Rearranged

Chapter 3

     I'm going on my first date tonight! I can't believe it! What am I going to wear? Gosh, it's 5:30 already and I'm supposed to get picked up at seven. I finish sipping on the cup of tea I have made for myself, then place the empty mug in the sink. I can wash it tomorrow, I'm busy right now.

Standing in front of my closet, I skim over my entire wardrobe several times before deciding on an outfit. I decide to keep it simple with a navy blue skater dress, and black boots. I turn on my radio and begin to get ready.

...

     It's about seven now. He should be here any minute. Maybe he won't come. What if I'm being stood up? What if- my racing thoughts are put to rest by the sound of my phone ringing. It's him.

     "Hey! I'm here now. Come outside!" He says excitedly.

     "Be right there!" I reply.

     I check to make sure I have everything one last time, then grab my purse and head out the door. I step outside to see him sitting in the drivers seat of a sparkling white Range Rover. Wow.

     "Get in!" He beckons me.

     He leans over to open the door on the passengers side, holding my hand to help me get in.

     "Wow, you have a really nice car!" I say to him. He just chuckles and replies,

      "Thanks, my dad got it for me as a graduation present."

     "Oh, wow!" Why do I keep saying wow?! Gosh, I look like an idiot. All I can follow that up is,
     "So if that's what your dad got you, what did your mom get you?" Nice one Madeline.

     "You'll find out soon enough" He replies with a wink.

     "So let's get going, yeah?" I buckle my seatbelt and he drives off.

We arrive at the restaurant, a casual place called Noodles and Company. We find somewhere to sit, place our orders, and talk while we wait for our food.

"It's been what... A week since we've met now?" He asks me.

"I think so! Time goes by fast."

Flashback to last week when we met. I was at a family gathering when my parents brought him to me.

"Madeline, we have someone we want you to meet!" My mom squeals with a handsome young man who's arm is being constricted by my moms.
"This is Mordecai. He's 22 and just graduated veterinary school! I think you two would get along just great!" She walks away, leaving us both awkwardly facing each other.

"So you're THE Madeline, huh?"

"Yeah, I'm sorry about my mom. She can be a little uh..."

"No, it's fine," He chuckles. "I actually think it's pretty cool that your parents appreciate you like that."

"Oh! Haha, it's embarrassing!"

"It's endearing," he says, flashing a smile towards me. There's a few seconds of awkward silence before I have to speak up and make the situation even more awkward.

"So uh... I like your tie."

"Thanks, I like your hair." I notice him rocking back and forth on his feet for a moment, gosh I look like an idiot.

     More small talk is exchanged, which thankfully evolves into full blown conversation.

     "I really should get going," I say to him, brushing my fingers across his toned arm.

     "Wait! Before you go, are you busy next Saturday?"

     "I have some errands to run, but that's about it."

     "I'd like to take you to dinner, if you don't mind." He says, making me blush. It actually took me by surprise. I didn't think he'd like me back.

     "Uh- yeah!"

     "I'll pick you up at seven?"

     "Sounds like a plan! Let's keep it somewhere casual though."

     "You got it."

.............

Monday Morning

     We no longer race to class like we did on the first day of school. Now Dayl, Cian, and I spend our mornings taking a stroll around the campus and talking. We've grown pretty close over the past few weeks, they're my best friends now.

"I heard someone went on a date this weekend!" Cian teases me.

"It's really no big deal," I say shyly.

"Come on! Tell us how it went!" Dayl pleads.

     "Okay, okay. Well, he took me to a really casual place to eat, they had really great noodles by the way, and then we went to walk around a nearby park. It was really nice. We're going on another date this Thursday!"

"That's cool, where you going?" Cian asks me.

"We're going to the movies to see The Purge.

"Have fun with that," Cian shudders, "I hate scary movies."

"I've actually never seen a scary movie," I reply. Dayl looks at me in shock,

"WHAT!?"

"Haha, I've just never had the chance to before. My parents always monitored everything. But it's just a movie, so I can't get that scared, right?"

"That's the spirit! It'll be fun!" Dayl cheers, before Cian chimes in,

"NO! It's not fun! You'll be scarred for life!"

"I'll be alright Cian, don't worry!"

"You haven't seen a scary movie," Dayl looks at me and smiles while shaking his head.

If only I knew what I was in for...