Blind Date

Hands sweaty and eyes nervously glancing around, I wonder how he looks like. I hope he isn't too geeky, because then I would have to terminate any sense of "us", or too handsome either, because then I won't be able to concentrate. I wonder if he has glasses or if he is sporty. I doubt he has any athletic ability since he sounds very proper in his emails, a well-educated male. I finally take out my Chemistry textbook and prop my legs up to support it to look nonchalant and studious. I don't want him to get the wrong impression that I've been waiting for him for the past 15 minutes-I was early-and I didn't want to look desperate. But, in reality, I was desperate to meet him. I didn't know how he looked or how he dresses. I didn't know anything about him except for his name.

I look at the clock repeatedly and the same question runs through my mind. Is he here yet? My face is warm and I use my finger to stretch the neckline of my sweater out. I need some air. Should I leave and come back? What if he leaves because he sees that I'm not here? What if he gets angry because he thinks that I am late? After all, it is our first time meeting.

Another boy sits near me, my eye travels to his figure. He opens his book and leans back into the chair like he has done this many times before. He has a lazy sense about him with his jacket askew and his legs resting on the table. Is that him? It can't be. Does he expect me to greet him? Are boys usually this insolent?

The clock bell, outside, chimes indicating that our official meeting time has commenced.

He is no where in sight.

He cannot have stood me up. He would not dare stand me up. Doesn't he know that I need his help. Perhaps, I should look for him; I gather my books and decide to walk around. At last, I spot a boy at a table next to another girl. It must be him, but my heart drops. Why are there other people? I thought it would be just him and me.

I briefly skim him. He'll do.

"Are you by any chance Brian?"

"Yeah. Hi. You're here for Chemistry right?"

I nod, "Hi. I'm Pauline".

"Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too."

"Um. You can take a seat there," Brian gestures to the seat next to the other boy. "If there are any difficulties with a Chem problem, just ask okay?"

"Sure."

I smile and sit, all the while blushing extensively.

I met my Chem. tutor yesterday and I was thinking about how nervous I was. It reminded me of a blind date; hence, the short short story.