36

Ashely
I looked at my frame through my mirror, my neck lifted and my shoulders straightened. My eyes raked all over the sleeveless gown that terminated at my knee and when I lifted my neck, the dress hiked higher.
My lips parted on noticing the rose patterns on the dress and how the white background of the dress complemented my eyes.
I raised a hand and used a finger to tuck in my hair behind my ear. I picked up my silver earrings and was about to wear them when my eyes suddenly darted towards the black umbrella that I put against the door in my bedroom.
I let out a sigh, thinking about the way Leo ran towards me and handed it over and I swore I heard him struggle to get up.
Was he that clueless about the way I felt?
I didn’t want him to misunderstand if I told him that the name, “cutie.” should be only reserved for me. I felt bad about ignoring him but I had no idea how to start a conversation that would make it less awkward.
When he grabbed my hand, I felt my heart race and blood rush to my hands. Impulsively, I pulled away from him. My eyes caught his look of surprise mixed with disappointment and I felt an ache in my chest.
I glanced at my phone briefly and I remembered my conversation with Mason in the restroom. It was short and sweet.
He asked if I was ready for the date I affirmed it with a laugh and then he had work to do which I understood. He worked as a manager in a bank which would take lots and lots of time and from what I heard, the people who worked in banks, weren’t paid that much.
I then wore my heels, slipping them on, and appalled at how they fit like a glove.
I was still transfixed by my reflection in the mirror when I heard my phone ring.
I picked it up, noticing who the caller was. I slanted the device against my ear and said, “Elena.”
“Are you ready for your date with your childhood crush?” she asked.
“I’m almost done dressing up, ” I stated, “I should be out of my apartment in like ten minutes.”
“Alright,” Elena said, “And we could go to visit Mom later in the week.”
I felt a lump in my throat, my eyes glossy on remembering the woman who birthed me.
“You know where she lives?” I asked.
“Yes, I do,” Elena responded, “I am quite sure that we won’t have difficulty in knowing the way. ”
I inhaled sharply, my hands squeezing my hairbrush, wanting to hold myself because from tearing up.
“Can we talk about this later?” I asked, not wanting my mummy’s issues to get in the way of my date with Mason.
“Oh, Alright. I hope your date with Mason goes well and he puts a ring on it, a year later. ” I heard her say with a chuckle afterward.
My hands fiddled with my dress as I leaned against my wardrobe and burst out into laughter.
“Now you’re over-thinking this, ”
“I know but I am allowed to imagine the both of you getting married.” Elena verbalized.
“Yes, I’ll catch you later. I have to go. ” I uttered slowly.
“Oh, alright Ash.” I heard her response and I managed to restrain myself from asking about Joe.
Maybe I should give her time and hopefully she might open up to me.
I dropped my phone in my black purse and stared at my reflection again, telling myself that I was so stunning.
I blushed with my head raised, thinking about Mason’s reaction to seeing me in a dress like this.
I then picked up my purse and walked out of my apartment, hoping that I won’t have to run into my nosy neighbor, Leah.
I heard a sigh of relief when she didn’t show up to ask her numerous questions and give her unsolicited advice.
***
I felt like the most beautiful woman in Roseville’s diner. It was just evening and the place was barely full but the men who walked in occasionally turned to glance at me.
A few of them winked while one was a bit persistent in getting my phone number which I politely declined.
This was the location that Mason sent to me in a short text and I found it romantic with the amber lights and the serene environment with the soft music that brought out a need in me to slow dance with someone.
I settled for a bottle of water and then I found myself gulping half of it down my throat. I was ten minutes early for the date.
I wanted to make a good impression to keep him on his toes and make him know that I was truly interested in him as he was.
My legs shook in agitation and I impulsively pulled them together, setting my hand on them. I looked at my watch, my senses counting the minutes and the seconds and then my eyes darted towards the wall clock in the diner.
I silently laughed to myself, my left hand touching my stomach. I was sure that I looked so silly like a girl awaiting her date for the first time in her life.
My first date with Richard was sweet, he picked me up from my apartment and took me to a diner which looked a bit expensive. We both talked, drank red wine, and later, ended up in bed.
I now felt guilt, my mind thinking about how he lured me to his bed on a first date.
I promised myself that I would never do that again, even with Mason. My mantra was to take it slow, not act too clingy, and be observant like Elena suggested.
I looked at my watch again in nervousness, noticing that the time for him to arrive was almost here.
I raised my shoulders, reapplied my lip gloss, and placed my hands on the table…
Awaiting my Mason.
****
My hands reached to fondle the nape of my neck but I scratched myself in the process. An hour had passed and yet, Mason had not shown up.
There was a couple seated opposite me and they were the only ones left in the diner, chatting happily while staring and giggling at each other with love-struck gazes.
My hands reached to touch my phone, wanting to dial his number but I pushed it back into my black purse.
My right leg began to shake once again and I placed three fingers on it, patting the anxiety away. I tried to stop my heart from racing but I couldn’t unless I died, sadly. Panic was already seeping into my nerves, awakening all of my senses. Goosebumps found their way towards my neck, shoulders, and legs.
“Would you like to order some wine to keep you company? ” A woman dressed in a red shirt and tight-fitted white skirt walked up to my table with her lips, crimson-red.
“No, thank you.” I politely declined with a wave of my hand.
“Are you sure, ma’am?” Her eyes opened wide, her face bearing a bit of concern for me.
“I am perfectly sure that wine is the last thing I need,” I responded with a witty smile.
I watched as she shook her head and walked back slowly.
My hands reached again for my purse, swiftly bringing out my cell phone. I checked over and over if he had called or sent a text, just to keep me at ease.
But there was none.
I scoffed, wondering if he had stood me up.
I then sat up when a crazy thought crossed my mind.
What if he was in an accident? Or his cell phone had no battery in it.
What if his vehicle had broken down in an empty alley?
I inhaled sharply, my hands rubbing my forehead in dismay.
I didn’t want to call my sister or Emily. It seemed too early for that.
I shut my eyes briefly and opened them back, noticing how the evening had slowly transformed into night. My fingers began to drum against the table, one by one.
I didn’t want to cry and make a mess of my face. What if Mason saw that?
I then opened the bottle of water and slowly poured it into a glass cup. I gulped it down hastily, hoping that I wouldn’t have to run to the bathroom.
My eyes then darted towards the door and my fingers impulsively touched the corner of my lips in nervousness.
I then turned back and held in my breath, the tears threatening to fall.
I checked the wall clock again and thirty minutes had passed already. I noticed that the couple in the diner who sat opposite me were slowly rising from their seats.
I smiled at them when they passed but the smile faded away when they stepped out.
I was the only person in the diner alongside those who worked there.
They were staring at me and I could guess why.
I contemplated between giving him a call or running back home when I heard the door open once more.
Not wanting to give me false hope, my eyes focused on the water in the glass cup, and my mind completely drowned in it.
“Ashely.” I heard someone call out my hand and my eyes lifted to see Mason dressed in a gray suit, his hands working out his tie.
My grasp around my phone unloosened and my other hand clenched into a tight fist.
“I am so sorry, Ashley, ” I heard him apologize while settling down on a chair, “I had a lot of work to do and it was so hectic at the bank.”
“And you didn’t think of sending me a text?” I muttered slowly, my eyes watching his facial expression.
“I wanted to, Ashley. I did.” I heard him respond with his hand on the table. I mashed my lips together and then spread them hastily to give him a smile that wasn’t from my heart.