Lacuna

Chapter 25

Her dating life had always been a drag, and it got to the point where she truly hated dating. No one would write romantic novels about her. Tragedies, maybe. She'd even go as far to say a comedy. The girl that couldn't keep a man for more than a few months.

But she didn't dread her upcoming date with Arlo. For once, she felt as if she had something good in her life; something worth holding on to. For some reason, Arlo found her tolerable, and she swore to herself that she would let herself enjoy her time with him, however long it may be. She was determined to change her attitude and see things more positively. Because in truth, coming to Portia was the best thing that could have happened to her. She was seeing that, now. She had a steady job, even if it wasn't what she ever expected to be doing. And she was pretty good at it, too. She had friends. She had a boyfriend. Despite everything, things were turning around for her. Life wasn't a total, pointless drag.

And she hadn't thought about her father in some time, either. She didn't lose herself to her thoughts, daydreaming about what could have been. She didn't wonder where he was or what he was doing. She simply didn't care anymore. And it was exhausting, anyway. She had other things to focus her energy on, now. Like her date with Arlo.

She finished her chores quicker than she anticipated, leaving her with a few hours in the evening to pace her house and wait for Arlo's arrival. She had already showered, dressed, and even styled her hair for the first time in years. It fell in loose, bouncy waves around her shoulders, one side pinned back. She even wore a dress. She couldn't remember the last time she had done that. In fact, she only owned one dress, and if she recalled correctly, her aunt Kendra had bought it for her and forced her to wear it at some event. She filled out the bust a little more than she had as a teenager, but otherwise, it fit relatively well, flowing out at her knees.

She stared at herself in the mirror and bit the corner of her lower lip as another thought came to mind. Would they have sex?

She narrowed her gaze at herself. "Don't fuck this up," she hissed at her reflection. "I don't know how you will, but I'm sure you'll find a way. Don't do it. Don't! Got it?"

She grinned at herself and nodded, then winked. "Yeah, you got this," she said. "You're gonna own this date. And you're gonna have sex!"

Her face paled slightly. "Oh god. Are you gonna have sex? Are you good at sex? I don't remember. I forgot how to have sex!"

She sucked in a breath to calm herself, then scoffed. "Please. We're good at sex. Remember that one night stand? Yeah you do, you remember. Blew his mind. We're good at this. Just be cool, alright, man? Be cool. For the love of fuck be cool!"

She couldn't look at herself any longer. She probably shouldn't talk to herself anymore, either, in case Arlo overheard her - again. He would definitely think she was crazy, then. She pulled herself away from the mirror and trotted downstairs. She needed air.

She hurried outside and leaned against the fence. God, why was she so nervous? She wanted to throw up, but the sound of trotting hooves made her think otherwise, and she looked up as Spacer stopped in front of her.

"You said a gallant steed, right?" Arlo said with a grin. "I dunno about gallant, but..."

Spacer snorted and shook his head.

Kahli leaned over to pat his muzzle. "Spacer is the most gallant steed I know," she said.

Arlo patted the horse's neck. "Hear that, Bud? At least someone thinks so."

She noticed, then, that he had his other arm behind her back, and she peered at him curiously.

"Oh." Arlo pulled his arm out, revealing a bouquet of flowers. "I'm pulling out all the stops."