Balconial Conversations

Chapter 17: Date

"You look good... weirdly good for seven o’clock,” I tell Cam. He’s wearing a gorgeous silky looking top and pants that look expensive because of their perfect fit.

"I've got a date." He grins, ”with this girl from my neuroscience elective.”

Taken aback I swallow my surprised expression and try not to fidget with my hands. He obviously wouldn’t want to spend every single night standing outside talking to a girl in high school—of course, he goes on dates. Chill!

"What does she look like?” I ask trying to show some interest.

"You jealous, Kat?” Interest showing: fail.

“Just curious.” I play it off coyly, “tell me about her.”

"She's got this red hair that's really soft-looking and all over the place, silver wire-framed glasses and these pale lips.” He shrugs.

"Pale lips? Are you serious?” That sounds like the worst way to describe someone.

"Nah, they're like... natural? She doesn’t wear makeup. It’s totally hot, I swear."

"What's her name?"

"Her name... Caroline, I think.” He’s such an abominable asshole; he can’t even remember a girl’s name. I roll my eyes at him (but in a joking way). "I know, I know. I'm crap with names."

"Are you excited?” I ask, trying to feel excited for my friend.

"Didn't you see the new shirt?”

I stay outside for an hour after he leaves for his date. I go over our entire conversation trying to figure out what he would have interpreted from it. He reads people well…I hope that…he didn’t.

I start when my mom opens the glass door. She’s wearing a black silk robe, and her hair is in one of her expensive hair wraps that promises not to cause breakage.

“Hi sweetie, I’m making a chocolate espresso smoothie, do you want one?”

I sigh gratefully, “that is exactly what I need.”

“Why don’t you come inside? Tell me about your day?” She holds the door open, and I duck under her arm. My heart warms as I lean on the counter complaining about school and telling her about what I want to do with my hair at the next appointment.