Just Another Lie, Right? [Kleinsen]

•35•

I finished my last bit of homework and looked over at the clock. 4:38. It still wasn't even close to six, but I was still freaking out.

It was Friday, and I still had no idea what Evan and I were going to go on our date.

I'm usually pretty good at winging things. As they say, going with the flow and all. But this was Evan. And a gosh darn date.

There's a part of me that wished I never asked Evan out, especially considering the circumstances. He's probably still reeling from everything that happened on Saturday with the Murphys. Actually, let me rephrase that. He's probably still reeling from everything that happened with the Murphys. Was this really the best time to take him out?

Maybe not, but he said it himself on Monday. He was happy. That's all I really want from him, right?

Ha. No.

But for the time being, sure. I want him to be happy.

Now that my homework was done, I had no suitable way of distracting myself. I still had 80 minutes to wait until I had to get in my car and drive to Evan's, hopefully with an idea of what to do on our date.

My phone rang, and my immediate thought was, "Oh boy another distraction!", but then I looked at the caller ID.

I took a deep breath and, "Hey Evan."

"Hey." He said, trying to keep his cool, just like me. Both of us were obviously nervous. "M-my mom wants t-to know w-when we'll be back t-tonight..." He mumbled.

I bit my lip as I tried to quickly calculate everything I had planned for our date. Oh, wait. I planned nothing. I had 0 idea when we were gonna be back.

How long even are dates? Isn't there like a set timeline I have to follow or something?

Timeline.

"Hold on, Evan, I'm getting another call." I said. Decoys! We love 'em!

Somehow I could hear him nod on the other end. I put him on hold, and dialed Alana's number.

"Jared?" She asked when she first picked up, skeptical.

"Look, don't look too into it." I started, not wanting her to get on my case about Evan, "But how are dates supposed to go?"

"OOOOOH!" She chirped, "You planning a date, Jared?"

"Uh.. kinda?"

"Oh, you're so totally planning a date." Alana said, and I could almost imagine her running up to her room to grab a planner.

"Can you hurry up, here?" I said impatiently, "I don't have all day."

I heard Alana's footsteps stop, "We don't?"

I swallowed. I had a feeling I was about to get a lecture about "timely planning."

"No. I'm leaving in like..." I looked at the clock, "45 minutes."

"Jesus Christ, Jared!" She said, "You're supposed to plan the date before you go on it. Actually, typically it's planned at least somewhat before anyone's ever asked!"

"Well, I'm sorry!" I spat, slightly irritated. I inhaled before saying, "Look. I'm picking him up at six-"

"So it's Evan. Nice." She interrupted.

I ignored her, "And I just need to know what to do, and how long we'll be doing it. Like, a timeline."

Alana was silent for a minute before, "I think you should decide that, Jared. It is your date after all."