First
Date
Terry looked nervously at the clock. Six oh-eight, it told him. Fifty-two minutes until he had to go pick up his date. He was sitting around in a T-shirt and sweats, and he got the distinct feeling that this was not the right impression to make.
He got up off the bed and double-checked that his roommate had already left. Paul could be a very nice guy when he tried; the only problem Terry had with him was how rarely he tried. But Paul had Bible study that night and wouldn't be back until eight. So Terry checked out his closet and quickly selected black slacks and a royal blue dress shirt.
He glanced at the clock again. Six twenty-three, it announced silently. He moaned as he ran through a mental checklist of everything that he had to do in the next thirty-seven minutes. And it was going to take him fifteen minutes to pick up his date. The phone rang; the caller ID told him that it was from Mary Beth's dorm. "Emby, I don't have time-" he started.
"Yes, you do," Phoenix replied. "My car'll be outside with the keys 'round 'bout ten to, got it?"
"Hey, thanks!"
"All part of the package, buddy."
He hung up smiling. Then he washed up and brushed his teeth. Just in case, he also popped a breath mint. He weighed the cologne carefully in his hand before putting it down and walking out of the bathroom. Then he dressed, tucking his shirt into his pants, tracking down a faux-leather belt, matching his socks to his shirt, and putting on his dress shoes- so many details he had to get right for this first date.
Six-forty. He dashed back into the bathroom to comb his curly hair, squeeze some gel into it, and dab cologne in the appropriate places. He cast an anxious look in the mirror and re-combed his hair. Then he spent a couple of minutes debating 'tie or no tie?' He finally compromised by grabbing one and sticking it in his pocket just in case of emergency or suddenly formal occasion.
He shined up his necklace, making sure it glistened. In one hand he picked up the roses and struggled to get one into a buttonhole. He held on to the other one for dear life as he peeked at the clock one last time. It was six forty-eight, and he was abruptly reminded that Phoenix always showed up three minutes early. He raced out of the room, but Phoenix met him on the steps and handed him the keys. "Now, you can do whatever the heck you want, so long's you don't wreck the thing. I ain't real fond of that hunka junk, but I can't 'ford to replace it right now," she warned him.
"You're awesome," he replied. "Thank you so much."
"Just tryin' to help Cupid, y'know, 'cause sometimes he needs it."
At a more sedate pace, he headed downstairs to pick up the car. Five minutes later, he was double-parked outside his destination with his finger poised on the doorbell. He pressed quickly before he changed his mind. The door swung open, and a tall blonde woman was standing there. "You must be Terry!" she exclaimed. "I've heard so much about you. Just hold on, would you?" The blonde woman swiveled her head and yelled upstairs, "Kevin, your date's here! Hurry up!"
"I'm not done yet!" Kevin replied. About three minutes later, Terry's tall blond boyfriend-to-be came down the stairs, wearing a red and white striped shirt with beige slacks. "What are you smirking at?" he asked.
"Hon," Terry said gently, "That shirt makes you look like a very skinny six-five candy cane. I'm sorry, but I did have to tell you."
"Well, fine, be like that." Kevin stalked back upstairs. Smooth, Ter, real great job turning off that cutie, he thought sarcastically, sounding more like his dry high school friend Arianna than anyone else.
"I might as well go, Mrs. MacPhearson," he said reluctantly, preparing to turn and go. She stopped him, yanking him into the house.
"Kev has these moods, he'll be sweet as sunshine in just a few minutes." She looked at him. "Please stay… I've never seen Kevin so happy as when he's talking about you."
"And we haven't even been on a date alone yet."
Kevin returned, wearing a solid red shirt. "Kevin, I- I'm sorry for saying that."
"No worries. I looked in the mirror and saw you were right." The blonde shrugged. "Doesn't the show start soon?"
"Don't fret." Terry took Kevin out to the car. "Phoenix let me borrow her ride for tonight," he explained while opening the car door.
Kevin made as if to sit down, but stopped when he saw rose lying on the seat. He choked up. "Oh, Terry," was all he said.
Terry just offered a warm smile as he climbed into the driver's seat and got the car started. It hiccuped and coughed as it bounced down the street to get the date going.
Sweet Spot: Yeah, I know this isn’t done. If I don’t get flamed to a crisp, I’ll write more on Terry/Kevin. But do feel free to flame. I won’t remove it. Promise.
Advisory: This story is the intellectual property of me, Candace Hershey. All characters contained within said story belong to me. Use at your own risk. J