I read the cover and see that it’s8 Mile. Yes, I’ve seen thismovie before. Have I watched it twice? No. I love his music and I love him but his acting? Yeah. Not so much. Instead, I nod and tell him. “Yeah, I’ve seen that one before.” Because that’s the truth and I can at least be honest about that.

“We can watch it in my room if that’s fine with you?”

He looks over to Meg sitting on the couch and then back to me. “Yeah,” he gives me a knowing smile, “That works for me.”

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