Who Are You?
Paranoid
.:.:.
Matt's POV
I had just texted Brian before leaving Elise’s place and was waiting for a reply. It wasn’t too late at night, I figured he would still be awake. I read my message again and couldn’t help but grin like an idiot. Elise was something special but a part of me was waiting for something to go wrong. Mainly from me doing something stupid to fuck things up. I was enjoying getting to know her and learn little details of her life. With Elise, things were different than they were with Val. I grew up with Valary so as we grew older together, we grew to know each other. There were no secrets or details left hidden in our friendship or relationship to discover. Talking to Elise meant learning something new about her every day. Ever since I found out about her anxiety problems, which wasn’t long ago, I began racking my brain of somewhere to take her on an awesome second date. Perhaps Zack or his sister could help. They’ve always been a bit shy.
I had just pulled into my parent’s driveway when my phone vibrated.
Brian: Tell me something I don’t know haha. Something good happen tonight?
I let my thumbs do the talking;
Probably not your definition of “good”. Just had a quiet movie night, she fell asleep, then I carried her to bed.
Brian: You soft pussy! In all seriousness, what’s your next move?
Trying to think of a second date. Somewhere quiet or where she’d be comfortable.
Brian: How far you willing to drive?
Anywhere.
I quietly walked through the house and flicked on the light switch of my room. It felt good to be home but I missed being able to fall asleep next to someone. My shoes were kicked off into my closet before I threw my pants on the floor. I flopped onto my bed just as Brian messaged me back. Again, I smiled like an idiot.
"Perfect." I thought while thanking Brian.
.:.:.
Morning had come way too early for me but thankfully the day flew by just as fast. Today was already Friday so I knew I had to race across town before Elise went into work at 5:00. It was 4:37 to be exact but main street traffic was a pain. My dad chuckled at my haste as I jogged to my car almost forgetting to tell him bye.
I pulled into the parking lot at a quarter to 5:00. I knew there was no way Elise would be that early to work. The woman would be late to her own funeral if it were up to her. I adjusted my hat and clipped my glasses to the front of my shirt before making my way inside.
"Hey, Matthew!" The friendly voice of a gentleman greeted me as soon as I stepped through the doors.
“What’s up, Dan?” I walked past the hostess who gave me a smile and made my way over to Dan. “Hey, do you have a minute to talk? I need to ask you something about Elise.”
“Yes, of course. Please, have a seat.” Elise’s Uncle Dan move his paperwork to one side of the table while motioning for me to sit down. “What’s on your mind?”
“Well,” I slid into the booth, “I really want to take her out on a second date but I want it to be awesome. My friend gave me a great idea but I just need to know what days she works next week. If you’re able to give out that info…”
Dan sported the biggest grin, “If it means spending time with you, I’m sure she wouldn’t mind if I told you. I actually have the schedule here if you’d like to have a look.” Dan sorted through some papers and handed me a single sheet. My eyes quickly found Elise’s column as I scanned over the dates and times.
Bingo.
I smirked and handed the schedule back to him. “Thanks, Dan. That helps a bunch. See you around.” I shook the older man’s hand and hurried home before Elise arrived to work.
I was beyond thankful this man was able to help me out, especially since after only meeting him once. Perhaps I made a good impression on him or maybe Elise had talked me up. I chuckled a bit at the thought. I still had time to plan for our date but I couldn’t wait to get started. A quick message was shot to Leana in hopes of her being able to go shopping with me. As much as I hated that “S” word, I was amped for it today. Luckily Leana worked near the shopping mall I planned on hitting up and told me stop in. I internally groaned but decided it was the least I could do.
.:.:.
“Mattie!” Leana bounced up and down as a horrified look spread across my face. My parents always told me not to run with scissors but I was sure they also meant not to jump up and down with pointy objects.
“Calm down, Lee.” I motioned with my fingers for her to settle down to which she rolled her eyes.
“How can I be calm, this is exciting!” Leana put the shears away just as a woman walked back from the receptionist and handed her a tip. “Let me cut your hair, Sanders. You’re starting to look like a greaser.”
“How can I say no to a free hair cut?” I laughed while taking a seat in her chair.
