saving grace

Chapter 3: Pancakes

Let's just say, you didn't sleep a wink that night. You held a smile on your face thinking about the breakfast to come, so much so that your jaw hurt. You kept replaying the conversation you had at the bar, reading your few shared text messages over and over again.

Your alarm went off at 8:30 even though you didn't really need it. You hopped in the shower to wash your body and hair. After wrapping a towel around your head, you walked back into the bedroom where you see a notification.

Cate.

You unlocked your phone, smiling from ear to ear.

The text read-

Good morning darling! I hope you slept well.

You lied, telling her-

Better than I have in a long time!

She replies with-

Glad to hear it :) See you in an hour.

You cheekily send back-
Yes ma'am!

You toss your on to the bed before undoing the towel on your head. You brush your thin, brunette hair and decide to blow dry it. Your hair is already straight, but you go ahead and send the straightener through it anyway to smooth it all out.

You don't hardly own any makeup, as your mom never taught you. Growing up without older sisters and a mother who worked all the time, the skill of application wasn't one you were able to master. You watched tutorials and things but you always got frustrated. Plus, you are a true tomboy at heart.

And so, you threw on mascara and shaped up your eyebrows but you didn't really have anything else. You got suddenly nervous as Cate was beyond gorgeous with and without makeup. You thought you could never compare. After drawing yourself away from the mirror and halting your insecurities for a moment, you are driven to your closet. You didn't want to overdress, so you kept it simple.

Faded and ripped black jeans with a loosely fitted white t-shirt and a black leather jacket felt appropriate.

By the time you finished throwing everything together it was nearly time for Cate to arrive. You quickly through on some white and black adidas before dragging yourself back to the mirror again. You breathe a nervous sigh. You don't typically get anxious around people, but this, this was different. You didn't know where this breakfast was headed or what the point of it even was, but you decide that you're gonna just live in the moment. It's not everyday that someone takes interest in spending time with you.

You grab Blue's leash, clipping it to her collar and running out the door. You almost trip down the stairs your feet are moving so fast. You knew that you were running a little behind and the last thing you wanted to do was make Cate wait. When you got out of the front door and started down the steps you saw a black Escalade pull up.

Shit you thought to yourself.

The backseat window on the passenger side begins to roll down and Cate's being comes into view. Her smile, one that I could never get tired of, causing your lips to turn up to.

"I'm sorry! Just give me one minute! Her owner can never be on time." You apologetically joke.

"You're fine my darling. Please, take all the time you need." She responds, returning a smile to her face once more.

You continue to lead Bluey down the sidewalk to a grassy patch where she went about her business. You tapped your foot quickly, hoping to urge her along. All the while, you could feel Cate staring a hole in the back of your head. You decide to sneak a peak at her over your right shoulder. You share direct eye contact and, for a few moments, neither of you decide to break it. As you peered into her euphoric orbs you couldn't help but feel like something was wrong. There was some type of distance that seemed to protrude in that gaze. After some time passes, you break away from the contact, and drag Blue inside. You quickly grab your wallet, phone, and keys, and then take one last look in your full length mirror.