The Blind Date
The fall semester was in full swing for Willa Dean. College senior and fashion design major.
“Naïve, No. I still don’t think that is a productive way to spend your time at NYU.” Her mother said, after her weekly check-in.
But Willa only ever dreamed of her life in a beautiful mid-century cabin, high in the mountains—away from it all, able to create freely for those who needed it most. She knew it was going to be a long ride before she would be able to meet her goal, but she didn’t mind waiting. It would all be worth it in the end.
She should be thinking of that damn blind date, she thought to herself. Mona was always on her case about her isolated lifestyle choices. All Willa ever wanted to do was be left alone, not truly alone as in absence, but alone long enough to collect her thoughts and quiet her mind. She pressed the hot rim of her favorite mug filled with her signature cinnamon, chamomile, and spice tea. She was tired. Her moods hadn’t always stayed the most consistent but today felt especially exhausting. Days where blinking her sore eyes was enough to keep her in her bed. It didn’t help that this time of year-which happened her favorite year anyway-made her especially glum. You wouldn’t know she struggled so much from the outside. She was a people pleaser. Her long, dark hair draped neatly over her slim shoulders. She had been looking especially thin these days. Eating just didn’t interest her most days. Her bones ached.
"Hello, love” she said, plopping down next to her chunky long-haired cat, Binx. He meowed as if to reply ‘hello’—this made Willa smile. She poured herself a steaming hot cup of earl grey tea and returned to the sofa.
Bzzt, buzz, buzz, her cell phone danced.
Drew. She scoffed, cutting her eyes to his box of shitty music and lame t-shirts. Drew was the love of Willa’s life and her high-school sweetheart. They chose to attend colleges on opposite sides of the country. All in good blood, at first. But soon Drew was obsessed with Willa’s every move, calling, texting, and even emailing when she failed to reply quickly enough. She found this behavior odd but booked a surprise flight to see Drew at the University of California Berkley campus. To her horror, when she arrived at Drew’s room she was met by a thin, big-anime-titty, goddess—half-dressed. She was wearing one of the shirts that She had sent Drew just weeks earlier. Her stomach grinding, sending shocks of pain throughout her body. She wanted to disappear. She could hear Drew’s footsteps pacing quickly behind her.
“Doll, Wait! Come back, it—” his voice trailed. Willa was running as fast as she could. Anywhere but here, she thought. Hot tears began to escape, and she let out a small yelp. Shit. She didn’t want to care so much. She was hurt, angry, and looking for an escape. Rather than the return that night she decided to book a hotel room. The bed was soft. Morning light peeked in the small room. Willa groaned She was not prepared to go back home. Drew’s things were all over her dorm room.
She was now standing in front of the bathroom mirror. She had cried on and off all night. A knock came to the door. She had forgotten that she was in a hotel for a moment. Her chest surged, it was Drew.
“GO. AWAY, Drew!” She spoke.
“Please, Wills. Please hear me out.” Drew, said.
“I have nothing to say to you. You are dead to me.” Her voice was sharp as a blade.
“YOU NEED ME.” Drew’s voice was now infuriated.”
“If you leave now Willa—I will never forgive you.” He said.
Willa felt her pain turn to bitter rage. Her heart began to race, palms sweating.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” “I walked in on you FUCKING another girl, Drew!” Willa said. Her voice was trembling. Her whole body was trembling. The audacity! She thought.
“I’m all alone, Willa. It meant nothing to me.” Drew said.
“No. I am done. Please escort yourself out of the hotel before I have someone force you out.” She said.
“No, I am not leaving until you open this damn door. ” Drew yelled.
“Stop talking.” “For once in your life, shut your freaking mouth.” She said.
“You don’t love me. Maybe you never did. What this is, is not love. You will not blame me. You will not contact me. You will not even breathe in my direction. And do you know why?” Willa said. Drew was no longer beating the door. It almost was as if he had left until,
“You ungrateful BITCH!” he said.
Drew began beating on the door even harder than before.
“You will leave me alone because if you don’t, I will hunt you down like the scum you are and I will rip your goddamn throat out,” Willa said. The tone in her voice scared even her, but Drew didn’t know that. There was silence. She waited what seemed like an eternity before peeking through the peephole. He was gone. She let out a long breath and dropped down to her knees. She began to cry. Once she felt she had cried enough she decided to draw a hot bath—locking her door up extra well.
She still hadn’t opened her door. The incident with Drew had been over for hours. She had a bad feeling that he was far from done with her. Feeling brave, she pressed open the door, still with the blockchain intact, and peeled the door to a tiny open slit. Just the housekeeper. Thank God, she thought. Willa brushed through the front of the dormitory around 9 in the morning. She passed many heading to classes as she was heading to her bed. This made her feel guilty but she really needed a few hours to collect herself. She fell to her plush white bed with a sigh.
