The Epic Romance of the Sassy, Dorky... Badass Superspies.

Day Two

Day Two:

August 18th

7:40 am.

The next day I don't expect to see Ezekiel again, but he calls me less than an hour after I wake up. I'm still at home. It's not even a practice day, so I can't imagine why he would feel the need to bug me. The phone rings, startling me. I'm eating breakfast, and I splash cereal on my pajamas.

"Hello?"

"Ah, Natasha. I'm glad you're awake."

Barely, I think.

"Agent Pine? You know it's not a training day. And... how did you get my phone number?"

There's silence on the other end for a few seconds.

I sigh into the phone. "Well, what?"

"I know it's not a training day, Natasha. You got any plans today?"

I freeze. "Maybe that's none of your business?"

"None of my business? That's not a very nice way to turn a guy down."

"Wait-" I actually laugh. "You're asking me out?"

He pauses. "Maybe."

"You're asking me out... it's not even 8:00 yet."

"I've been up for 3 hours," he says monotonously.

"Alright... Well, fine. Where do you want to go on our... date?"

"How about a surprise? I'll pick you up at 8."

"I hate surprises," I laugh. "And we only met yesterday. Don't act all Mr. Romantic."

"I'm not," says Ezekiel. "And you'll like this surprise."

"I don't even know anything about you!" I argue jokingly. "Are you even age appropriate? You don't look age appropriate."

"I am 1 year, 3 months, and 2 days older than you. I think I'm fine."

I shrug. "Okay, fine. Pick me up at 8. But I better like the surprise. And- 8 pm. I'm not going to be ready in 15 minutes."

"PM," Ezekiel agrees.

"Okay. Meet me at my apartment. I live at-"

"I know where you live. I have your file."

"That's not creepy at all!"

"See you at 8," he sings.

"Bye."

I hang up the phone, rolling my eyes. I liked Ezekiel, but he was so... I don't know. We'd met yesterday. Come on. But I decided to give him a chance. I hadn't dated anyone in like- 5 years. Not really. It didn't end well last time.

8/19/14

August 18th, 2019. 7:59 pm.

I'm waiting for him to knock on my door. I don't think I've worn a dress since I was thirteen. Myanaung, Myanmar. I bought it at a Wal-Mart. It was just... pretty. It fit me perfectly. It was white, with black flowers. V-neck. Short sleeves. Hit just above my knees. Lionel bought it for me. He didn't care that it was Ben's money, and that Ben would be furious. He just thought- hey, I'll buy her a dress. She likes the dress. Lionel never thought of the consequences. He was impulsive, and sometimes a little stupid. I stare at the microwave across the room. 7:59. Ezekiel would be punctual. He wasn't Lionel. Lionel would be late. Lionel wouldn't care. I'd roll my eyes and smile at his carelessness.

But Lionel's gone. He's been gone for years. 5 years. Ezekiel is the polar opposite of Lionel. I like that. I don't want to be reminded of him.

So I'm not wearing a dress. I haven't wanted, nor needed, to wear a dress in 6 years. After that fateful day 5 years ago, I haven't wanted to be reminded of that girl, that girl in Myanaung whose problems involved fear of heights, and social anxiety. That girl was foolish. Since then I've changed. Since then I've gone as far away as I could possibly go. And I haven't gone on a date in so long. I haven't even thought about it.