Tuesday, January 29, 2013

In Pursuit of Stormy Eyes - Episode 9


The next couple months were very hard for Kelsey.  Everywhere she went, everyone was talking about the premiere of Thor 2 and the upcoming Avengers 2.  Every mention was like twisting the knife in Kelsey’s already maimed heart.  School was endless drudgery, but at least it occupied a part of her tortured mind.  Her roommates had been nothing but supportive, but her I hate life philosophy was beginning to wear even on their patience. 
This weekend her roommates had a surprise for her – a blind date.  Needless to say, she was not the least bit excited.  In fact, she would rather dwell in her personal pit of misery that consisted of chocolate, nutella, pajamas, no showers, and Jane Austen.  The dreaded day finally approached.  Caitlin made her shower and apply make-up before her date arrived.  She was meeting him at an Italian restaurant at 6:30.  Finally, half an hour before the date started, Kelsey put the finishing touches on her façade, hiding her true unhappiness under a light layer of foundation.  Arriving at the restaurant on time, her date met her at the door.  Introducing himself as Spencer, he brought her to their table.  While he did hold her chair for her, she couldn’t help but compare it to the times that Tom had done the very same thing but so much more smoothly.  The date was pleasant enough by normal reckoning, however after the splendor of Tom everything seemed so frustratingly dull and drawn out.  With Tom, she felt tingles every time their eyes met, and sparks when he touched her.  Spencer excited none of those feelings.  Kelsey didn’t even think that she would notice if he faded into the wall – her attention was so rarely on him.  He was so average.  Brown hair, brown eyes, about her height, nothing extremely important to say.  The date ended after what seemed to Kelsey an eternity, and he finally took her home.  Then there was the awkward doorstep moment.  A dreaded moment.  She felt as if she had been very clear that she was not interested, but apparently added to his other faults he didn’t catch little clues like that.  He grabbed her hand and looked earnestly into her eyes. “Kelsey,” he said, “I had a great time.  I think you are really nice and sorta pretty.” Kelsey couldn’t help but compare his choppy compliments to the elegance of Tom’s speech.  She tuned back in when she realized that Spencer was still talking. “I guess what I’m trying to say is that I want to see you again.”  Kelsey pulled her hand out of his.  She had forgotten that he was holding it.
“I’m sorry Spencer,” she finally replied in a distant tone of voice, “I don’t think that it would be a good idea.” With that, she escaped quickly into the comfort of her apartment where her roommates were waiting impatiently for details of the night.
“Well?” Caitlin asked eagerly, however her optimism died at the look on Kelsey’s face.
“It sucked,” Kelsey whined.
“I’m really sorry, Kelsey,” Aislinn interjected, “we thought that since he was smart, sweet, and very attractive he would at least get your mind off him.”
“Attractive? Smart?” Kelsey asked disbelievingly, “did I go out with the right guy?”  With that comment she went to sulk in her room.  Caitlin shook her head and said quietly to Aislinn,
“She’s in a worse place than we thought.  Her leftover feelings for Tom blinded her to everything good about Spencer.”  Aislinn agreed with her diagnosis, adding,
“Maybe we pushed her too fast…I know it’s been a couple of months but obviously it’s still fresh for her.”  They both sighed and then headed off to bed.

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