EVELYN

The nerves in my stomach felt like a swarm of bees, buzzing relentlessly. Going out with Mike wasn’t something I had planned or even imagined in my wildest dreams. But here I was, standing in front of my mirror, applying the last coat of nude lip gloss. My hands trembled slightly as I covered the tube, staring at my reflection. My soft red curls fell over my shoulders in gentle waves, framing my face in a way that felt oddly perfect. I didn’t know what to expect from the date, and that uncertainty sat heavily in my chest.

The door creaked open and Mom stepped inside. She looked at me, her face lighting up with a proud smile. “You really look beautiful, my princess,” she said warmly, stepping closer to brush an imaginary speck of dust off my sleeve. Her touch was gentle, almost ceremonious like she was preparing me for something grand.

“Mike will love this on you,” she added, squeezing my hands gently. Her eyes sparkled, and the corners of her lips curled into a broad smile, one that told me she was rooting for this evening to be magical.

Yes, princess. That’s what she calls me. Don’t be surprised that everyone in this house has their own unique pet name for me. I am everyone's favorite. Mom’s is the most special, though. When she calls me that, it feels like I’m the lead in some kind of fairytale, even when my life is far from it.

“Thanks, Mom,” I said, my voice steady, but my smile didn’t quite reach my ears. I knew she could see the hesitation behind my carefully composed exterior, but she didn’t say anything. She just gave me an encouraging nod.

“He’s here to pick you up, princess,” she said softly, stepping aside to let me process her words.

“Okay, Mom,” I replied, glancing down at the black strap heels Trina had given me last Christmas and I bet this was going to be Trina’s last gift. They fit perfectly, but more than that, they reminded me of my best friend, someone I missed deeply. Slipping them on, I felt an ache of longing for the days when everything was simple, when a date with a guy like Mike wouldn’t have felt so overwhelming more or less happened.

Walking out of my room, I could feel my heart pounding harder with each step. My outfit was an elegant low-back red one hand dress that pronounced every one of my curves. It was simple yet bold, paired with a thin gold chain and matching earrings. The dress stopped just above my knees, showing enough to feel confident but not too much to be uncomfortable. My heels clicked softly against the tiled floor as I made my way outside, where Mike was waiting by his blue Lamborghini. To be sincere, I can’t imagine what riding in a blue Lambo with a guy I don't give a fuck about would be. I pray silently for mercy from above to be bestowed on me.

When I saw him closely, I felt the awkwardness hit me like a wave. Mike was adjusting his glasses nervously. His tall, lanky frame was wrapped in a neatly ironed plaid shirt tucked into dark jeans. A satchel hung over one shoulder, its presence adding to his nerdy aura. His sneakers were impeccably clean, and his hair, was messy yet but obvious he’d spent time perfecting it. Clean beat, I’d give that to him willingly.

“Hi, Evelyn,” he said, straightening up the moment he saw me. His voice was steady but warm, and his awkward smile made me feel a little less like I was being dragged into the unknown.

“Hey,” I replied softly, my eyes darting to the ground before meeting his again.

Mike, ever the gentleman, walked over and opened the passenger side door for me. “Your chariot awaits,” he said with a small chuckle, his tone light and playful. It wasn’t the smoothest line, but it was sweet, in that peculiar way only Mike could pull off.

I slid into the car, smoothing my dress as I did. The faint scent of leather mixed with something distinctly Mike, maybe a hint of peppermint. He closed the door gently and hurried to the driver’s side, fumbling slightly with his keys before starting the engine.

“What kind of music do you want to listen to?” he asked as we pulled out of the driveway.

“Anything’s fine,” I replied, even though I knew I’d probably regret giving him that freedom. Sure enough, he started scrolling through a playlist filled with instrumental soundtracks from movies and video games.

“This one’s from Star Wars,” he said, turning up the volume as the dramatic orchestra filled the car. “It’s iconic, right?”

