When Ordinary Steals the Meaning of Extraordinary
After school, I choose a red top to work out in because thoughts of Brian are filling up my brain. As I’m slopping my red-ended locks into a ponytail, I replay our earlier conversation—then I step onto the treadmill. I’m literally becoming obsessed with this boy.
I’m running on the treadmill, watching The 100 when his first text comes in. I flick my phone to texts to read it.
Brian: Find yourself something red to wear?
I slow my pace a bit so I can text him back.
Allandra: Wouldn’t you like to know.
Brian: You’re not in a sharing mood?
I smile as I text him back.
Allandra: Ha! Idk
Brian: Pretty please?
Allandra: OK. Yes, but I’m on the treadmill.
Brian: Oh, that works.
He texts a smiling face, heart, and thumbs-up.
I smirk at my phone.
Allandra: You cooking for me yet?
Brian: In the kitchen now, MY QUEEN.
Allandra: Yum.
Brian: I could say the same thing about you right now.
I laugh out loud and text back.
Allandra: LOL. I don’t think yum is the right word for me on the treadmill.
Brian: It’s always the right word for you.
Allandra: You are the perv.
Brian: Not.
Allandra: Are too.
Brian: Maybe.
Allandra: Ha! Told ya so.
Brian: Hold that thought, and please do. Gotta work wonders on your food atm. I’ll be back.
I ramp the speed way back up to make up for the slow time when we were texting. All-out running, I get a whole hour in. I’m panting worse than Maxie after a hard run, pacing back and forth with my water bottle in the kitchen when Christine and the twins arrive.
“Wow, you look like you had quite the workout,” Christine says with a smile.
I nod. Can’t speak. Too much panting.
“That’s how you stay so slim,” Karen says. “Mom, we need a treadmill.”
“Maybe you can use the one here when you’re over,” she says as she unpacks grocery bags. “We are having spaghetti tonight. Garlic bread?”
“Salad?” I ask, a little too hopeful.
“Yes, salad too.” She smiles. She really seems to love feeding all of us.
I nod. “Great. I’m gonna go take a shower.”
The water runs down my body, stripping off the sweat as I keep replaying my conversations with Brian in my head. My hand in his, my skin touching his skin, those eyes, him hugging me and inhaling the smell of my hair. Seriously, I have a one-track mind.
I dry off and go to my room to get some homework done before dinner. I start reading, as best I can with Brian brain going on in the background. I make it most of the way through the chapter, when he texts me again.
Brian: Thinking about me?
Allandra: How did u know?
Brian: Cuz I’m thinking of u.
Allandra: Still in the kitchen?
Brian: Downtime right now.
Allandra: Perfect. I’m reading. In bed.
Brian: Ooh!!!! Like it.
I smile slyly smile at my phone.
Allandra: I’m not wearing red.
Brian: What r u wearing?
Allandra: Black.
Brian: That works too.
Allandra: Is there anything that doesn’t work?
Brian: Ha! NOPE.
Allandra: I’m smiling at your text.
Brian: I’m smiling at yours.
I smile bigger.
Allandra: Copycat.
Brian: Sexy mama, if we are calling names, then hey …
Allandra: Ha! Chef hot buns.
Brian: Oh, I like it! My turn. Hottest Queen with hair of gold shining, bursting with beauty greater than all the models of New York, and tipped in red. See you are always wearing red.
I laugh out loud.
Allandra: LOL. Wow! That’s a tall order for me to live up to! And true, right now I am always wearing red.
Brian: You don’t need to try to live up to anything. You are perfection as you are.
I snort. Text him a pig nose.
Allandra: Snort. Puh-leez!
Brian: I’m serious.
Allandra: Stop it.
Brian: No, U are beautiful. Please let me text it to you.
I sigh.
Allandra: OK
Brian: Thank u. I mean it ya know. I ain’t just flirting.
Allandra: I have a long ways to go for perfection.
Brian: Not from where I’m sitting.
I set my phone on my book, then pick it up to text again.
Allandra: How is your mom?
Brian: She’s OK.
