How To Stay Afloat (BxB)

Chapter 14: a perfect first date would be boring

Wednesday night I can't fall asleep. I remember what it was like when I went on the first date with Ella, my ex girlfriend. I also couldn't sleep the night before. Not because of excitement, but because I was dreading it, because I was scared.

Now I'm excited and nervous. I've already planned it out. After school I'm going home with Carla and she will help me pick out clothes. I don't wanna wear anything special, but she insists on helping me. After that I'm gonna take the train to the cinema, it's at the center of the town, so I can take the same train as her.

Then I either meet Austin on the train or directly at the cinema. I'm gonna arrive twenty minutes before the movie starts.

Austin has been typical Austin this whole week. Distant. It made me a bit selfconscious, but I also know how moody he can be.

After school is over I turn around to him.

"Hey Austin." I say to him so he looks up. "About the movie today." I start.

"Yeah?" He asks, kind of disinterested.

"You wanna meet up there?" I ask him.

He looks a bit surprised. Oh no. Did I say something wrong? Is today thursday? Yes it is. Why is he surprised?

"Oh. Yes. That's a good idea. I have tickets reserved." He says.

I feel a blush creeping up. "Okay cool." I say and then pack my stuff.

"Oh uhm the movie starts at seven." He tells me when I'm about to leave.

I smile. "Yeah I know. See you then." I say and then leave with Carla.

On our way home I smile like an idiot.

"Oh you two are so cute." Carla says.

"Shut up." I say playfully. I can't help, but smile.

"It's gonna be great." She assures me.

"What about your date at the race? Are you gonna make it official?" I ask her, wiggling my eyebrows suggestively.

"Hopefully." She cheers happily.

I don't know why I was so mad about them dating. I think I was just bitter and jealous after all.

My dad's in the kitchen when we get to my home.

"Hey dad, Carla is over." I say when I see him.

He comes out to the hallway to us. "Hey Carla, nice to see you." He says to her in a friendly way. "Can we just talk for a minute?" He asks me.

"Uhm. Yeah sure. Carla, you can go ahead upstairs." I say to her.

Oh god. What did he find out? Okay no, he doesn't seem angry, it can't be that bad.

"Is Carla gonna stay over for long?" Dad asks me.

"No, only until six." I answer.

"Didn't you wanna come help me at work today?" He asks me. Oh fuck. I agreed to that on tuesday at dinner. Shit. I'm stupid.

"Sorry, can I come next week? I wanna go on a date." I say, bracing for the worst.

He looks taken aback. "Oh. A date? Not with Carla, right?" He urges. So he must know about her and Caleb.

"No, of course not with her." I say, chuckling and he looks relieved. "I'm going with someone else from my class." I explain.

He smiles. "That's great to hear. I know you're friends with Carla and I accept that and think it's great, but you should be aware that people might think you two are dating." He suggests.