Dragon Soul

Chapter 8

8

Sunday had gone just as normal. A traditional roast dinner with my parents but not anything tasty. Just more of the same old green vegetables. I wasn't sure what made it so special when it was like every other damn meal we ate. I liked vegetables but I didn't just want them. I'd once gotten a burger on my lunch break at work and it had been one of the most delicious things I'd ever eaten. The only reason I hadn't gone back for more was because Mum still asked me to account for every penny of my wages.

My wedding couldn't come soon enough. Though, knowing my luck, I'd end up with someone just as controlling and still have no power of my own.

I fixed myself another coffee, my leg jittering slightly at the amount I'd drunk already today. At least, that was what I was telling myself. Otherwise I'd have to accept that it was nerves making me act this way. As much as I was looking forward to meeting Pete, there was also a lot that could go wrong.

Maybe he was a murderer. Or twice my age. Maybe he wasn't a dragon. Or he just might not like me. I didn't know how to even cope with the idea of any of that. If those options were real...

No. I couldn't think about that.

Just like I couldn't think about the fact I'd put on special underwear this morning. Special might be pushing it a little bit. But I'd been saving a rather daring set for my wedding. Just so I had something about the day I was in control of. And something to give me the strength to feel beautiful. I was sure for most women, what I was wearing was nothing special. But to me, whose Mum frequently inspected my washing, it was enough.

I picked up the phone just as it started to ring. Phew, I'd gotten back to my desk just in time then. For some reason, my impending meeting had made me reckless in leaving my desk today.

Three calls later, I was ready for the day to be over. Actually, that was a lie. I'd been ready for the work day to be over since one minute past nine when the phone had rung for the first time. I was happy to admit I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. Mostly because I'd never been given a chance to work it out for myself. What I did know for sure was that I didn't want to work in a call centre for the rest of my life. In fact, from my experience here, I didn't think I wanted to work in customer service at all.

Frustration built up within me. I tried to push it away. I didn't want to wind myself up too much.

Checking my manager wasn't about, I swiped the lock screen of my phone and pulled up the screenshot of Pete's message that he sent Sunday evening.

PETE3: I can't wait to see you tomorrow_

I hadn't replied. I was looking forward to meeting him too but I didn't want to say the wrong thing and make it so he didn't come. Though maybe not replying had been the wrong thing too. Maybe he now thought I didn't want to see him...

I just about refrained from screaming out in frustration. Living in my head wasn't fun. I didn't like any of the thoughts going around it.

A short laugh escaped me as the realisation that all the criticisms spoke with Mum's voice. Turned out, she was never going to leave me even when I'd left home.

I ditched my next call for another quick break, almost not caring that I’d get fired. The water cooler bubbled loudly and one of my colleagues shot me the stink eye. I refrained from sticking out my tongue and wondered when that stopped being a viable response. Probably somewhere between kindergarten and primary school. Shame. At least we got the middle finger as a replacement. But that wasn’t appropriate either, not in the workplace.

Instead, I smiled politely and gulped down my water. I checked my phone again, even though I knew I had no new messages. Had it been a mistake giving Pete my number?

I’d done it so we could contact each other in case of an emergency or delay, but he hadn’t actually used it. Did he not want to? Or did he not know what to say? Or was he feeling just as nervous?

“JJ.” My manager greeted me briefly as he passed me. I tensed, hoping that he wouldn’t question why I was still standing at the cooler.

“Hi, Nick.”

He nodded to himself. “How are the lines?”

“Busy, busy. Just having a quick drink.”

“Great.” Without another word, he strode off. I just about refrained from giving my colleague a smug look and pottered back to my desk. I checked my phone again and reread his message. Pete said he was looking forward to meet me and yet, radio silence?

Shouldn’t he have messaged me, even just to make sure I gave him the right number? Or was he waiting for me to text him? To text or not to text… Oh, such cruel mind games I played with myself.

I shoved my phone away, pretending like I didn’t care whether he messaged or not. I was just meeting a friend and there was no reason to get my special panties in a bunch.

The hours ticked away painfully slow. Most of the hours, I was absolutely annoyed at how frozen time was. But the closer time neared to the end of my work day, the more I dreaded it.

Just half an hour more to go until I’d meet Pete. Just twenty-nine more minutes to go until I’d meet Pete.

I twirled my pencil around and aggressively drew a bunch of tiny tornados.

Just twenty-eight more minutes to go until I’d meet Pete.

Oh, this was ridiculous. I couldn’t believe I was driving myself crazy over what could very well be nothing. I shouldn’t get my hopes up, not when liking him would lead to a broken heart.

I dove back into my work, dragging out any calls so my mind didn’t wander off. Every call killed my soul, but it was better than stressing out over my date. Meeting.

Oh. My. Gaia. I did not just call it a date in my head. It wasn’t a date, no, that would imply that Pete was anything more than a friend. And he wasn’t. This was a friendly meeting. With just a friend. Well, not just a regular friend. A good friend. Pete. A Petely meeting.

I bonked my head on my desk, exasperated at my own thoughts. A Petely meeting? Really?

I was so screwed.