The Not-So-Perfect Date

The Not-So-Perfect Date

By E. M. Areson

Maggie blushed at the text. See you then ;) Richard was so cute. She’d been trying to hint that she liked him for almost three months, and he finally seemed to get it. She had casually mentioned to him she was planning on going to the park today and have a picnic. He said that sounded cool and she then asked if he’d like to come. He’d said yes! She then looked at the clock, it was 8:57. They were meeting at the school sign at eleven and we're going to walk to the park from there.

She leaped out of bed and looking in her closet. She shared the closet with the other four girls in her dorm, and she had to look for a casual outfit of hers that wouldn’t look stupid. Casual wasn’t her usual, her usual was nerdy comfortable.

“Val, which will look better? The blue sweater, jeans, and the white knee boots. Or the black tee shirt, jeans, and the converse? Val?”

“Hmm?” Val rolled over in bed. “One. It’s too early. Two. Richard is a jerk I’m warning you. Three. Black tee shirt.”

“Thanks, Val you’re a lifesaver.” Maggie pulled out the sweater.

“Don’t thank me if you get your heart broke.”

“He’s not that bad and it’s not a date.”

Val set up and rubbed her eyes, “Not a date?”“It’s not.” Maggie walked to the dorm sink since Clare and Darcy were going to be in there for a while, they had class today.
“I’m not saying it is but what if it was. What would be so bad about going on a date with Richard?”
“He cheated on Kacee.” Val set back down on her bed.
Val shook her head, “Jason. He’s liked you since first semester. Remember that party you called the cops on because of underage drinking.”
“Yeah, half the school didn’t talk to me for months after that.” Maggie frowned at the memory.
Val smiled, “Sure thing.”
 They dressed up in casual, it was hard work looking casual and were soon ready. They got a lunch box from Darcy’s stuff and packed sandwiches and chips. Val suggested bringing their own drinks and if Richard didn’t have his own to bad. Maggie agreed mainly to ovoid Val’s ranting. They started towards the school sign about ten minutes early, even though it wasn’t a far walk.

“So let me get this straight. You’re getting ready at nine to go to the park at eleven and have a picnic with a guy. And this definitely isn’t a date.” Val was being sarcastic as usual.

“Fine, so what if it is a date-”

“Ahhh.” Val walked over and took her grabbed her own brush.

“He says it was a misunderstanding.” Maggie moved on to getting dressed.

“A misunderstanding with Kacee. And Cloe. And Geneva. That’s a lot of misunderstanding.”

Maggie ignored her this time.

“Why don’t you go out with Jason? He’s so sweet. Haven’t you ever seen him volunteering at the library? He helps kids learn to read.” Val hugged her pillow.

“Not volunteering, he works at the library.” Maggie started one he makeup.

“Yeah, but a job like that might as well be volunteering, who actually wants to deal with kids?” Val covered herself with a blanket.

“Some people. And if you like Jason so much you date him. I like Richard.” Maggie looked at her phone again, 9:28.

“He likes you.”

Maggie looked up. “Richard?”

“Well, who was still your friend?”

“You.”

“No, well yes.” Val agreed sleepily. “But Jason was too.”

“Yeah.”

“And wasn’t Richard at that party.” Val prompted.

“I didn’t stay long enough to find out. But he didn’t get arrested, I know that.”

Val got up and put her hands on Maggie’s shoulders, “Girl, look at that boy. He’s bad news and you know it.”

“I still have to go today I can’t leave him hanging… But will you come with me? That was I don’t have to ditch and it’s not a date.”

“What in the…?” Val was looking at the side of the science lab.  

 Maggie looked and saw Ava, a girl in one of her English classes, kissing a boy. Not just any boy, Maggie realized. It was Richard. Ava had to go inside, probably for a class. Richard waved goodbye then speed towards the sign without seeing them. The girls looked at each other.

“You think they’re dating?” Maggie asked.

“That wasn’t a kiss of friendship I’ll tell you that. Though I’m not really sure there is a kiss of friendship.” Val said opening her Coke bottle and taking a drink.

They walked to the sign and found Richard weighting. “Hey, Maggie. I didn’t realize Val was coming.”

“So you’re not even going to talk to me?” Val said, almost like she was offended.

“Oh, sorry Val. Yes, I will talk to you. Good morning.” He smiled charmingly.

“Shall we get going?” Maggie asked.

Val nodded and they started off.

After a minute Richard whispered in Maggie’s ear, “I thought it was just going to be us on the date.”

Maggie turned to him, “I don’t think Ava would like that.”

“Ava?” Richard said no longer whispering.

“You’re dating aren't you?” Val asked looking back at them.

“No.”

“Funny, I usually don’t kiss my study partner.” Val continued.

“What I’ve never-”

“We saw you this morning on the way to the sign.” Val crossed her arms, still holding the Coke with one hand.

“Well, it’s not what it seems we’re not, I mean, Maggie I-”

“Val’s right. You're a jerk.” Maggie ignored the tear in her eye.

Val put her arm on Maggie's shoulder and led her away, “Come on girl. You deserve better than this.” Then to Richard, she added. “I’m going to tell Ava. Goodbye, Richard, have fun getting dumped again.”

With that, the two girls were off. One was crying and one wishing she wasn’t such a good judge of character. It was never fun knowing all the boys were jerks, but she supposed someone had to tell the other girls.

Photo By: Abigail Keenan