Allandra: Good. I’m glad to hear it.
There is a knock on my door. It’s Dad. “Allandra,” he says, opening the door. “Hi. How was school?” He comes in and gives me a hug.
“Good,” I say. But it was a zillion times better than that. I smile up at him. He looks so happy with a twinkle in his eyes. “It’s time to eat. You hungry?”
No. But I smile up at him—smiling is so easy today. “I’ll be right up in a minute.”
“OK, sounds good,” he says.
At the table, the twins are watching me eat. I don’t like the feeling of having an audience. I twirl the spaghetti on my plate and scoop a small forkful into my mouth. I’m not used to being the big-sister figure. I smile and eat some salad for good balance.
“This is really good, Christine,” I say. “Really love your salad combo.”
“Thanks,” she says. “Any more food from Brian?”
“Yes, every day he brings me some food.” I smile.
“Oooh,” Karen says, batting her eyelashes at me.
“I think he loves you,” Lauren says.
“That’s so sweet. I’d like to meet him sometime.” Christine smiles at me.
“I second that,” Dad says, before stuffing a meatball into his mouth.
Jackson walks into the kitchen. “Oh, wow. It smells amazing in here.”
“Come, sit.” Christine motions him to the empty chair. “I’ll dish you up. What do you want?”
He rubs his belly. “I want it all. I’m famished.”
“How was weight training?” Dad asks Jackson.
“Good. Grueling. Hence my extreme hunger.” He dives his fork into the spaghetti. “Oh, do I need carbs right now.” He shoves a giant forkful of spaghetti noodles into his mouth.
The twins are watching him now—good, their eyes are off me. I pick at my pasta but eat my whole salad. “I’m going on a date with Brian tomorrow. Dad, could I have some money? I just want to be able to offer to help pay.”
“Sure. I have some on my dresser.” He looks at me. “He coming here to pick you up? I’d like to meet him.”
“Yep. He’s sixteen, and he has his license, so he can drive.”
“Nice,” Karen says with a big smile. “I can’t wait to meet him. Will we be here, Mom?”
“No, honey, sorry. Remember, it’s your dad’s weekend.”
“Oh, pooh.” She frowns.
I smile. “You can meet him next time.”
“Jackson, you know this boy?” Dad asks.
“Yes. I think so.” Jackson looks at me with a question in his eyes.
I say, “You might know him. He’s really tall. He doesn’t play sports though, at least not anymore.”
“What’s his last name?” Jackson asks.
“Smith.”
“Yeah, I think I know him. He used to play basketball.” Jackson nods. “I remember him from years ago when I played.”
“I’m not surprised. He’s really very tall.”
“Like how tall?” asks Karen.
“You played basketball?” Lauren asks Jackson, all big-eyed.
He nods while chewing, gives her a little smile.
“A whole foot taller than me.” I smile, remembering how I felt hugging him today. “So, he’s like probably six four. And thin.”
We clean up after dinner, and I play a few rounds of cards with the girls before they go home. After they leave, I hit the treadmill again with some music. Too much pasta.
Before I fall asleep, Brian texts me again.
Brian: Where should we go on our date?
Allandra: Idk. Hadn’t thought that far ahead yet.
Brian: Can I plan it? I mean since I’ve been fantasizing about this way longer than you have.
I laugh.
Allandra: LOL. Sure. Knock yourself out. I’m beat. Going to bed. Good night.
Brian: Good night, my lovely Queen. Sweet dreams. I’ll be dreaming of you dreaming in your bed wearing red or …
Time to tease this boy.
Allandra: Nothing.
I quickly send a second message.
Allandra: Just kidding.
Brian: U. R. KILLING. Me.
Allandra: And don’t think I don’t love it. Good night.
Brian: Good night. Sleep tight. Be ready for deliciousness tomorrow. You will love the something red.
Allandra: I am SO ready.
Did the extra treadmill session to prepare for it too. I’m guessing it’s a dessert. I text him a thumbs-up because a heart seems like too much too soon for us, even though I kind of want to do a heart.
