LXXIX | Amateur

❦

'Hey Rowan,'

I ask one day,

'what's your dream date?'

The tips of her ears
turn red.

I stick my hands in my pockets,
feeling very proud of myself.

'Bible study with my boyfriend.'

I bow dramatically.
'Sorry for asking.'

Walk away.

❦

Me: Why did I agree to this?
Cat: Because you want to impress her.
Me: She's late.
Cat: You came early.

I've planned more elaborate dates
than this

but I think
this is the most nervous
I've been.

'You're just excited,'
a cat-shaped lump of patterned tile says.

I texted her that
I'd pick her up from her house

but she said no,
it's embarrassing.

So I'm here,
waiting at a crowded MRT station,

sifting through
varieties of auntie attire
to find Rowan.

'Clyde.'

I'm sure my eyes widen.

She's wearing
the red dress
I bought for her

during our first real date.

I didn't expect
to see this dress
again.

'What's wrong?' she asks.

She's wearing clear lip gloss.

I scratch an itch
behind my neck.

'Didn't expect this.'

A smile on her face.

She reaches into her National Day tote bag,
puts on a dark grey jacket.

[Read the full story at novelconbini.com!]