Through Amber Eyes

Mind-Reader- Eleanor

I'd been texting this guy for about a week now, and it was so easy to talk to him but the thought of us hanging out again in person... was nerve-wracking.

One of the things I hated most about myself was how hard my social anxiety made everything for me. I was inevitably nervous about every social situation I'd put myself in. And this time was no different.

And it didn't help to know that they were coming here to our apartment to walk us there. Antonio was obviously going to walk with Marisol... so of course, I'd end up alone with the most beautiful man I had ever seen.

*Ding- dong*

"Marisol, how do I look?" I asked sheepishly.

"What, are you kidding? You're wearing that?" She gasped.

"I ... is it too much?" I cringed.

"What?! NO! Nor, you look... hot! It's just not what I had expected you to wear for a first hangout with a guy.." Marisol crossed her arms and winked at me.

And now that I think about it, it's not what I would normally wear. A long sleeve mini dress and black knee-high boots aren't dramatic, but I normally wouldn't be confident enough to be wearing this as an everyday thing.

Marisol opens the front door, and there they are. More notably, there he is.

He stands there, just looking at me as Ant and Marisol ramble away at each other.  His eyes are riddled with so much intensity. His dark brown, wavy hair lay in restless tousles above his ears. I noticed his outfit was relaxed and yet rugged. He wore a lighter colored jean jacket over his broad shoulders, a loose-fitting white t-shirt, and some black skinny jeans with holes in the knees. His fingernails were painted black, an onyx Rolex resting on his wrist.  He was sporting a five' o'clock shadow and those ' i haven't slept in seven years' eyes. He strayed far off the suit and tie; momma's boy beaten path I usually go for... but the man did look delectable.

He still stared directly at me and it felt like it was for hours, and yet I enjoyed that. He had me weak at the knees with just a look. I didn't want it to stop there. His lips parted slightly, grabbing my attention further. Was he going to say my name? Was he going to pay me a compliment? Ugh, Eleanor gross, you sound like a fangirl, play it a little harder to get.

"ELEANOR?!" Ant shouts waving his hand in front of my face.

"Antony knock it off would ya!" I sneered, slapping his hand away. I can already feel my cheeks burning red.

"Can you go twenty minutes without causing a scene?" Marisol flicks Antonio on the back of the head.

"Why are you even dressed like that Ella? Where're the usual sweatpants?" Antonio snickered.

I facepalm with embarrassment, through the cracks of my fingers I see Atticus roll his eyes. Great, he probably thinks I'm twelve the way I'm bickering back and fourth with Antonio.

"Are we ready to leave yet? If everyone is done with the middle-school theatrics, it is ten-thirty already?" He growls.

Alright was the attitude necessary?

Antonio nods, scooping up Marisol and galloping about five feet ahead of us. I sighed and closed the door behind me, walking past Atticus.

Atticus speeds up the pace to catch up to me. As annoyed as I was a few seconds ago, just this mild effort was enough to make me reconsider my mood for the night.

"If it's any consolation, I think you look intoxicating," Atticus says nonchalantly while looking straight forward. 

"Ahaha easy tiger, the nights barely started, and you barely even know me," I added confidently.