An Actual Nerd

36 * Dates 'n' Dates 'n' Dates

Chapter 36: Dates 'n' Dates 'n' Dates 

"Someone decided to install trampolines on the soles of Charlie's shoes."

"Shut up." I snapped, trying to stop myself from bouncing. 

Robin made his sneaky way over to the front door, leaning on the balls of his feet. He wasn't that much taller then me, and his attempt at intimidation wasn't successful. 

"Going out with this Penny, huh?"

"Who else would I be going out to see?"

"Oh, I dunno, not Penny." 

"Do you not think she exists, or something?" 

"Obviously." He scoffed. "You're up to something."

"What, going out to a well earned dinner with my well earned money after studying in the library for the majority of the afternoon makes you suspicious, when there isn't a lie on my face?"

"Oh, I dunno, maybe because you're a reclusive hermit and haven't changed for your entire life when: Suddenly! A random girl pops up out of no where and there's no description of her, no personality explanation. Here's Penny, a girl who is now my scape goat!"

"Description? Fine, I'll give you a description: She's in her senior year at Bryton High, she's in my psychology class, she has black hair that's always in perfect curls and bright blue eyes. Her fingernails are perfectly manicured and they're a different colour every week. She always brings the same tote bag to school everyday, with a cluster of colourful balloons in the corner. She made it herself. She's shorter than me, and she's really pretty, and I'm thoroughly jealous of her for many reasons: One of which being that she can walk in high heels without scaring boys away and she wont roll her ankle either!"

I sucked in a long breathe, feeling dizzy. 

Robin just blinked. Then: "Oh. Oh." 

"What?"

"Oh my god, Charlie, you too!?"

"What do you mean?"

"Oh my god, Mom's going to flip!"

I blinked. "What on earth are you talking about?"

"You're going out with a girl. For dinner?"

"Uh, yeah? Just hanging out!" I clapped my hand over my mouth. "Oh, Robin, no!" 

"You're wearing flats! You never wear flats unless--"

"Robin, no, I'm not going on a date!" I whispered under my breathe. "Jesus, is that what you thought?"

"You said she was pretty!"

"I can appreciate women without being attracted to them!"

"I've never appreciated a man, because I'm not attracted to them, Charlie. That's not how it works."

"Liar." I pushed by him, opening the front door. "You really think Mom would flip?"

He huffed out a breathe, pushing back his hair. "I dunno, Charlie. Have fun on your date."

"It's not a date." I hissed, letting the front door slam closed. Robin just laughed. 

Well. Wasn't that a great way to start an evening. Plus, I only had five minutes to get to Hayden's place, and god knows how much he'd taunt me for being late. 

Speeding ticket, or bad reputation?

I was mentally cursing the entire drive. 

What have you done. What are you doing. Are you crazy? You're crazy. This entire year's been 100% bonkers. Who says bonkers? You do. You're going to mess this up so badly, Charlie. Remember the--