“The cut is free. I like just the tips anyways.” I could see her playfully wink at me in the mirror making me laugh louder. I took in my surroundings using the mirror and saw a few sets of womanly eyes staring at me. I’m sure it was strange watching a man dressed all in black with gauged ears and tattoos get his hair cut in a “woman’s salon.”
As if she knew what I was thinking Leana giggled, “They’re staring because they aren’t used to seeing aprime cut of meat in here. Now, anything I can or can’t do?” She asked referring to my hair.
“As long as it stays its natural color, have at it.” I smiled as she pulled out her clippers and got started on my shaggy hair.
“So, whatcha got planned for Elise?” She asked while carefully clipping my hairs.
“Nope, nuh uh. I can’t go into detail because you’ll let the cat out of the bag.” I tried to remain still while chuckling.
She stopped and looked at me with disbelief, “No! I… Ok, you’re right. So, what can you tell me?”
“It’ll be somewhere secluded, hopefully. I do want to make a picnic of sorts. Any favorite foods of hers you can think of?” My head was lightly pressed forwards as she cleaned up my neck.
“Strawberry soda, obviously. Or a Monster, she seems to live on those.”
I grinned at just how right she was; Elise’s cup holders in her truck were always housing a can, or two, of Monster’s. Always the white ones.
“She likes Goldfish crackers stuffed into a sub sandwich.” Leana smiled.
“Ice cream or popsicles?” I asked carefully as she was lining up my sideburns.
“Snickers ice cream bars. The rectangular ones.” Her answer was monotone as she focused.
“How about, uhm, flowers?” I asked and dreaded the thought knowing she could see my ears turning red.
She looked at me in the mirror and smirked, “I’m not sure but I can get back to you on that.”
A few minutes later I was trying not to fall asleep while being wiped down with a warm towel. I left Leana with a hefty tip and a hug. I hated to admit it but Leana was right; my hair was getting a little ridiculous. I opted to leave my hat off as I drove to a store nearby. It wasn’t going to be an extravagant menu but I imagine Elise would be more thrilled by that and the landscape. In just a few days my hunch would be proved either right or wrong.
Everything was going to be fine, right? I’m not just paranoid?
Matt's POV
I had just texted Brian before leaving Elise’s place and was waiting for a reply. It wasn’t too late at night, I figured he would still be awake. I read my message again and couldn’t help but grin like an idiot. Elise was something special but a part of me was waiting for something to go wrong. Mainly from me doing something stupid to fuck things up. I was enjoying getting to know her and learn little details of her life. With Elise, things were different than they were with Val. I grew up with Valary so as we grew older together, we grew to know each other. There were no secrets or details left hidden in our friendship or relationship to discover. Talking to Elise meant learning something new about her every day. Ever since I found out about her anxiety problems, which wasn’t long ago, I began racking my brain of somewhere to take her on an awesome second date. Perhaps Zack or his sister could help. They’ve always been a bit shy.
I had just pulled into my parent’s driveway when my phone vibrated.
Brian: Tell me something I don’t know haha. Something good happen tonight?
I let my thumbs do the talking;
Probably not your definition of “good”. Just had a quiet movie night, she fell asleep, then I carried her to bed.
Brian: You soft pussy! In all seriousness, what’s your next move?
Trying to think of a second date. Somewhere quiet or where she’d be comfortable.
Brian: How far you willing to drive?
Anywhere.
I quietly walked through the house and flicked on the light switch of my room. It felt good to be home but I missed being able to fall asleep next to someone. My shoes were kicked off into my closet before I threw my pants on the floor. I flopped onto my bed just as Brian messaged me back. Again, I smiled like an idiot.
"Perfect." I thought while thanking Brian.
.:.:.
Morning had come way too early for me but thankfully the day flew by just as fast. Today was already Friday so I knew I had to race across town before Elise went into work at 5:00. It was 4:37 to be exact but main street traffic was a pain. My dad chuckled at my haste as I jogged to my car almost forgetting to tell him bye.
I pulled into the parking lot at a quarter to 5:00. I knew there was no way Elise would be that early to work. The woman would be late to her own funeral if it were up to her. I adjusted my hat and clipped my glasses to the front of my shirt before making my way inside.
"Hey, Matthew!" The friendly voice of a gentleman greeted me as soon as I stepped through the doors.
