How to Teach Your Robot to Love

Step 6: Show your robot what you're made of.

The week flew by in anticipation of Friday. David and I had spent a fair bit time together in those few extra days. Mostly during lunch and between classes. He walked home with Audrey and I, and we visited him while he was working too.

Needless to say, I was looking forward to Friday. I had come to terms with the fact that I liked him quite a bit. As much as I had resisted at first, it didn't make any sense to go on pretending not to.

David, was even more eager than me. Seeing me the day following my acceptance of his request, he pulled me into a full embrace, initially catching me of guard, but in the end wasn't unappreciated. Contrary to popular belief, just because I am a literal, stubborn, and I veer away from socializing, doesn't mean I don't like to be touched. Physical touch is an essential way I can bond with someone, people are always surprised if I take the initiative.

Surprisingly, I wasn't feeling overly anxious about the date. As far as I knew we'd just be talking. I could manage that. The thing with dates, when one doesn't have experience, is that they seem like such a big deal, when they're not. A date, especially a first date, is literally just getting to know someone. Sitting, talking, some awkward hand holding if you're...lucky? I'm obviously speaking from my own experience. Limited as it is, my point still stands. All this unwanted anxiety and uncertainty about first dates is complete bullshit. Although one could say that about all sorts of things. Correction: all this unwanted anxiety about everything done for the first time ever is complete bullshit.

So Friday evening came. Audrey insisted on giving me a hand in preparing. As much as I didn't want to treat this like a big deal, getting ready with my sister is always pleasant. Partially because I would never do it myself, so I feel like I'm getting treated. She sat on the edge of the tub and talked to me while I shaved my legs, she braided my hair, and we had pleasant conversation. Audrey and I figured out an outfit, consisting of: a cream coloured, sleeveless blouse with a grey and blue bow-tie, a navy cardigan, and dark-wash, jean capris.

"Well ladies and gentlemen, this is fancy shcmanciest Ida ever gets" Louise announced, as I entered our foyer. She had joined me as I looked upon my reflection in the mirror on our closet door. Laura joined on my other side, leaning her face close to mine.

"I'm proud of you sweetie" she whispered.

"For what?" I asked, furrowing my brow.

"For putting yourself out there, I know it can be hard for you" she answered. I let out a breath, my face breaking into a smile. Even though this didn't feel hard, her reassurance always reminded me of how lucky I was to have my family.

"Thanks mom" I whispered, "not to ruin the moment, but I should go."

"Knock his socks off girl!" Audrey hollered from upstairs as I left the house, making me chuckle.

I arrived about 10 minutes early, so I took a seat on the couch. I was just debating on if I should order or not when I saw him enter. He looked effortlessly good, catching me slightly off guard. He wore a forest green plaid flannel, he left it open, with a charcoal grey v-neck and blue jeans. He made it look special, even though every other guy in school was wearing pretty much the same thing.

I waved to him, and he came and took a seat beside me.

"Good evening" I greeted casually.

"It is" he replied, smirking. This was the most confident I had seen him yet.

"So, what's the plan?" I asked, assuming he had figured it out.

"Drinks here, followed by...who knows" he answered, shrugging.

"Alight then" I replied. It took me a minute to process that there was no plan for the night. It didn't bother me that much, there wasn't anything at stake for not planning. I would be just fine with just talking to him the whole night.