“Jesus!” I shrieked when I went to move, but Sebastian was standing right in front of me.
He reached out with his empty hands and steadied me. My eyes shot right through him. How could he? But I suppose I should have known that as soon as he was out of sight from anyone else, he would have cheated.
“May I?” He asked holding his hands out for my box.
“How do you expect to get any exercise if you just keep apparating everywhere?”
I clutched the box tightly to me and walked past him up the stairs. I was embarrassed and wanted to get as far away from him as possible.
“What is apparating?” He asked.
“You know, magically transport from one place to another?”
I stopped to look back at him. What the heck did he call it then?
“I have never heard of that term.”
“Harry Potter has.” I mumbled.
I carried on up to the apartment while he went to get the rest of the boxes. Spike was freaking out when I opened the door. I guess I’d be pretty scared, too, if boxes suddenly appeared from nowhere. I set down what was in my hands and sat down against the side of the kitchen bar that was facing the living room. With my head back and eyes closed, I stretched my legs out. I didn’t know why I was so exhausted. Spike didn’t seem to mind my decision to take it easy. He was curled up in my lap within seconds.
“It’s okay. I’m sorry Sebastian is scaring you. Don’t worry, it’s almost over.” I said petting his head.
There was a knock at the door. Seriously? Was he trying to prove a point now?
“Uh, it’s open!” I yelled out.
I didn’t want to get up yet. I was enjoying the puppy love. Spike stood up when the door opened though. So much for cuddle time.
“Hey, I don’t think I was ever formally introduced to this guy.” Someone else’s voice other than Sebastian’s said.
I leaned over to look around the corner. Joe was kneeling down petting Spike.
“Joe?” I asked.
“Hey Mira. I just, well, you really have a lot of boxes. And I don’t feel right sitting in my apartment while you carry them up by yourself. Or, well, I guess sit here and rest with your dog.”
“Hey, I’m allowed to have a break. Moving is tough.” I grinned.
“Of course.” He laughed.
He was nervous. Something was wrong. What was it?
“But honestly, there aren't that many left. I can handle it.”
He had walked in my apartment now and was leaning on my counter looking down at me.
“You’re so awesome.” He said sarcastically.
“Thank you very much.”
I nodded my head agreeing with him.
“Nice place you have, here. Your layout is much different than mine.” He said.
“Thanks. It’ll look a lot better with furniture, I promise.” I smiled.
“Yea? I love the dip in your living room, you almost don’t need couches. How many bedrooms is it?”
“Two. I picked this one because of the living room, actually. Made me feel like I was in a fire pit, and for some reason that made me feel homey.” I smiled.
It was the truth, but I could tell it freaked him out a bit. What was with him being so nosey, anyhow?
“Yeah. Well okay, I’ll see you around.” He turned and headed for the door.
“Thursday.” I said.
“Huh?”
Joe stopped and looked back at me.
“Or, you could say tomorrow if it makes you feel better?”
I could feel my face turning red. My heart was racing. Had I calculated that wrong? Today was Wednesday, he had told me Tuesday, but I had changed it to today, and then he had said the day after, right? That’d be Thursday. Yes, I was right. But maybe that’s not what he said...
“Mira, I think this is the last of them.” Sebastian said, walking into the apartment. He played the role of human so coolly, I wanted to laugh.
“Thanks.” I nodded to him.
“Yeah, Thursday. I’ll, I’ll see you then.”
Joe waved and walked out. He had gotten the wrong impression. I could just tell. That was the issue; he had thought Sebastian was my boyfriend. I had just told him that I had two rooms, though. Why would he jump to the worst assumption? I guess he sort of had to. If he didn’t think the worst scenario true, then he honestly didn’t like me. Typical men.
“Joe?”
I chased after him. He was standing just outside my door. He hadn’t gotten very far. Was he counting on me to feel sorry for him? This guy was good.
“Yeah?”
