Say You Like Me
Three
I sat at the table at Del Dente and touched up my makeup. I took out my phone and looked at the time. 7:30. I sighed and texted Ryan again, “Where the hell are you?” The waiter came over and gave me a questioning look.
“I’m sorry. He said he’d be here soon.” I apologized and stared at the time again.
Minutes went by like days. Soon it was 8:00 and I had waited long enough. I got up from the table, apologized to the waiter, and gave him a tip so I didn’t look like an asshole that sat at a vacant table for an hour not ordering anything. As soon as I walked out the door of the restaurant I took out my phone and immediately called Gabe. “Hey Nat what’s up? How’s your date?” I could feel the tears forming in my eyes.
“Ryan stood me up.” I choked out and the tears began to freely fall.
“What? What do you mean?” Gabe questioned eagerly.
“He never showed up to our date and didn’t answer any of my texts.”
Gabe was silent for a few seconds then said, “Stay where you are. I’m coming to get you.” I nodded even though I knew he couldn’t see me right now. It was just too hard to talk because it felt like there was a lump in my throat. I couldn’t believe that my boyfriend, of over a year, scheduled a date with me and failed to show up. I sat down on the curb and put my face in my hands.
Within ten minutes I felt someone put their arms around me and pull me close to them. I knew from the smell that it could only be Gabe. I looked up at him and he smiled. He led me to his car and opened the door for me, like a true gentleman, then closed the door and hopped in the other side.
We drove in silence for a while until Gabe chose to speak up. “Natalie, there is something that I’ve been trying to tell you for a while now but I could never find the right time or the right words to say it. Instead, I’m just going to show you.”
We drove for a little while longer until we pulled up to a house. “I’m guess that this is why Ryan missed your date.” Gabe whispered. I looked out of the car and saw a huge window in the front of the house.
Through the window you could clearly see two figures. The first figure, a shirtless guy, was lying on the couch. The second figure, a girl in her bra and underwear, was on top of the guy on the couch. These two figures were in a heated make-out session on the couch. I instantly recognized the shaggy brown hair that covered the guy’s head. It was Ryan. The girl, whose hair was bleached blonde, was my ex-best friend, Sarah. She always had guys after her and I guess she didn’t like the fact that Ryan was with me so she decided to take him too. I turned away from the scene and put my face in my hands one more time. The tears poured out of my eyes like a waterfall. There was nothing I could do to keep them in. I felt Gabe’s hand rubbing my back. I finally managed to control myself and croaked out, “Take me home, Gabe.” He willingly obliged.
We pulled into my driveway and I remembered that my parents were out of town for their anniversary. Gabe walked me to my door and then followed me to my room, his hand never leaving my waist. I went into the bathroom to change into pajamas but as soon as I looked in the mirror and saw my broken, vulnerable self I broke down once more. Immediately Gabe was at me side. “Hey there, it’s okay.”
His voice was soothing and being in his arms made me feel at home. He lifted my chin so that I was looking him in the eyes. He used his calloused thumb to wipe my runny mascara and eyeliner. I knew should have worn waterproof makeup. “I’m sorry that Ryan is a jerk. I should have told you sooner, Nat. I am so sorry.”
I shook my head and sniffled. “You don’t need to apologize, Gabe. You can't change what he did. Thank you for telling me.” He kissed my forehead and I slipped off my high heels. I had finally cried out all my tears so I took that as a sign that I should change out of my brand new dress, wipe off the makeup that took so long to perfect, and pull up my hair that was in perfect waves into a bun.
I tried my best to look absolutely perfect tonight to impress Ryan. We had been together for a while and I wanted to show him that I still love him even though I haven't shown it lately because I've been so busy with school and planning my future, as well as Ryan's. I also thought that there would be a chance that he chose tonight to ask me to go to prom with him. It's just my luck to find out that he's been cheating on me for who knows how long. The stars are never aligned when it comes to my love life.
I changed into pj shorts and a tank top. I climbed into bed and pulled my fluffy comforter up to my face. I patted the spot next to me and Gabe climbed in my bed as well. He had changed into a t-shirt and basketball shorts that he had left here the last time he slept over. I snuggled close to Gabe and cried softly into his chest. I didn’t really want to talk about anything yet and Gabe knew that. Just as I was drifting off to sleep I heard something surprising. Gabe must have thought I was already asleep because he kissed my temple and whispered, “I love you Nat.”
