Why We Laugh (#Wattys2018)

24. I Laughed Because He Asked Me Out, but When He Laughed, I didn't

Hi, guys! Almost to 900, I'm holding off my thanks, message until 1K...we can do it! Trigger warning: this chapter includes bulimic behavior.

Btw: In earlier chapters, I said Reece's father died when he was younger, but I changed that. (Should have put that note in the last chapter!)

22.

I was going on a date. This guy, Charlie, asked me out. He was kinda cute, kinda smart, kinda strong, kinda awkward, kinda brave, kinda not my type. He had black silky hair and he wore a Twenty One Pilots sweatshirt and a pair of Guess jeans. Kinda rich. Kinda casual.

Kinda.

He was a kinda person.

Well, he asked me out. He said he had admired me for a long time, and he hoped I would go out with him. It was kinda unprompted, I mean, I didn't really know him well. We kinda talked once or twice.

I laughed at first, glancing over his shoulder to see his friends gathered in a small group.

Was he serious?

I don't mean to be condescending or anything; he was a great person, just he was only a 6 on the hot list.

I wanted to say no. But as my negative thoughts about him filled my head, I realized I was being cruel. I was being judgy. I was being mean.

"Sure," I shrugged, still not showing complete enthusiasm.

He smiled, "Great! Oh, thank you so much."

He offered me his hand. I chuckled because he made me an idol, someone who he never thought he could have.

I felt like a goddess. His eyes were wide with awe.

I sighed and took his hand.

He shook it so fiercely; I thought my arm would fall from my socket.

I gave a slight, amused smile.

Once he left, I turned toward my two best friends.

We laughed.

"He's so cute," I shrieked, seeing him as a child.

"I know right. Did you see him blush?" Cacee grinned, stealing a glance at Charlie who was getting bombarded by his friends.

I smirked, "I'll go on a date with him. But it won't last."

Time Lapse

I bit my lip as Charlie fumbled for his car keys. He cleaned up nicely; his hair was greased back and he wore a shirt that was only partially tucked in.

Once in his car, he turned on the radio.

House of Gold was playing. He began singing along in one of the worst voices I have ever heard, so I shot him a glare. He shut up.

The song went on as my mind wandered.

What was I going to do on this date?

Will I wear a smug smile the whole time?

Will we stay silent?

We didn't talk the whole ride there. He was taking me to this nice modern restaurant that recently opened.

"They have Italian food here...do you like Italian food? I guess I should have asked first," I could tell he was silently beating himself up over the little detail.

I laughed, "I love Italian food, don't worry."

He exhaled a large sigh and opened the door for me.