He was trying to act like he wasn’t upset. Had he taken classes on this sort of thing or something? He was always one step ahead. I always took the bait perfectly.
“He’s not my boyfriend. He’s just Sebastian, who is a boy, who is helping me move in. He won’t even be living here.” I whispered.
Maybe that was a bad idea. I should have said roommate at least. Now Joe knows I live in a two-bedroom apartment for myself.
“Yeah?”
Instantly, his demeanor shot up. At least I had him figured out.
“Yes. Thursday?”
I pointed at him and smiled. It seemed like it was our running joke now.
“Well, I’m free now.”
He grabbed my hand and stopped me from walking away.
“I…uh…okay.” How could I tell this guy no? Are you crazy? “Just let me go inside and change really fast.”
“Really? You look fine the way you are.”
“Oh, thanks. But I’ve been moving all morning, I’ll hurry.” I promised.
“Okay. I’ll be back up in about five minutes.”
He smiled at me with the cutest smile ever. He was glowing. I was dumbfounded.
“Okay.”
I waited for him to disappear down the stairs, and then I rushed into the house. I went straight for my room and started opening boxes. I had to find my good bra. My clothes were already hung up in the closet. I knew what outfit I’d wear and everything.
I had never been on a date, but I had a first date outfit always planned. It was my best blue button up shirt and best jean skirt. The skirt was the perfect length and width and it looked amazing with my ankle boots my mom had gotten me. She had gotten them specifically so I could wear my socks and still manage some sophistication. It was perfect weather for socks and a skirt. My socks were gray and loose enough that they looked like leg warmers from the eighties. I’d make sure to wear the perfect black lace undershirt to keep the outfit sophisticated enough, just in case the socks threw things off. Sebastian walked into my room. I had completely forgotten about him. Oh, no.
“What’s going on?” He said nonchalantly.
“Joe wants to take me on a date right now rather than tomorrow and I told him yes because I completely forgot you were here, please, Sebastian, don’t be angry.” I blurted out.
“Why would I get upset at that?” He smiled.
“Because I’d be- you know what? Never mind. Really?” I exclaimed.
“Yeah.” He laughed.
“Oh Sebastian!” I jumped up and wrapped my arms around him. Then I kissed his cheek. “You’re the best.”
I climbed off of him and took my clothes into the bathroom. Pain shot up my side when I pulled my jeans off. I forgot about that. My leg started pulsating. I wondered if I should finally go to the hospital. I looked at the bandage and was surprised there wasn’t any blood. I guess I had done a good enough job cleaning. It was probably horrendously bruised, though. No preventing that from happening. With a deep breath, I finished changing.
I jumped when Sebastian was still standing in the same place I had left him. He looked from his hand to me and then made himself normal again. What was he doing? His expression changed to disapproval. I was distracted.
“What?” I asked.
“Well, it’s just, is that really what you’re wearing?”
He pointed to my jean skirt. I nodded my head.
“You think it’s too much blue, with the hair? You’re right.”
“No, I love the hair. I think that skirt, well... reconsider it.”
“You’re right; we’re only going to lunch. Hmm… uh, okay, I have better fitting jeans and I’ll just change this undershirt.” I agreed with him.
A jean mini skirt on a first date with thigh high socks, might have given him the wrong impression; especially when a part of my bandage was sticking out. Of course, the first time he met me I was soaking wet and in a white t-shirt, anything had to be better than that. Whatever the circumstance, Sebastian was right. I needed to change. I was keeping my shoes.
I found these nice cutoff jeans that were a darker denim than the skirt. Unfortunately, with those on, the blue was actually too much. I needed a lighter color, or maybe darker? Staring right at me was this nice floral see-through shirt that was loose fitting but bunched around the edges. It would work out better if I changed my under shirt to a maroon color. Everything was still sophisticated, yet cute. I would have even gone as far as to say it was a bit girlie.
