Nineteen

Chapter Fifty-Three

I've been here for a few weeks and I already forgot what life was like before. 

I'm not used to the Florida air, but it feels like home, for some reason.

I'm laying across my bed when I realize something. I need a TV. In order to get a TV, I need a job.

I grab my laptop and begin to search for places hiring in the area. I don't want to work in the food industry, but what else is there for a college student fresh out of high school?

I scroll through endless pages of McDonald's and Walmart ads when one strikes me perfect; an opening at a bookstore.

I love to read and I need money, so I apply.

I close my laptop and lay back down on the bed. It's only Wednesday but it feels like this week has went on forever. 

I doze off to sleep around six o'clock, and I finally get a great night of sleep in Florida.

I wake up and my head is hurting from the loud boom of my alarm clock. It's seven in the morning and my eyes are heavy. I slept for thirteen hours.

I raise up and throw some clothes on, not worrying about my appearance. I only have two classes today.

I lay back down for a few minutes. I should just stay home and complete the assignments online. 

I'm brought back to sanity when I hear the ding of a text from my phone. 

"See you outside your building in ten minutes. I'll walk you to class."

Suddenly I have a desire to fix my hair and put on a little bit of makeup.

He's seen me hundreds of times--some way worse than this. 

I put some loose curls in my hair and rub a little foundation on my face. Not too much, but just enough. I'm sure he won't notice either way.

I grab my bag and walk out the door. Why am I nervous? Or am I excited? 

I have no idea, but it doesn't matter when I see him.

He looks different this morning. He looks more refreshed and like the boy I was accustomed to once in my life.

"Good morning," Link says as he hands me a cold water for the walk as he wears a warm smile.

I smile back. "Hey."

"So, I was wondering what you were doing after your classes today," he says.

I planned on doing nothing but laying in my room, but instead I say: "nothing, why?"

"Do you want to go to a movie on the football field? There is a huge projector and everyone brings blankets and stuff and you lay on the field to watch."

His smile is contagious, as it always has been. He's impossible to reject.

"Yeah, that sounds cool. What do I need to bring?"

"Oh, nothing. I invited you, so I'll take care of it."  He waves me off. "I'll swing by to get you around seven."

I can't help but grin. This is what I wanted for so long, and suddenly it feels silly to remember how heartbroken I was over this same boy.

But he's not the same. He's different now. I'm different, as well. I just can't decide if it's working in our favor or not.