Shackled

Chapter 6: Cody

I stumble as I stand up from the table and catch myself on the edge. I reel inwardly for most likely looking stupid. Who wouldn't stumble though after seeing Julie. I hadn't seen it before in the store just how beautiful she was. I was now very much so feeling insecure about choosing not to wait and change into something nicer. It looked like Julie spent hours on whatever she had done up there. Her hair was curly but still slightly straight in some places, her pink lips were slightly pursed and now had fully applied lipstick. Her deep green eyes were hard to not get lost in. I didn't know much about makeup but whatever she did made her look like... well a knockout. She wore simple jeans and a simple black shirt that showed off her features quite well and I had to catch myself from staring. Even though she was wearing something that wasn't too fancy, formal or sexy, she just glowed. She radiated something my heart found hopeful and it was hard to stop the amount of emotion that threatened my wall. 

When she first walked in I had no choice but to stumble as something broke through my wall. It wasn't an attack like the other soldiers before it but rather a happy emotion, something I had not felt in a long time. It wasn't just her looks though, it was almost as if my subconscious wanted to push me to give this girl a huge chance even though I had already agreed to it. 

"Hi." Julie says after a little. "Did my sister give you a hard time?" 

I shake my head trying to find words. "No, but her boyfriend sure did." Again I feel well aware that I am so underdressed. Why am I so concerned about this? Maybe I was afraid she would think I was someone I am not. Someone who doesn't care. At that moment I didn't want to joke around with her anymore. I want to find out who she is and why she had just given me her number out of the blue. "You look amazing." I say suddenly. It came without warning and I feel so stupid. I try to save myself by again making a joke. "Should I go home and change?" 

Julie laughs and dare I say blushes a little. "No I kind of like the rugged look." She smiles. "It makes me think you have some kind of life outside of work." Her smile makes my wall weaken and washes over me making me feel happy. I don't know what it is about her but she is the only one who makes me feel this way after my awful breakup. "You want to sit down?" She motions toward the table. 

The closer she gets to me the less off guard I feel. I nod my head and we go to sit down at the table. I almost want to know what is running through her head as she sits next to me. Does she really like my look? Do I look dumb? I feel overall embarrassed, Zoey probably would have smacked me over the head. None of the other girls I dated since making my wall, has made me feel anything like this. Some of the emotions I'm feeling I welcome as they make me feel better about giving Julie a chance. Almost like it was the right choice. 

"So what do you do in your spare time?" She asks me. I have to keep from staring too much at her as I find my words again.

"Not much." I say. "Normally I like to skate or play video games." I look around the table quickly hoping to glance a soda or something. I don't know why but anytime I drink soda I find I am able to talk more freely. 

"Very interesting." She says sarcastically. "Everyday? Or just when you're feeling adventurous?" She smiles a little. "The skating is cool though, I guess." There is that smile again it sends me reeling in a good way every time. 

"Fine then." I say challenging her a bit. "Sometimes I go driving, blaring music and sing along to it." That's a bit embarrassing and personal. I think to myself. Trying to get the topic off me I decide to ask her some questions. "How about you? What do you like to do?" 

Julie looks a bit confused for some reason. "Well, I've not really thought about it." She laughs a little. "I kind of just do whatever comes to mind."