Pretzel Girl

"15 Minutes"

           The irony is unreal right now. If I had known that all it took to get a date with a cute model was to fall off of a chair and embarass myself, I would have done it a long time ago. His eyes dart to mine then back to a fixed point on the tiles. His hands are shoved in his pockets like he would rather be anywhere but here. Like this is the last thing he would like to be doing. I don't blame him. My nose looks like an eggplant attached to my face and the humid air circulating outside this afternoon made it impossible to control my hair, no matter how long I worked on it. And yes, I worked on it, considering I would see him today. It's not like the little frizzies and baby curls sitting on top of my head are inviting him to ask me out, much less actually make conversation with me.

          

"If this is a joke, it isn't funny." I retort, narrowing my eyes and daring him to say that it is. I don't know what I would do if he said it was. It would be even more embarassing than the events that occured the other day. And not only that, but it would completely ruin him for me. All of my thoughts would be altered to know that even if he is the cutest boy to ever talk to me, he's just as rude and heartless as a lot of guys are known to be now, especially models. That would suck because he hasn't struck me as one to be selfish or rude. Sure, he's arrogant sometimes, but it's kind-hearted humor. At least I think it is. I hope it is.

          

His eyes widen and he shakes his head violently, "No, of course not!" I notice right after his extremely quick response of denial, that his dark hair kind of bounces when he moves his head in any way. I can't find any downsides to this stupid boy, unless he's proving me right about his personality. But so far, I don't think he will be. The last thing that runs through my mind before making my decision is that he asked me in a way that boys in this generation don't. He didn't ask to "hang out sometime". He didn't ask if "I wanted to catch a movie". He asked if I would go on a date with him, and that's rare.

"Okay, yeah. What did you have in mind?" I say, tilting the corner of my mouth up into what I hope is a confident smile.

           His face transforms into something that could be compared to a little kid's expression when he finds out that he's taking a trip to Disney World. It automatically brings a grin to my face once his eyes meet mine, because in a way, I feel like it might have been brought on because of me. But then his face contorts into an expression of thinking frantically. "Oh, umm, I actually didn't think I would reach this point. I didn't plan the whole thing through." He says, then sucks a breath through his teeth, embarassed. "You asked on impulse?" I ask, with a giggle. A giggle. That's new.

A queasy side smile covers his face when I laugh, and he nods. "Here, let me think. I've gotten this far, and there's no way I'm backing out now."

        I lean onto the counter, as he scans his brain for possibilites, like he's never taken a girl out on a date before. He steps to the side as a younger girl with blonde pigtails purchases two pretzels and walks back to her mom, before returning to his spot in front of me. "Think of anything yet?" I ask, pushing the cash register drawer in, after putting in the cash from the girl. "Not yet." He says, furrowing his eyebrows. "I like chinese food." I blurt out, my mouth speaking for my stomach. Way to go, planning the date that he asked me to.

HE ASKED ME ON A DATE. OH, MAN.

            "Chinese food! Yes! I like chinese food too!" He comes close to a shout, pointing a finger at me and nodding. I nod along with him, trying to act like I'm not completely humiliated about suggesting it, although he looks much more embarassed. Red splotches appear on his cheeks and he continuously sweeps his palms over his jeans. He looks insane, but he's still still the cutest human being I have ever interacted with, breathed the same air as. I'm not joking, you would understand if you saw the guys walking the halls of my school. "Chinese..umm, chinese..." He mumbles underneath his breath, scanning the entirety of the food court. Geez, I thought he meant somewhere other than the mall. I was hoping he was talking about somewhere outside of the mall. I don't know if I can stand being in here any longer.

             

I clear my throat, awkwardly, "There's a Panda Express around the corner." I say, nodding my head toward it. "Panda Express! Great idea! Uhh, let's go!" He says, grinning and starting to walk away. "Daniel," He turns around, raising his eyebrows at me. "I finish work at 7." He looks down at his brown watch and looks back at me, with wide eyes, confirming that I still have 15 minutes until closing. I don't get on to him for jumping up and sitting on the edge of the counter when he does.

 15 minutes til closing, 15 minutes to my first real date, 15 minutes til going out with Daniel.

Breathe, Addison.