Brian: Your dad doesn’t check your phone, does he?
Allandra: Nope. :)
Brian: Thank God. Almost had a panic attack there.
Allandra: Ha! No worries. He never has. Could always delete.
Brian: Smart. Sleep well, my Queen.
Allandra: u too.
Brian: I can’t seem to leave you.
Allandra: Me neither.
An hour later, after constant texting back and forth, we say good night for real. I turn out my light and go to bed, rehashing our text conversation in my head. Another thing I thought I’d never do in my life: text flirt with Brian Smith and love it. I cannot imagine how such an extraordinary boy has such an ordinary name.
I’m staring at these amazing truffles Brian has placed before me. The red is really pretty against the brown of the chocolate.
“Berry red-velvet truffles with an almond garnish.”
“Shut the fuck up.” Becca’s eyes go big. “That sounds massively amazing. Like total ecstasy on the taste buds.”
“It has fruit, Landra.” Brian grins.
“Yeah, and probably like a million calories.” I almost slump in my chair as I glare at the chocolatey morsels.
He shakes his head. “No, not true, not a million.” His eyes are lit.
“Close enough,” I say.
“Shut your mouth and eat one, or I’ll smack you,” Becca says, hand raised.
“It’s a special day. You are going on a date with me,” he says. “We needed a special treat to celebrate.”
“Give me one of those before it gets too sappy or sensual around here—and I have to flee with my ears covered,” Becca says as she grabs one off the plate Brian is holding up.
He presents the plate to me after Becca has taken one. “Truffles fit for a queen.”
Ugh. I just knew it was going to be a dessert. “It looks divine.” It really does. I take one and gingerly take a small bite. It is richer and more delicious than I could have ever imagined, the taste even surpassing the visual perfection these morsels exude. I actually moan as I chew.
“Yasss!” he says. “Success.” He raises a fist above his head.
“Brian, if you don’t become a chef, I’m gonna come to your house and beat the shit out of you, because the world needs to experience your superb talents,” Becca says. She goes in for a second one. “I’m not fucking kidding you, either.”
And I know her. She’s not. I’m still savoring my first truffle, and I don’t think I’ve ever tasted anything like this in my whole life. If I did, I was too little to remember it.
Brian just smiles—no, beams that grin across us and out past us, so the rest of the world could see, if they bothered to look his way.
We slide into the bus seat. My heart is pitter-pattering.
“Becca, I never thought I’d be going on a date with Brian, like ever, and I never ever thought I’d be this excited about it.” I sigh. “Damn, I’m actually nervous.”
“I’m excited for you two. Now you can flirt in privacy.” She smirks.
“I know, we get pretty bad, right?”
She shakes her head. “No, I think it’s a good thing.”
I sigh and twirl a curl between my fingers. “I’m just so curious what he has planned.”
“You’ll have to fill me in,” she says, checking her phone.
“What are you doing tonight?” I ask, still twirling my curl.
“Ginna and I are going to a movie. Logan is out of town, so I get her.”
“How nice of him to share,” I say with a laugh.
“I know, right?” She laughs. “He’s usually not so generous with her time.” She applies lip balm. “I just need to find myself someone like you two have so I’m not a third wheel all the time.”
“Have anyone in mind?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.
“I have my eye on a few I would love to get to know more.” She presses her lips together and smears the lip balm around.
“Boys or girls?”
She looks me right in the eye. “Both.” She laughs. “I have more choices than you heteros. I’m sexually ambidextrous.”
“Ha! That’s funny. Never thought of it that way before.”
“I know, right?” She smiles. “That’s ’cause you are not me.” She stands to get off the bus, I follow. Once we are out, she says, “Have fun, and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do. Text me when you can. I’m dying for the details.”
“Will do. Have fun with Ginna.”
“Yep. See ya, love.”
“Bye.” I’m thinking about timing now. I have about an hour before Brian will pick me up. He has to pick up his little brother at four twenty, then he said he’d swing by to pick me up at four thirty. Just enough time to get a treadmill run in and a quick shower. Perfect.