Finding Isla

Running out of time

Archie

The running track always seemed to be the place I got my best ideas from. The fresh air and the wind in the trees made the whole time, euphoric.

Eli and I run together at the same pace around the track built behind the new gym that just popped up in the city.

I also have been wanting to check it out, so when, Eli texted me this morning wanting to check it out. I jumped at the opportunity to check it out, too.

"Do you think today is too soon for that first date?" I huff out while we stand side to side briskly running across the first mile mark.

Eli scoffs while settled into a simple jog. "Its sure last minute. Why the rush?"

I shrug my shoulders, "today feels right.

Eli stalls his motions coming to a complete halt, I stop too, Back towards me. I pivot my foot to turn towards him.

"What?" I find myself asking him. Wondering why he looks like he is about to blow a gasket.

Eli smirks at my detail. Knows full well, I know why he's giving me the look.

I throw my hands through my unruly hair and tussle the locks, frustrated at myself. I haven't asked a girl out on a date or been on a date in years. My heads been stuck so far up the bar's ass, I barely find time to get quality sleep, let alone find the time with a girl laying in my sheets.

Guess thats what happens when you take on a whole business at twenty five. A business I have put my all into for as long as I can remember. It just happens when your'e raised only knowing those four walls. The same four walls I vowed at sixteen to one day take over, to give my Uncle, the much needed break, he deserved. The man gave his blood, sweat and tears to that place. I had no choice, but to keep it going, after his passing.

The man was more like a Father than an Uncle to me. Raised me like his own when he didn't even have any kids to begin with. One day my Mom showed up on his front porch, newly separated from my Father, with no money to her name and in need of shelter. My uncle being the kind man he was, never batted an eye at her request. Uncle Dean loved his Sister so much that there was never a second thought for him when it came to my mom and I.

We stayed with Dean until I was sixteen. When my mom had met Alex, I remember begging and pleading her to let me stay with my Uncle Dean, not wanting to move to Florida with them, She was hesitant at first about it. But ultimately, let me stay and stay I did.

"So where are you going to take her?" Eli questions while stretching out his legs.

His question startles me, snapping me back to reality and out of my day dream filled head.

I sigh, "I don't know yet."

"Archie, Archie, Archie." Eli shakes his head at me.

I cross my arms over my chest, "I know, okay." I say through gritted teeth.

I want this date to be perfect, for Isla. But every time I try and think up an idea nothing seems to be good enough. All I want is to go above and beyond with showing her how I truly care for her but I cant seem to figure out how to articulate it?

Eli must of seen my dilemma across my face because one minute he is next to me and the next he is in front of me- both hands on either shoulder.

"Breathe, man." Eli says out slowly. Sees the worry and panic creeping out of his friend in puffs of steam rising from his ears. Eli loves to tease me but he knows when to be serious, too.

I let out the long breathe I had been holding, captive. "Thank you."

Eli gently squeezes my shoulders. "Your my brother man, Id do anything for you."

"What mood are you going for?" Eli asks, changing the subject away from heavy and pulls it more towards light hearted.

"I don't want to scare her away. So something with simplicity but shows I really tried."

"Sounds like you better get started then."

I scoff and laugh. " Thanks, Eli. What would I ever do without you?"

Eli puts his finger to his mouth and taps it against them, lightly, while he ponders in thought.

"Probably still without any date ideas and a little lonelier?" He shrugs his shoulders, feigning indifference.

"Tell me how you really feel?" I tell him, sarcastically.

"I just did?" He looks at me with confusion in the way he says it but we both know, he knows, what he said.

..........

The plans had been drawn up and the date was set in motion.

Elis date idea was better than mine and I was glad for it. I had spent the majority of last night and this morning, frantically trying to figure out what we could do together.

It took the man fifteen minutes to concoct the ultimate date idea and I just filled in the remaining gaps.

Trudging a towel through my wet hair. A shower always made me feel better after a day of running. I stare at my phone perched on the bathroom sink, demanding my attention.

This was it. Now or never.

I threw the damp, used towel into th laundry hamper and stand in front of the sink.

My reflection stares back at me. "You can do this." I tell myself through the pane of glass.

With shaky hands, I pick up my phone-scrolling until I find her contact.

With an exhale of breath, I sent the text.

Archie: Is today too soon for that date?

Neither one of us were scheduled today and Eli said he had the place covered until the night crowd at nine tonight so I was practically free, all day.

Three dots show up on the screen, showing she is, replying to me.

Isla: Cant get enough of me, huh?

A smirk graces my lips. This girl was good at surprising me, I liked it. Liked the way she can go from calm and friendly to flirt and sensual all in the toss of a coin.

I liked it.

Archie: You know me so well.

Isla: Of course, I do! When should I be ready?

I throw my fists in the air, ecstatic she said yes to a date, today.

Archie: Meet me at Deans around one, this afternoon? If thats okay?

Isla: Sounds like a plan! See you then, Archie.

The plan was in motion. Now all I needed to do was figure out what to do with myself for the next couple of hours while I have to wait.

Guess taking a much needed shower first was the way to go about this moment of anticipation and anxiety. If anything else, it was a way to keep me distracted. Even if just for a few minutes of time.

Then I would be back to square one on how else to sway my time. Thats okay, though. I think? Gives me the extra time to calm the rapid beating of my heart in my chest and finish the finer details of the date.

"Here goes nothing." I say while starring at my reflection in the mirror, who else then your self to give you an impromptu pep talk?

I can think of none.