Into the Starry Night

Fourteen - Part One

I was in the lab fiddling with the 3D model on the computer when my phone rang.

"Whatever it is, it can wait, I'm busy right now," I said as I picked up the call. I didn't bother prying my eyes away from the large monitor in front of me to check who the caller was.

"Oh, I guess in that case I should call back some other time," the slightly raspy voice of the person on the other side reached me through my AirPods.

I recognized it immediately.

Timini. That little motherfucker.

Ever since I had given him my number on Wednesday I had waited more expectantly than I cared to admit for a call, a text, something. I thought that there was something between us but after one day turned to two and two turned to three it was obvious whatever it was that had been there was obvious only to me.

"You have some nerve mister," I finally let my aching back rest as I leaned back on the chair. "I don't know how long your bro code states to wait before calling a girl but five days is a little excessive."

I heard his breezy laugh. "I did not realize you were keeping score, if not I'd have made sure to call sooner."

"Well, you're too late," I sassed. "I've already found The One and I'm right about to walk down the aisle as we speak."

"Wow, congratulations. I really hope The One has a gorgeous five-bedroom, six-bath apartment in Lekki where you can have lots of strong, healthy babies."

I couldn't stop the smile that curved my lips. I liked that he was quick to match my brand of wit.

A recently employed lab tech walked by just then - they were easy to spot with their trending hairdos and the sickening stench of low self-esteem - with a tray full of test tubes and stumbled over a wire I had seen on my way in and gracefully stepped over. The test tubes in his hand nearly tipped over but he steadied them before they had a chance to topple over. I glared at him and wincing visibly, he hastened his steps out of the Chemistry lab.

"I think that was slightly anti-feministic and completely sexist. I am tempted to tell you to go to hell."

I studied my beige nails as I waited for his reply.

"Before you block my number, let me take you out to lunch. Apologize for ghosting you. Show you the apartment. What do you say? After that you can spread my picture through as many social media sites as you like with the words 'beware this sexist pig'."

"I don't know," I pretended to think. "Answer one question first, then I'll decide whether to call the cops now or later."

I heard him sigh but I knew he was enjoying this just as much as I was. "Alright, what's the question?"

"Taylor Swift or Beyoncè?"

"Easy. Taylor Swift, any day."

"Huh, would you look at that, you got it right. Where do you want to meet?" I stood up and shut the computer down.

"Where do . . . You're kidding. I'm coming to pick you up, just text me the address of the church you're currently at and I'll show up on my white horse and whisk you away."

"You must have me confused for one of those teenage girls that believe in fairy tales."

I plucked my favourite tube of lipgloss from my purse and used the dark, blank screen of the computer to apply a new coat.

After that, I touched up my mascara and fluffed my hair.

"So what do you believe in?"

"Money, power, and winged eyeliner, darling."