I rushed in the bathroom and changed. I touched up my make-up and hair to match my new look. My hair had dried pretty well, but it needed some fluffing. I quickly turned on my blow dryer and flipped my head over. When I felt it was good enough, I flipped it back. To compensate for the added volume, I pulled my bangs over and pinned them on the opposite side with one of my white bobby pins. Better.
“How do I look?” I asked Sebastian.
“Pink.” He smiled.
“Is it too much?”
My voice was a few pitches higher. I felt my stomach cringe. I was terrified, now.
“You don’t have another color?”
“Yes, I just- Danggit!”
I went back into my closet and pulled off the blouse. That was it, that was the only thing I was going to change. I liked everything else. Unfortunately, it limited the other clothes I could wear with this undershirt. Maybe I should just go with a nice jacket? I had a half-jacket that was black with plaid on the inside. The plaid might even have maroon and dark blue in its pattern to match everything. That sounded good.
I dumped the box labeled jackets and searched through it. Finding it, I put it on and looked in the mirror. I felt tons better. Sebastian was such great help.
“Much better.” Sebastian agreed, admiring me.
“Yeah?” I double checked.
“Yes. That looks a lot better.” He smiled.
On cue, Joe knocked at the door. I felt the butterflies attacking me again. I hadn’t had a chance to put on any eye liner or anything. Should I brush my teeth?
“You’ll be fine.” Sebastian comforted me.
“Yeah?” I double checked.
He laughed and nodded his head. Then he pushed me out of my bedroom and towards the front door. Joe was already inside.
“Hey.” He said smiling at me.
Oh, he was so dreamy. He hadn’t changed anything he had been wearing and yet he looked better than before. It calmed my nerves some.
“Hey.” I finally responded.
“Ready?” He laughed.
“Yes.”
“You don’t want to grab a jacket, or maybe the rest of the one you’re wearing?” He teased.
“Ha-ha. It’s not that cold, is it?” I asked him.
I didn’t let him answer. I opened up my coat closet to see if I had anything hanging in here that I could use. It was all my thick winter coats, including my favorite leather jacket. It wasn’t cold enough for a leather jacket. I was fine enough with what I had.
I closed the door and Joe was standing there with his hand over his mouth. I just made a face at him and then walked out the door. He closed it behind him and the laughter finally escaped his lips. I swatted him a few times and chased him down the stairs. I was shocked I could run downstairs in heels and not fall, but anything else and I would have killed myself by now.
“Careful, you might hit another unsuspecting victim rushing out the door like that!” I yelled after him when he paraded through the main door.
“You’re one to talk, running around everywhere in heels. Haven’t you fallen enough for the year?”
“You’re so funny!” I lied.
“Besides, what’s it to you if I hit someone else. It’s not like I’d be rude enough to take them out at the same time as I’m taking you on a date.”
I knew he was trying to get a rise out of me, but all I heard was that he was taking me on a date. He was actually and honestly taking me out on a date. I hadn’t realized that. I felt like I was going to hyperventilate. He was staring at me.
“Good, cause I don’t share.” I grinned.
“That’s a bad habit. I think I might have to find someone else.”
He looked around outside playfully. I just stood there and waited for him to stop next to his car. Something was off, however. Instead of stopping next to a normal four wheeled vehicle, he stopped next to a Harley Davidson Cruiser. Maybe he wanted to admire it?
“You look nervous? Are you one of those girls who don’t like motorcycles?” He asked.
“I love them.” I lied.
Oh no, this was awful. I was terrified of motorcycles. People get killed on motorcycles. Good call on not wearing the skirt, Sebastian.
“Awesome. Okay, well, here you go.”
He stood next to the Cruiser and opened the passenger seat bag. He handed me a jacket and then the helmet that was hooked to the seat. I was very impressed that he had my safety in mind, but I sort of was stuck on the fact that I had a perfectly awesome jacket upstairs and, oh, the fact we were riding a motorcycle. My nerves were making my hands shake. I prayed he couldn’t notice.
