Chasing Shadows

08 Missed Signals

A L E C 

Contrary to what some might have believed, I had in fact been on a date before. Once. It had been in my Junior year of high school, during the winter when Reagan had gone on vacation. I didn't know why, but I felt weird about telling her about it at the time. So I never had. One date, no kiss, not even hand-holding, it was an awkward dinner with a girl who had graduated already. It didn't even seem worth commenting on.

Despite having this incredible amount of experience, I was still nervous as all hell on the day of my date with Ella Pruitt. She hadn't talked to me much during the week, so I wasn't sure what things would be like between us. I was anxious that morning when I woke up and grew even more so as the day went on.

"So, you're really going on a date with Ella Pruitt?" Helen asked, sitting cross-legged on my bed as I fixed my hair in the mirror.

Today was one of those days when it wasn't doing anything I wanted it to. No matter how much I brushed it, combed it, and saturated it with product, it had a mind of its own. I almost wanted to take a pair of clippers to it. I scowled at it on the mirror hoping to scare it into place.

"Yeah, and?" I asked, frowning in the mirror. "She's really nice."

"And really rich," Helen said pointedly. "Are you sure that's the kind of person you want to go out with?"

"What are you talking about? Just because she's rich, it doesn't mean she's a bad person."

"No, but..." Helen's nose scrunched up in distaste. "I don't know, she just doesn't seem right for you."

"Have you ever even had a conversation with her?" I asked dryly. I looked down at my shirt. It was a black button-up. I wondered if I should put on a tie. Were ties a liability when ice skating? Was I signing my death warrant by wearing one in that ice circle of pain?

"No, but..." She repeated, then sighed. "I just don't get you."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"You and Reagan." Helen scoffed and tossed her hair. "You guys are like the two most oblivious, stubborn people I've ever met in my entire life. Also, put that tie down. You're going way too formal. You'll look stupid ice skating in a tie."

"Thanks." I threw the tie I had been holding up onto the bed beside her. "And what are you talking about? I've told you a million times, Reagan and I are just friends. I literally don't feel anything for her other than friendship."

"Dude, even Mom and Dad know that you guys are in love with each other. You guys are just scared."

"Scared of what?" The thought bewildered me. When I thought about Reagan, the last thing that came to mind was fear. I was comfortable around her.

"Scared of being in love. At least, that's what I think," she said smugly, shrugging her shoulders. I rolled my eyes.

"You read too many romance novels, man."

"Hey, I'm just saying." Helen put her hands in the air as though she was trying to exonerate herself from something. "I've been friends with both of you guys for a long time, and I'm a pretty good judge of people. Plus, it isn't just me."

"Well, newsflash, genius, but Reagan was the one who set me up with Ella, so."

"Yeah, because she's stubborn. And scared." Helen replied pointedly. But then, she waved her hand in the air dismissively. "Look, you guys do what you want. But when this all blows up in your faces, don't come crying to me. I don't want to be stuck in the middle."

I rolled my eyes again. "Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence, there, Hel. That's just what I need right before I go out on a date."

"Hey man, I just speak the truth." She shrugged, before standing up and cracking her back. "What time are you going to be back?"