A Little Variety

Saturday (Eve).

As we sit there chatting, my phone buzzes in my pocket. I take it out to see who it is.

"Be there in twenty," it reads. It's from Matt.

"Fuck," I say under my breath.

He looks at me perplexed.

"My boyfriend is coming to get me. For the first time ever. And he chooses now."
"Maybe he knows," he says with a smirk.

I melt inwardly when he makes that face.

"I hope not. Not that this is anything to...you know."
He nods his head. "I know. Go ahead."
"I'm sorry," I plead.
"Don't," he stops me.
"Um...," I stop as I am unsure what to say next.
"This was nice. I want to meet up again. I'll text you."
"Really?"
"Really. Have fun!"
As I'm leaving, I turn back, "Thank you. Bye!"

I run out of the café. My heart is racing. For two reasons. I have to get back to my apartment. But, also because I just had an amazing time. And he was amazing. Why does he have to be amazing?

When I get back to my apartment, I rush around like crazy. I stuff things into my bag in case I stay at Matt's, though instantly I feel weird about it.

'He's your boyfriend. Chill out. It's not weird,' I scold myself. But it definitely does feel weird now.

I shake nervously when Matt's car pulls up to the stoop. I get in the car and am immediately at the ready for a new fight to start.

"Hey," he starts.
"Hey," I respond.
"I--," we both stammer at the same time.
He finishes first, "I'm sorry."

I look at him. This is new.

"For what?" I am curious to see where this is going.
"That I ditched you this morning. It was kind of uncool."
"Kind of," I agree.
"Well, I said I was sorry. Didn't I?"
"Yes, you did. Thank you. I accept your apology. You can make it up to me by taking me on a date tonight instead of crappy food and movies at Pete's."
He scoffs, "You're funny, but they're waiting for us."

I pout. I guess he's not that sorry.

My phone vibrates in my pocket.

"Who's that?" he asks me.
"I don't know," I say as my heart hammers in my chest.

I look at my phone and blow out a sigh.

"It's just Trixie."

My friend Trixie. My best friend Trixie.

"Oh, tell her I say hey," he says with a wave.
"I will!"

As I text her back, I glance at the other message that I had gotten at the same exact time.

"I really liked meeting up with you. Let's do it again."

I smile at this, and Matt looks over at me.

"What are you smiling about? Getting excited about tonight?"
"Ugh, nooo," I reply. "Trixie just said something funny. Girl stuff. You know."
"Boooring," Matt groans and continues driving to his friend Pete's house.