Matches

Chapter Five

After we texted and snapped for a few days, Jake and I finally decided to go on a date this weekend. He's so cool; he is a health and wellness and education major at Pace University with the intention of being a gym teacher in the future. When he couldn't afford to ski and hike in Vermont, he played basketball and baseball at his school. His parents are separated and he has two siblings on each side: two younger brothers on his mom's side as well as a younger brother and a younger sister on his dad's side. He lived in a studio apartment where he regularly watched cartoons with his golden labrador, Wallie. He has a tattoo of Spongebob and Patrick behind his left leg as a symbol of his best friend who passed away from depression post-high school graduation. He didn't go into details and I had no intent on opening that Pandora's box unless he's ready. I've expressed my sympathy to him because he almost teared up on video chat on the subject.

Overall, Jake seemed like a steady guy and I can't wait to see him this Saturday. Days could not seem to be a lot slower than usual. My guess is that I've probably craved a date for so long that I just don't know how to function at the moment. I told my group of friends about my Saturday plans and gave each of them his phone number, just in case he's a crazy guy. But so far, my instincts told me that he's just fine.

~❤~

"Hey, what are you doing tonight?" Jess asked one day when she cleaned the counter when there weren't any customers around.

"Um, I don't know. I'm just going on a date." I mumbled as I read a magazine.

Jess gasped, which made me turn my head to see that she dropped her rag on the counter.

"No way!" She exclaimed in disbelief.

I shrugged as my face heated up out of shyness.

"Shut up!" She said as she aggressively grabbed my shoulder.

Once again, I shrugged. Is it so hard to believe that I can win a date? My friends reacted the same way when I told them. They even made me facetime the poor guy to confirm.

Jess squealed as she forced me into an embrace in what I believe to be a 'congratulations' hug.

"Bitch, do you know how long I've been waiting for you to get a date?" She yelled as she got off me. She answered her own question when I remained quiet, "I saw the way your ex treated you at the party, and honestly, you deserve better than that. He's garbage."

"Um, he's my ex," I defended as if that should say anything.

"Exactly and that's why he's garbage. You're too pretty for that." She commented. "Do you mind if I help you get ready?"

"Um, sure, but we're just going to the movies," I responded.

"Doesn't matter. This is your first day in a while. You should look as presentable as possible." Jessica stated.

"Um," I scratched my head. Why does it matter? "Sure."

Jess squealed as she hugged me again and jumped. My face crinkled in exhaustion as a response as she couldn't see me.

"What time is your date?" She asked.

"8:30."

"Oh, that's late." Jess commented, "But that also means we have plenty of time. When our shifts are over, we're going straight to my house and give you a makeover."

"What about my train ride home?" I scrunched my eyebrows.

"Oh, don't worry. I can drop you off." She reassured me.

She's really into this. "Okay."

~❤~

When our shifts ended, we quickly changed out of our uniforms and went exactly to her apartment.