A Lifetime to Learn

Chapter 11: Without You

"So you mean to tell me that you're not nervous at all?" Helen asked as she pulled my final strand of hair into the curling iron, wrapping it securely around the wand. "Like, at all at all? This is your first date with your best friends brother. An older guy. Oh how I've always wanted to date an older guy." She blushed, clearly forgetting about my hair that was wrapped around something as hot as the pits of hell (or as I imagined them). "Shit sorry." She mumbled quickly, pulling my hair off of the wand and letting it fall into the rest of the curls. 

I shrugged at her through the mirror and couldn't help but admire the work she had done to my face. "I guess I'm a little nervous, but I'm trying not to overthink it." I explained to her. When Archer asked me out on our official first date, he told me to wear something warm. I didn't exactly know why since it was boiling hot out, but I guess that was the point of first dates. To surprise the other person. I stood up and pulled my new red hat onto my hair, positioning it enough to keep my ears warm but not too much as to get rid of my hairline entirely. 

"Where do you think he's going to take you?" Helen questioned, flopping onto my bed as I made my way over to get the scarf that went with my hat. "Maybe skating? Or on a romantic picnic on the beach. Or-" She was about to list something else but I couldn't listen to her any longer. She was so into romance that anything but the most perfect first date just wouldn't suit her. Instead of staying in my room like she probably hoped, I walked out and down the stairs towards the door. 

"Where are you going in such a hurry?" Dad asked as I walked over to put on my winter boots. "And why are you wearing winter boots honey, it's not even cold outside." 

"She's going on a date with my brother." Addy told him from the couch. She was sitting next to Calum, disgustingly close might I tell you, but when her eyes fell on me she gave me a little wink before turning back to the television. 

"Oh right, I forgot that was tonight." He smiled, coughing a little as he tried to get his words out. I examined him and he wasn't looking like himself but I was probably over-analyzing the situation like I usually did. 

"Are you alright?" I asked out of pure curiosity. He was looking paler than usual, and his eyes had permanent dark circles underneath them. "You're looking a little under the weather." 

"I'm fine sweet heart, enjoy your date." He smiled, turning away from me and heading up the stairs. I tried not to notice his slight fumble, but it was hard to miss. He swore under his breath a tiny bit but quickly recovered making his way up the rest of the stairs. I assumed he just had the flu from his weakened immune system, you know with the cancer and all, and made my way to the front door. 

"My little girl is growing up." My mom smiled, coming over to me and kissing my forehead. Her eyes looked puffy, but it was probably because she realized that one day she would have an empty nest since all of her children would be leaving at the same time. "Have fun princess." She smiled, giving me a little wave before running up the stairs. What is up with this family today? 

Just on time, there was a knock on the door. My heart started pounding and my mind began racing with a billion things that weren't even important. After taking a deep breath I opened the door and was faced with the most breathtaking man I thought could ever exist. Wow you seriously need to work on the dramatic thing. I couldn't help the blush that rose to my cheeks as I watched his eyes scan my body; conservatively at that.

Before, Archer would have scanned my entire body with no shame, but today, he was being respectful and not looking below the belt. I couldn't say the same for myself however. He was in a fitted white T-shirt and a pair of dark denim pants. They weren't like jeans, but they weren't yoga pants either. Do guys even wear yoga pants? Oh well. But to say he looked attractive was even an understatement. I'd never met anyone who could look so good without even trying; or at least coming off as though they didn't need to try.