“Thanks.” I whispered.
I slid my arms in the leather jacket and hated every part of it that wasn’t mine. It was very heavy, but hardly worn at least; that had to mean he didn’t take many dates out with it. I wasn’t sure if that were a good thing or bad thing. He was staring at me again. I put the helmet on my head very carefully over my hair. He was watching me, judging me. He should be happy I wanted to look good for him. The zipper wouldn’t work. I was having so much trouble with it that I wanted to just break it. Maybe I didn’t need to zip it?
“Can I help?” Joe asked.
“I got it.” I said.
I just couldn’t get the bottom of the zipper to go into the zipper seal. This jacket needed to be beaten a few times.
“Here.”
He brushed my hands away a few times before I relaxed and let him help. He reached up under my neck and then pulled the missing piece down. They connected perfectly and he zipped it up for me.
“I knew that.” I grinned.
I hated how he made me act so stupid around him. He smiled and then sat on the bike. I just stared at him. I had no idea how to get on the thing.
“You coming?” He looked back.
“Yeah. Do I put my foot here?”
I pointed to some piece of metal on the side.
“If you want to break it… ”
He smiled through his teeth that way people do when they really want to bite your head off. I was intimidated.
“Oh.”
“Kidding.” He got back up. “Look, here are the foot rests for the passenger.”
He pointed to two black things that were completely obvious. To make it worse, he got up and helped me onto the bike now.
“I got it.”
I tried to stop him.
“Okay.”
He stepped back and held his arms up. He watched me throw one of my legs over and sort of hover there. I was lucky I had long legs or I’m pretty sure the bike would have fallen over. I raised my eyebrow to him and waved my hands over the empty spot in front of me. He sucked in his lip, nodded, and then looked away. We were quite the match.
“You might want to… ” He trailed off leaning back down really close to my face.
“What’cha doin’?” I whispered.
�
��Clasping your helmet.”
He winked at me. He was very close to my face. I smelled him. I wanted to reach out and run my fingers through his hair and kiss him. I resisted. He seemed to be waiting on me to do it, though. Was he expecting me to make the first move? My stomach toppled over. We needed to get this show on the road.
“Ready?” I asked.
Joe bit his lip then sat down in front of me. I wanted to throw up from the butterflies inside of me. I placed my hands on his sides and tensed my legs to hold me steady. My right leg started pulsating. Was I ever going to remember that wound was there? I rubbed it until the pulsating went down then carefully and slowly braced my leg to hold some of my weight.
I knew that most girls would have just wrapped their arms as tightly as they could around him, but I wasn’t that type of girl. As much as he already had me, I wasn’t about to just let him know that. I was smart. If a boy knew he had all of your heart, he was bound to break it. If I had learned anything from life at all, it was that with anyone that you cared about, you had to ease them into their place and never let them know just how much you cared back.
He looked behind him to check and see if the road was clear. He didn’t make any eye contact with me; I was doing something right. I really didn’t want to fall off the bike. Hopefully he’d let me know if I needed a tighter grip. The bike started up. It roared almost deafeningly to life. I kind of liked it. I was feeling excited. It was like I was coming to that first drop in a roller coaster ride. When we rolled out of the parking spot, he scooted back some into me.
“I don’t mean to be a forward, but if you hold on a bit tighter, it’s easier on me.”
Well, at least I was right. He needed me more and he told me. That’s how I wanted things to be. I tried to hide the smile from his mirrors as I hesitantly moved my arms a bit more around him. Now I wasn’t sure how much tighter I should go. I didn’t want to strangle the guy. He grunted and pulled them completely around so my head was on his shoulder. Then he patted my hands and took off. My cheeks hurt from trying not to smile.
“So where are we going?” I asked, now that I was closer to him.
“You’ll see.” He yelled back.
I felt him chuckle. He was giddy. It made my heart double over.
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