Drowning

Stay Afloat

         I hate days that pass so slowly I can't even find escape in watching out the window. The fact that I have a clear view of the crystal blue waters of Lake Michigan and, at any point in time, can simply slide open the barrier between myself and the wonderful world of freshwater air, prove that even my bad days have good moments. Well, today I have proven my own theory wrong and am sitting alone in my room, glaring at the world I so wish to be a part of right now.

School appears to be taking any and every opportunity it can to bombard me with work. Label this medical chart, highlight these diseases, don't forget that every mitochondria is blue-wait no, that's wrong. See? I can't even think straight, let alone produce four-point-oh worthy work at this point in my life. "Wow, Grace," I rebuked myself aloud, "Get it together."

I sigh and walk towards the window, shoving open the glass and sitting on the edge. This apartment has proven to be worth the money since the day I put my name down on the lease. Maggie and I are possibly the best house hunters in the state of Michigan.

I had just started to drift off when my phone rang from my bed. Groaning, I got up and shuffled over to retrieve it. An unknown number appeared and I almost tapped the little red button that would solve the entire problem of a civil conversation when I could barely keep my eyes open. Instead, I swiped left to right and held the speaker up to my ear; maybe I'll get lucky and it will be another mindless solicitor. Yet again, I was wrong for the umpteenth time today as a low voice spoke into the receiver on the other end: "Hey Grace," Emmett spoke humorously, almost as if he knew I wasn't going to be in a pleasant mood when he called.

"Hello Emmett. Have you decided on a day yet?" I got straight to the point. There was no reason for putting off this date I had subjected myself to. "How does Friday sound?" He asked me. I glanced at the calendar and responded, "Sure", almost as fast. Of course the pages were blank, I didn't have time for plans, only studying, which wasn't going very well for me this week.

It was Wednesday today, and Emmett had wasted no time calling me only four days since the night at the pier. At least he waited through the three day rule, I thought. "I'll pick you up at seven, where do you live?" I responded and the conversation was over. I hung up and returned to staring out the window.

The next two days flew by, much to my annoyance, since the only thing I had to do at the end of the week was the date with Emmett. I never even asked what we were doing, but I assumed he would be cliché and take me to dinner.

After searching my closet a few minutes I chose a simple sun dress. Although it was cooling down, this particular dress was longer than most and had sleeves, meaning I wouldn't have to carry around a cardigan the whole night. Casually throwing on heels and waiting in the living room for the doorbell, I turned on the television and scanned the channels.

Elections were coming up, and our current Senator was promoting a few other men. Funny, I thought, I assumed that by now I would've seen Mark's name on the screen. I guess politics took longer to conquer than I assumed.

A knock on the door caused me to quickly shut off the screen. I wasn't nervous, per say, only trying to keep up appearances and attempt to enjoy the night. "You have your stuff?" Maggie asked, looking at the black clutch in hand. "Needles and all," I replied sarcastically. Of course I had my kit, who does this woman think she is? "Just checking, never know what kind of sugar you might run into," she told me, winking. I huffed her way and found myself face to face with light blue eyes as I swung open the door.

"Ready?" He asked me. I looked him up and down and saw that he was dressed decently, and I complimented him well enough that wherever we went, neither of us were too under or overdressed than the other. "Sure," I replied unenthusiastically.