Unexpected

6

             The next day I was tired and groggy, my dreams last night having been centered around a pair of warm chocolate brown eyes. I wasn't exactly complaining that my dreams had taken a turn away from the nightmares that had been plaguing me for the last week, but I was still tired.

Now it was after dinner and I found myself nervously trying to pick out an outfit. I didn't even know why I was even bothering, workout gear was workout gear, none more impressive than the next. I finally settled on a pair of navy leggings and a plain white t-shirt with a circular cut-out in the back. I didn't want to look like I was trying too hard after all. I had to refrain from reaching for my makeup bag, what kind of idiot wore makeup to the gym?

Glancing over at the chrome alarm clock on my bedside table I groaned as it was only 5:27pm; still over an hour until class started. I needed a distraction.

As if the universe sensed that, my phone buzzed on my desk where I'd plugged it in to charge during dinner. I sprang up from my slumped over position on my bed, and unlocked it, seeing a couple Instagram messages from Stacey.

Stace.romeo97: sent a picture

Stace.romeo97: you should be here!

Stace.romeo97: how's boring town?

The picture she'd sent was a selfie she'd snapped of herself in front of their apartment complex's inground pool. It looked gorgeous, the sky sunny and the weather undoubtedly warm. Stacey looked happy too, a big pair of sunglasses perched on the bridge of her nose and a tan already prominent on her fair skin.

I couldn't help but feel a little jealous, still a bit upset my parents hadn't agreed to let me go. Just as quickly as that thought had appeared, it left the moment I was reminded of Josh. In spite of having only spent less than a couple hours in his company and barely knowing him at all, I knew that I wouldn't trade having met him for anything. Not even a vacation in Florida.

Katiebetzing: That looks great Stace! And life is good!

A part of me yearned to tell Stacey about Josh, she was my best friend after all. I could already picture her squeals of delight and the demanding tone she'd use to ask for all the details. Another more selfish part of me wanted to keep it to myself, whatever 'it' was.

Stace.romeo97: How's the ankle?

Katiebetzing: Better!

And it was. Even after yesterday's overuse it was better, and I couldn't have been happier about it. I knew that despite what I'd said yesterday if my ankle had actually been reinjured, I would've missed class, that much was for sure. That would've meant I'd miss seeing Josh too.

I gave my ankle an experimental turn and waited for the shocks of pain I'd grown used to, but thankfully they didn't come. My mind flashed back to Josh holding an icepack to my leg and butterflies erupted in my stomach at the thought.

Stace.romeo97: Awesome! Lay off the runs tho Betzing!

Katiebetzing: Ay ay Captain!

I threw down my phone onto my bed and tried to keep my mind off the fact that I still had—glancing back at my alarm clock— an hour until class and forty minutes until I could reasonably leave for it.

"Katie?" My mom asked after her accompanying knock.

"Yeah?" Turning to face the door which my mom peaked through before fully opening it.