An Abundance of White Blood Cells // [WATTYS 2017]

SIX

I didn't mention the conversation I'd overheard to Gramma the next day. Mostly we just watched movies the whole day, old eighties movies we both loved. I sorta did my school work between movies, luckily I got it done before my parents go home. Gramma announced that she was taking me out to dinner to a place I'd never been before. Peach City. It was an old fifties diner with mini juke boxes by every booth. I had to drive us there, considering Gramma hates driving. It was a fun night. Gramma mostly told me stories about dates she'd had here. They were interesting stories.

One time she and a date decided to annoy the entire diner by playing the same song eleven times in the row. I know, my Gramma was a crazy kid back then. We drove him with shakes in the cup-holders, we didn't get home that late, considering Gramma wanted to watch The Bachelorette. She loved that show...mostly so she could make fun of it. Once we were home I stayed up and watched a little bit of it with her. I went to bed when Dad carried me to bed.

Which happened often.

***

I woke to my god damn phone ringing.

"Hello?" I yawned.

"Did you just wake up?" It was Nate. I looked at my clock. It read 10:15.

"Uh, yeah...I was up late last night...aren't you supposed to be in school right now?" I pulled my covers up to my nose.

"I'm T.A.ing for my psychology teacher, I've got free time," Nate replied. "I was just calling you to tell you what I got planned for us." I smiled. I felt like I could hear his smile sprouting on his face.

"Alright, what are we doing?" I bit my lip.

"Well, there's this Hockey game at the Maverick Center at six..." He offered.

"That sounds amazing!" I gushed.

"Great, I'll pick you up at five-fifteen." Nate replied happily.

"Okay, I'll see you then. Bye."

"Bye."

The line went dead and I imeadietly texted Lena and Rosa in a group chat telling them I had a date. They both replied with: I'M COMING OVER RIGHT NOW!!! I rolled out of bed yawning and walked downstairs to take a shower to wake myself up. Gramma was already up, watching I Love Lucy. I let the shower get really warm, to the point that there was steam rolling out of it. I washed my hair and let the water pound against my back. It was very refreshing. When I was finished I walked back up to my room with a towel wrapped around myself.

The second I opened my bedroom door I was bombarded by loud screaming. I was so scared I dropped my towel! I quickly picked it back up and cussed Lena and Rose out with some very vulgar language. They just laughed and kept asking me questions. I answered them as I changed into what I was gonna wear for the date.(my back to them) I'd picked jeans, a giant floppy wool sweater with a polar bear on it and converse.

Lena and Rose objected to the ensemble and tried getting me to wear something that was sleeveless with a bunch of accessories that should be worn at a party. Something they bought me when they found out I was cancer free. Something they wanted me to wear when we "went out on the town". Something I wouldn't wear in a million years. I just shook my head and hung it back up towards the back of my closet.

"Shouldn't I be dressing...oh I don't know, like myself on a date?" I said sarcastically.

"You also need to dress to show off certain...qualities." Lena corrected as she went back to my closet.