One

Everybody loves a romance.

I don't care if you claim to hate them. I don't believe you. If you've ever felt those fuzzy feelings; those late, sleepless nights, texting your wonder wall- you like romance. It's the human condition to appreciate love interests. Even for the aromatics- your friends falling in love, is that not hilarious? The stupidity of the infatuated mind is endless. It is most definitely an addiction, and the hardest one to quit.

The unfortunate dilemma that arises with falling in love, is it ultimately ends. Worse yet, is when it is unreciprocated. Even worse, is when love was once reciprocated but only ends on one side. You keep these old memories because you can't forget, and even though they hurt you replay them over and over. Meanwhile, the other side can't 'remember'. Sometimes, it's like you never existed to them.

It feels like you're drowning.

This helplessness doesn't last if you are like me. It turns into anger- borderline psychopathy because you can't afford to feel anything when everything hurts so much. But it goes away. It takes time. You'll convince yourself they never existed either.

You can't change the past. You can only move forward.

That doesn't mean you have to listen to your roommate when she sets you up on a blind date.

"I don't want to go!" I shoved the clothes that had piled up on my bed to the floor, making room to throw myself down. Amanda threw her hands up, exasperated.

"Come on, I told you this guy is cute." We've been fighting about this since she brought it up a week ago. "I don't want to see you moping anymore- it's been nine months since you guys broke up. You could have had a baby during that time. He's moved on-", she grabs a pillow.

"So", she hits me once, "should", hits me again, "you."

Amanda throws the pillow down next to the pile of clothes I dumped on the floor earlier.

"What about the whole 'never talk to another guy again' idea? Wasn't that the plan?" Amanda makes her way to the closet to continue her pursuit of an appropriate outfit.

"Yeah, that was the idea- nine months ago. Plus, this guy I met is so funny like you don't even understand how much I begged him to meet you- he'd be great to get your mind off of it." Her voice slowly fades away as she makes her way into the closet. Her visage disappears within the mass of clothing.

I sit up and pout. She's referring to David when she says 'it'. I know I should move on, but I wish I could do that without the intervention of another romantic interest. However, nine months later, it was becoming apparent that that was not an option. That didn't mean that it would be in my favour to go. I wasn't good at being rude to others, even if they were being rude to me. I would hate to reject someone, and I would hate to be rejected, and at this point, I didn't see a third option. And Amanda was so annoying... I was kind of curious.

"If I go, will you stop pestering me about my moping?" Amanda pops up her head, her longs curls bouncing in the movement. She was the kind of effortlessly beautiful person. I mean I know it's not effortless, she spends hours conditioning and styling.

"What do you mean, pestering?" She glares at me and then continues her search. I'm not sure what she was looking for, because I was definitely wearing jeans and a sweatshirt. I guess I had already decided I was going, I just didn't want Amanda to make such a big deal out of it. I also didn't want to look too excited- give her the wrong idea and encourage her to start setting me up with everyone she meets.

"Gwen, seriously, I know that face. You're not going to this date in jeans." A skirt was thrown at my face. I frowned underneath it.

"So, call me when you are done. Okay? I'll come to get you; I just really need the car to go pick up Jean from his Jiu-Jitsu class. Thanks noob, have fun!" Amanda sang the word fun like it was intended as an innuendo. She ran back to my car after a quick hug and apologetic smile. I was just concerned that she wouldn't come to pick me up too soon if the guy turned out to be weird.

Man, I had no idea.

I ended up wearing the skirt Amanda threw at me earlier. It was flowy, very loose, but it was thin and hung on my legs like a sheet. It made me feel self-conscious, and I had to look at my reflection in the restaurant glass to pick myself apart. I don't think this skirt did my thighs any favours. I tore my gaze away from my appearance and towards the restaurant doors.

I wonder what this Zeke guy is like. Amanda talked him up so much, I figured no matter how great he turns out to be, I'd still be disappointed. I searched for the 'tall dark blonde and like-supermodel-skin' description Amanda gave me. I wasn't sure what to think by "supermodel skin" but glancing at the only guy who could possibly be him in the restaurant, I understood.

"Hi, are you Zeke? I'm Gwen." He was glowing from within, and I was fairly certain he had makeup on. There was no other conceivable way for a human to look like this. His skin looked like it was fresh from the factory. His skin tone was darker than I thought it would be, but he had that glowy surfer look. I understood why Amanda made such a big deal out of it.

His eyes stood out against his face, and though the honey hazel color was attractive, it was more the intensity behind the eyes that was mesmerizing. Surely this guy is an actor... or clone?

"Where's Amanda?" The spell I was under fizzled away as soon as he opened his mouth. His tone was terribly accusing, and his features when he frowned were (still cute but) annoyingly aggravating. I felt my natural defensiveness come to play.

"What do mean, where's Amanda?" His eyes narrow. His hands come out from under the table to grab a fork.

"I mean, is she not the one I was having dinner with?" I was taken off guard by his grasping of the fork. Was he going to stab me? That'd be just great, thank you.

"I don't know what kind of misunderstanding there's been, but Amanda said that I was to have dinner with you. In the 'blind date' fashion." He sneered, but I took a seat across from him anyway.

"Wow, well I guess I have to settle." My eyes widen. Wow.

I looked around the table to see if there was another fork available. I was thinking of stabbing him and making a run for it.

"What do you mean settle?" I mean, I could understand that I wasn't as cute as Amanda, with her long, bronze, curly hair and stunning skin, a great body and I could go on, but I would still call me a catch any day of the week. Yeah, I had what the kids call thunder thighs but I was definitely cute.

What a dick.

"That's so rude. How could you say that to someone? Would it have been so bad to have dinner with me, and just pretend you didn't misunderstand?" His eyes soften, and he looks away.

"No, sorry, I meant, I was under a different impression about this dinner. I'm terribly sorry." He seemed distracted though, and his words came more blank than meaningful. His gaze focused on something outside, and he stood up quickly. Like he shot up, the flatware rattle against the table, and I'm certain a few people looked over.

"I have to go." When he was standing, I could finally see how tall he was. Amanda wasn't exaggerating there. Actually, from the looks of him, she didn't exaggerate anything except his personality. He was definitely over 6 foot; I mean he towered over me and I was 5'11 with my feet to the ground. Yeah, I know, that's a bit tall for a cis woman. I wasn't bothered by it I just didn't make a habit of wearing heels.

And I had to look up at him.