Imagine

Chapter II

I remember all of the things that I thought I wanted to be. My life -up until I was 17- consisted on imagining how many different ways things could have turned out for me. During high school -everyday before going to sleep- I would turn the lights off, get in my bed and imagine all the exciting events that could occur to me. It didn't take me long to realize, that I probably wasn't special enough for it to actually become a reality.

After being accepted to college, I lost the privilege to go to bed at 11:00 pm the latest and suddenly truly physically and emotionally felt the new style of life I was becoming used to. Nights formerly filled with hopeful thoughts turned into overwhelming paper-writing, fact-based, book-overloaded, sleep-deprived all nighters that concluded way too often at 5:00 am.  So tonight, I just wanted to forget about all the things I have to get done, and live in the moment, enjoy this date with this great guy.

I met Michael in our Language and Literacy class at college. I was late to the class and the teacher had already started the lecture, which forced me to sit somewhere close to the door. The seat next to Michael's was empty so without thinking much of it, I sat down and tried to not make a big deal.  He was kind enough to lend me the notes I had missed and to attempt conversation. I sat next to him every day after that. It was nice to have someone to talk to in the class, I never thought much of it. It wasn't until last week, that I noticed things changed and that was because he directly asked me out on a date and my total clueless reaction toward it. I started cringing at the thought of reminiscing the moment.

I felt myself cringing at the flashbacks I was getting as I walked towards Michael's car. Before I even reached the curb, he got out of the car to open the door for me. He was wearing a maroon crew neck sweater, black pants and desert boots. He is so cute, I thought.

"Hey." I said smiling.

"Hey Audrey. Wow, you look really nice." He replied, returning the smile.

"Thank you! Likewise. Maroon looks good on you." I complimented him.  My inner 16 year old gasped. Did I just compliment a guy back?  Am I flirting? What is happening?  Michael  started driving and as he drove away, I felt a thumping in my heart. I don't know if it was because of the circumstance, or my excitement, or the fact that he was driving above the speed limit. After so many days spent at home in front of a screen and surrounded by books, I could feel a new chapter of my life beginning. We talked and laughed on our way to the restaurant, and I had a great feeling about this whole thing. I knew that we both wanted to be here with each other and just wanted to have a good time.

When we arrived to the restaurant,  he had already called before to reserve a table for us. The waiter approached us to ask if we wanted any drinks.

"I'll take a glass of red wine," said Michael.

"Actually, make that two." I said after him. Smooth, Audrey, smooth, I thought to myself. You're doing great, if I didn't know better, I'd  say this is about your 15th date. Now, make sure you think before you say anything that might screw this up.

We both proceeded to scan through the menus to decide what to order. I angled myself in a way my good side was facing him as I looked at the different appetizers. I practiced this in front of my mirror so many times, my inner 16 year old whispered. Now, should I ask him a question or wait for him to say something first? Maybe he's really trying to decide what to order and would be annoyed by my interruption. Or maybe he's doing the same thing I am, no that couldn't be it. Maybe he's feeling shy and wants me to make the first step.  Okay, it's been more than 3 minutes. You should say something. I told myself.

"What have you been up to?" I asked. Maybe it would have been better to stay quiet, Audrey.

Michael's eyes were glued to the menu. He looked up and I suddenly felt myself blushing. I felt as if I had interrupted him at an important executive meeting. Then, he smiled.

"It's been going well. I had an interview at an elementary school yesterday, they were interviewing different potential student teachers for a grade 5 class. Although, they sounded like they wanted someone with more experience." He added. "Good thing I don't lose anything by trying, huh?" 

"Oh, I'm sure you did great! Have a little hope!" I exclaimed. I was really getting the hang of it. Maybe this wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. I started to relax as we talked and talked and talked some more. The waiter came around again and we ordered our food. Michael asked for a plate of mixed seafood grill and I went with a plate of Tuscan chicken pasta. The evening was going great and I felt no need to put out. I was so comfortable with being myself and talking to him, which is why we decided to stay for dessert as well when the waiter asked if we would like any. 

"You have to try out the Belgian chocolate cake I always get when I come here, you're going to love it. Trust me." He told me before I could even look at the dessert list. He got so excited all of the sudden, I couldn't say no to him. Even if I don't, it's our first date and I was so close to having the first date I had always dreamed of. Don't ruin this, Audrey.

"Sure." I said with a big smile on my face. "It better be good or I'll sit somewhere else in class on Monday." Good one girl, invisible teacher-pat on the back.

"Fair enough. Let's hope for the best." He laughed. Woo yay! I made him laugh! Me! I did it!  

"So Audrey, tell me some more about your favorite books, or actually tell me something about the books you don't like." It should be noted that we were talking about literature before ordering dessert, because you can take the geeks out of the school but you can't take the school out of the geeks.  

"Two words: Nicholas Sparks. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a good romantic love novel like any other girl, but he is just too much for me. I can only take so much cheesiness." I ranted. "The worst is when Hollywood feels the need to make a movie out of every single book he has written, like we don't know how it ends already!" 

"That's why I watched 'The Notebook' before reading the book, and that kind of set the tone for me with those types of books." He said. "I'm more of a Mitch Albom type of guy. I like the deeper, more genuine writing."

We shared a good laugh and conversation. The dessert came and I had only checked my phone once throughout the whole date. I couldn't care less about the time. I loved every minute of this date and Michael.

"How are you liking the cake?" He asked. Suddenly, I felt weird. It was becoming harder to chew. I felt as if my tongue was becoming bigger, or maybe my mouth was getting smaller. Oh no, oh no, oh no. I'm having an allergic reaction. How is this happening? I'm only allergic to peanuts and who the hell adds peanuts to a Belgian chocolate cake?  I quickly rush to reach for the dessert list menu -something I should have probably done before he ordered this evil cake- and see what ingredients were used. I felt as if my eyes literally jumped out as I read the word peanuts. We could have picked the peanut-less version, but how could I have possibly imagined this restaurant had such a weird way of making this cake.

"Uh, Michael I tink I'm haing an athegic weaction to thith cake." I said. Great, just what I needed. I can't pronounce my Rs nor my Ss, talking like a baby really turns guys on, I thought. Someone get me out of here, please. 

"What?" He asked. 

"I'm athegic to peanuts. Michael. I need to get to a ospital now!" I yelled, as my tongue grew bigger and I couldn't feel it anymore. 

"Oh my God. Do you have some allergy medication? Do we need to go right now?" He questioned. 

"No, Michael. I don huv them wit me. Yeth we need to go right now, pwease!" I implored him. 

My whole life I imagined of the many ways my first date could end. Maybe with a romantic kiss outside of my house, or a lovely evening stroll at Central Park after dinner, or even a walk around Times Square that would have made me feel extreme claustrophobia- all of these would have been so much better than a ride to the hospital with a college student that talks like a wittle baby, and just like that my date went from perfect to 'please God, help me'.