“What’s up, Dan?” I walked past the hostess who gave me a smile and made my way over to Dan. “Hey, do you have a minute to talk? I need to ask you something about Elise.”
“Yes, of course. Please, have a seat.” Elise’s Uncle Dan move his paperwork to one side of the table while motioning for me to sit down. “What’s on your mind?”
“Well,” I slid into the booth, “I really want to take her out on a second date but I want it to be awesome. My friend gave me a great idea but I just need to know what days she works next week. If you’re able to give out that info…”
Dan sported the biggest grin, “If it means spending time with you, I’m sure she wouldn’t mind if I told you. I actually have the schedule here if you’d like to have a look.” Dan sorted through some papers and handed me a single sheet. My eyes quickly found Elise’s column as I scanned over the dates and times.
Bingo.
I smirked and handed the schedule back to him. “Thanks, Dan. That helps a bunch. See you around.” I shook the older man’s hand and hurried home before Elise arrived to work.
I was beyond thankful this man was able to help me out, especially since after only meeting him once. Perhaps I made a good impression on him or maybe Elise had talked me up. I chuckled a bit at the thought. I still had time to plan for our date but I couldn’t wait to get started. A quick message was shot to Leana in hopes of her being able to go shopping with me. As much as I hated that “S” word, I was amped for it today. Luckily Leana worked near the shopping mall I planned on hitting up and told me stop in. I internally groaned but decided it was the least I could do.
.:.:.
“Mattie!” Leana bounced up and down as a horrified look spread across my face. My parents always told me not to run with scissors but I was sure they also meant not to jump up and down with pointy objects.
“Calm down, Lee.” I motioned with my fingers for her to settle down to which she rolled her eyes.
“How can I be calm, this is exciting!” Leana put the shears away just as a woman walked back from the receptionist and handed her a tip. “Let me cut your hair, Sanders. You’re starting to look like a greaser.”
“How can I say no to a free hair cut?” I laughed while taking a seat in her chair.
“The cut is free. I like just the tips anyways.” I could see her playfully wink at me in the mirror making me laugh louder. I took in my surroundings using the mirror and saw a few sets of womanly eyes staring at me. I’m sure it was strange watching a man dressed all in black with gauged ears and tattoos get his hair cut in a “woman’s salon.”
As if she knew what I was thinking Leana giggled, “They’re staring because they aren’t used to seeing aprime cut of meat in here. Now, anything I can or can’t do?” She asked referring to my hair.
“As long as it stays its natural color, have at it.” I smiled as she pulled out her clippers and got started on my shaggy hair.
“So, whatcha got planned for Elise?” She asked while carefully clipping my hairs.
“Nope, nuh uh. I can’t go into detail because you’ll let the cat out of the bag.” I tried to remain still while chuckling.
She stopped and looked at me with disbelief, “No! I… Ok, you’re right. So, what can you tell me?”
“It’ll be somewhere secluded, hopefully. I do want to make a picnic of sorts. Any favorite foods of hers you can think of?” My head was lightly pressed forwards as she cleaned up my neck.
“Strawberry soda, obviously. Or a Monster, she seems to live on those.”
I grinned at just how right she was; Elise’s cup holders in her truck were always housing a can, or two, of Monster’s. Always the white ones.
“She likes Goldfish crackers stuffed into a sub sandwich.” Leana smiled.
“Ice cream or popsicles?” I asked carefully as she was lining up my sideburns.
“Snickers ice cream bars. The rectangular ones.” Her answer was monotone as she focused.
“How about, uhm, flowers?” I asked and dreaded the thought knowing she could see my ears turning red.
She looked at me in the mirror and smirked, “I’m not sure but I can get back to you on that.”
A few minutes later I was trying not to fall asleep while being wiped down with a warm towel. I left Leana with a hefty tip and a hug. I hated to admit it but Leana was right; my hair was getting a little ridiculous. I opted to leave my hat off as I drove to a store nearby. It wasn’t going to be an extravagant menu but I imagine Elise would be more thrilled by that and the landscape. In just a few days my hunch would be proved either right or wrong.
Everything was going to be fine, right? I’m not just paranoid?
Notes
What a sweetie. I wonder what he has planned? (: By the by, I have all the major chapters typed up, I just need to somehow piece them together. Thanks for always being so patient everyone!
Well damn! ;) glad you’re back!
6/2/19