A Blind Date

The waiter can't save me

Apparently, guys don't like it when you blindfold them on a blind date.

I was just trying to protect his eyes.

My heart fluttered at the sight of him across the table. He was a beautiful masterpiece that descended from Heaven. He looked like he could be a model. His cocoa brown hair flipped over to one side and his golden skin glowed. He was wearing a button up shirt, with his sleeves rolled up. Dark jeans complimented his shirt.

And I... was a moose in comparison.

"I'm sorry," He grasped at his blindfold, "But why did Aiden make me wear this?"

Aiden was a good friend for complying with my request. He was Parker's roommate, but my best friend. He didn't like to see me alone on Valentine's Day every year, so he finally set me up on a date.

"Um... I'd leave that on." I respond cautiously. He lowers his fingers with a sigh.

If Parker knew that he was on a date with his roommate's best friend, I'd never be able to walk out of my dorm room again. I can't believe Aiden set me up with someone way out of my league. How am I supposed to show my face around their dorm again?

"You're a hideous witch, aren't you?" He slid his hands around on the table searching for his soda.

"Crap, you guessed it." I joked as I put his drink between his hands.

He chuckled, "Are we talking wicked witch of the North or West?" The straw poked at his lips before he got to take a sip.

I picked up my own glass and drank, "Well you're blindfolded. Use your imagination."

He set his glass down with a loud thud, "Why are girls so self conscious these days? Do you really think you're ugly enough to make your date wear a blindfold?" His words were bitter but his voice sounded so comforting. It's an odd combination.

"No- no," I stuttered out, "I mean, yes, I'm not that attractive but-"

"Okay, I see your point in all of this. You want to have a date based on personality and common interests." He folded his hands together.

"Right." I stammered out.

He pursed his lips together, "Then are you wearing a blindfold too?" In my silence, he laughs. "I didn't think so. Anyways, tell me about yourself."

I felt a lump forming in my throat. It was a matter of minutes before I ran out of the restaurant.

"Well, I go to the university down the street."

Parker nodded his head, "Right. Aiden told me that much," I look down shyly. "Come on, dig deep."

"I'm about as deep as a kiddie pool." I murmured.

Parker scoffed, "I doubt that. Tell me what your major is."

"English. What's yours?"

He smiles, almost lighting up the entire restaurant. "We'll get to that later. Tell me, what do you hope to accomplish with an English degree?"

Most people ask me that condescendingly. He asked like he was asking a heartfelt question. Was he sincere?

"Well, I, um... It's stupid."

He continued to wear a goofy grin, "I'm sure it's not stupid."

I closed my eyes, and before I knew it, I spilled my biggest dream to a guy I barely know.

"I want to be a published author."

His smile didn't falter, "That's amazing," I rolled my eyes. Yeah, yeah, the follow your hopes and dreams spill. "I actually got you to talk about yourself!" I was taken back by his response.

I sat up straighter, "Well, it's kind of far fetched. I don't think it'll happen."

Parker sighed, "You have to have a little faith in yourself."

I leaned down on the table with my arms crossed. "I'm just being realistic."

He laughed at me, sitting back in his hard chair and putting his hands behind his head. "Realistic is overrated. You have to push yourself, but dreams can come true."

I saw the waiter approaching from another table. I felt hope for a split second that this conversation would come to an end. My goal was to stay for the entirety of this date, but not if Parker kept asking all of these questions.

Our waiter dropped his tray and drinks spilled all over the floor. As much as I felt bad for him, I felt my hope extinguish as I realized he wasn't going to be able to save me. Selfish, I know.

"I mean," Parker sat up straight in his chair again. "What's the point of doing anything in life if you don't enjoy it? Follow your dreams, take risks, make mistakes. Just have enough faith in yourself to pick yourself back up. That's how you'll make it in life."

I'm touched, really. I've made a terrible mistake by blindfolding Parker. Now he thinks I'm a coward who lacks self confidence. Well, I am, so he's not wrong.

"I just wish I could start this date over."

Oh my word. I said that out loud.

"Why? You've already made this date more memorable than any others." He ran his hands across the table in search of the bread basket. I slid it closer to him.

"Memorable doesn't mean good." I retorted, taking my own piece of bread.

He smirked, "Other than the fact that I'm blindfolded, this date is perfect."

"Sorry about that." I shrugged.

"I'm just a little upset that you can see what I look like. I'm a hideous beast."

I laughed, "Far from it!"

He smiled, setting down his bread on a napkin. "I'm just so ugly. I can't believe my friend would even agree to set me up on a date with someone."

"Are you serious?" I asked in disbelief, "You're definitely not ugly."

Okay, so I'm bad at compliments. Was I really going to say 'you're a freaking model, shut up'? Actually, I would love to get that as a compliment.

"It's annoying, isn't it?" Parker asked.

"What?" I replied curiously.

"That people can't see their own beauty."

I pursed my lips, accepting my defeat. That's when I decided not to go near Aiden's and Parker's dorm anymore.

I took a sip of my drink, "You still can't take the blindfold off."