KAIDEN
THE TUESDAY SUN drowns out the darkness before 7 a.m. I’m pissed because the curtains that were supposed to be hanging are taunting me from the floor in the corner of my room. Go back to sleep, sis. I shield my eyes from the blaring sun but I surrender and slowly sit up in annoyance. I feel a stiff breeze run across my chest realizing the shirt I was wearing last night mysteriously vanished from my body. Wtf – when did this happen and why don’t I remember taking it off?
Aggressively tossing my blanket around, I try to locate my tee. Finally finding it at the foot of my mattress, I throw it on, and check my phone before reluctantly leaving my bedside. It seems my popular status has diminished in less than twenty-four hours because my notifications are a little slim. Nobody loves me, bet. Wiping the filth from my eyes to help them focus I see an unknown number and a text from a guy named Darren, maybe. Darren? Darren! I feel a flutter in my stomach right before I remember I’m grown and I don't need to be acting like this. Usually guys take days to text you, but he’s proving to be a MAN! Shit, I hope so anyways.
I allow myself to enjoy this moment, open my messages, and start to reply. But reading back my response I decide not to send it because I am truly overcomplicating a ‘good morning’ text. Besides, it’s too early in the day he’s probably not even up yet. I place my phone down before I send some shit I’ll regret and go about my business for the day.
After my shower, I head to the kitchen to fix an iced latte, open up my laptop, and write out a list of things I need to accomplish. I throw on a random show I can stream, for the purpose of background noise, and begin to go through these poorly executed emails. Any minute now I know Rachel will hit my line complaining about the reply all’s to a companywide notice and maybe I’ll even get a dash of her spicy dating life that I never asked about. I love the girl but don't continue to ask me if Gary is being distant because of whatever issue he’s made up this time around. Sometimes I just wish she would take the advice she’s asking for.
My ringtone roars, startling me in the middle of my note. Here she goes, just like clockwork. Waiting a moment, I contemplate if I’m going to answer, but of course I will, because “ThAt’s WhAt FrIeNdS aRe FoR.” I don't bother checking the caller ID and pick up before I change my mind.
“What’s up, my guy?” I say two octaves too low.
“I'm sorry, did I catch you at a bad time?”
The voice is unfamiliar. I straighten up in my seat, as if someone’s watching me. Glancing at my screen, to make sure I still have a job, I don't recognize the number and now I’m confused.
“Who’s speaking?” I say in my best valley girl rendition.
“Oh! My bad, I just assumed. . . It, it’s me, Darren.” he stutters.
Great, are you trying to run this man off, Kaiden?
“Hi, umm. I’m so sorry I thought you were someone else, which is rude either way, but I assumed it was my work friend Rachel. She usually calls me around this time and. . .” You can stop explaining now, girl!
“. . .I should stop talking.” Closing my eyes in embarrassment I begin to pray the damage isn’t too bad. You are truly the definition of cringe.
“No worries. . .”, he chuckles and it’s the sweetest sound.
My cheeks lift to a smile and I shake my head in displeasure of my school-girl demeanor.
“. . .Well I just wanted to call you up to see how your day is going.”
Wow, that's different. Foreign actually. I didn’t even get to text back yet.
“I’m doing okay so far. Just getting some work done before my team and I start on this new project.”
“Glad to hear! So. . .” He pauses for a moment.
“. . .maybe this is a bad time. You sound extremely busy, so I won't hold you up, but before I let you go, I thought I’d see what your plans were for lunch this afternoon. Maybe you’d like to join me?”
I pause long enough for me to hit my little dancey dance, or whatever Da Baby said, but my excitement is soon replaced by the sad realization that I have to decline. I don’t want to seem too available, besides, he should have more sense to plan something in advance if he really wants to see me.
“I’m sorry for the short notice, so please don't feel obligated!” he quickly adds.
I can tell by the sound of his voice that he forced that sentence out in hopes that I accept anyway.
“No,no, it’s not short notice. . .” yes it is girl, stop playing. “. . .I just really need to get this work done.” I say gingerly.
“Of course, that's no problem at all! Rain check?” he asks.
“Absolutely, I look forward to it.”
The disappointment is deafening but I’m prioritizing, and hopefully he can respect that.
“Well I better get back to it but it was really great hearing from you, Darren.”
“Likewise. Talk soon?”
“For sure.”
We hang up and I return to my work trying to push the thought of him out of my head. But that's easily accomplished by my phone sounding off again. Damn. I really need to silence this thing. It's James, the lovely doorman for the building. He alerts me that I have a visitor downstairs and I’m confused because I haven't ordered my lunch yet. Besides, they usually deliver straight to the door. Instead of having whoever it is sent up, I grab my keys, and quickly head downstairs because I’m not trying to get caught slippin’ letting everybody know where I live. The elevator dings as I hit the lobby floor and my stomach starts to feel uneasy. I get off slowly hoping for the best but I know better. Going against my intuition I gaze around scanning a few faces but none seem familiar to me. James seeks my attention with a wave and shrugs letting me know whoever it was has impatiently left. Maybe they had the wrong building. . . I wave back and head towards the elevator but right as I push the button to go back up I hear footsteps approach from behind.
“Kaiden. . .”
I whip around and my whole body tightens. I pause in confusion. . .
“What the f–, what are you doing here?”