Skinny Boy ✔

Chapter 21: first date

We went on a date during the week. We both wanted to go as soon as possible, and figured the less traffic, the better. 

Coffee didn't sound like a bad option to either of us, so we settled on that. The problem, however, was that I was a broke-ass thief who blew all his money on protein shakes and dietary supplements. After my little shopping spree, I only had 9 dollars left over after, and that wasn't enough to take her to some hip, cool cafe. 

But we managed. And by managed, I mean we got McCafe. I was red as a tomato explaining to her that I was on a tight budget, and grew hotter when she offered to pay if needed. I'm just glad we were walking, and I didn't have to look her in the eye when explaining the situation. 

"No, I can pay! I just can't go somewhere..." 

"Fancy?" she offered, reading my thoughts. I didn't want to put it that way, afraid I'd come off shallow by saying that five dollar coffees were too fancy for my wallet. I think she got what I meant, and nodded. "Nathan, it's okay, really," she said, reading the panic on my face. "You're sixteen, right? I wasn't expecting you to have a bunch of money." 

I didn't know what else to do, so I let out an uncomfortable laugh. 

She either didn't notice or didn't care about how nervous I was. Or maybe she thought I was flushed and sweaty because of how hot it was that day. 

We carried on with the conversation, starting off with the dreaded small-talk. Eventually, I got around to the question that had been on my mind since we first met. "How do you know Sandy and Henry?" 

"Oh, you know Sandy," she shrugged, that subtle smile never leaving her lips. "It doesn't matter who you are, where you're from, or how good you are at making friends, she'll make you her friend." 

I laughed, knowing how accurate that was. I had my own experience with Sandra's friend-making skill several years ago, and it was perfectly summed up by her words. 

"We moved in next door to them, and my little brother became friends with hers." Which one? They have, like, half a dozen kids in that family. "So when my mom had me go bring him back home, Sandy answered the door, and yeah, we just kinda hit it off from there." 

"That's Sandy for you. I swear, she'd befriend Ted Bundy if given the chance." 

She let out a full-body laugh, bumping her shoulder against me as we walked. Not that I was complaining, though. Just that little nudge brought a light feeling into my chest. Not like the light, wispy feeling I felt when thinking about my thin frame, but one that brought with it a sort of thrill. Looking back on it, I now realize that it was the first physical contact we'd ever had. Now it's no wonder a light touch made me giggle like a school girl.

We walked in silence for a few moments, smiles stuck on our faces.

I felt like I should say something, so I did. "I'm really glad you agreed to go on a date with me."

Too straightforward! I shouldn't have said that!

"Me too," she smiled. Instantly, all my fears fizzled away, and the nervous jitters were replaced with butterflies in my stomach.

For the rest of the walk from her house to the nearest McDonald's, we talked and talked about all sorts of things. Whether it was what our favorite movies are or where her family moved from, or what we wanted to do for a career or what our favorite thing to do was, we talked about it. 

As the sun began beating down harder, we decided to reroute our course, and ended up at a park that was along the way. We sat beneath a canopy of leaves, gold peaking through the branches here and there, but shielding us from the heat for the most part. The pungent smell of chlorine came from the splash pad close by, where kids squealed as buckets of water soaked them. 

I was a little jealous that there were so many people who found it such an easy task to take their shirts off and go have fun, and I didn't get to be one of them. Why couldn't I take my shirt off on a day like this without being overwhelmed with anxiety? It wasn't fair. But it gave me a little more empathy for girls who couldn't do that in public even if they had more guts than me. 

"What are you thinking about?" 

I turned my eyes to meet those awe-filled brown ones next to me. She was still wearing her signature resting smile. "Nothing," I shrugged. 

"Oh, come on!" she said, turning her head to the side. "Everyone always says that! You weren't actually thinking of nothing, so spill it." 

I shrugged again. "Nothing special, just thinking about how hot it is out here." I flicked a bead of sweat from my brow. Scratching my neck, I felt my skin hot to the touch. "I wish I'd thought about how hot it would be," I thought aloud. 

"Not a sun person?" she asked. 

"No, I like the sunshine," I said, "just not when it's burning my skin." 

I really should have checked the weather. Why didn't I do that? She probably thinks I'm a loser for not having a car to drive. Who am I kidding? I only have my permit, I couldn't drive her anywhere even if I have a car to drive. 

Dangit, I'm leaving her in silence again, aren't I? What am I supposed to say? Think, Nathan, think! 

I winced, the taste of blood dripping into my mouth. 

Chelsea noticed my flinching, and asked "What's wrong?" 

"I bit my cheek too hard," I said, rolling my tongue against the sore spot and making myself wince again. I waved off her concern, assuring her that I was fine. 

I need to stop doing that. I should really say something now, shouldn't I? 

"Sorry that things didn't go as planned," I finally said. "I should have thought about the heat ahead of time. Sorry about that." 

She frowned. "You worry a lot, don't you?" 

I shrugged once again, but I think the blush on my cheek was answer enough for her. "Sometimes, I guess." All the time, yes. 

To my relief, her frown turned into a smile. "I'm having a good time, actually. You don't have to worry...I like simple things." She lie back onto the grass, her hair and fingers tangling into the green blades beneath her. I stared, and continued to stare until she tilted her head up to get a better look at me. "Lay down," she said, patting the ground beside her. 

Wordlessly, I obeyed, stretching my limbs out stiffly beside her. I wasn't sure what she was up to, but I didn't question it. 

She pointed her finger to a cloud in the distance. "See that cloud right there? What do you think it looks like?" Now I realized what she was doing, and now her words made so much more sense. I like simple things. "I think it looks like a lizard on a go-cart." 

I squinted, smiling when I saw the go-cart-riding lizard in the white puff. "Oh yeah...it kinda does." 

"How about that one over there?" she said, pointing to another patch of clouds. 

We stayed there for a while, enjoying each other's company more than any coffee or air conditioned establishment (though I wouldn't have been opposed to that also). At some point in our cloud watching and occasional chatter, my hand somehow found itself inside of her. No overthinking it when I placed it there, no endless worrying about how she would react. I didn't need to do that anymore. 

I felt comfortable around her. Sure, maybe I still experienced that lightheaded, nauseous feeling of having butterflies in my stomach, but I wasn't uncomfortable. She made it clear to me that I didn't have to worry, and from there-on-out, I didn't. 

She made me feel at peace...or at least a little bit. She made me feel almost normal, something I hadn't felt in a long time. 

~

Hey guys, thanks for reading. It's hard to believe that this book almost has 500 reads now. Not to mention all those votes. I really appreciate all the voting and commenting you guys do. 

Fun fact: I was drinking McCafe when writing part of this chapter. I bet that's hard to believe, huh? 

Thoughts on the chapter? Any constructive criticism? It's truly appreciated! 

Next chapter should be out next week. Any guesses for what will happen then? Stay tuned.