I Have Been Chosen

Cody 23

Two Weeks Ago

Saturday 14th February

"Have fun on your date," Heather teased as Cody finished his shift and took off his apron. "Remember, use protection and don't get pregnant."

"Very funny," Cody rolled his eyes, though a smile broke through.

"And remember to ask questions, make sure you show that you are interested, and ask about family and friends."

"I do not need dating advice from a nineteen-year-old, thank you very much." Cody ruffled Heather's hair, messing it up. "I have been on dates before."

"You sure you know what you're doing?" Heather laughed. "I mean, you got the order wrong and slept with him first. Are you going to try and wait until ten dates still? Or is that plan now out of the window?"

Cody paused, considering. "Uh, not sure. I'll see how things ago."

"That's a yes," said another one of his coworkers as he bypassed with a stack of dirty pots needing to be cleaned.

Cody glared. "Alright, don't burn the place down whilst I'm gone." After double-checking that his colleagues were fine, Cody finally left work and headed home. He considered getting a drive-thru coffee but decided against it, wanting more time to focus on getting ready for the date. Besides, he could always have coffee at home.

Cody had a quick shower, ensuring that he no longer smelled of greasy food, and combed his hair. He hesitated in front of the mirror, razor in hand, about to shave his stubble, but recalled last night, how Oliver held his face in his hands, caressing his chin, thumb brushing against his stubble. No, he wouldn't shave; it still looked neat enough and not like a wild man.

After drying himself, wrapped in a towel, he went to his bedroom and checked the time on his phone that was charging near his bed. He accidentally dropped his phone to the floor and picked it up, and paused as he noticed something on his bed's nightstand. On the shelf, almost hidden, was the envelope of money that was supposed to be Oliver's wages for being the band's tech guy.

"Sneaky bastard," Cody sighed.

Cody then changed into the suit he had borrowed from Darren, wearing a white vest underneath the shirt as a safety in case any buttons popped off, which might be likely considering he was planning on treating himself to the largest steak they had. He pocketed the envelope of money in the in-line pocket of the blazer, planning on sneakily planting it on Oliver at some point, returning it, though he felt that this exchange might last a few more times before Oliver finally accepted it.

He stared at himself in the mirror, somehow gaining some self-confidence, no longer as conscious about his weight if he posed at certain angles. He still had some time left before he had to get to the restaurant. Since he was unsure if he would be drinking, undecided yet, though knew it would only be a couple of drinks at most, Cody looked through his phone, about to call a taxi as he drank a coffee in the kitchen.

However, he paused a moment, wincing as he felt a slight pang, perhaps the start of a migraine. Not ideal for a date. Cody went to his medicine cupboard in search of painkillers, trying to input a taxi number into his phone at the same time. Just as he was about to reach for the painkillers, the migraine faded. Cody blinked as the remnants of fatigue washed over him, and he was fine again. But just in case, Cody pocketed a tab in his blazer pocket again. And then he had to steady himself as that feeling once again returned. He grabbed onto the kitchen cabinet, wincing, rubbing his forehead for relief and closed his eyes until the pain subsided.

Yes, definitely got a migraine; better take the medicine. Although that seemed a lot more serious than a usual migraine, didn't it? Cody thought.