Eternal

Chapter 1

"What if he's a serial killer?" My brother, Andy jokes. I snort as I rub my lower eyelashes with mascara. "You hardly know the guy, so it is plausible." He utters "plausible" with a posh British accent, making a crude attempt at imitating my date-to-be, Xavier.I roll my eyes as I snap my mascara wand back into its tube with a loud pop. Even if my older brother is obnoxious, him teasing and joking with me —per the norm—helps ease my anxiety over my first date just a bit; helps me feel like it's just an ordinary day. It shouldn't be such a nail-biter worthy event; I've had one boyfriend who I went on dates with before. But I've never had this apprehension or this nervous coil in my stomach before. It feels like so much is at stake , but I cannot pinpoint why. "Tree are you ready for me to curl your hair?" My mom asks, as she clacks her way across the tile floor in her new heels. "Yeah, sure." I eye her pencil skirt with blue velvet blouse. "Are you and Dad planning a date night tonight, too?" I ask. "We have a coupon for Sushi Station and tonight seems as good a night as any. It's a bonus that we'll only be five minutes away from you and Xavier." She winks and smiles at me. I grin back, shake my head in disbelief, and sit on the floor in front of her as she twirls locks of my hair around the curling wand. People always say my mother and I look very much alike, especially in our smiles. I agree that we do with our long, dark hair and brown eyes, but I think she's more exotic looking than me. She's full Vietnamese while I have Caucasian blood from my father, so my eyes are much rounder, which I sometimes think makes me look like a deer about to be run over by a car. As I'm nervously picking at my nails, my dad comes up and grabs me in a side bear hug. "Honey, I'm curling her hair!" My mom gasps. "Sorry, love. Are you excited for tonight, Daughter?"My dad asks, his green eyes bright. "Yeah, but I'm super nervous as well... I haven't been this nervous for a date before. I know I shouldn't be because Xavier is a pretty laid back guy.... at least in the few months I've known him..." I ramble on, and my dad pats the top of my hair avoiding where my mom is curling my ends. "Maybe I should have taken you running with me, so you would feel more relaxed for your date. Xavier must be pretty special if you're this high strung about going out with him tonight."He chuckles. "It's alright, Dad. I don't think I could wear these  after running and wearing my feet out." I point to my blue three inch heels. My mom unwinds the last lock of my hair from the iron letting it bounce into place, and I feel light digging on my scalp and she pushes Bobbi pins in one side to keep my bangs back. "I think you're all ready." She smiles, then she tilts her compact mirror towards me so I can see. I scan my face for any stray marks of mascara or smeared lip gloss. "Do you want to pray together before you go?" My dad offers. "I'm sure it'll put your mind at rest." There's a knock at the door and I leap to my feet so fast I almost knock my mom off her chair behind me. "Relaxxxx dude! It's just Lily." Andy smacks my shoulder playfully as he saunters by to get the door. I exhale through my nose. I'm relieved. For one, Xavier would be an hour early; we agreed on seven o' clock and I am not mentally prepared to leave with him just yet. Plus, Lily is Andy's girlfriend of seven years; she's like my sister, and having her here for support before my night out will indubitably help. She smiles warmly at me. "Are you excited? You're going to have a blast;I know you will." She says. "Yeah, I am...but at the same time I could barf with how nervous I am." She laughs at me. "That's normal, but I'm sure you'll be fine." I nod and she wraps her arms around me. "Daughter,you want to pray together, now?" My dad asks. I nod and he pats the couch for me to sit between him and my mom. Andy and Lily perch on the stools in the entrance of the kitchen, and we all bow our heads and close our eyes. "Dear Lord, we thank you for this opportunity for Tree to go out and get to know Xavier better. Thank  you for protecting us and providing for our family. Please calm any nerves that Tree has and help her to remember in her heart that all that happens is in Your Plan for her, and if it be in Your Will, help tonight to go well. We love you, Lord. In Your Name, Amen." We all murmur "Amen", and for the first time all night, I finally feel ready for my date with Xavier.