10
MAISIE
“So we’re doing this.” I look in the mirror at the girl who had too many glasses of wine last night.
I’ve reread Henry’s text about a dozen times now, each time thinking it’ll disappear and I’ll wake up from this dream.
I can’t tell if I do or don’t want Henry to show up. Do I want to be his friend or do I want to climb him like a tree? The honest answer is the latter, but he’s only here for the summer and that’s not something I want to get myself into.
When I left Wren’s this morning, I stopped by Lakeside Grounds. The only way to get through today is either caffeine or alcohol, and my throbbing headache is a reminder to never drink again.
I look back at myself in the mirror and question how I got myself into this mess. I’m not sure I can even call it a mess because I can’t deny that I want to hang out with Henry.
Sober Maisie would’ve never texted Henry. Technically drunk Maisie didn’t, drunk Wren did, but now I have to reap the consequences of my own actions, starting with meeting Henry later today. More so dreading the possibility of liking him more than I already do.
I have about an hour before I need to leave if I want to walk to town. The decision not to drive is simply because I need a breath of fresh air and time to think after last night's festivities with Wren.
I grab a towel and quickly take a shower hoping it’ll wake me up a bit and make me feel less groggy.
Lathering my body in body wash, I lose myself in my thoughts of what’s to come today. It could either go great or terribly wrong but I have a hard time thinking that anything with Henry involved could go terribly wrong.
What if he decides he doesn’t want to do it anymore?
What if I get stood up?
Henry wouldn’t do that… right?
When he’s around I feel an ache in my chest from a loss of oxygen… the simplicity that a single human can take my breath away.
I don’t know how someone who looks likehimis single. He’s charming, both physically and personality wise.
I try not to let my insecure thoughts get the better of me but I can’t help but wonder what he sees in me. Not in a self deprecating way, but he’s given me his number twice now and insists on helping with my Fuck It List.
We haven’t spent more than five minutes in conversation yet he wasted no time agreeing to meet me with less than a two hour warning.
Whataboutme has him wantingme?
I stand in the shower for a little too long and realize to make it on time, I should get out now. Luckily I didn't wash my hair so I really just need to get dressed and put on some makeup.
Wrapping a towel around my body, I walk over to my closet and grab a pair of denim shorts and a yellow tank top. I don’t want to look like I’m trying too hard but also don’t want to looklike I’m not trying at all. Plus, yellow brings out my freckles—one of my favorite things about myself.
My hair thankfully decided to cooperate with me today. Sometimes my waves tend to have a mind of their own.
By the time I’m ready, it’s a quarter to noon, just enough time to walk to the lake.
I take a second to catch my breath, open the door, and remind myself that he said he’d be there and that I have nothing to worry about.
You got this, Maisie. He wants to come, he wants to help. He wants to be there.
Even after a lifetimeof walking the same route to the lake, it never gets old.
Summer in Ruby Lake is something out of a story book. The splashing of water as kids play, the smell of waffle cones from the ice cream shop a few blocks down, and families setting up picnics. It’s a nostalgic feeling I’ll never be tired of.
Not knowing how long Henry will be here, I brought my picnic blanket and the book I bought the other day so I could relax in the sun at the very least.
Across the street from the lake, there’s a grassy park area with picnic tables that I like to hang out at without having to worry about the sand from the beach or screaming children in my ear. I’m not a child hater but I would prefer to not lose my sense of hearing.
Setting my bag down, I find the perfect spot, and lay out my blanket on the grass.
