Emily, Please Don't Go Away

Three

 "Girl, what do you mean 'It's been months'? Do you know where you are? This city is crawling with some fine ass guys. Hit up a bar!" I watched as my newfound friend bounced through my apartment. She stopped and turned to face me. "Oh, right. You're not old enough for a bar. Hmm, still... There are all types of places to meet people."

"Sayra, it's fine. I've been doing alright without anyone. I'm not going to risk getting into a shitty relationship just to get laid," I dismissed. She rolled her eyes and began prowling through my small movie collection.

"I'm just saying. You've been here for almost a month. Have you even met anyone?"

"I've met people! I've met you, and I've met my neighbor," I defended. She perked up and faced me. Her eyes were eager to hear more.

"Neighbor, huh? Is it a guy? Is he hot? Have you guys gone out? What's he like?"

"Yes, it's a guy," I laughed. "He's not the worst to look at, and he's pretty chill. He actually helped me pick out the furniture."

"Oohhh... So, have you two gone out?" She asked again.

"Nah," I sighed as I shook my head. "Hell, I haven't even really talked to him since that first week. If I see him at all, it's just polite greetings as we pass in the halls."

"Well, do you like him?" Her persistence was getting annoying.

"I don't know, Say. I barely know the guy! How am I supposed to know whether or not I like him?"

"Okay, okay. Fair enough. Well, what do you know about him?" I took a deep breath and exhaled dramatically.

"His name's Gerard. He's 27, from Jersey. He's into art, likes comics..." I listed all the basic information he had told me. When I looked up, I saw that her expression had changed slightly. It was no longer overly excited. I stared at her for a minute, hoping she'd explain.

"Do you know his last name?" She finally asked.

"Way, I think. That's what the mailbox says." The concern deepened, but after a second, she shook it off and plastered a smile on her face.

"Never mind. We will find you someone," she grinned reassuringly.

* * * * *

Later that night, I returned home from our "hunt" with a pocketful of phone numbers and emails. We came across several douchebags and a few halfway decent guys, but none that were worthy to leave with. While it was a little disappointing that I didn't meet anyone particularly great, I did have to admit that it was fun to dress up and go out. The "hunt" was always more fun when the "prey" was elusive.

As I fumbled with my keys, I heard a door creak open. I looked over in the direction of the sound and saw Gerard peeking out from his apartment. I waved halfheartedly as I finally got my key in the lock.

"Hey," he said just as I had started to go inside. I stopped and took a couple of steps backwards. He had fully opened the door and was now standing just outside the doorway.

"Hey?" He pushed his hair from his eyes as he stared at me.

"So, I was thinking... We should go get some coffee or something." My heart fluttered slightly.

Was he asking me out?

I thought for a minute about how Sayra had reacted when she heard his name.

Maybe she knew something about him that I didn't.

"Ah, you know... School's going to be starting soon, and I'm just not sure that I'll have much time..."

"Just once? I don't feel like we've had the chance to get to know each other very well." He stopped and after a second, he smirked. "Besides, you owe me one, remember?"

"Okay, okay," I giggled. "I feel like I should've been expecting that. Sure, it's a date." I felt my face turn red as I looked down. "Or outing. You know, whatever you want to call it." He laughed quietly.

"I'll take a date. I didn't really want to be too forward, but if you insist..." My embarrassment grew as he joked. "How about tomorrow night? There's a little joint a few blocks away that hosts open mic nights on Thursdays."

"Yeah," I agreed as I tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. "That sounds great." He gave me a small, crooked smile before stepping back into his apartment. I retreated into my own dwelling and immediately pulled out my phone to call Sayra. It only rang twice before she answered.

"Hey, chick. What's up?"

"I have a date." I heard her drop the phone and fumble for a few seconds before picking it back up.

"No way! That's friggin awesome! Who ya going with?"

"My neighbor." She grew quiet.

"The weird emo dude? Why?" I heard the slight concern underneath her overdramatic disapproval.

"When I got home, I bumped into him, and he asked if I wanted to go out tomorrow night."

"And you said yes?"

"Yeah... Why? Should I not have?" The way she was reacting caused some slight panic.

"It's nothing," she sighed. "My brother knew him in college. Always talked about how weird he was. Said he just creeped him out. I don't know. My brother's kind of an asshole, so he could've just not liked him because he wasn't an obnoxious frat boy." She laughed in an attempt to make me feel better, but I could tell she wasn't so sure herself.

"Well, what could one date really hurt? I mean, if it doesn't go well, I'll just tell him that my primary focus is school and leave it at that."

"Yeah," she agreed with uncertainty. "And I mean, who knows? He may be a really cool guy. Either way, good luck. Let me know how it goes."

"I will. Bye." As I hung up, I slid down the wall, smiling to myself.

I have a date with Gerard.