Horse Ridin' (Motionless In White)

Chapter 16: First Dates (Pt. 1)

Written: 10/5/16

-

How do dates work? Rosaline had never really been on one before, ironically. Sirenia had been on a few with random guys and girls (due to her bisexuality she'd had lots of options) but nothing too special. Just trips to the park, movies or a bite to eat. Nothing extravagant or memorable. 

And despite Rosaline having a girlfriend for a solid 6 months in High School she'd never really been on an actual date before. They'd hung out together often, sure, but never really gone out together as a couple- it had always been with friends or Sirenia, as dumb as that may sound. The relationship just wasn't meant to have worked out. But that was the past now, meaning it didn't much matter anymore. Now Rosaline was preparing to go on a double date with Ricky, Sirenia and Josh. And she still had no idea how this was going to work.

I mean, sure. Most of it seemed obvious. The guys would pick them up, they'd go to a movie and then dinner. They'd get a snack, maybe share popcorn or something of the sort, and enjoy whatever movie they were going to see. Then they'd go to dinner, Sirenia probably wouldn't eat much if she ate something at the movies, and they'd probably have slightly uncomfortable small talk. Josh would try to break the mood with jokes, succeeding in making Rosaline roll her eyes and possibly earning a giggle from Sirenia. Ricky would talk to Rosaline in a quiet voice, commentating on the other people in the restaurant and earning laughs from her.

But, of course, neither Rosaline or Sirenia knew that it would go so well. They were both terrified it wouldn't go well.

Sirenia was dressed and ready to go and they still had about 45 minutes until the guys were supposed to arrive. She was now sitting on the counter in the bathroom applying her makeup consisting of black eyeliner, black eyeshadow and black (how surprising?) lipstick. Her hands were slightly shaky, resulting in her taking the extra time needed to perfect her makeup without messing anything up in the process.

Rosaline, on the other hand, was down in the barn hugging Frankie.

She was not ready to go on a date. She was everything but ready. She was absolutely ready to climb into bed and forget about this date even being scheduled, but even she knew that bailing on Ricky wasn't the right thing to do. Not when he'd been texting her all day about how excited he was for the date and telling her about how nervous Josh was. 

No matter how much she wanted to act calm and composed, she was shaking so hard she was afraid she'd shake herself right out of her own skin. It was bad- going on a real date like this was reminding her of the bad things that had happened in the past when she'd turned down people's offers to take her on a date. They'd mostly ended in harsh words and some name calling, but on choice occasions she'd left with a black eye or bruises up and down her ribs. 

Frankie nickered, resting his head in Rosaline's lap gently. He looked her in the eye, wondering what had his owner so nervous. She rubbed his face in return, wishing for something to happen that would calm her down so she could go get dressed. She only had a half hour now until the guys would be there- and although that was still a while she'd wanted to make herself look nice. Instead she was probably just going to opt out and wear one of her normal not-barn outfits- black skinny jeans, a band shirt and Vans. Probably a beanie too, depending on how she felt.

How original. 

She'd just resigned herself to the fact that Sirenia would be the better dressed one. She always was.

********

Sirenia walked to the door as soon as she heard the knock. She took a deep breath before pulling it open, summoning a smile to her face at the sight of the two men standing behind it. "Hello, boys."