All My Love

13

I woke up the next morning and heard a knock at the door. I undid the locks and opened it up the see Annette's smiling face.

"Did you have fun last night?" She asked excitedly.

I stayed silent for a moment and smiled.

"Oh, what happened? I see that smile on your face. Did you meet a boy?" She asked when I didn't reply.

"Yeah, kind of," I finally answered.

"Wow! Is he handsome?"

"One of the best looking men I've ever seen."

She pulled me in for a hug. Annette really was the closest thing I had for a family. I hadn't spoken to my parents or my brother in two years. I've just been living by myself, making my own decisions.

"Louisa," she started again,"I want you to take off early today. Get a date with that boy. I'm not taking no for an answer. You work hard and need a break."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure. I can handle this place by myself for a few hours."

I thanked her and sent her on her way so I could get dressed for work and call John to set something up.

I reached into the pocket of my jacket I had worn the night before and dialed the number scribbled on the piece of paper.

It rang for a while. He was probably sleeping. But he eventually picked up.

"Hello?" He asked in a tired voice.

"Hey, John. It's Louisa."

"Louisa?" His voice immediately perked up,"hey! What's up?"

"Just wanted to ask I you and I could go out tonight? I'm getting off work early today."

"Sounds great. I'll pick you up around four, if that's ok."

"Sounds great. You know where I live, right?"

"Above that bakery, right?"

"Yeah, but do you know that name of the bakery?"

"No..."

I giggled and then answered him,"it's called Annette's Delights."

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

"Bye."

I hung up the phone and fell back onto my bed and stared at the ceiling. I let out a long sigh, not wanting to get up. Sometimes I liked to be lazy and not work. But I knew that would get me nowhere. At least I was getting off early today.

----

I stared at the clock all day, dozing off a bit and daydreaming about tonight. I still got work done, but I wasn't as productive as usual.

It was 3:15 when I left work to get ready for my date. I thanked Annette once more and zoomed up the stairs and into my flat.

I jumped into the shower to get washed up. I didn't have time to do anything with my hair, so I threw it up into a messy bun.

I picked out a multicolored floral skirt and a beige sweater and paired the outfit with some jade colored flats.

I quickly put on some makeup, grabbed my purse, and ran out the door. I stood outside and waited for John to arrive.

I waited and waited, glancing at my watch a little too often. It made the time go by slower and slower, it seemed.

To my surprise, when I looked back again, my watch said 4:30. He's coming, don't worry I kept reassuring myself.

I waited and waited some more, reminding myself that he would come. But I looked down at my watch and my heart sunk. It was already 5:00.

I held back the tears long enough to run past Annette and back up to my flat. I heard her asking what happened and why I was still here.

I immediately closed the door behind my as I stepped inside and dropped all my belongings onto the floor.

I slid down the door and sat on the cold hardwood floor and just stared at the wall.

Annette kept knocking on the door and asking is I was okay. But u didn't answer. I went to my room and just flopped onto the bed and fell asleep, not even bothering to change my clothes or get under the covers.

----

I heard my name as I slowly woke up. I looked at the clock and it was about six thirty.

I went to the door and opened it up. John was standing there with something in his hands. He stopped me before I could start talking.

"Lou, I'm sorry I'm so late. I should've sorted this out with the guys before we made plans. We had some practicing and recording to do, trying to get new material for songs and such. I know it was wrong to not call you back. But I hope you'll accept my apology."

He handed me a small box wrapped in green paper, urging for me to open it.

I didn't say a word as I slid the paper off and opened the box. I pulled out a gold necklace embellished with little gems.

I looked up at John who had a sincere look on his face, hoping I would accept his offer.

"John," I started,"it really did bother me that you didn't cancel our plans. I waited for you for an hour and you didn't show. I'm not angry at you. I'm just a bit offended, I guess. But i will accept your apology."

He smiled and took the necklace from my hand. He spun me around and wrapped it around my neck and clipped it together. Then he spun me back to get a look at it.

"Do you like it?" He asked.

I looked down as I lifted it up with my hands and examined it.

"I love it, John," I answered.

He pulled me in for a hug and held me for a while. He gently pushed me away and stared me straight in the eye and then leaned in closer. Our lips met as he wrapped his arms around me again.

Just then, Annette was coming up to go home and saw us in the hallway. She was just about to open her door when she called out,"you have your own bedroom, so use it!"

We both laughed as we watched her walk inside.

"So, would you like to come in?" I asked.

"I would be delighted," he answered as he wrapped his arm around my waist and walked inside, closing the door behind him.