Dear Jamie (on hold)

2 - blue

I wake to the sound of my alarm. Ugh. I reach for my phone, the snooze button being my target, but end up knocking it on the floor.

Just my luck.

I rub my eyes, attempting to pry them open. I consider crawling back under my warm comforter, but then I glance at the date.

October 15th. It's Friday.

That means two things: First, I have a massive Geometry test today. Second, my date with Jamie is tonight. I could make up the test, but if I don't go to school, there's no way my mom is going to let me out of the house, and I've never been the rebellious type so…

With a final groan, I wrench myself off my mattress, hobbling over to the bathroom.

Oh, the perils of being a teenager...

By the time I finally pull into the school parking lot, I'm twenty minutes late. I book it to class, coffee in hand.

Quite honestly, I've never quite liked the taste of coffee, but I've always loved staying up late, so it's a give and take. Plus, it adds to the whole mysterious writer thing that I don't have going on.

See what I did there?

The day goes by in a blur and before I know it, I'm driving home in my brother's old silver Jeep, contemplating how long my nap is going to be. The drive home doesn't take very long and as soon as I pull into the garage, I check the time on the dashboard.

3:15, that gives me about three-and-half hours before I need to leave. Stepping into the house, I am immediately aware of my mother's absence.

"Mom?" I yell.

No response. Weird.

I walk into the kitchen, thinking that perhaps she didn't hear me, and I come across a note on the island.

Went out with a friend, I'll be back after dinner. Love you, Mom.

I guess to any normal teenager this wouldn't be a big deal, but you see, my mother has barely left the house in a year, much less to go out with friends. This is beyond bizarre.

I decide not to be suspicious, after all, I'm just happy that she's taking a day for herself. I write a reply, explaining my whereabouts, on her note before I head upstairs to work on some homework.

A few hours (and a very nice nap, thank you) later, I pull up to 413 Red Stone Court. I can't help but admire it. It's a quaint brick cottage with red shutters. The colorful fall leaves almost obscure a simple stone pathway, leading to the front door. Heck, there's even a birdbath.

I'm unsure whether I'm supposed to go up to the front door, or just wait out here. On one hand, that might mean I would have to meet her parents, and I'm not quite sure I'm ready for that.  On the other hand, I don't want her (or them) to think I'm rude and unsocial. Even if I am unsocial.

Before I come to a conclusion, the front door opens and Jamie steps out.

My eyes widen.

Her long, red hair flows to her shoulders in loose curls. She has on a grey dress, paired with black tights and a sweater. Even in such a simple setting, she looks so pretty.

I huff to sniff my breath one more time and cross my fingers that my cologne isn't too prominent. My mom bought it for me for Christmas last year, but I only wear it on special occasions. I figured this fit under that category.

I jump out of the car to open her door and she smiles at me, climbing in.

"Hi," she says as I slam my door. "So, where are we heading?"