Sempiterno VI (AlanxJeff)

Date

Jeff

A date is a planned meeting or gathering between two or more people. It can have various purposes depending on the context. There are many types of dates: work-related, friendly, medical, family, romantic...

What kind of date does Alan want with me? I wonder, feeling a swirl of confusion and nerves rise in my chest. My hands cling to the wardrobe door as I open it slowly. Inside, my usual clothes hang neatly, but somehow they don't seem right for tonight. I have clothes... but I don't know which ones are suitable. And that fills me with an anxiety I can't quite understand.

I even looked up the concept of "date," as if that could clarify what I'm feeling, but it only left me more confused. There are so many kinds of dates, and I can't stop thinking: What kind of date is this? What does Alan really want from me? Is it a friendly meeting, an agreement between our families...? Or is there something else behind his sweet smile, something I can't quite figure out?

A strange mix of emotions churns in my stomach. I'm nervous... but deep down, I want to see him. I want to be near him, though I don't understand why. Every time I think of the way his eyes light up when he looks at me, my heart starts to beat a little faster.

"Knock, knock, knock." Three soft taps. My breath catches for a moment. It's our secret signal, and the familiar sound comforts me, if only a little.

"Come in," I say quietly, trying to keep my voice steady.

Charlie enters, and I immediately notice the concern etched on his face. His eyes sweep over the room quickly before landing on me, as if he's searching for any signs that things are under control. But when he sees me standing in front of the wardrobe, frowning, his worry deepens.

"Are you getting ready?" he asks, a mix of surprise and reproach in his voice.

I nod slightly, unsure of what to say.

"I don't know what's appropriate. What do you think?" I ask, hoping for some advice, some direction.

Charlie steps closer, rummaging through my wardrobe. He pulls out a few items, examining each one carefully before settling on loose pants and a black oversized shirt.

"It's cold, a hoodie would be good. Black too. You don't need to look even a bit nicer for that guy, Jeff," he says seriously.

His words make me feel exposed, as if I had been trying to impress someone, even though that wasn't my intention.

"I wasn't trying to!" I defend myself, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment. I feel clumsy, like a child who doesn't know the rules of a game everyone else already understands.

"I just don't know what kind of date or place it'll be..." I mumble, more to myself than to Charlie.

He sighs, clearly frustrated.

"That's true, I don't get what they're thinking either," he says, running a hand through his hair, clearly concerned. "Babe, that guy doesn't seem to take anything seriously. He just smiles and flirts, like nothing matters. He's been texting me like... ah, never mind!"

"You gave him your number?" I ask, incredulous, trying to process the idea.

"I felt like I had to," he admits, looking almost embarrassed. "It was the only way to contact him for the... 'meeting.' He's already sent the coordinates of the place where we're supposed to meet. I don't understand what they want, they could kidnap you. We can't rule that out."

Kidnap me... Fear flickers in my chest for a moment, but when I think about Alan, something inside tells me that's not his intention. Still, I can't understand what his true motives are.