One Leads to Another

"Hey, this is Mike."

"I was wondering if you were gonna text me! -Ashley ;p"

"I can't say I've ever had a girl give me their number first in this sort of context."

"Weeeeell. Given how you reacted to my compliment. I figured you might need someone to talk to. ^_^"

"Ya… sorry about that…"

"Don't apologize! It's okay. I'm sorry i startled you like that! I appreciated your sticky note btw. Cute way of complimenting someone. ;p"

"Thanks. Ya I'm not used to someone out of the blue complimenting me let alone recognizing me."

"I figured as much. I also sus'd out who you were after you kept staring at me during lunches. ;p"

"What am i supposed to respond to that with?"

"Most people give a reason. But you don't have to. Yet ;p ;p"

"Is that right? Well when should I?"

"Hmmmm you free this sunday?"

"Ya?"

"Breakfast. I'll pick you up. Casual attire."

Did I just get asked out? I think I just got asked out. Holy fuck. I have a date.

The days leading up to my date were undeniably a hellscape on my anxiety and focus. It was only two days. But I couldn’t work on anything. It wasn’t worth trying to focus at all. I focused on studying, working around the apartment. I even ran a few errands I had been neglecting. Dad sussed out what happened by the time he got home on friday. He walked in, normally he has the same routine I can hear. But today he stopped after he put his bag down.

“Mike!” He called out. Walking around to my room he knocked on my door.

“What?” I responded. He knew he could open my door, I didn’t say hold on so he swung it open all the way.

“Do you have a date?” His look was a mix between being perplexed, and being amazed.

“Uh, ya?” I was at my desk and had turned around to face him.

“When.”

“Sunday, breakfast.”

“Okay then.” He cocked his head and walked out. I couldn’t tell how he felt. But knowing dad he’d say something about it if he had something to say. Saturday night I finished dinner and texted Ashley.

“Hey, what time are you coming by tomorrow?”

“Well it’d be nice to know where I’m going first off ;P” I facepalmed at that one. Sent my address and some instructions on how to find my place.

“With that i’ll probably be around 8:15”

“That’s early, I’ll try and be outside when you get here so you aren’t waiting too long.”

“Good, it’s early so we can get there ahead of the rush. ;p”

“Fair, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Looking forward to it ;P”

I never knew what to make of those emoji’s she used. Was she trying to flirt? Or just expressing herself? One of the many lessons I’d need to learn about. I was wearing a nice pair of jeans and my tennis shoes. This was an occasion to bust out the clothes that weren’t to be worn when doing art. A nice graphic T and a Sleek black jacket my aunt had gotten me on one of her trips to Japan. I walked out of my apartment with my dad still asleep at 8. Rounding the corner towards the parking lot there was a silver station wagon. Someone was waving out of it. Ashley was waving out of it! She was 10 minutes early!

“Fuck!” I thought. With a surprised expression I walked around her car and got in the passenger seat.

“You’re early”