“Now, what.” She said aloud to herself. She darted her eyes around the room trying to find the inspiration. After some thought, she decided that it was in her best interest to shower, do some yoga, and order some delivery. While she waited for the food she slipped on her favorite cotton sweatshirt and plush fall socks. She let out a long breath. She was safe. She began to feel cluttered by the abyss that was her room; the result of a very low depressive episode days before her breakup. Even though she was exhausted she felt compelled to scrub her sadness away and clean up her “depression room.” Several hours later and she was nearly done. She folded the last pair of socks and took the trash out before settling in at her desk to scroll mindlessly through social media until she was ready for bed. She didn’t know what to expect in the coming days; for now, she would rest.
She could barely keep her eyes open during her three-hour painting class, let alone get any painting done. She tried falling asleep countless times but she was constantly awakened by a horrific dream of Drew suffocating her.
“Hey... You okay? Yana said.
Yana was Willa’s best friend. They'd met in one of their shared art classes. Inseparable ever since. Yana's pencil the compliment to her clothing creations.
“Yeah, just couldn’t stay asleep last night. I’ll be fine. I just need to have some caffeine.” Willa said
Please believe I am fine, Willa thought.
Yana shot a questionable look at Willa.
“If you’re sure,” Yana said.
She could tell that Yana wanted to say more. She felt bad for not telling Yana about the incident with Drew. In all honesty, she really wanted to pretend that it didn’t happen.
“So, what are we doing this weekend?” Yana said
“I was thinking of going on a hike, picnic maybe?” Willa said.
“That sounds awesome! I’ll bring snacks.” Yana squealed.
Willa really wanted some time outside. The weather was just becoming cool enough to enjoy the fresh air and she needed to clear her head. As the minutes dragged by it was nearly time to leave. She only had the one class to get through so she could flee back to her room before having to be social with anyone.
“Willa! Wills! Willa!” a voice called.
Willa turned her head hoping it was someone she easily gets away from. It was Yana.
Shit.
“Hey, where are you going now?” Yana asked.
“Oh, just going to hang out with Binx and get some homework done.” She said.
“I forgot to ask you if you made a decision on the blind date, yet?” Yana said.
“It could be fun” Yana added.
Yana had on her puppy dog look—the look when she wanted to guilt Willa into participating in something that generally pushed her comfort zones. She really hated going into situations with so much uncertainty. Just having to ask for ketchup at a restaurant made her anxious. But she hated disappointing Yana more.
“Fine. But if he is a total mess I will never go on another one of your blind dates again.” Willa said.
Yana held her hands up agreeing to the conditions.
When she finally made it to her dorm room Binx was pacing.
“Sorry, boy. Got caught up.” Willa said and kissed his forehead.
Binx meowed in argument; lacing between her ankles quickly. She scooped Binx and headed to her shower. Binx jumped on the window sill where a pillow had been placed for him. Willa stepped into the shower and let the searing hot water sting her skin. Sometimes when she felt this way she felt like the only way she felt normal was to let the hot water melt it away. She let out a small whimper. She hated crying and she hated it more because it was over Drew.
What did I do to deserve such an evil person? She thought. She kept fighting the urge to break down, to fall into her dark places. She needed Yana. She rolled over peering at the time on her phone.
4:31 A: M
She better not call. Yana was a night owl but not this late. She peered out the window beside her bed. Everything was so still. She noticed a shadowy figure crossing the gardens in a hurry. She squinted harder nearly pressing her face into the glass. It was a boy. A tall, hefty boy. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing. The boy’s hair was black like charred wood in a fire. He had strong cheekbones and a muscular build. He was transforming before her eyes. Giant black wings ripped through his back. As the boy fell to his knees he seemed to cry out in agony.
Should... should I go help him? She thought. As if it was perfectly normal for a man to have huge wings ripping through his flesh. Just as she turned to take another look at the man, he was gone. Vanished into thin air. She fumbled into her nightstand knocking off her phone.
Was this real? She was questioning her judgment for sure. She really needed to rest. She had about 4 hours until she needed to be at the underground restaurant in Crowne Heights. She couldn’t quite remember the name only that there was a snake statue at the entrance. She copied the address from her messages from Yana and pasted it into her notes for later. She was always so anxious about getting to places. She felt so sensitive to her environment at all times that it drove her up the walls. She would be so overwhelmed it was as if the world around her was burning her skin.
She arrived at 45 King Blvd just 30 minutes before their planned time of 6:45. She felt this wasn’t too excessive she wanted to arrive 2 hours ago—just to be sure she was there before her date. She pushed open the heavy old door and walking into a dim, musky hipster café. She wanted to roll her eyes. Yana. She thought. Yana thought the hipster aesthetic was the coolest trend. Willa, however, was perfectly fine with the standard cozy bookstore/coffee shop vibe. She walked up to the bar and ordered a large caramel latte. She scanned the room for anyone who looks as lost as her.
Maybe he was running late.
She perched herself on the barstool and ordered a hot cup of earl grey tea.
“Willa Dean?” she heard a voice ask. The voice was smooth and firm. She couldn’t believe her eyes. It was him. He must have noticed the look of surprise on her face because he spoke again before she could answer.
“My name is Asher Fray. I am a friend of Yana’s. I am here for our blind date.” He said.
She realized how insane she must appear to him since she still hadn’t spoken.
