Black Smoke

Dating A Ghost

-5:14 P.M.-

I stepped out of my apartment, a clean Van's hoodie on with black pants and my Converse. I made my way downstairs to Dante's apartment and knocked on the door. On the inside, I was shaking. Terrified out of my mind.

Two words.

Vanessa. Taylor.

I was about to turn around and just run back inside my house to isolate myself from making any stupid decisions. Just to lay in bed and go back to jamming out comfortably. Alone.

However, as soon as I reached the staircase, the door swung open "Don't even."

I turned to see Dante, his hand gesturing to welcome me in. "Please. Come in. Have a seat."

I groaned on the inside as my stomach churned, and for once, it wasn't because of Dad's stale cigarette aftertaste. 

Is this what it meant to have butterflies?

I walked in to find the living room flooded with lit candles, the main light switch turned off.

"Dante!!"  What the heck, man!" I ran around the room, frantically blowing out every single one until the space was covered in smoke.

"Ayo!" Dante coughed. "Chill, man! My mom lit those! I didn't do it for you! That's too much work!" He fanned the smoke out of the door.

"Oh. Sorry." I plopped down on the couch and sighed in relief. Or was it stress?

"Okay, look. I know you're nervous. But the bright side to this? Vanessa said yes! She's coming over to hang out with you!" He stood behind me and gripped my shoulders. "Just out of curiosity, exactly how long has it been since you've been on a date?"

"A date?" I asked, getting to my feet in an instant. "This is a date?!"

"Well, that answers my question. What? What else did you expect it to be? Playtime?"

"I didn't know this was a date! I barely know the girl!"

"That's a good thing though!" He chimed in.

I looked at him in a shocked and confused way. "What? No! It's not! It's the complete opposite!"

I sat back down on the couch, my hands tangled in my hair. Why did I care so much about meeting Vanessa again? I've met her before, and she cost me detention! I told her the fact that she didn't know much about me was a good thing! I couldn't do this! I didn't like her! I didn't like her! I don't like-

A knock came on the door. My heart stopped, my face heating up. I looked up at Dante who motioned me to go answer it. Half of me said no, and the other half wanted to be polite for once and do something I'd never done.

I stood, my knees shaking as I made my way for the door. Time seemed to have passed by in slow motion. Butterflies, now which turned into knots, filled my stomach. 

Don't do this, I told myself. You're not ready! Don't do it!

I found myself at the door, my hand on the knob.

"Open it!" Dante whispered.

I did so. 

It was his father.

"Hey, Zayden! What are you doing here?"

I let out a sigh of relief, for sure, this time. My heartbeat went back to normal and so did the color of my skin.

"Hey, Dad! Off from work?"

"Well, yeah. Your mom wants me to meet her at Rocco's place. Want to tag along?"