Not Again

I’ve had my fair share of breakups. I’ve had my ups and downs. I’ve been abused and loved, pushed and pulled, used and kissed. But hasn’t everyone? Maybe not. Maybe it’s just me. Who knows? But that’s not really the problem here.1

The problem is that I, Mickey Stevens, love someone.2

His name’s Matt List. He’s different from the rest. I’ve noticed that. All the other guys I’ve been with have hurt me, but I don’t think he will.3

But I wanna find out for sure.4

---5

I walked into Peters High ready to start the school day.6

I had dressed in my favorite mini-skirt, my hot pink tank, and my white, paint-splattered sweatshirt from Pac Sun. It was a normal day.7

Other than the small fact that I was going to ask him out!8

Some might say I'm crazy, others insane. I was putting myself up to be rejected or even worse ... used again. Rejection was bad, but add abuse to that and it was fifty times worse.9

'But he isn't going to be like the others,' I reminded myself confidently.10

I planned to ask him out in the morning as soon as I had seen him, but he was with his friends. So, I lost my nerve.11

'I'll catch him after lunch while everyone's leaving and do it then.'12

Morning classes seemed to drag on. A lecture here, a video there, some book work. But classes had to end eventually.13

At lunch, I met up with one of my best friends. Her name's Ashly.14

We sat at our usually table in the middle of the room along with our other friends.15

"You're going to do what?" Ashly asked completely shocked when I told her what I was planning on doing.16

"Shh," I said not wanting the others at my table and nearby to overhear just in case he says no. “I’m going to ask him out."17

"I didn't even know you liked him," she responded.18

“I just figured it out myself.”19

Lunch passed, and I said bye to Ashly and the others. I took a deep breath as I caught up to Matt on his way to next period.20

“Hey,” I said, trying to stay calm.21

“Hey, Mickey,” he said giving me a smile, and I smiled in return. He has one of those smiles that make people smile back even when they’re totally depressed.22

“I was wondering,” I started.23

“About what?” He asked curiously.24

“Do you want to go out with me?” I asked hopefully.25

"Really?" He asked.26

"Yup," she said.27

"Definitely," he answered. "I wanted to ask you myself, but I thought you already had a boyfriend."28

"Yeah, um, we're broken up, so you don't have to worry about that," she said nervously.29

"That's great! I mean, not that it didn't work out between you two, but great because now I have a shot. Friday night?" He asked.30

"See you then," I answered and smiled as I walked towards next period.31

---32

The week went by in a blur. School, friends, home, and Matt.33

I sighed.34

I really was falling in love with him. Who knows what will happen on Friday night?35

---36

I drove home from school quickly. Ashly was in the car with me, and she said she would help me get ready.37

“Can you drive a little slower?” She shouted. “You almost ran over a squirrel.”38

“I slowed down in time!”39

“Calm down,” she said. “You’ll have plenty of time.”40

I parked my car in the driveway, and Ashly and I got out of the car. We walked inside, and towards the kitchen.41

No one was home. My mom was at work, and my dad, let’s just say he’s not around very much.42

Ashly grabbed a couple cokes, and I grabbed a bag of Oreos and a thing of peanut butter-we like to dip our Oreos in it. Lots of people think it’s gross, but it’s actually really good.43

We walked up the stairs and into my room shutting the door behind us.44

Ashly handed the cokes to me, and I went to sit on the bed opening the Oreos and the peanut butter. Ashly went into my closet and pretty much tore it apart studying every piece of clothing.45

She eventually settled on my short, black mini dress, my black high heels, and a silver necklace with matching earrings.46

I changed into the outfit. Then, I sat down in front of the mirror in my bathroom. Ashly worked on my hair, curling, and pulling. Afterwards, she put on my makeup for me. When she was done, I stared at myself in the mirror.47

“Wow,” I said.48

“I did really well,” Ashly responded.49

“Thanks,” I said, as I hugged her.50

“No problem,” she answered.51

---52

Matt picked me up at 7 on the dot. We were on our way to dinner at this Italian restaurant called Francesca’s. He parked the car, and walked to my side of the door opening it for me.53

He held my hand as we walked to the doors, and we happily took our seats next to each other, leaving the other side of the booth empty except for our coats and my bag.54

We ordered drinks and our food, and when the waiter left, Matt kissed me.55

I had to pull away first to take a breath.56

“I’m glad that I gave love with you a shot,” I said.57

“I’m glad you did, too,” he replied.58