“I’m sorry. I just.. you look like someone I have seen before and it took me by surprise. Let me try again, Hello I am Willa.” She extended her hand to greet him. His grasp was tight what they would call a strong handshake. His aura was so strong it seemed to vibrate the air around her.
“Pleased to meet you,” said Asher.
“Shall we grab a table over by the window?” He pointed to a cozy dim corner by the window at the front of the cafè.
“Looks great,” Willa replied.
They made their way over to the table and began skimming the menus. She tried to keep peeking to analyze his face. He was handsome. Very handsome. Still, she felt very skeptical about a blind date. She noticed a small scar on his neck below his ear. She wanted to ask him about it but felt she should probably wait until another date to ask about personal afflictions. Willa was very blunt. She hated small talk and wanted to have real meaningful conversations with people—if she had to be social.
“So, are you from around here? Brooklyn, I mean.” Willa said. She found herself leaning into the table listening to every word Asher had to say. His voice was so pretty. Everything about him seemed to draw her in. His smell was divine. She could tell it was his natural smell and not something store-bought.
“I was born in Germany. My father had to travel a lot for work as a child and he brought my mom, sister, and I along—so I have lived many places.” He spoke so politely.
“Wow, I am in Brooklyn by choice but I am from Tennessee.”
“That’s a big change,” Asher said.
“Yeah, I needed the space and Brooklyn is such a dreamy place,” Willa said.
She hadn’t noticed the time. It was nearly 9 and the café was about to close. She didn’t want the date to end yet. She felt so comfortable around him like she had known him for a long time.
He seemed to know exactly what she was thinking because he was now turning towards her outside the café when he said,
“Would you like to go somewhere fun?” He grinned.
She wanted to but she felt stomach turn at the thought of being in a large crowd.
“Don’t worry it’s not too crazy,” Asher said.
It kind of freaked her out the way he was anticipating her thoughts.
She went to tell him politely no but when she spoke she heard herself say,
“Sure, Let’s go.”
She couldn’t believe she just agreed to stay out, away from home, past 7 p.m.
“May I?” He asked, giving out his hand to lead her up a stairwell just a few blocks from the café.
She felt her face blush. She placed her hand in his. His hand had some rough spots but for someone who had such strong hands, they were still so gentle and held her hand with care.
“Here we are.”
She looked around. It was a beautiful glass building filled with plants of all kinds. It was not an ordinary greenhouse. The building seemed to glisten in the night.
“Is this okay? That we are here, I mean.” Willa said,
“Mostly,” Asher said with a grin.
Asher flipped on the switch and with a lowvrrr, the building came to life. Ivy stretched across the walls, beautiful flowers filled the space. If it wasn’t for the pebbled pathway you wouldn’t be able to find your way through.
“This.. is beautiful,” Willa said in awe.
“Yeah, I use to help the owner maintain it. She’s an elderly woman by the name Suki.” Asher said warmly.
He seems so kind she thought.
“Here, this way,” Asher said guiding her hand toward the pathway.
He opened a solid wood door that leads the skylight section of the greenhouse. She looked up, trying to take in the night open sky sprinkled with starlight.
She felt his presence beside her. The warmth from his body beaming onto her.
Jesus Christ she thought.
Behave, Wills, behave. She said to herself.
“May I?” He held out his hand.
She almost too excitedly placed her hand into his. He gripped her hand firmly leading her up a metal spiral staircase.
Her foot must have caught something because she was now fumbling forward into Asher’s back.
Smooth move, Dean, smooth move.
“I am so sorry. I am so clumsy.” Her face was cherry red.
He looked at her with a chuckle, then turned around, and with a swift fling, she was on his back. She was shocked.
That’s so hot
Shut up, shut up she thought.
Asher could feel her tense up against his back,
“If you aren’t comfortable with this, I can put you down?” He raised an eyebrow waiting for her reply.
“Oh no, that’s not it at all. I’m just still pretty nervous.” She said.
They reached the top of the greenhouse and were greeted by the warm light bulbs dangling from the ceiling.
“Wow! This is amazing” Willa said.
They walked onto the balcony, a beautiful cityscape of Brooklyn shining in front of them.
“You reminded me of this place when we were talking about Brooklyn.”
“I bet you say that to all the girls you take up here,” Willa said, giving Asher a wink.
He softly grinned.
Asher shook his head before taking a seat on the bench on the balcony. He let out a long sigh.
“This is nice. I feel like it has been ages since I have come up here.” There was a sadness in the tone of his voice. This made Willa want to hold him and assure him everything was going to alright. She resisted and instead replied by taking a seat beside him.
“Mhmm.” She said. Closing her eyes just as he did.
They sat in comfortable silence for a bit. She felt him place his arm on the back of the bench—around her but not quite touching her.
“It’s late.” He whispered.
Willa wanted to groan. She wasn’t ready for this night to end.
“Yeah.” Her voice trailed.
Asher stood up taking Willa’s hand with him. He gently brushed the stray hair behind her ear.
Willa bit the wall of her cheek trying not to lose it.
“Hm,” Asher said releasing his embrace.
She immediately missed his warmth. She smiled at him turning away to look at the city once more and hide her blushing cheeks.
Well, I guess I owe Yana an apology she thought with a giggle.
