Let's Be Awkward Together

Prologue #2: Elijah

May 23rd

Elijah stared at the mirror in the reflection of himself. He wore khaki shorts and jean collared shirt with white shoes. He kept wondering what Vivian would like and wouldn't like. He touched his hair to see if he had too much gel on. He smelled his breath, and decided to brush his teeth again.

Today they were going on a date. Elijah planned to visit one of his favorite pastry cafes, then to maybe go wherever Vivian wanted to.

Ah, just so you know, Vivian is Elijah's unworthy girlfriend. She is a Junior. She asked out Elijah last Spring break during his freshman year. She has never been a good girlfriend, or a person in general. You'll see.

Though Vivian didn't notice, Elijah was constantly, persistently trying to make her happy. Whether it was the clothes he wore or the things he bought, he wanted her to be happy. If she didn't seem to know, he'd try to impress her by doing the silliest of things. It was all because he wanted her happy.

She, however, didn't do the same.

Elijah looked in the mirror, anxious. He noticed his moody, serious, and almost scary look. Like he was going to beat someone up.

Just remember to smile.

He felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. He took it out, only to see that Vivian was calling. He frantically pressed the answer button, which resulted in him dropping the phone. He picked it back up, almost dropping it again.

"Elijah?" Vivian asked, sounding agitated. ". . .Yooouu there? What just happened."

"Hey, sorry. I dropped my phone."

"Oh. Okay."

"Yeah . . . "

"Anyways, you ready yet? I've been here for the last, what, fifteen minutes?"

"Where? Your house or the cafe?"

"My house, where else?"

"Okay." He said, trying to crack a smile - a grin - something to make him sound happy about hearing her voice.

He just couldn't.

"Okay." She said.

"Ah . . . Hey - may I ask you something . . . ?"

"Uh - yeah. Go on."

"Y-You - um . . ."

He wanted to say it. So desperately he wanted the words to come out of his mouth.

Why do you treat me like this?

"Nothing. Bye. Love you."

"Okay? Bye."

Elijah fell back onto his soft bed, lied back and stared at his phone a bit longer, at Vivian's contact picture.

. . .

Should I go?

. . .

I sort of have no choice.

He got up from his bed and put his phone in his pocket. He walked out of his room reluctantly.

"Mom? I'm leaving now."

"Huuuh!?" His practically half deaf mother, who was washing dishes, shouted from the kitchen. "Okay!"

You didn't even hear me!