I didn’t think my life could get any worse. I have a crap career, but that’s because I am taking courses to become a nurse. I look like a oompah loompah because my spray on tan failed to make my pasty skin a lovely shade of golden brown, instead my skin looks like an orange peel. i have light brown hair and dirty, sea green eyes. I hate how I look. A ring pierces the air, i nearly jump in surprise, this is the phone nobody calls me on, but that’s because I have two cell phones. There are only a couple of people who would call me on this phone, I look at the caller ID, and it’s Jamie, my best friend since grade 3.
His dry familiar voice says “guess what?” He sounds really excited. “I'm getting married!” I'm speechless, I am almost devastated, and I can feel my mouth moving but no sound is coming out. I finally manage to squeak “that’s... great... I've got to go I'm very busy, but I'll call you tonight.” I turn my phone off and leave the office early. I catch a taxi and tell the driver my address. Engaged? How can he be engaged? This is so upsetting, I've had a crush on him since three years ago when I was 24 and he was 25.
I arrived at my apartment. I’m sitting on the stairs, it helps me think. I’m pretty sure I was staring in space because I didn’t notice a guy walking past me, until he tripped over my legs. I quickly get up and help him up. I pick up the bag he dropped and I hand it to him. I stutter “I am so sorry… I didn’t see you coming…” For the first time I see his chiseled face and broad shoulders, he is wearing a tight t-shirt that show of his muscles and a pair of shorts. He looks like he probably got back from the gym. “It’s alright… no damage is done.” He grins and I can’t help but notice his eyes sparkled.
“Sir your arm is cut, let me fix it for you, I’m a nurse in training.” I say it before I can stop myself, but I do feel really bad for tripping him. He looks at me and says “sure! Thanks.” I lead him to my small apartment. s**t it’s a mess in here, I haven’t cleaned the apartment in a while so there are clothing flung everywhere. I clear a spot for him on the couch; I search for the gauze and disinfectant. When I finally find it I signal him to the kitchen sink and clean and disinfect his wound and wrap it in gauze. “I’m Loraine, sorry about the mess… I have been to busy to clean it up.” That’s not quite true I’m just a bit…lazy. “Its fine I’m messy too. I’m jack by the way.” He smiles, his teeth are so perfect, I want his lips and—and… what am I saying?
I hear a small whining sound, and realized I left Mags in the bathroom. Mags is my shih Tzu. I love her so much. Well I generally love dogs, but anyways, I let her out hoping she wouldn’t bite my guest, because she doesn’t really like strangers that much, but surprisingly she jumps on the couch sniffing Jack and settling down next to him. I was amazed she liked him so much “I hope you don’t mind dogs.” I look at his face but there is an upset distracted look on his face. He glances at Mags and pets her. “I don’t mind, I have two dogs myself, Rex and Dino. The strange thing is I hate dinosaurs.” I can’t help but give a small snort of laughter; I quell it quickly because he doesn’t look too amused.
“I have to go, I have a dinner appointment.” He says in a hushed voice. For some reason I feel sad. Then he asks “Would you like to go on a dinner with me...tomorrow?” He shifts uneasily. Before I could stop myself I replied “I would be delighted.” I was surprised at that strangers invitation to dinner. I was shocked for the rest of the day that I had accepted. I suddenly remember Jamie so I call him up. He picks up, he sounds kind of upset. “The engagement is off. Cara cheated on me.” Before I probably would have been jumping for joy, but I kind of feel bad for him. “I'm sorry, that's a horrible thing to do.” There's a short silence. “I'm kind of glad; I don't think I truly loved her, but maybe because I am in love with you.” My ears perk up. This is something I've been waiting for-- for three years. Then it hits me. I'm his second choice if the first doesn't work out? I am flabbergasted. I hang up the phone.
I eat some leftovers and take a nice hot shower. I try to distract myself from the conversation I had earlier with Jamie, but I can't, I keep thinking. Second choice. I'm not a second choice. That night Jamie calls me a lot, I screen all his calls; I don't feel like talking to him. I fall asleep. while I'm cleaning my messy apartment. A knock sounds from the door. My heart thumps, thinking it's Jamie, I look through the peephole. It's not Jamie. It's a guy who's wearing a black suit. facing the wall across the hallway, so I can't see his face.
I open the door. It's Jack. I say “Wow. I didn't recognize you.” He looks clean and dolled up, but in a guy way. “Thanks. I didn't recognize you; you're not sitting on the ground.” He teases. I laugh for awhile, realizing I am laughing way to long I hastily stop. “He smile with amusement while watching me. I quiver. “Come in. I cleaned up” I added a wink. As I am closing the door, I didn't notice Mags holding a leash in her mouth running around my legs, until I tripped. Jack caught me; I didn't know whether to be happy or afraid because I felt my cheeks glowing. I'm pretty sure I'm blushing.
