Chapter 8
Chapter
Eight
Ari
I stare at the pink dress and wonder if it’s too revealing for a first date.
I put it on anyway, but use a safety pin on the inside to conceal most of my cleavage.
I feel weird about some other guy staring at my boobs.
I feel especially weird thinking about Foster being there, on a date with someone else. Won’t he think I’m throwing it in his face?
I text the group chat to see if there is any way out of this. I have to tell the truth.
I made out with Foster late Tuesday night.
Maddie
Wow!
Crazy, right?
I expected follow-up questions from my best friend, but Riley has enough for both of them.
Riley
How? Tell me everything!
He was helping me decorate for the dance, and he was being so sweet.
Riley
Foster? Foster Hale was being sweet?
Yes! We spent four hours making everything perfect. He did everything exactly as I asked him to. He didn’t question anything. He worked so hard and didn’t complain once.
Riley
Wow. And how did the kissing happen?
We were all sweaty and filthy and dusty, and then when it was all finished, I turned on the fairy lights, and he was so…I don’t know…impressed with how it all came together that he cried.
Riley
LOL IM SORRY HE CRIED?? LIKE WHAT??
TEARS. THERE WERE ACTUAL TEARS.
Riley
So you kissed him.
It was mutual. And it was good. Like, really good. So now I have to cancel the blind date because it’s not fair.
Riley
Why do you have to cancel the date?
Because this isn’t me? I don’t spontaneously make out with one guy on a Tuesday and then go on a date with a different person on Friday.
Riley
But you didn’t do anything wrong. It’s not like you’re cheating.
I need some time to sort out my feelings. I’m so sorry, Maddie, but I’m going to pass on the dance.
Riley
Maddie?
Maddie, why are you being so quiet?
Maddie
Just tired, I guess.
So anyway, I need to cancel the blind date. I’m so sorry.
Maddie
No
Riley
LOL nice try.
What do you mean, no?
Maddie
Because it will look bad for business, and it’s a mixer for singles in town, and technically, you are single. It’s just one night, Ari. And you might actually be surprised at who I paired you up with.
Riley
OMG IS IT FOSTER?
Maddie
Goodnight!
I set my phone down and stare into space.
I don’t know what to do here.
How can I go on a blind date with someone while thinking about Foster? It feels wrong and unfair to that other person. I can’t give anyone a fair shot at this point.
On the other hand, I have to support my friend.
That’s that, then. I get on with hair and makeup.
There’s no way she’d set me up with Foster, would she?
I mean, if she did, that would make everything a hell of a lot more convenient.
Maddie is pretty intuitive, but what are the chances?
Then again, maybe last night was a setup. It does seem like she sent him to help me decorate for a reason. Or maybe he was just the only person available who said yes.
This is too much pressure. If it is Foster I’m being set up with, then I don’t want our first date to be in front of the whole town. I don’t want to go through the forced march of dating at all. These things should be more organic.
And if it isn’t Foster, then it’s going to be forced small talk and ultimately fail anyway because all I’ll be thinking about is how to sort through my feelings about Foster.
I should just stay home tonight.
Finally, I peel off the dress.
Then, I put on my favorite hoodie and leggings, and slippers, pour a glass of wine, and park my ass on the couch.
It’s all too much. Too much confusion. It's all social constructs and made-up rituals.
Stepping back and really looking at it, I don’t know what any of this is for except to put people in a box.
Overthinking, thy name is Ari. I’ll admit that. But my predilection for overthinking doesn’t change the fact that I’m overwhelmed and confused.
Later, I’ll go for a walk and clear my head. That’s what I need. A comfy hoodie, some wine, a non-romantic comedy on the TV, and a little bit of exercise to rearrange the mental furniture. Calm my nerves.
That should fix me right up.
And if I happen to walk past the community center and run into Foster organically, then we’ll see what happens.