Maybe I Hate You

3 - Get Ready

I could tell it was later than I normally wake up by how much sun was in my room. I could feel in my stomach that I ate a bit too much junk food the night before, but who's surprised? I checked my phone and saw it was just after eleven in the morning. I sat up and headed for the bathroom. I decided to take a quick shower to help me wake up. After, I changed into some loose sweats and a tank.
I walked into the room Scott normally sleeps in when he doesn't sleep on my floor. There was signs he had slept in the bed but he wasn't currently in there. He must be in the kitchen. I sat down in the upstairs living area on the couch and checked my phone again. The usual social media nonsense was there, a few posts from Scott, but what was surprising was the text from the unknown number that said; "Hey, it's Tyler."
I was about to shoot up and find Scott when he walked into the room holding two mugs.
"I made you tea, for your stomach."
I gave him a look that questioned how he knew my stomach was upset even though we all knew how he knew. He did sit with me while I ate said junk food. "Thank you, but we have more important things to worry about."
Scott said down next to me on the sofa. "Like what?"
I held out my phone for him to see the text. He instantly lifted his brow in surprise.
"Oh, you got a text from the guy who doesn't like you? How ironic." Scott sarcastically.
I rolled my eyes. "How do I respond to that? How did he even get my number?"
"I don't know. Maybe ask him?"
I sipped my tea and set it down on the small table next to me.
I typed out; "How did you get my number?"
I took a deep breath. Why is this making me nervous?
"I got it from Paul, in your math class. I wanted to apologize again and maybe try to make it up to you over dinner?"
"Fucking Paul." I rolled my eyes. I handed my phone to Scott for him to read the message.
"I told you he likes you."
"He doesn't even know me." I said grabbing my phone back.
"Well it sounds like he wants to get to know you."
"I don't know..." I set my phone down and grabbed my tea from the coffee table.
"Yeah, what he did was rather shitty, but most teenage guys are. Maybe all he needs is a chance to prove he's not as shallow as his friends."
"Fine. One date." I instantly felt my stomach get nervous. I haven't been on a date in well over a year, and I'm scared to put myself through it just for it to end up bad again.
"Tell him that then," Scott chuckles.
I grab my phone and text back. "When did you have in mind?"
I tossed my phone down on the cushion and sipped my tea slowly trying to avoid looking. Before I even get the taste on my tongue I feel my phone buzz and I flinched a little. Why is he replying so fast?
"He wants to know if you're available tonight!"
I felt my eyes open wide. Tonight? How am I supposed to have time to overthink myself out of it? I could feel my anxiety rising. Was this really the best idea?
"Um, I don't know."
Scott put my phone and his mug down and sighed. "Look, I know you're scared. You have every right to be. But what did we say over the summer?"
"That we wouldn't waste our last year of high school." I groaned.
"Exactly-"
"But that was meant as in me and you do things together. Not going on dates with risky boys."
Scott laughs and shakes his head. "Honey, you know if I was in your position I would be hoping on this before I could think twice. It's time you take those risks because that's the only way you're gonna find happiness. It's not gonna come pick you up off this couch. You can't fall for someone if aren't willing to jump."
"It would be a lot easier to jump if I had an idea of where I was landing." I sip my tea again.
"Jane, the only way you're gonna know is by finding out. If you don't, you'll just be asking yourself these same questions for the rest of your life." Scott tosses me my phone and stands up. "You know I support you either way. I just want to see you happy. You deserve that. And I don't trust him either but also at the end of the day we don't actually know him. We just know what people say about him at school. I'm gonna get in the shower."
I sighed as he walked away and stared down at my phone. His text hung in the air above me, heavier with every second. Suddenly, before I could stop myself I was typing out a reply asking him what time he'd like to meet. His instant replies always catch me off guard. "I'll be picking you up at six."