The Lift

I walked back to my dorm very late after everyone finished auditioning because I wanted to see how my friends and upperclassmen doing at their auditions. It was a little past midnight. Luckily my dorm wasn’t far, so I don’t have to rely on public transportation. As I walked alone right beside the campus gate, thinking about what had happened earlier, I saw a black Camaro slowly passed and pull over a few yards in front of me.

Then, a guy came out. I recognized his silhouette from afar. It was Clayton, and he walked closer before talking to me.

“ Hey, do you need a lift?”.

“Nope, that’s okay. My dorm’s just three blocks away”, I said.

“Well, then, I can take you there”, he answered.

“No, really, you don’t need to. I can walk”.

“ I cannot let a woman I know walk alone in the dark like this. It’s past midnight!”

“No problem, I am already used to this, been doing it for more than a year. It’s safe”.

“No, I insisted. I’m not gonna give it up this time. Please, let me take you to your dorm”, he insisted and then smiled.

I scoffed a bit and then rolling my eyes and smiled, “Yeah well, I guess we’re just two of a kind. You are definitely a stubborn one!”

“Strong-willed, I’ll say. But, right back at’cha!”. He said when chuckled then opened the passenger door for me.

The first few minutes he drove me home, I was silent as this situation felt so unreal. I am inside Clayton’s car, and he took me back to the dorm!!! I am internally screaming, squealing, and jumping happily, but thanks to my acting abilities, those unladylike, cheesy inner me were kept locked inside safely. I put my calm and composed persona for him to see,

“Anita… Can I give a comment on your previous audition?”, he broke the silence between us.

I feel a little surprised but quickly get myself back and answered, “Sure, tell away…”

“At first I thought, “Hey, this girl is good”. You got Lucy’s emotion well, and portray her feelings nicely. But, when you started to sing, I was like ‘Whoa, this girl sure CAN sing!’. Seriously, your voice is amazing!”

“Well, thank you, Mr. Judge. I’m really flattered”. I smiled awkwardly.

“You’re welcome, that was an honest review”, he replied with a wide smile. Gosh, he was looking really good tonight. And looking at him driving from his passenger seat, inside his car, is an angle I have never dreamed of.

He stopped his car in front of my dorm after I gave him the direction. I said thanks for giving me a ride home. And then the magical moment happened.

“Anita…”, he called me with his deep, raspy voice.

“Yes?”

“Can I… call you sometime?”

Did he just ASKED if he could call me sometimes?? YES, he ASKED for my NUMBERS!!!!

With all the composure and coolness left in me, I answered, “Sure…”.

I gave him my number but I didn’t ask for his.

Well, a kind of dating expert once said, “If you asked to give your number, just give it. Don’t ask him back. Wait for 3 days, if he doesn't call, then he’s not interested.”

I usually didn’t even hesitate to ask for the guy's number, but I think I’m not going to do it this time. I don't want to end up calling him first and make him think that I chased him (Which is actually true! But I really don’t wanna look too eager, not this time).

After I got out of his car and waved goodbye, I hurried back to my room on the 2nd floor and woke Sasha, my roommate, best friend, and also my childhood friend. We have known each other since we were 10, and we ran away from the lousy little town together. She doesn't go to the same college as me, but the University located closer to the dorm. I told every single thing that happened to me, especially about Clayton, and she was really eager to hear other updates, any time of the day.

“Sasha, wake up!! I just got home from the theater auditions, and you’re not gonna believe what I’m going to tell!!”.

“Uuuuuugghh… you get Lucy’s part??” said Sasha while yawned and scratched her cheek.

“I don’t know about it yet. The results will be announced on Thursday. But it’s better than that!”

“What?”, asked Sasha, puzzled while getting her glasses and wear them.

“CLAYTON!!”

“What?? Did he talked to you again?? Today?“, she said with an enthusiastic voice. I bet she’s fully awake now.

“MORE THAN THAT!! He judged the audition, as a guest judge, praised me about it while driving me here, and then asked for my number!!” I blurted everything to her very fast.

“Whaaaat? OH MY GOD !!! That’s great…”, she jumped and hugged me. She looked very surprised and happy to hear that. “But wait!!! WAIT!! In details, NOW!”

I chuckled and dragged her to sit on her bed as I told the whole story while walking around the room, cleansing my face and get changed into a sleeping gown. I told her everything, describing it as detailed as I could. She loves to hear everything in detail, and analyze the littlest things, the tiniest gestures. She is a very good listener, best friend, relationship advisor, and roommate.

“Well, by the way the things are going, all looks very good. First, he informed you that he would be there at the audition, showed that he did remember the details of your previous convo. Second, wishing you good luck, showing that he cares for your performance, and rooting for you to do your best. Third, give commentary about the audition. He did show that he really took a good watch and appreciate your effort, and praise you for the good performance, in private. Fourth, and the best, asking numbers mean that he wanted you to move from the girl I know on campus, an underclassman, to a friend and probably even more. So, let’s cross our fingers and hope he will call you soon!”. She said after I finished the detailed situations.