I nodded politely, though I wasn’t sure what to say. It wasn’t bad, just…different. I tried to remind myself that this was Mike— quirky, nerdy, and unapologetically himself. If I wanted to get through tonight, I’d have to embrace all of him, including the parts that didn’t quite align with my world.

As we drove, he started cracking jokes. They were the kind of jokes that made you groan more than laugh, terribly constructed puns and over-explained punchlines.

“Why did the scarecrow win an award?” he asked, glancing at me expectantly.

“Why?” I humored him.

“Because he was outstanding in his field!” He laughed at his own joke, the sound filling the car with a genuine kind of joy. I couldn’t help but crack a small smile, despite myself.

The restaurant he chose was cozy, with soft lighting and an intimate atmosphere. Mike pulled out my chair for me, gesturing like he was a royal butler. “My lady,” he said with a theatrical bow.

“Thank you,” I said, shaking my head slightly but appreciating the effort.

As we sat down, he leaned forward, his elbow almost tipping over the small candle in the center of the table. “Did you know,” he started, “that octopuses have three hearts? Two pump blood to the gills, and one pumps it to the rest of the body.”

Like what the actual fuck. This is a date not some sort of Biology class. I blinked at him, unsure how to respond. “That’s…interesting.”

He nodded enthusiastically, clearly thrilled to share his random tidbit of knowledge. It was endearing in a way, even if it felt a lot out of place for a date.

“So, uh, this truffle risotto,” he said, his voice a bit too eager, “did you know that truffles, specifically Tuber melanosporum, are symbiotic with tree roots? It’s fascinating! The mycorrhizal relationship benefits both the fungus and the tree.” He leaned forward, pointing at the menu like it was a research paper. “And risotto is all about the starch released from the Oryza sativa grains, which, incidentally, are classified as a monocot. Amazing, right?”

I raised an eyebrow, pretending to be amused even though I'd never heard a single one out of the grammar he spilled. “So, is the truffle or the rice the star of the dish?”

“Ah, great question!” he straightened, his excitement escalating. “It’s actually the interaction! The truffle’s umami compounds like glutamic acid combine with the creamy texture of the rice to create a sensory synergy. It’s culinary science at its peak!”

Holy shit! What have I gotten myself into? I bit my lip to suppress a laugh. “Well, I guess we have to order it now.”

He beamed. “Absolutely! And while we wait, I can tell you about the Maillard reaction to the seared scallops you picked!”

As the night went on, he started to relax, and so did I because this was my fate. He reached across the table at one point, his hand brushing against mine. I flinched slightly but didn’t pull away. His touch was gentle, hesitant as if he were testing the waters.

By the time we walked out of the restaurant, the night had taken on a quieter tone. We decided to take a walk and I could feel his eyes on me like he was trying to figure out if the evening had been a success.

He stopped suddenly and turned to me, his expression soft. “I had a really great time tonight, Evelyn,” he said, his voice sincere.

“Me too,” I replied, even though I wasn’t entirely sure how I felt but I must confess that hanging out with a nerd was a lot. I can't imagine having to read ahead just to flow, because I was going on a date

His hand brushed against mine, I didn't restrict. Slowly, he held my hand in his with his fingers intertwining with mine. It was a bold move for Mike, and I could tell he was nervous.

I glanced at him and our eyes met for the first time, heavier than they should have. He leaned in slightly, his face inching closer to mine. My heart raced as I realized what was happening and I found myself leaning in too, drawn to the intensity of the moment.

Just as our lips were about to meet, a loud bang shattered the silence. My heart leaped as I turned to see a guy slamming his fist on the table near us. I didn’t even realize we had walked back towards the restaurant.

Without missing a beat, someone grabbed my hand, pulling me away from Mike. “Evelyn,” he said, his voice firm and filled with an intensity I couldn’t place.

Mike froze his face a mixture of confusion and shock. I couldn’t move, my mind spinning as I tried to make sense of what was happening.

And just like that, the night had taken a turn I never saw coming.