i can't stay mad at you

six

Olivia
By Saturday I was surprisingly anxious for this date with Ethan. I didn't know what to expect. I knew he was nice and sweet, so this really can't go bad right?

The plan was he's going to pick me up around 6:45 and we would go out to this italian place in the city. One thing I knew I would enjoy, is the food. You can't go wrong with Italian food.

It was early Saturday morning and all I could think about was the date I had later. What the hell am I gonna wear? Whatever, I'll worry about this later. After the loudest most obnoxious yawn, I grumble my way out of bed. Saturday's were always chill in my household. Joshua sleeps in til about 1, the twins are quietly watching their morning cartoons in the living room, while Mom is at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee and her phone to keep her occupied.

"Morning," I say to her as I walk to the fridge.

"Morning Liv," My mother is a very stoic person. It's rare to capture her going through just about any emotion. She's very serious and strict about how things are going to go and when. It's annoying at times, but you get used to it. She looks up from her phone towards me, "Any plans today?"

"Yeah, I've actually got a date with this boy Ethan." I say, a little nervous. Sometimes she will just let things like this slide and other times and it become this big ordeal.

"A date huh? That's nice Liv." She returns to her phone.

Thank god...

"Yeah..." I trail off, finally opening the fridge. I grab my glorious almond milk and reach up for the box of Frosted Flakes. There is absolutely nothing in the breakfast world greater than Frosted Flakes. I make my bowl and head towards the living room where the twins are.

"Goodmorning T! Goodmorning Rena!" I say way more eager than I actually feel.

"Goodmorning Livie!" They both say at the same time, but don't look away from the TV. Doc Mcstuffens is on, so I understand.

As I absolutely devour my cereal, I think back to texting Miles yesterday. It took at least two hours for me to gather the courage to text him after receiving his number from Ethan-which also, was embarrassing as hell to ask for. In the end, things didn't turn out too bad and he surprisingly didn't cuss me out for getting his number through someone else.

I look down at my phone to see that it's 10. What the hell am I gonna do with my day until 7.

I scroll through my phone for a couple of minutes before that gets boring. Ugh. What to do, what to do...

Then, an idea strikes me. I pick up my phone, ready to do something bold and possibly stupid.

are you busy rn? we can work on the project?

I stare at the texts for awhile, backspacing and retyping the same line at least five times before I decide to hit send. My heart is beating like crazy. Sending a damn text should never be this nerve wracking. I stare at the screen, waiting and waiting and wait-

Sure, I'll send my address..

Okay I'll admit, I squealed. Why am I so intrigued by this crazy ass boy? Whatever, I'll get over it. I rise from the couch, walking to my room to get ready.

What the hell should I wear? I mean, we will probably just be gathering research and what not, so sweats? Jeans? In the end I realized I'm not trying to impress anyone and throw on my favorite joggers. Unfortunately, my hair will be residing in it's bun. I order the uber to his house, and wave goodbye to my mom and sisters as I head out. I am anxious the entire 7 minute drive there. I really hope this goes well. Maybe we will have a nice conversation about our lives and become the best of friends? Pff, I wish.

His house is normal sized and made of brick. The grass is just about the deadest thing around and the mailbox is dented in several places. Gee, wonder who did that.

As I walk up to the door, I'm met with an anxious feeling. If he's gonna be a jerk, I might as well leave. Why did I even come? There's no way this will end well. I feel stupid for suggesting this, but I knock on the door anyways. I should've been adamant about doing this project elsewhere. What if he tries to kill me? Locks me in his basement, and tortured me with rusty old tools? He already hates me, what if this is his plan? Oh shit. Why why why did I come.

At that moment the door opens, and there in all his glory is Miles Whatever His Last Name Is. His curls are completely untamed and shooting in all different directions. It's almost as if he notices me staring, when he brushes his hair back, only for it to flop back over his forehead.

"Hi." I say. He says nothing and turns away, opening the door wider for me to let myself in.

"This is Olivia." I turn to see he is talking to a women on the couch. She has brown disheveled hair with a couple of gray streaks here and there. She looks...tired and almost sad, but she smiles at me nontheless.

"Hello darling, it's nice to meet you." How can this sweet woman have such an angry child?

"It's nice to meet you too ma'am." Ma'am? Did I really just say ma'am?

Before his mother can reply, I am being dragged towards the steps. When we get to his room, I'm surprised at how simple everything looks. No tv or even any posters on the wall. I badly want to look around and investigate every furniture and crevice, but instead I move from foot to foot in silence.

"It really bothers me that you don't use capital letters when you text." I turn to see Miles sitting on his bed looking at me as if what he just said is such a serious topic.

"Well it bothers me that every little thing annoys you." Wow, I'm bold today.

"Yeah, well I can't help that, you can help being illiterate." He rolls his eyes. He's always rolling his damn eyes.

Curiosity consumes me, "Why can't you help that?"

He looks at me for a while before speaking, "Is it possible for you to mind your business long enough for us to do this project?" What an asshole. I expected nothing less from him though. At least he's consistent.

"Whatever." I try to act nonchalant, but I was really hoping to have some sort of conversation with him. There's no way he's this closed off.

I kind of stand awkwardly by the door, too nervous to take the step towards his bed.

"So what disease did you have in mind?" I ask. For the class, Anatomy, each pair or partners was to do hefty research on a rare disease and create a powerpoint presentation all about the disease. It was easy enough.

"I haven't really thought about it, you?"

"Well last year I read this really good book about this woman who had this rare form of encephalitis, and I don't know it seemed pretty interesting."

"What book?"

"It's called Brain On Fire."

"Yeah, we can do it on that I guess." Wow, we actually agreed on something in a civilized manner.

"Where are you and Ethan going later?"

The question surprises me and also frustrates me. "Oh, so you can be nosy but I can't?"

He laughs. Actually laughs, and the anger wipes right out of me. "Touché." He smiles. Wow. I just made Miles smile, and for some reason my mood is brighter for the rest of the day.