Chapter 1
"A date??" The voice comes through my phone's speakers, and I swear they almost bust. Nancy, my best friend since middle school, is a bit dramatic at times.
"Are you sure that's a good idea? In the middle of the night like this - and with your horrible character judgment?"
Okay, very dramatic.
"I will be fine, Nancy." I sigh, rolling my eyes as I apply a cherry-tinted lip gloss.
I had my pocket knife with me, and it's not like we were going someplace where other people couldn't see us.
"Okay but like, what if he somehow convinces you to go somewhere private? Or- " She gasps in horror, "What if he brings you back to your shitty apartment and that's where you lose your virginity??"
Oh. My. God. She's actually insane.
"You are insane, Nancy." I put the lip gloss down and go to grab my boots, bringing the phone with me.
"It's possible though! You can't tell me it's not possible."
I rolled my eyes- again.
"Anything is possible, but-"
"Exactly!" She interrupts.
"But," I continue, "it's doubtful I will just let some random man take me back to my 'shitty apartment' and have his way with me."
I slide on my black boots and zip up the sides, standing and moving in front of my body-length mirror.
I hear her sigh through the phone. "I just worry about you, June. I don't know what I'd do without you."
I smiled. "I know. This world would suck without your horrible sense of humor."
Her cackling came through the phone as I studied my outfit. I had settled on a simple, tight-fitting navy blue long-sleeve shirt with a plummeting V-line - paired with my best pair of ripped skinny jeans. They were black, and they complemented my figure well. I was already pretty tall without the boots, but they went well with my outfit. I threw on a nice and soft gray coat to finish it.
"Bitch please, I have the best sense of humor. Admit it - you couldn't live without me."
I laughed. "Well, you're right about that. I couldn't live without you."
"I love you, June. Just remember that. I'm always here for you."
"Back at you, bitch," I responded, smiling. "Seriously though, I gotta go or I'm going to be late."
I grabbed my purse, made sure my wallet was in it, and as I walked outside, the cold October air smacked me in the face. I made sure to lock the door behind me, and I carefully made my way down the stairs, doing my best not to slip on the icy steps.
"Well, update me as soon as you get back home, and you better be alone!"
"Okay, okay, bye." I hung up and started walking.
Thankfully, the cafe I'm meeting Matt - my date - at isn't very far, and I arrive within 15 minutes of leaving my apartment.
I walk into the small building, and I'm hit with warm smells of baked goods and coffee beans. I walk up to the counter and smile at the man making drinks behind it.
"Juniper!" He smiles. "It is so good to see you again."
"It's good to see you, too, Vern." I glance around as Vern cleans a few mugs. There's one man passed out in a corner booth, seemingly drooling on the table, and another booth is taken by what looks to be a college student with a laptop in front of him and a coffee mug to the side.
"Been busy today?" I ask as he pours me a hot cocoa.
He shrugs. "Off and on."
I lean on the bar as I glance down at the mug and look back up at him.
"Hot chocolate? Really?" I raise an eyebrow at him. "You're going to make me look like a wimp in front of my date."
He raises an eyebrow back. "You don't much care for coffee, correct? So why would I make you drink it?"
I shrug. " I don't want people to think I can't handle a little coffee."
"Who cares what other people think? People suck."
I smile as I take a sip. "True enough."
I glance at my phone to check the time. Matt had asked to meet around 8:30.
8:02 p.m.
"Is he late?" Vern asks while cleaning a mug with a rag again, glancing up at me.
"No," I sigh. "I'm just too early."
He nods, pursing his lips. "Sounds like the Juniper I know."
I smirked. "On time is late, Vern, you should know this."
He chuckled. "Whatever you say, Miss Juniper."
I used the little wooden stirring stick he gave me to poke at the little marshmallows, watching as they sink and pop back up to the surface, getting smaller and smaller each time.
A few minutes later, my phone vibrates once, then twice, on the table, and the screen lights up.
Nancy: So?? Did you meet him? Is he cute in person? I neeeed to knowwww!!!
I smiled as I read the next one.
Nancy: He didn't murder you, did he? >:(
I grinned as I typed back a response.
Me: Yes, he murdered me. I am a ghost texting you right now.
I checked the time before setting my phone back down.
8:12 pm
I sighed. It had only been 10 minutes.
I step away from the bar and tell Vern I'm going to go wash up, and I head to the bathroom. I push open the door and walk in front of one of the sinks, looking at myself in the mirror. My hair had surprisingly held the curls I made well, and none of my makeup had moved. I didn't have much, just some mascara, eyeliner, and lip gloss.
My lip gloss had wore off a bit - thanks to the hot chocolate - so I reapplied some, and fiddled with my hair for a few minutes before heading back out.
By the time I made it back to my seat at the bar, it was almost 8:30, and I spent an extra 20 minutes or so chatting with Vern, trying to make time go by faster.
Eventually, I glanced back down at my phone.
8:56 pm
I sighed, resting my head in my hands and staring at the time on my phone screen like maybe I was reading it wrong.
I stared until a full minute had passed. Nope. I was definitely not reading it wrong.
I flipped my phone's screen down onto the table, so I wouldn't be tempted to keep checking.
Vern slides my now-empty cup away, quickly replacing it with a full one.
I wrapped my hand around it, pulling it closer to me, and looked up at him.
His eyes were full of sympathy, and I hated it. I don't want to be pitied. I lightly pushed away the mug and straightened up in my seat. What am I doing? Feeling sorry for myself over some guy? Some random guy that I barely knew, at that.
I lifted my shoulders and looked Vern in the eye.
"I'm fine. I don't care if I get stood up by some random guy."
His face shows that he doesn't believe me.
"Seriously, Vern. I mean, he's probably ugly in-"
I'm interrupted by the stool next to me as it slides against the floor. I turn my head and meet the blue-eyed gaze of a blonde-haired man that I had only seen in pictures before.
"Hey," He grinned, holding out a hand for me to shake. "I'm Matt."
