Darryl is a 20-year-old with a multi-purpose service dog, Lucy. He has dysautonomia and PTSD so severe that it's debilitating. He goes to college with a boy, Zak, who is around 2 years younger than him. They're not very close friends, but that could...
"Yeah." I simply replied, and we walked inside together. The bell rang as we entered, earning a smile from the lady running the front desk area. This place wasn't too packed for it being open a couple hours already, though I could sense the conflict.
"Oh, dogs aren't allowed in here." She said in a perfect customer-service voice, referring to my best friend.
"She's a service dog.." I spoke, feeling nervous. I had a lot of public access issues, especially at restaurants. For being 20 years old, I still didn't know how to handle conflict. Part of me wanted to just say 'ok' and walk away, but I knew I couldn't.
"Ohhh." She said, understanding. Well, not quite. "Can I see her registration?" God, why always that question? It was practically bored into my brain at this point. Registration.
"Actually, there's no registration for service dogs.. and it's pretty illegal to ask me to show proof." I chuckled nervously, shifting my weight onto my legs. I hated standing, and standing up for myself too.
The lady at the desk frowned and looked to my service dog. "Oh, okay. I'm sorry, I didn't know. Go ahead." I mumbled a thank you, walking with Zak as he guided me to a booth in the back of the restaurant. He slipped onto one side and I sat at the opposite. "Under." I told my small Maltese. She obeyed and slipped over my feet, tucking herself in so she wouldn't be seen. Zak payed no attention thankfully, and I think he was doing it on purpose. I rested my head in my hand, tracing shapes on the tabletop. "Sorry about that.. it happens a lot." I apologized, sighing into the palm of my hand.
"It's okay, I couldn't imagine going through that all the time." He said, shooting me a look of sympathy. I couldn't help but giggle a little bit, sitting up straight as a waiter handed us menus. We both looked through, and after I had settled on what I wanted I set the menu aside. I tapped the table again, trying to find conversation. Even though no words were being exchanged, I noticed that it didn't feel that awkward. Maybe it was just me.
"So... why'd you ask me out of all people?" I asked first, earning a glance from the other.
"You're cute. Funny, too." He answered, eyes returning to his menu. "Why'd you accept?"
I smiled. "You're cute. And funny."
He threw a grin in my direction. "You can't just say what I said!" He complained, but I knew he was blushing a bit too.
"I just did!" I said, chuckling lightly at his reaction. He breathed a playful sigh, setting his menu down over my own.
And for the rest of the date, we just talked. At no point was there awkward silence, and to be truthful- I think this is the most fun date I've ever been on. I haven't been on a lot, to be fair, but this one definitely held the number one spot. I learned that his favorite colour was blue, which didn't surprise me. He had an odd sense of humor, and I could tell he was trying to play tricks on me during a lot of the time. I think he almost convinced me that I had mixed pancakes and waffles up, but I realized he was joking just in time. I couldn't help but smile at his idiocy, it was kind of.. iconic. We split the bill, and now we were standing outside. The warmth of the sun balanced out the cold spring wind, making this an ideal time to be out.
"Hey, do you wanna go somewhere else?" Zak asked, holding his phone out in his hand.
I raised an eyebrow, curiously replying. "Right now?"
"Well, it doesn't have to be right now if you're busy."
I thought about it for a moment. Nope, I had nothing to to today. "I think I have the day off anyway. Where do you wanna go?"
It was quiet, aside from the small hum in Zak's voice as he thought. Dork. "How about the park?"
"Like a kid's park?" I asked, thinking quizzically. "I don't think there's a lot you can do at the park."
"How about the dog park?" He suggested, and I subtly noted that Lucy wagged her tail at that.
I looked down at the puppy, who stared at the other boy before looking up at me. "Well, Lucy does like the dog park." I said to no one in particular before replying. "Okay." I said, and we shared a smile.
"Cool, I'll drive you."
"Wait what, you have a driver's licence?"
"Yeah, why? Is that surprising?" He asked, and I started following as he lead the way to where he had parked.
"Just a little."
"Don't you have a driver's licence?"
I pouted, gently kicking a small pebble on the sidewalk as it came. "I'm not allowed to, apparently it's dangerous or something." I rolled my eyes, before chuckling at my own misfortune. Zak giggled too, which made it better.
The car ride was short from where we were, and we pretty much just listened to the music on the radio the whole time. The younger boy had quite a laugh when I started yelling out 'language' at one of the songs, and while I found his amusement funny, my own reaction wasn't that funny itself. Even so, it made him laugh as if I just told a really good joke. We stepped out of the car, and I could tell Lucy was really excited for this. She had been to the dog park a few times before, but hasn't been in a while. She started pulling and I had to correct her, but other than that, she did really well. I let her off the leash and told her to go play, and Zak followed me to a bench.
At first I was really tired, but as time progressed it went away. We were at the park until around 12pm, and I think at some point Zak had tried to hold my hand. I was a fool and messed it up, though. I don't think I have the courage to hold someone's hand yet, and I think it was better to pretend like I didn't see it happen.
Zak had a dog, too. Apparently he didn't live in the dorms on campus, which means he lived close to our college and with his family. His name was Rocco, and he was a white dog with curly fur just like my little Lucy. He described him as a medium-sized dog, though, so I knew he was bigger. I checked my phone after a little game of truth or dare, and noticed the time. Zak was confused on why I insisted on leaving so early, but I just didn't have the heart to plague him with my own problems. I just couldn't say that I was scared to be out in the heat because otherwise something bad could happen. Having a service dog is supposed to let you be more independent as a person, but nothing would stop my own fears. In the end he didn't push it and actually drove me home.
No, we didn't kiss at the door. I don't know why I flushed up at the thought of that. He gave me a sweet smile. As sweet as his own personality. I was really looking forward to seeing him again- was that bad? "Thank you for today." I said, twirling a strand of my own hair in-between my fingers.
"Thank you for going out with me." He turned the appreciation onto me, which made me laugh for the 70th time today. "You down to do it again sometime?"
"Sure." I replied, maybe a little too fast too,
"See you on Monday." He called, starting to leave to his car again. I waved goodbye, heading inside. I couldn't describe it. He was just perfect. My own thoughts were quiet and I noticed the heat on my cheeks while thinking about him again. My phone rang, indicating the notification that popped up on my device's screen. I opened the message I got from none other than Zak.
'miss u already :( :P'
Oh boy, I think I got it bad.
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Word Count: 2294 words
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