He looks concerned “Are you alright?” I stand up straight and start unwrapping my ankles from the leash. “I think so...” He walked a bit further, I followed him, but my right ankle hurt, so pretending to be tough I just kept walking, but as I look down I notice its kind of swollen. I sit down on the couch. It's awkward. “Remember when I asked you out?” He suddenly speaks. “I forgot to get your number... and what time should I pick you up?” I forget all about Jamie. He hands me his phone and I enter 115-120-814, and then type Loraine Greenwood. “Pick me up at 7.” I reply while he's leaving. “See you tomorrow.”
It's quiet. Too quiet. I call the office that I am sick and need a day off because Jamie works in a different part of the office I work in, I want to avoid him as much as possible. Instead I go shopping for a date, my phone rings. Fearing it's Jamie, I slowly reach for my phone and look at the caller ID. It read Jack, I was so relieved. “Hello?” He has a warm voice. “Hi.” He seems rushed. “Just want to tell you to wear something formal.” My mind wonders off... formal? “Alright I'll see you tonight bye.” He hangs up. I start shopping. I see the prettiest cocktail dress ever, it's a baby blue, it's perfect, thank goodness I don't look so orange now, it looks like light brown.
I go to my hairdresser, who also happens to be my brother, he's New York's finest hairstylist. “Hi Andrew, do your magic on my hair! I trust his judgment. He grins “I’m going to make your hair light brown with gold streaks a permanently make it wavy.” Three hours later, my hair, makeup, and nails. When I arrive home it 6:30pm, I quickly get into my dress and do some final touches and wait. I'm more nervous then I'd thought I'd be. I put out some more water just before Jack arrives.
There's a knock on the door, I glance at myself once more. I wait two minutes before I answered the door. I read in Love Weekly that it is good to make your date wait. “Hi.” I open the door. His jaw dropped, there's silence. “Shall we go...?”I question. He clears his throat and closes his mouth. “Yes, you look... amazing,” There's that little sparkle in his eye again. I grin so hard I probably look like The Joker from Batman. We go outside, there's a limo out front, I was going to call for a Taxi. But Jack opens the door to the limo. “You rented a limo for our date?” I was so touched, but he bursts my bubble. “No.”
I feel a bit disappointed. “I bought it for our date.” I smile hard. I get in the car. Jamie calls me. I forgot all about him. I quickly say “text Me.” and hang up.
I set my phone on vibrate so Jack won't notice during dinner. I'm at a fancy restaurant, this place is expensive. I get text from Jamie. You've been avoiding me ever since I told you how I felt. I know you feel the same way. I feel angry he's putting word into my mouth... thank goodness Jack is in the bathroom, I can text Jamie quickly, thank goodness I type fast. I was angry. When you told me your engagement had been broken, and that you loved me. It made me feel like I was your second choice. I've had a crush on you for 3 years, you had your chance. I feel an anger rising in me, I feel hurt. All my emotions are coming out. I press send as Jack comes back.
“So what would you like? Order anything.” I look at him. “But the prices are expensive.” He laughs a little, “Don’t you know who I am? I'm Jack Smith, I own Smitherson Inc. I'm kind of a millionaire.” I don't know what to say it's like finding out an international secret... Jack Smith... his name is so familiar, but I don't recognize him, I feel kind of stupid for not knowing. We start to talk about ourselves. Our careers, our families, and all kinds of nonsense. The waiter brings the food we ordered about thirty minutes ago. I ordered the cheapest thing on the menu, seafood pasta. I take a bite. “This is absolutely scrumptious. I've never tasted anything as good.” He laughs, “then my date with you is the best isn't it?” He looks at me clearly amused. “My you have a big ego.” I can't help but laugh. My phone vibrates again, as I am finishing up my pasta. I excuse myself and head to the bathroom.
God, this bathroom is bigger than my apartment. I look at my phone. I'm sorry...I never knew... I'm sorry. Anyways, let’s make this conversation lighter... I met a girl. She is exactly like you... and we are dating. It that moment I am truly over him. I send back Ok. He doesn't text back. Good riddance, how could I have not noticed he was such a jerk? I go back to the table. “I have a confession,” his eyes looked like he had something important to say. “We went to high school together.” My eyes are staring at him, I don’t comprehend what he just said. “Uhh...What?” He looks at me. “It's me Rob Turner, I changed my name long ago...” I think back and remember him from high school. He always quiet, we used to be friends... twelve years ago. He looked so different back then. “I haven't seen you in ages!” I exclaim.
“I've always wanted to get to know your more and ask you out. That day we first met, I tripped over you on purpose.” he admits. I smile. For once in my life, I have never felt more touched. A couple of months later we were in a solid relationship. Little did I know, I would marry Jack Smith in two years.
