Egyptian Vanity

Metanoia

As we sat in front of the bar, waiting for Donnie's friends to arrive I couldn't help but let myself get excited. I'd never gone out to do something this adventurous before and I was more than ready. Donnie said that his friends were really nice and judge-free which made me feel even better. I tried to not let Logan get into my mind and ruin my good time, even though he gave me permission to go out but that didn't stop me from holding my phone close just in case he called or texted me.

I fiddled with my thumbs, picking at my nails as I patiently waited for his friends to pull into the parking lot. The sky had clouded over and had trickled down some rain. I hoped that the thunder and lightening wouldn't make an appearance or the night would be over before it even started.

"You seem tense," Donnie picked up on my behavior.

I turned in my seat to face him, "Just really excited. I've never gone out to a bar before."

"I hope it doesn't disappoint. We've been coming to this bar every Friday for a few months now. The owners expect us at this point."

"Just the regular alcoholic, aren't you." I teased and nudged him with my elbow.

"I prefer the phrase 'alcohol connoisseur'. Alcoholic makes me sound like a bad guy." We both let out small laughs and let the silence consume us once again. I watch every car that pulls into the parking lot with hopes that it will be his friends but sadly, it hasn't been them yet.

I slump against the window as an incoming call comes through the cars Bluetooth. Donnie hits the accept button and answers.

"Hello? Where are you guys?"

'A woman answers, We got a flat tire just a few blocks away from the bar. Go ahead and get us a spot at the bar, we shouldn't be more than a half hour. Bain is fixing the tire at the moment and isn't doing a very good job,' Her voice raised at the end and you could hear someone curse at her in Arabic in the background. I tried to stifle my laugh with my hand.

"Try not to be too hard on him, Gigi. Anyway, is Seth with you?"

'No, I thought you were picking him up.'

"Gamila, you know you always pick him up."

'Well, we might be more than a half hour. I might've forgotten to pick Seth up.' Before Donnie could sigh she continued, 'Just go get us a spot, we'll be there soon.' With that she ended the call.

"This is a constant for us," Donnie sighed and exited the car. "I swear, it's something new every single day." He grabbed my hand as I rounded the car and pulled me across the street, making sure I didn't get hit by the oncoming traffic. I lifted my hand to shield myself from the rain but it didn't do much. My hair was still damp when we reached the building.

I tried to shake the water out of my hair but to no avail, it was still wet and I knew with the heat in the room it was going to frizz. I let my hand fall to my sides in defeat and looked over to Donnie, who's eyes were locked on mine. I didn't make a move as his hand lifted and grazed my cheek.

"You had some water on your cheek," he justified before huffing and turning around towards the bar. I collected myself before following him towards the stools.

All the decorations around me caught my attention. The place was clearly taken care of by the owners if the shiny tables and clean atmosphere gave any indication. I took my seat next to Donnie and leaned my arms on the table. I grazed my finger over the reflective table top to pass the time. Donnie seemed to lose his good mood in just a split second and I couldn't tell if it was me or if it was the lack of his friends presence.

"Are you okay?" I asked quietly.

"I'm fine," he answered curtly. It caused a lump to form in my throat. This was a side of Donnie that I hadn't seen before. He'd always been a happy go lucky guy all the time I've known him. He's never once been short with me except for now and I had a hard time thinking that it wasn't my fault.