You Don't Know..What you Don't Know

Chapter Twenty-Four: Spring- Freshmen Year

By March, my knee is much stronger. My thighs are well toned. Randy and I write about once a week. We are getting in some deep conversations. He is much more open on paper. My depression eases a lot over those  two months. My Boys and the letters help me to see I don't need a guy to make me whole.

I drag Jake and Gary shopping with me by pulling the pity card. They bitch the whole time. When they whistle, I buy the outfit. I realize they are my best friends. There would be no surviving without them.

School is buzzing about the Sadie Hawkins dance. This is a dance where the girls ask the boys out and pay for the night. Jake and Gary assume I am taking them. I am holding out for a real date. True, I am not making an effort to meet anyone. I still have a week before crunch time. My appearance is almost back to normal. Today's outfit is a white jean skirt, a pink shirt and pink sparkly converse. My hair is in a high ponytail and my makeup is dialed down to natural. I'm not totally to the new me but I will take an A for effort. The Boys are walking me to class per our usual routine. They are discussing what I will feed them the night of the dance.

"Keep in mind dorks. I might still find a date." I eye them.

Gary shoots me a smile, "We have no doubt you could, my Princess. We doubt you would."

"You don't believe I'm back do you. Fine, the next boy that walks out the door without a girlfriend, I will ask." Stupid, I know but these two push my limits.  They are testing me. My depression scared them. It scared me too.

We are staring at the door when the bell rings.  Everybody is going in. No guy is coming out. We all laugh. "Figures. I'm going to class. I'll see you at lunch." Pushing the door open, I run into someone. He is tall and tan. Black curls hang on his forehead. His eyes are a rich chocolate brown. He is wearing a green striped polo and khakis. I think to myself not your normal type. What the hell.

"I am so sorry. I wasn't paying attention. Did I mess up your paper?" I offer a shy smile.

His voice is rich, "No not at all. I am hurrying too."

Ok Tia, crunch time. "Let me make it up to you. I don't know your name or anything.  I'm willing to take a risk you are not a serial killer. Of course you would be taking the same risk since you don't know me either. I would like to take you to the Sadie Hawkins dance." Please don't have a girlfriend that's going to kick my ass. I offer to the heavens.

The boy chuckles, "If serial killers look like you then count me in. I'm Mackie. I got here today and the paper you tore is my schedule."

"Mackie, I'm Tia. I need to get to class now. If you want to say yes, come find me at lunch." I tell him as I walk backwards. "Hint. I eat in the 3rd building somewhere outside."  Mackie nods as I make it to my classroom.

Later at lunch, the Boys are asking a lot of questions. They don't like I actually asked a total stranger. I remind them lunch is almost over and he hasn't found me. Well at least, I made an effort. I walk away from my table to put my tray up and spot Mackie sitting with a group of people I don't recognize. Well at least he made some friends. He spots me and walks across the quad.

"Tia right?  I didn't want to interrupt you and your boyfriend at lunch. I did find you." Mackie says as he throws his debris in a trash can.

Dang, I forgot how me and the Boys appear to someone who doesn't know us.  "No no.. They are my best friends. No romantic connections at all. So you found me huh. Is it a yes then?"

"I would be crazy to say no. I decided I'm not crazy." He grants me a mega watt smile.  We exchange numbers as the bell rings. Strutting back to the Boys, I take a bow. They shake their heads not at all amused.