Problems Anonymous(complete)

Chapter 9

Even though he brought this on me, I insisted that Austin didn't have to help me find a new job. He of course said otherwise, so we comprised by going to Eddie, our AA leader. His job was to help those in the group, afterall.

We met at Eddie, and his wife Darlene's apartment. They owned one of those cute flats where they lived upstairs, and their business was downstairs. They owned a convenient store. I was happy we met here, I didn't want to inconvenience them by making them leave work. This way, they could just walk up and down the stairs to tend to everyone.

We all gathered around their living room, and I have to say, it was nice being around more people for a change. Darlene set out a plate of cookies, and gave each person a red marker, to circle jobs they'd think I'd like. Eddie stayed, too.He had a worker downstairs, who'd ring a bell if they needed help. He assured us it wouldn't be a problem.

Then, we all started sorting our way through the pile of newspapers.

Well, sort of.

Eddie scarfed down the plate of cookies and sat back in his recliner chair, going on about all his stories.He rambled on how Darlene helped him when he was on drugs and drinking and other stuff, and Darlene blushed like a little girl listening to him.

I really didn't focus on what he was saying, or the papers. Only one person in the room had my attention.

He sat on the floor, opposite me. He smiled at Eddie, even though I knew he was only doing it to be polite. His chocolatey hair curled in some areas, and straightened in others. It was similar to waves, how some of it fell and stuck up. I liked it a lot, but that was one thing he told me he couldn't stand.

I rustled through my newspaper and tried to focus, but my eyes kept peering over at him. I couldn't help it, the other day with him completely changed me. The pink shades he gave me sat on top of my head now, and I always had them. I always knew he was attravtive, but now all I wanted to do was look at him, he was so beautiful. He was wearing a plain white shirt, and his usual black jeans, and I had a feeling my simplicity was rubbing off on him.

It's funny how fast he made my heart beat now, when I could've cared less if it beating at all only a few months ago. I was living a dead life, and he made me alive.

And I loved him for that.

I really wanted to tell him how I felt, but I was scared he wouldn't feel the same way. Someone like him probably wouldn't. He most likely loved the idea of me- a best friend that hung around. He might have loved the attention, but I was certain he didn't love me. It seemed unfair for me to love him if he didn't feel the same way in return. I was scared, so I didn't tell. Why ruin something so good, anyway?

He ruffled his paper, and my eyes flicked down-I had barely noticed I was staring,  and I definitely didn't want him to see.

He grabbed another handful of papers and his eyebrows shot up.

"Maisy, look at this!"

He flipped the newspaper; a picture of a very handsome man with sleek black hair and a grey suit plastered the front, along with smaller pictures of the Giants and AT&T stadium. The headline read:

"The Giants advance to the World Series!",

and smaller print talked about a very happy J&G corporation, and Ari's bachelore status.

"Won't be for long.", Austin snorted at the bachelor comments.Eddie and Darlene shot him a confused look.

"I got Maisy a date with him.", he proudly told them.

"Actually Mais, I got a hold of him the other day, I forgot to tell you. We set up your date in two weeks, at the end of August."

"Congrats", Eddie marveled. But a part of me deflated. As much as Ari was easy on the eyes, my feelings were in too deep with someone else. I mumbled, not knowing what to say, and quickly turned to my own paper.