9. Gemma
NINE
GEMMA
He’s tall, taller than Aaron. He’s slim, a bit like me, but I like his frame. It looks good on him. I can tell he’s into nerd culture even before he’s said anything. Instant bonus. The way he carries himself is cute, wholesome, but there’s something flirty in his green eyes that tells me this is gonna be more fun than just hanging out with a friend.
He’s got these black-framed glasses that somehow complement his face shape, that bone structure that makes him kind of striking, in an unassuming way. I’m definitely pleased with the visual surprise portion of this blind date.
Not that I didn’t trust Alex, but I haven’t really seen her taste in guys, so I had no clue what to expect when she said he was cute. He is cute. Not that weird cute-hot combo that Aaron has in spades (it really doesn’t make sense how that man has evolved as he’s aged), but there’s a definite immediate attraction with Spencer.
I approach lane seven as the text instructed, and his face lights up when he realizes I am who he’s waiting for. Like maybe he didn’t want to get his hopes up in case I walked right past him, straight to the frat bros having the time of their lives at the far end of the alley, but now that he knows I’m here for him, he’s letting those hopes float right on up to the ceiling. He’s adorable.
One of my hands comes up to do an awkwardly cute little stunted wave of greeting at shoulder level as I get close enough to speak, and he opens his arms wide, inviting me in for a hug right off the bat.
“Hey Gemma,” he says easily, gesturing a hand at his own chest. “Spencer,” his introduction is so simple and straightforward, I’m left with the concept that he’s not about playing games, and that he’s genuinely nice. Weird thing to get from a fucking introduction, but I’m learning to trust my instincts, so I’m hearing my gut out on this one. Strangely, my gut tells me I feel comfortable with him already.
“Hey.” A small smile brushes my lips and I walk into his open arms, allowing him to wrap me in a hug. He feels different. Taller. Lankier. Not as muscly as the arms and torso I’m used to being wrapped up in, but still solid, and all man. My arms fit well around his chest and abdomen, and I don’t feel that awkward need to pull away that I always get at Hollywood parties when strangers are touching me. This feels…promising. Comfortable. I can work with this.
When we pull back after a few seconds, his eyes rove my frame, and he looks like he appreciates what he sees. The feeling that creates within me is new, and I hold on to it for an extra minute or two. My stomach feels like it’s fluttering, floating above the rest of the vital organs in that cavity. Being appreciated as a woman isn’t something I’ve experienced a lot, but apparently I’m liking it.
I don’t feel stupid for wearing jeans way tighter than my usual, ones that Alex said accentuate my figure. Nor do I feel ridiculous for wearing a girly shirt that dips a lot lower than the old tees I normally sport. Not that I have a lot to show off in the chestal region, but what I do have is definitely on display, at least a little bit.
“You look…fantastic,” he tells me, now that his eyes are back on mine again.
My head dips from the compliment, unused to the attention and I whisper, “So do you.” It’s not a lie. His dark blue shirt is simple, but it looks great on him, and so do those jeans.
“So are you a big bowler?” He’s turned to face the lane for a second as he gestures to the screen, the bench and the entire setup behind him.
A nervous chuckle escapes me, and I shake my head a little too quickly. “Unless we’re counting Mario Kart, I’m not particularly good with any sport. Bowling isn’t an exception, sadly.”
He grins at my response and grabs my hand, leading me to the bench by the keyboard where we can punch in our names and start the game. “I’m far from an athlete myself, but bowling is a classic , like an arcade game or the original Mario Party. I bet you’re not giving yourself enough credit here.” I could get used to that easy smile on his face, and the confidence he imbues within me every time he opens his mouth.
We sit side by side, entering our names in the system and getting the game ready to go, and I may or may not get goosebumps from his proximity and the occasional brush of his arm or hand as we do. This is promising.
My own hopes might be soaring right about now. My hopes for getting over my best friend. For moving on. For forgetting I wasted half my life pining for him.
Spencer walks me to the counter to get my shoes before we start, and after grabbing two pairs of utterly ridiculous clown-looking things and sharing a few laughs over them, a quick pit stop at the little food counter to get some fried, greasy eats that will surely not go down well (adding digestion issues to a first date can’t be smart, but who am I to say no to cheese sticks and chili cheese fries?), I’m actually feeling comfortable enough to forget we’ve just met as we make our way back to lane seven.
Two pretty shitty games later and I’m having a surprisingly great night. When Spencer excuses himself to the restroom thanks to all the root beer he’s been downing, I take the chance to shoot Alex a text. She was right. He’s nice, sweet, funny and good-looking. I see what she meant.
Me
You did good, girl.
Alexandra the Great
TOLD YOU BITCH
Why did you make me wait so long for this date?
…
Nvm
Don’t answer that.
I’m glad you introduced us though. Thanks girl.
Have a great time, beautiful. Do everything I’d do and then some. You deserve some fun.
btw, I have it from a very reliable source that he’s absolutely packin so I’ll expect a big ass fruit basket by Monday at the latest.
Or maybe something more adventurous. Let’s see how inspired you’re feeling after tonight.
You’re welcome.
At that, a snort-laugh breaks out and I thank my lucky stars that Spencer wasn’t here to hear it, the night’s been going so well. Right as I go to put my phone back in my pocket, it vibrates with another text.
The Kid
Oh oh oh
You know what’s coming
Have I mentioned that Aaron is a bit of an emo kid? He really was born at the wrong time, he would’ve killed the early 2000s emo phase. But his parents listen to a lot of that stuff, being somewhat of that generation themselves, and their appreciation for it spread to the both of us. We share a particular love for that band New York Ave, you know, the guys that got huge in the 2010s, who are something like a mix of Fall Out Boy and Imagine Dragons, with a little of that Maroon 5 swagger thrown in? You know them, of course you do.
Anyway, don’t ask me how we got started with this little habit of ours, but texting pertinent-to-the-moment NYA lyrics back and forth has been our thing since as far back as I can remember texting with him, maybe ninth grade? We do this thing where one of us (usually him) will text a lyric, usually one that’s poignant to the situation or mood one of us is in (not hard to find one that fits just about any possible feeling, with how many albums they’ve put out), and the other has to finish that lyric. So I do, out of habit, before I can consider the meaning behind the words. And then the texts keep coming.
Me
You’re the reason I’m a walking mess, you
I’m sorry if you think I don’t compare to him (him)
But what would you have me do (do)
You said you’d never leave me but you’re out with him (fuck)
Now I’m here all alone (you)
Is he just saying hi with this text? Does he think he’s being funny? Or is he trying to make me feel bad about the date I’m on? For two people who are so often on the same plane of thought, I’m just lost and confused by his song choice and these messages right now. Why did he pick a song that’s lamenting the singer’s jealousy over the person he wants getting with someone else and being hung up on what he no longer has? Is he telling me something? Just being random and thoughtless? Is this a joke to him?
Either way, while I’m on this very promising first date with a guy I can see myself liking, all my thoughts are back to him . And all of a sudden, my spotlight on Spencer’s better qualities is feeling more like a flickering flashlight, and my enthusiasm for this date dims. So does my great mood. And I’m left wondering whether Aaron wishes I wasn’t here, and why he’s thinking of me when I know he’s supposed to be with Kayla right now.