Head Over Heels

Part 4 | Playing Footsie

Sitting at her desk longer than 30 minutes, in quiet, was an abnormality in Angie's position. It was nearing 2:00pm, and Ms. Morris had not called for her since lunch. All she could do was sigh with relief as she nibbled on some saltines alongside a cup of yogurt – the only things lying around in the break room without someone else's name on it. Although Angie appreciated the ability to relax and play some games of solitaire on her computer during these long meetings, she also had to deal with her habitual lack of food. It happened on meetings days - she'll get so caught up in making sure that Ms. Morris has everything in order that Angie inevitably forgets to pack herself something decent. If she was busy all day, she could forget about her hunger pangs. But, sitting at the desk with nothing to do but hear her stomach growl was another issue.

The smell of miscellaneous lunches still lingered in the air. As much as she would have loved to run across the street to get a bagel or muffin from the coffee shop, she knew she had tempted fate enough for one day. As soon as she exited the door, she could almost bet that Morris would be calling for her.

She tried to take comfort in the fact that her feet were not hurting for once. It was them, after all, why she had squandered her lunch time for a pair of comfort. Angie imagined coming to work every day in comfortable, but professional, flats. She was so proud of allowing herself to feel comfortable, despite what other people thought. Maybe she could always be this brave and just choose comfort over style from now.

Filled with excitement at the thought of having this revelation, Angie started to get goose bumps at the thought of it. Maybe she could have a whole new philosophy and policy in wearing shoes.

She started planning which shoe stores she should be hitting up for more comfortable work shoes, until her stomach began grumbling again.

The gurgling and burning could only be ignored for so long. Oh well. On the bright side, her empty stomach just gave her that much more to look forward to for tonight's dinner.

Daydreaming about flirting with Neil over a delectable meal, Angie sifted through her closet at home, imagining what she should wear for her date. A dress or a skirt? She did have that new fern green dress that had a casual, but made-up look that would allow her to feel comfortable and confident sitting across from those big green eyes. Her chocolate heels with leaflet straps would go nicely...

Her self-admiration did not last long as she started to think of her upcoming date. Neil was just over six feet tall, and he had never seen her in flats before.

Angie straightened in her chair at the thought of her heels. Ugh! She had just liberated herself from those things, but she could not imagine herself going on a date with tall Neil, staring into his chest instead of his eyes. They would always carry on their conversation with Angie raising her head just slightly at the downward tilt of his chin. Without her heels, looking straight in the eyes would be impossible.

She tried reasoning with herself; thinking how silly it was to worry over height. But, she couldn't stop herself from thinking of all the little conversations she would have with Neil in the break room, standing at the counter, near the water cooler... Neil has been looking at Angie with two-inch heels for the past three years. How could she change things now?

Angie's deep-rooted feelings of insecurity started to sprout leaves. All the questions she used to ask herself growing up were chanting in her head again.

What if Neil didn't like girls who made him crouch in for a kiss? What if Neil was suddenly thrown off by looking down at the top of her head?

And how was Angie going to feel when she craned her neck back like a baby bird being fed by its mother, just to look up at her date? How was she supposed to exude confidence, feeling like a little kid next to a giant?

Having so many pros for switching back to heels are what created images of Angie making another emergency dash to her apartment and back to swap shoes again. This was a date, after all, and she wanted to look her best and wearing flats was not exactly Angie's idea of appearing sexy.

Rubbing her heel with her fingertips as she imagined a romantic night of flirtatious smiles and batting eyelashes to a man who was worth ignoring her meal, Angie did not hear the footsteps coming alongside her desk.

"Hey, Ange!" His smile sparkled with his big white teeth.

"Oh hey, Neil!" Angie jumped out of her imagination and back to reality.

Angie swiveled in her desk chair slightly, reaching down her calf to give her tender heel a little rub, she realized how unrealistic her idea was.