Requisites Of Life

Chapter 19

Cooper

Girlfriend. What an interesting term. I wonder who coined it? If it were up to me, I might have given it a more meaningful, deserving title than someone of the opposite sex who happens to be a special friend. 

I cringed at the thoughts passing through my mind.

Oh no, I'm starting to think like a hopeless-romantic school girl!

Part of me wanted to say screw it! and embrace this bizzhare, gushy part of me. But, luckily, the still-sensible part of my mind that wasn't completely overcome with glee was strong enough to keep me from writing a series of love poems.

But could you really blame a guy for being so overcome with limerence? Amelia is my girlfriend! 

It was something that my head still struggled to wrap itself around that night. My thoughts orbited around the mere reality that I am dating Amelia Rose Ingridson. Within those thoughts, however, something occurred to me: my mom doesn't know. 

The thought of telling her and facing her teasing and over-excitedness was enough to tie a knot in my stomach. It's not that I was ashamed of dating Amelia--far from it, actually. But I knew that she would give a look I was dreading that would make the relationship feel awkward. Yet at the same time, I wanted to shout to the world that we were in love. Or, at least together. 

It seemed impossible to go to sleep that night with so much glee swirling through my head. If it could be portrayed in a tangible way, I'd imagine it's look just like the snowflakes spiraling to the ground outside, kept separate from me by only a wall and a slim slice of glass to see through. 

In hopes of occupying myself until I grew tired, I unplugged my phone from the nightstand, scrolling through my contacts until I found the most recently added one. Dad: connected again :). He had sent me his number shortly after we started talking, telling me that he hoped we could get back in contact again. I was more than eager to accept the offer, and programmed his number into my phone. 

I wasn't sure what to program his name as when I first registered the number. It felt odd to call someone a name so endearing after being estranged for so long. How could you easily call someone dad when neither of you had make any sort of contact with one another for over a decade? But by the same token, he's my dad. I didn't want to call him a stranger or call him my estranged father. So giving him the title of a dad that I was reconnected with seemed like a fair and nice middle ground. 

Me: hi. 

Me: this is cooper btw 

I turned the screen off and relaxed back onto my pillow, placing the phone on my chest and my arms behind my head, and nestled into the comforter as I prepared for the wait. 

And then it hit me: it's past 10:45 at night on a weekday. He probably wouldn't be responding until the morning. With a sigh, I plugged the phone back in, tucked my feet back under the covers, and reached for the lamp light. Right as my thumb left the button, I heard a buzz. Within second, I reversed the actions, turning the light back on, pushing the blankets down a little (but still taking care enough to cover my feet from the cold), and unplugged my phone from the charger. 

I turned on the screen to reveal none other than another infrequent YouTube notification. But right before I could turn the screen off and give in for the night, it buzzed again in my hand. This time, it was actually the awaited response.

Dad: connected again :): Hey bud, glad to hear from you. You're up kinda late for a school night, don't you think?

It would be a complete and utter lie if I said that message didn't mean much. It was a simple question, really. But to me, it was like hearing words of fatherly concern from my father. Something I hadn't heard or read in far too long. 

Me: yeah. but i usually cant get to sleep for a few hrs.

Dad: connected again :): Ah, that's too bad.

Dad: connected again :): So I'm supposed to be passing through Hillsburg later this month for business. Would you be interested in meeting up if I stopped there for a coffee or lunch? 

Right as his next message came in assuring me that I didn't have to if I didn't feel comfortable doing so, I pressed send on my message. Yes. How could I say no to such an opportunity? 

He messaged me the exact day he was supposed to be passing through town, and what time range he predicted he might be here by, and for the rest of our conversation, we worked out the details of what sounded like a nice place to meet up at. I didn't forget to ask if I could bring a friend, of course. A girlfriend, to be more specific. 

Yes, it sounds like an exciting thing to look forward to, but it still seemed a little scary. Intimidating. Unnerving. So to put the panicking part of my head to rest, I assured it with the fact that Amelia would be there to provide emotional support through it all. 

After all, what are boyfriends and girlfriends for? 

----------------------

So yeah, late again. Are you really surprised at this point? 

Thoughts on the chapter?

Do you think Amelia will go with him to meet his dad? 

What do you think will happen when they meet up? 

Also, happy late birthday, Lex. You and the support for my works mean more to me than you could ever know. 

Love ya <3