The Hitchhiker

I still had about two hours to spare when I got home, so I decided to take a short nap. Of course, with my luck, I ended up waking up at seven, and the drive itself is about half an hour. Damn, damn, damn! Alright, I got ten minutes to make myself presentable. Or, I could just go like this. I rushed to the bathroom to find myself in no condition to go to someonefs house. I tore my clothes off and turned on the shower, wincing at the freezing water that slowly turned warm. I shampooed my hair quickly and rubbed soap all over my body. I was literally counting the seconds that passed by. I came out and immediately dried myself all over and grabbed the blow-dryer. Yes, I blow dry my hair. Itfs just so much easier to style it and it feels smoother. After five minutes, I got it all dry and started to search for clothes to wear. I feel like a teenage girl on her first date, looking through my closet. I finally settled on a pair of khakis and a baby blue, button-up shirt. I checked myself in the full length mirror before grabbing my jacket and running out of the door. I came running back in few seconds later to find the directions to his house and ran out again.

♫ô♫ô♫ô♫ô♫ô♫ô♫ô♫

Shoot! Just my night.

gSir, license and registration please.h The calm voice came from the officer.

gHere you go.h I flashed a smile, trying to suppress my anxiety.

gYou know why you were stopped right?h

gUmm, was it because I look so cute and you couldnft resist?h I said trying to flirt with him. Okay, that didnft work. gYeah, I know. I was speeding.h I said seriously in a deflated voice.

gAlright, that will be a one hundred dollar fine. Drive safely.h He left me with a ticket. I didnft really care that I got fined, but I was now more late than ever.

I drove the rest of the way according to the speed limit. I had to slow down especially at the end to try and find my way. Finally I got to the house, and I wondered if I could lie to him and say I couldnft find his house. What if he had a dinner reservation? Snapping myself back to attention, I found myself at his front door. I rang the doorbell reluctantly and a few seconds later, he opened the door. I looked up and saw that he was not dressed in his formal suit combo. Instead he wore a light green sweater and light blue, tight fitting jeans, along with an apron. He looked cute like that, especially with the spatula he was holding.

gHey, come on in.h He said as he stepped aside.

gI am really sorry for being late.h I rubbed the back of my neck as I walked in and chuckled nervously.

gNo worries.h I think I just saw a smile, but he turned and walked away. I quickly toed off my shoes and slipped into the sandals he left at the door for me. I began to walk toward the direction he was going where I could smell cooking. Amazing cooking. Itfs been a while since Ifve had a homemade meal.

gJust make yourself at home.h He said as I walked into the kitchen.

gOh, thanks.h I began to scan the room and noticed that its walls are blank of any decorations. Everything was neatly placed and the table was already set. His back was turned from me, but I couldnft help, but stare as he worked on whatever he was still cooking.

gDo you want something to drink? I have soda, juice, and some wine, or if you just want waterch He said as he turned around to face me. I just kept staring and checking him out in his outfit. gAlex?h He waved his spatula and that caught my attention.

gOh, Ifll have somec what did you say you have?h He repeated the list to me again and I finally settled on some white wine.

gI hope you donft mind homemade cooking. I was going to make a reservation at a restaurant, but it was a little late.h

gNo, this is great. Ifve been eating out to much anyway. I donft normally cook, I usually burn something when I am in the kitchen.h He chuckled a little bit and I couldnft resist the urge to smile.

gJust a few more minutes and Ifll be done. You can sit down, if you want.h He gestured at a chair at the dining table.

gThanks.h I said quietly as I sat down in the chair closest to me. Okay, I donft really what to say before him. I mean I donft really know anything about him.

gHere is some salad.h He said as he walked over with a big bowl of greens, and dropped off some dressing with it. gWould you like some soup?h

gSure.h He soon poured two bowls and sat down from across me.

gItfs hot. So be careful.h Obviously, as I had burnt my tongue and had to drink tons of cold water. Causing him laugh at my actions.

gSo, whatfs up with you tonight?h I asked after seeing him ridiculing me about burning my own tongue.

gWhat do you mean?h He asked, while drinking another spoonful of soup.

gWell, you never talked to me in the time that Ifve driven you. I thought you were a little different.h

gHeh, well, I received some good news today. I was supposed to meet my parents for dinner tonight and they wanted me to bring a friend, a female one to be more specific. So I got out of that with this dinner. You cannot understand how annoying my parents are with my single status. But I also got promoted, which I thought was more important. I already had some champagne and I am very happy. Whoo!h He says that too. eWhoo.f Ifve always been made fun of when I say that. Anyway, I was staring again by this point because he is really smiling and laughing. Ifve seen lots of happy faces, but this one has got to be one of the more innocent ones.

gThatfs great!h

gI am glad to have someone to celebrate this with me.h

gWhat is your job anyway?h

gOh, I am working in this large law firm, but thatfs my day job. I teach a class at the college every night as my night job.h

gDo you need the money?h

gNope, just want to occupy my time, so I decided to go with that.h

gOhh.h I went back to drinking the soup after it had cooled for a couple minutes. He stood up, all finished with the soup, to go to the oven and get whatever was in it.

The rest of the dinner finished off with animated conversations. I found out he is twenty-five, just a year younger than me. From the things Ifve heard, he is straight as an arrow, but he is just so adorable and I canft pass up the chance to be friends with him. He was definitely more talkative than I could have ever guessed. I guess when he is more familiar with the person, he opens up. Or it could be the whole bottle of wine that he drank. I had one glass since I know I was supposed to drive home, but he finished the rest and some of a new bottle. He was acting fine though, just talked more. By the end of the night, he was swaying a little bit and finally passed out on the couch. Well, he was definitely very cute with that smile on his face. I explored the house a little bit to find his bedroom, and like the rest of the house, it was spotless. I went back to the living room to carry him to the bedroom and pulled the cover over him. He was snoring pretty loudly. He seemed like a little angel. I didnft realize he can be so open and so full of sentiments.

I left my number and address on the kitchen table, hoping he would call me or something. Hoping we can do this again.