Thanks to Jack giving out my phone number, Zack had officially asked me out. We weren't going to do the movie and a dinner deal, but instead a snack and a concert one. I preferred the latter quite frankly, because even though Zack didn't strike me as one, I didn't want to be stuck with one of those guys that wanted to make out at movies instead of actually watch them.
The only problem? My only friend still here at this point was Paul and he was staring at me blankly while I tried to tell him of my concerns.
"It's just that Zack is Alex's best friend, and he's bound to find out," I explained, throwing clothes on the floor as I looked for something to wear.
"Yeah, but...you're not Alex's friend anymore. So who cares?" Paul asked, sitting back on my bed.
"You're not helping the situation," I growled, studying a red T-shirt before throwing it on the floor.
"Sorry," he apologized, "I'm just thinking about something."
"Hannah?" I offered, thinking he was having problems with his girlfriend.
His small pause told me I was right.
"She's being so...distant. Like she woke up one day and decided to act like a stranger instead of the girl I'd been going out with for three months," he said, staring at my ceiling.
I was an avid advice giver. Ask anyone...especially Paul. I just liked the feeling that people were comfortable enough to open up to me, so I thought that help was always in order. I didn't expect them to always follow it, I just felt better giving it.
"You should talk to her," I said, "Before she gets too distant. This happens a lot in relationships, and if you let it get worse, you're only going to get more and more distant from each other."
"But what if she doesn't want to talk about it? What if she denies it?" he asked with a frown.
"Keep pushing. You know something is wrong, which means she does too. And if she doesn't want to talk about it, then that's a whole new problem in itself."
Paul nodded and I gave him a small smile as I found the shirt I was looking for- black and white stripes. Simple, but it would look good with my black skinny jeans. I wasn't going to overdo things if I was going to be at a show.
"Thanks, Dani," Paul said, sitting up suddenly, "I think I'm going to go to her house now."
I nodded, knowing that he wouldn't want to watch me get ready anyway.
"Bye," I said, giving him a quick hug before he darted from the room. I knew I probably would be getting a phone call from him later, but I couldn't help but feel a twinge inside of me. Do you ever feel like you have friends that only talk to you when it benefits them? Yet, I always considered Vicki my friend, so maybe I wasn't a very good judge at these things.
I tried to think more positive thoughts as it got closer to six o'clock. I was meeting Zack at his house then, and we were going to get something to eat before going.
I hoped I could eat. My stomach had been spiraling all day just thinking about it. The only time I had seen Zack lately was with a hyperactive boy in between us, but we would finally be all alone.
It gave me that jolt in my stomach, race of my heart, I feel like I'm going to be sick in a nervous, happy way, feeling.
As I tried to make my feelings feel well...a little less confusing, Macho ran into my room and jumped on my bed.
"Hey boy," I cooed, picking him up.
He tilted his head, his black eyes blinking back at me.
"You're so lucky you're a dog. I bet you don't care what your dates are wearing or if they're saying something stupid," I sighed.
He only look disinterested.
"Well, I'm going to go now," I said, kissing him on the head before putting him down.
He scampered away, probably scared at my conversation with him, and I took one last look in the mirror. Minimal make-up, hair straightened, clothes ironed...this is as good as it would get for now.
I got to Zack's house early. I tried to wait it out to be as punctual as I could, but I was afraid he would see me pacing in front of his house and that would be awkward. Instead, I took my time walking up the sidewalk to his house and even longer creeping up the four stairs that led to his door. And then, as quiet as I could be without not being heard, I knocked.
In a few moments, the door swung open. I looked up into the eyes of a woman with the same eyes as Zack, smiling brightly at me.
"You must be Dani, I'm Zack's mother," she said, opening the screen door to let me in.
"Nice to meet you," I said, smiling back at her, hoping I didn't seem too nervous. I thought you normally met parents a little farther down the line, but at least I'd be getting it over with.
"Zack's just finishing up in the basement, you can go down there if you want," she told me, smiling as she led me through the house.
Finish up? What, exactly? I tried to think of some things as we passed a nice living room table and through the blue painted kitchen, but I didn't have anything very logical as we reached the basement.
"Here you go. Zack almost never lets his dates meet me, so I know you must be a special one," his mother told me, smiling one last time before walking away.
Well...now I'm flattered, but even more nervous, if that's possible. Oh great. I'm just glad she didn't stick around for a response, because I sure as hell wouldn't have been able to formulate any sort of response to that. And I really didn't want her to see me blushing.
I opened the door and looked down to see that light was pouring at the base of the stairs. I walked down, some of them squeaking, but judging from the music that I now heard, Zack wouldn't even hear it.
When I reached the bottom, I saw what Zack must have been finishing with- working out.
He had his shirt off, shorts hanging off him as he lifted weights. The music was blasting, and his face had a concentrated, determined look, as sweat trickled down his neck and down his chest.
Please, get me a resuscitator.
"Uh..."
The hope of words was hopeless, but worth a shot.
Zack froze and looked up at me, suddenly breaking into a huge smile. He turned down the volume of the stereo and looked back at me.
"Dani! What time is it?"
"Six," I mumbled, hoping my eyes weren't wide or anything.
"Shit, I'm sorry! I lost track of time, and you think my mom would have told me, because she knew what time I was supposed to be ready, and shit, I'll just be a few minutes," he rambled, putting down the weights.
Uh-huh. It's not a problem, Zack, really.
I managed to chuckle at him as he spun around and walked towards me.
"I'm so sorry, I promise I won't be long," he told me.
I began to breathe slightly heavier as he got closer.
Avoiding touching me too much, he leaned down and kissed me quickly before darting up the stairs.
Something tells me that any more time with this boy, and I won't be well in the head.
After a few moments of not knowing what to do, I walked slowly back up the stairs, trying not to think of anything.
As I walked back through the kitchen, and the dining room, and finally into the living room where I had first entered, I noticed Zack's mom was sitting on the couch. She was watching television, but a commercial was playing as I shyly smiled and sat down on the opposite side of the couch.
"I heard the shower running, so at least you won't be worried about him smelling up the place," his mom told me, smiling.
I laughed a little, nodding my head.
"Well, it's a concert- he's probably just going to get all sweaty again," I answered.
"Yes, but at least he can arrive clean and give the illusion he comes from somewhat of a proper home."
I laughed again and continued to watch television with her, making small conversation, while Zack got ready. This wasn't so bad- at least his mom was nice. I really don't want him to ever, ever meet my parents again, because no doubt they'd be asking in depth questions or telling some outrageous story about me.
A few minutes later, Zack barreled down the stairs, fully clothed (damn) and running a towel through his wet hair.
"I'm still really sorry, but that was fast, wasn't it?" he asked, sending me a melting smile.
"Oh yeah," I said to appease him.
"World record worthy," his mom added.
He smiled, throwing the towel aside and letting me see what he was wearing- a tight fitting gray shirt and a nice pair of shorts, Nikes on his feet.
"Sorry again, but I'm ready now," he said, extending a hand to me.
"Like you weren't just trying to impress her by working out," his mom added.
"Mom! I was not!" Zack said, turning red, "I lost track of time!"
I laughed and thought about how adorable that was as he argued.
"I'm not trying to embarrass you, honey-"
"Too late! We're going!"
Zack nearly dragged me out of the house as I laughed.
"Bye Mrs. Merrick!" I called.
"Nice meeting you!" she replied.
I kept laughing as Zack pulled me down the stairs, and noticed how oddly comfortable this felt. And that thought certainly helped calm my nerves.