“I’m sorry. He said he’d be here soon.” I apologized and stared at the time again.
Minutes went by like days. Soon it was 8:00 and I had waited long enough. I got up from the table, apologized to the waiter, and gave him a tip so I didn’t look like an asshole that sat at a vacant table for an hour not ordering anything. As soon as I walked out the door of the restaurant I took out my phone and immediately called Gabe. “Hey Nat what’s up? How’s your date?” I could feel the tears forming in my eyes.
“Ryan stood me up.” I choked out and the tears began to freely fall.
“What? What do you mean?” Gabe questioned eagerly.
“He never showed up to our date and didn’t answer any of my texts.”
Gabe was silent for a few seconds then said, “Stay where you are. I’m coming to get you.” I nodded even though I knew he couldn’t see me right now. It was just too hard to talk because it felt like there was a lump in my throat. I couldn’t believe that my boyfriend, of over a year, scheduled a date with me and failed to show up. I sat down on the curb and put my face in my hands.
Within ten minutes I felt someone put their arms around me and pull me close to them. I knew from the smell that it could only be Gabe. I looked up at him and he smiled. He led me to his car and opened the door for me, like a true gentleman, then closed the door and hopped in the other side.
We drove in silence for a while until Gabe chose to speak up. “Natalie, there is something that I’ve been trying to tell you for a while now but I could never find the right time or the right words to say it. Instead, I’m just going to show you.”
We drove for a little while longer until we pulled up to a house. “I’m guess that this is why Ryan missed your date.” Gabe whispered. I looked out of the car and saw a huge window in the front of the house.
Through the window you could clearly see two figures. The first figure, a shirtless guy, was lying on the couch. The second figure, a girl in her bra and underwear, was on top of the guy on the couch. These two figures were in a heated make-out session on the couch. I instantly recognized the shaggy brown hair that covered the guy’s head. It was Ryan. The girl, whose hair was bleached blonde, was my ex-best friend, Sarah. She always had guys after her and I guess she didn’t like the fact that Ryan was with me so she decided to take him too. I turned away from the scene and put my face in my hands one more time. The tears poured out of my eyes like a waterfall. There was nothing I could do to keep them in. I felt Gabe’s hand rubbing my back. I finally managed to control myself and croaked out, “Take me home, Gabe.” He willingly obliged.
We pulled into my driveway and I remembered that my parents were out of town for their anniversary. Gabe walked me to my door and then followed me to my room, his hand never leaving my waist. I went into the bathroom to change into pajamas but as soon as I looked in the mirror and saw my broken, vulnerable self I broke down once more. Immediately Gabe was at me side. “Hey there, it’s okay.”
His voice was soothing and being in his arms made me feel at home. He lifted my chin so that I was looking him in the eyes. He used his calloused thumb to wipe my runny mascara and eyeliner. I knew should have worn waterproof makeup. “I’m sorry that Ryan is a jerk. I should have told you sooner, Nat. I am so sorry.”
I shook my head and sniffled. “You don’t need to apologize, Gabe. You can't change what he did. Thank you for telling me.” He kissed my forehead and I slipped off my high heels. I had finally cried out all my tears so I took that as a sign that I should change out of my brand new dress, wipe off the makeup that took so long to perfect, and pull up my hair that was in perfect waves into a bun.
I tried my best to look absolutely perfect tonight to impress Ryan. We had been together for a while and I wanted to show him that I still love him even though I haven't shown it lately because I've been so busy with school and planning my future, as well as Ryan's. I also thought that there would be a chance that he chose tonight to ask me to go to prom with him. It's just my luck to find out that he's been cheating on me for who knows how long. The stars are never aligned when it comes to my love life.
I changed into pj shorts and a tank top. I climbed into bed and pulled my fluffy comforter up to my face. I patted the spot next to me and Gabe climbed in my bed as well. He had changed into a t-shirt and basketball shorts that he had left here the last time he slept over. I snuggled close to Gabe and cried softly into his chest. I didn’t really want to talk about anything yet and Gabe knew that. Just as I was drifting off to sleep I heard something surprising. Gabe must have thought I was already asleep because he kissed my temple and whispered, “I love you Nat.”
4/9/13