Consider Yourself Lucky

Three

I wake up half an hour before my alarm. Why am I so excited for my date tonight all of a sudden? I mean I've been looking forward to it since he asked but I didn't know I would be willing to wake up before my alarm so eager to get through the workday. I decide to use the extra half hour to soak in the bath for a bit. I take my razor and smooth out my legs. Should I shave down there? We won't get that far, right? No, I don't want to seem easy. Oh, fuck it. I shave every part of my body that has the slightest bit of stubble. I drain the tub and turn the shower on to rinse all the hair down the drain. I grab my towel and head back to my room to throw on my uniform and braid my hair.

When I get downstairs there is a note on the table from Grandma. "Went for a morning walk. See you before your hot date." She added a winky face. Maybe I should just hook her up with Collin. She could be a cougar. I snatch an apple from the fruit bowl and pour myself some coffee. And of course, there's no creamer. I settle for some milk and throw my shoes on. As I open the front door, Grandma is strolling up the walkway.

"I just read your note. You must've written it earlier. How was your walk?"

"It was alright. My knee started acting up, so I figured it was time for me to come back home. Are you excited for your date?" Nervous. Excited. Same thing, right?

"Yeah I am. I get out of work at six. I'll be home around six-fifteen, then you can help me pick what to wear. Sound good?"

"I can't wait! Have a great day, honey!" Grandma walks in the house, and I open my car door. I turn the radio to the country station and make my way to work.

My windows are down, and the chilling breeze hits my face. "Today will be a good day" I tell myself. I should have given Collin my number. Why did I not think to give him my number? I was a bit shocked at the fact he asked me on a date so maybe it slipped my mind. What if he cancels? What if he had one beer too many last night and regrets asking me out? Shit. Shit. Shit. Breathe, Addy. Just breathe. It's almost nine o'clock in the morning but the sun is blinding. I should really invest in some sunglasses. I pull into my non-assigned parking spot, roll my window up, and put my car in park. I still have some time to kill before I have to clock in, so I turn up the radio a little louder and relax in my seat. I relaxed for about one whole minute before there was a slight tapping on my window. Scared the absolute soul out of me. I turn and see Collin motioning me to roll down my window. I roll my eyes and press the button.

"Do you always try to give heart attacks to the women you ask out on a date?" It is too early to be dealing with that bullshit. If I didn't go to the bathroom before I left the house, I could have pissed my pants.

"I asked you on a date?" I knew it. Too much alcohol.

"Either you did, or the alcohol did. Or maybe you have a secret twin I don't know about."

"I'm kidding Addy. I would never forget asking someone as pretty as you out. Speaking of, I know I should plan everything on my own but is there anything you're allergic to? Just so I don't pick a place that could put you in anaphylactic shock. That would be a memorable but horrible first date." Did he just make a joke about possibly dying over an allergic reaction? Dark humor at its finest.

"No, I'm not allergic to anything. But I still don't like beer."

"Okay, great. I will see you at seven-thirty."

"Yep, seven-thirty." He taps his hand on my car door, leaving with a huge grin on his face. I roll up my window but leave it cracked so my car isn't a sauna when I get out. I grab my belongings, and walk inside the building.

There is an hour left of my shift and it is dragging. It feels like ten minutes go by but when I check the clock it's really only been two. I'm starting to rethink if the tuna salad I had for lunch was a good idea. My stomach kind of hurts. Maybe it's my nerves. Maybe I just need to take a breather and not worry so much. I don't know why I get this way when he isn't around but when he's in front of me, I act like I'm not totally into him. I guess I like playing hard to get, even though I haven't had a boyfriend since junior year of high school. That didn't even last long. Maybe a month and he moved on to the head cheerleader within two days. Like I always tell myself. I'm walking bad luck. I haven't dated since. I just don't feel like opening up to someone and sharing all the good and bad about myself just for them to leave and be on to the next.