[Mandy's Diary at Senior Grade]
My hands were cold. I wanted to slap my cheek over and over to make sure this wasn't some crazy delusion of mine. This wasn't what I imagined. This wasn't my long dream. The devil on my shoulder slammed her wand on my head, signaling that this was indeed reality. It happened in the human dimension and the person next to me was completely homo-sapiens, completely human.
"What is this?" I opened my eyes wide to see a canal with long, dimmed lamp-posts lined along the line of the hallway. I gave a look of amazement all over the place. By the gods of Olympus, this place is very beautiful. In all my life in Long Beach, I've never been to a place like this.
"Lake Meritt. From morning until evening, we would be greeted by the gondola. However, I prefer the view at night."
I bit my lower lip. All this time the angel on my shoulder couldn't keep quiet by muttering admiring Justin from her place while biting her knuckles. Geez, how could Justin take me to his favorite place if he didn't pay attention to me?!
"Don't expect too much. If you fall, you must be in excruciating pain," the devil next to my ear whispered scornfully. Damn, why did he always confront me like that? Nothing wrong with hope right? Ugh.
We walked together following the lobby board to enjoy the fresh night view here. I didn't expect him to take me to dinner in an expensive restaurant like a nobleman as he should. For me, just went to a deserted place with such an indulgent view was enough to make me happy. Moreover, the one who invited me was Justin. Coming home from Lake Meritt, I wanted to slap myself on the cheek again or sink my face in the sink to make sure I'm fully awake.
"I feel like an ignorant person. Accepting your invitation to leave after yesterday afternoon you were dumped by your boyfriend," I opened my mouth as soon as I made up my mind to join in monopolizing the conversation. "That redhead girl doesn't deserve you. You're too perfect—" Stop, Mandy! What am I talking about, gosh… I hastily covered my mouth with my palms, turning away my already reddened face.
"Perfect? My?" he repeated. "Thank you, Mandy." And added with a laugh. Sink me into the ocean, Poseidon. Just sink me into your ark. "But I'm not," he added.
Wow? I thought he would agree.
"I suspect, God accidentally spilled one hundred percent 'Attractive Looks Liquid' when creating you," I said trying to cover up the tremors in my body. Damn, my legs are like being shackled by iron balls now.
Justin responded with a small laugh. His hands were in his jacket pockets and he looked at me through his hazel eyes. My heart, where is my heart! I melted being stared at like that. His gaze, oh my God, his gaze can make me like falling rose petals.
"You're funny."
Again he said I'm funny. The corner of my lips pulled up, forming a wide smile that filled my face. "Why did you ask me out on a date?" Remind me that he asked me out on behalf of 'friends'. What kind of friend goes on a date with his best friend? He chose the word 'date' instead of 'hang out. It's a date!