The Beauty in Time

8

◿𝙼𝚊𝚝𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚠◸

Dizzy comes to visit me after Elle leaves for the day. I start work a little while later than she does, so I got to watch her toss Dizzy out. Even got to listen to her call out her goodbyes to Dizzy, forgetting she tossed the cat out before she left.

"Good morning." I greet Dizzy who wanders around on top of my balcony walls. "Your mom says she's trying to get you to stop coming over here, but she isn't really trying that hard. Makes me wonder." I grin curiouslyat Dizzy. Dizzy finds a good place to sit, right beside my arm.

I sigh, letting out a cloud of smoke when I do. Dizzy's eyes narrow at me, so I slowly reach over to put the rest of my cigarette out.

I was almost done anyway.

I get the feeling Dizzy doesn't approve of my little habit. Elle doesn't either. They both might be the motivation I desperately need to quit. So far, certain death hasn't been enough.

"Dizzy, let me ask you something." I begin, clearing my throat before I actually do. "How do you think tonight will go?"

I've never been so nervous about something like this before. Maybe a little jittery to meet up with a girl I like, but never really nervous. This is new. At first, I thought it was just because we're neighbors which means if the date goes bad, we still have to live across from each other. It'd be awkward.

But as it turns out, I just really like her. We haven't known each other for long, but the more I hang out with her, the more I like her. She's funny, kind, smart, playful, beautiful, and unique. That's just what I've learned about Elle in the short while I've known her. I'll learn more about her tonight which somehow makes me increasingly nervous.

I sigh when she doesn't answer me. "Okay, come on, Dizzy. Inside you go." I push off the balcony wall and head forwards the sliding glass door. Dizzy happily jumps down and trots inside when I open it for her. I chuckle and follow her in, shutting it behind me. "You're too trusting." I decide, watching this little orange cat wander freely through my living room.

I'll take it as a compliment from her. Being trusted so easily by a cat is pretty flattering since most of them seem to be assholes. Generally.

__________

The day feels a little too long now that I actually have something to do. Don't get me wrong, every day feels a little long and I'm always eager to get home, especially on the weekends, but today is different. I mean, obviously. I'm meeting Elle at a bar today.

I offered to drive her since I'm the one who asked her to go in the first place, but she assured me it was fine and that she could take herself. I didn't fight her on it. I'm realistic and I know this may or may not be a good night. I'm hopeful it will be, but we still don't really know each other. Not that I'm someone she needs to be careful around.

It was a smart decision on her part, and I respect it. She was kind about it too, not wanting to make it seem like she just didn't trust me.

But now I have to show up at the bar we agreed on alone. I don't mind the alone part much, but I didn't get her number so I don't know where she is or even if she left her apartment yet. It just leaves me waiting for a little while which really isn't that bad. Lonely, sure, but I'm used to that.

Lucky for me, Elle is punctual. She arrives just five minutes after I get here and when I glance at the clock, I see it's exactly seven. It's the time we decided to meet up.

She smiles when she spots me almost immediately. Happily, she comes over and slides into the stool beside me, setting the mini backpack she has down on the counter. "Hey." She casually greets. "You're here early." She points out. Curiosity touches her voice, she doesn't try to hide it.