Chapter 5.

Bliss.

     It's Sunday and I'm excited about going out with Jo. I don't know what to wear and where we'll be going. I'm feeling kinda nervous and excited. This isn't a date, he just wants to give me the books he got me. My belly hurts, is this normal? 

'You need to stop stressing out'. I snap out of my thoughts and turn towards Grace. We went to church together so she's dropping me off at home.

'I'm not stressing. Why would I? I'm just going out to eat with Jo. I'm not stressing.' I sound like I'm convincing myself.

She scoffs. 'Uh huh. If you're not stressing over it, then why are you wringing your fingers? You've been doing it for a while now.'

I immediately stop and try to justify my action. 'I'm just doing finger exercises. To loosen muscular tension.' What am I saying?

She looks shocked. 'What does any of that mean? Put more effort and logic into your lying. It's terrible.' I stick my tongue out at her.

We're at my apartment, so she stops the car and turns to me. 'Are you excited or nervous?'

My hands are under my thighs. 'Excited. I want to see what he got me.' And also see him, but I keep that part to myself.

'You sure that's all?' She's smirking at me now. 

I avoid her eyes and look at my trousers. What a lovely brown colour. 'Yes, that's all.' 

She just smiles at me. 'Okay then. Have a great time and tell me what he got you.' 

'I will. Bye.' I get out of the car and lock the door. I open the gate and walk in.

'Bliss!' Grace calls me before I enter. 'You'll be alright. Love ya.' And then she drives off before I reply. I roll my eyes and smile, then enter the building.

My apartment complex has three floors and I live on the second floor. I climb the flight of stairs and walk to my door. I wonder what time it is? I take my phone out of my bag and check the time. 10:47 am. I have a lot of time before I see him. I send Jo a text asking if I should dress casual or casual fancy before tossing the phone on the couch. 

I enter into my room, change out of my church clothes and into a big tshirt and shorts. I'm hungry and thirsty, so I go to the kitchen and drink some water. I start cooking instant noodles and scrambled eggs because it won't take long to be ready.

I check my phone and Jo has answered my text. I sit on one of the counter stools before reading the text. He says I should dress casual. Thank God, I'm too lazy to dress fancy. I send a short text back. I put the phone down and check my food. I want to eat quickly and take a short nap before it's 3. I'll wake up on time.

................

I wake up around 2:31, I have twenty-nine minutes to spare. I kind of shower - without soap and search my closet for something to wear. I decide on a big green long-sleeve shirt, black jeans, black bucket hat and sneakers. I douse my self in my favorite perfume and put on lip gloss. I put whatever I need into my bag. I'm turning off lights when I hear knocking on the door. I check my reflection in the foyer mirror before opening the door.

'Hey Bibi.' He's smiling wide. Cute.

'Hi Jo.' I lock the door and turn to face him.

'Lets go.' He holds my hand and swings it as we walk. I'm smiling so hard. We walk to his car and get in, then he starts driving. The only sound in the car is from the radio playing music until he speaks.

'I haven't seen you in forever.' He's exaggerating.

I shake my head and smile at him. 'You saw me last week.' 

'Last week was far away. My week felt so empty without your presence.' He waves his left hand around, which looks funny 'cause his long-sleeve is covering it. So cute.

'You're so weird.' I roll my eyes at his theatrics.

'Gasp. How dare you? After all the love I've given you.' His eyes are narrowed at the road and he's shaking his head.

Oh God. 'Why did you say - gasp - instead of gasping?'

'Instead of reassuring me that you love me, you choose to be stuck on the fact that I said gasp? Is this all my love is worth to you?' I don't have any normal friends. God please help me.

I speak in the flattest tone I can muster. 'I love you so much, my heart can't take it.'

'Oh sweety, I think you need to have your heart checked. I don't want you dying on me before we get married.' What in God's good name - He. did. not. just say that.

'What the hell? Why would you even say that?' I'm cackling like a witch. 

'I don't know why I said it. Stop laughing at me.' He says in mock seriousness. He's so crazy.

We arrive at the diner after a while - which looks nice. Jo finds a place to park and we go in. There are people in the diner but still some empty booths, so we find a table for two and sit. A waiter comes to our table and gives us menus, we order and he leaves us alone.

The diner is a simple looking one. Cream walls, polished wood-looking chairs and tables, fairy lights arranged in patterns on the ceiling and ceiling to floor windows. It's so simple but pretty, I love it. Jo speaks first and he looks like an excited kid. 'It's so nice here. Do you like it?'

I smile at him. 'Yeah, I do.' The lights above us and the rays of the sunset make him look so pretty. I'm about to tell him but the waiter has come with our food so I leave it alone. I ordered a cheeseburger, a large side of fries and a milkshake while he ordered Fish and chips with a milkshake. It smells delicious.

Jo starts shaking his slim shoulders and wiggling his body like a baby worm. 'What are you doing?' I ask while laughing.

People are staring at him strangely but he doesn't notice. 'I'm happy, my food is here. Let's dig in.' Crazy crazy baby worm.

I can't help myself. 'You're so adorable.'

'Why, thank you.' His words are kind of muffled by his chewing.

We spend the next minutes eating and talking about everything and nothing at the same time. Bad table manners - don't try this at home kids. We finish eating and pay but we sit and talk till the sum starts going down. We decide to drive around in the sunset before going home. It's fun.

It's a few minutes past six when we get to my house. He has switched off the car but I don't go into my apartment. He reaches into the backseat and hands me a gift bag. I'm smiling as I open it and take a look at the two books inside. I don't know the first book but the second one, I've wanted to read for a while now. I reach across and hug him. He's an angel.

I smack a kiss on his forehead before I let him go. 'Thank you, Jo. I like them. One of them was already on my list to read.' 

'Y-You're welcome. I'm glad you like them.' He's voice is slightly breathy. I guess from when I hugged him tight.

'I should let you go home since tomorrow's Monday.' I say as I open the door and get out. I go to his side of the car and thank him for the books, then I walk to the front steps of my building. I turn back around and wave while he gives me a kissy face and drives off. Cute.

Before I fall asleep, I get a text from Jo saying Goodnight. I text back a goodnight. I fall asleep with thoughts of Laughter and wiggling shoulders.