Chapter 2.

Melissa slumped back on the couch and ran her hands through her messy hair. The weight she was carrying was weighing heavily not only on her mind, but she could feel it on her back, like a huge load resting on top of it and that load kept increasing as time went by.

As much as Melissa tried to push it to the farthest corner in her mind, she was in debt, a huge debt as a matter of fact. Borrowing money was the only way she and Brandon could survive. Melissa had borrowed a huge sum of money to pay off Brandon’s tuition fees and find a decent place for the both of them to live.

Melissa looked up at the white ceiling and her expression turned grim. She had no clue on how she was going to pay off her debt, but she had to because the loan sharks weren’t merciful. Melissa blinked, detaching herself from her thoughts. Overthinking wasn’t going to solve her problems.

A soft knock came from the door and Melissa turned her eyes to it. She paused for a second as deep fear ran through her mind. What if it was the loan sharks? She hadn’t paid off the quota for this month, so her guess wasn’t far off. The knocking got louder and more persistent, flaring up her anxiety even further.

Melissa exhaled, an attempt to calm herself, which didn’t work. She got up from the couch slowly and approached the door with great caution. Melissa’s breathing was ragged as she held the door knob with shaky hands.

She whispered a small prayer and opened the door slowly. Relief washed over her immediately when she saw Tory, her only friend standing outside her apartment. All the tension in her muscles had vanished in an instant and she felt weak in her knees.

“Jesus Christ Tory, you scared me.”

Tory gave her a puzzled look and folded her arms as she replied.

“What the hell are you going on about?”

Melissa waved her question off and trudged away from the door. Tory walked into the apartment and closed the door behind her.

“What do you want?” Melissa asked as she plopped back down on her small sofa.

“Aw, why are you being so mean to me this morning? I came here to check up on you.”

Melissa raised her eyebrow at tory, not buying what she said.

“We both know you only stop at my apartment when you need something.”

Tory opened her mouth to counter what Melissa said but quickly realised she was right. She plopped down beside Melissa and looked at her.

“You’re right, but I’m here today for a different reason.” Tory tried to sound as convincing as possible.

“Alright, I’ll believe. So what’s up?”

Tory smiled and cleared her throat.

“So, at work yesterday, I was having a little chat with a customer while I was fixing up her hair and she was telling me about her love life.”

Oh boy, not this subject again. Melissa absolutely detested talking about it, but she let Tory continue without letting her know how uninterested she was.

“The woman was telling me about how her love life was basically non-existent, like water in a desert.”

“Oasis exists.”

Tory rolled her eyes and Melissa couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Anyway, once she said that, it reminded me of a certain someone whose love life is practically similar to hers.”

“Really? And who might that be?” Melissa asked as a sarcastic smile played on her lips.

“You know who exactly I’m referring to. That being said, I made up my mind, I’m going to rejuvenate your love life!” Torysaid with so much passion, you’d think she was giving a speech at a presidential campaign.

Melissa let out a disgusted sigh and threw herself up from from the couch and walked to the kitchen.

“I told you not to bother me with such trivial things, and besides I’m a really busy person, I don’t have time for love.”

Tory scoffed and followed her into the kitchen.

“Busy? What exactly are you doing that makes you so busy for love Melissa?”

Melissa grabbed a mug and swung open her wooden cupboard in search of some instant coffee.

“I told you, I work part-time at a small mart.”

“U-mart? The same place that makes you work night shifts and because of that you keep getting sexually harassed?”

Melissa shrugged. “The pay’s good.”

“If you consider two dollars an hour good pay, then your idea of good pay is slightly off.”

Melissa grabbed the small pack of instant coffee and poured the powder into her mug. She sighed and looked up Tory, who was looking at her expectantly.

“I don’t know what you expect me to do Tory.”

“Go on a blind date!” She exclaimed, her eyes gleaming with excitement.

“Now you’re just being ridiculous.” Melissa said, shaking her head in disagreement.

“Im being serious Melissa. Just try it out, this once.”

Melissa could hear how much Tory was pleading to her, but she really didn’t want to get involved with anything that had to do with love. She had never experienced it and wasn’t ready to delve  into that world.

“I know that look, you’re not considering what I said at all.” Tory said as she observed her with squinted eyes.

“Looks like you caught me.” Melissa replied with a shrug.

“Come on Melissa.”

Melissa sighed and examined her friend. Her hazelnut eyes were pleading so much to her desperately. Tory slid her hands over Melissa’s and gave her a warm look.

“I’m only doing this because I care about you. Brandon’s leaving for college soon right? I don’t want you to be by yourself. It can get depressing.”

“But I have you.”

Tory chuckled. “I’m flattered, but I can’t be with you all the time, now can I?”

Tory had a point. Melissa had never looked at it from that point of view. She had never imagined that she would be alone for the rest of her life. Now that she thought about it carefully, Tory was right, it would be depressing.

Melissa sighed, defeated.

“I guess I’ll humour you then. Sign me up for this blind date you’re talking about.”