Thinking of You

Zack’s Perspective

It was evening and Arianne still hadn’t called. I know she has a life too and she was probably really hungover, but couldn’t she at least text me? I was being pathetic, but I didn’t care.

The guys and I were all over Jack’s watching some dumb movie, but I was spacing out.

“Dude, you okay?” Rian asked softly. He was always in tune with everyone’s emotions. He was kind of like a girl that way. Maybe he’d been spending too much time with Cassadee.

“Yeah.” I nodded.

“You sure?” he asked again.

I sighed.

“I just wish Arianne would call or text or something.”

“She will. Don’t worry,” Rian reassured, clapping me on the shoulder.

“Yeah, you’re right.” I nodded.

--

Arianne’s Perspective

That night, I drowned my sorrows in a carton of Ben and Jerry’s and a chick flick marathon, feeling pretty pathetic.

I was watching The Time Traveller’s Wife, at the scene where Clare sees that Henry’s been shot. I gasped, starting to tear up.

My phone rang. My heart leapt, hoping it was Zack, even though I knew there was no possible way that he could have my number.

I cleared my throat before answering.

“Hello?” I asked.

“Hey Arianne,” my boss said. I worked as a hostess at The Greene Turt le.

“Hi, Carol. What’s up?” I asked.

“I need you to come in. Stu got the flu,” she told me and I tried not to laugh at the rhyme.

“Sure thing. I’ll be there in an hour. Is that okay?” I asked.

“Sure, I’ll just get Kara to cover it until then.”

“Okay, great!” I replied and then hung up.

I went to shower, even though I’d showered earlier. I needed to wind down a little bit since I was feeling simultaneously anxious and sad about Zack. I didn’t know why I was anxious, honestly. It’s not like I was the one waiting on a call that would never come. Maybe I was feeling what I thought he might be feeling.

I got dressed in my polo shirt and black slacks, standard uniform for being a hostess. I got into my car and drove to The Greene Turtle, going in through the back entrance to avoid the crowd of people waiting to be seated.

I took my post at the podium, but not before hugging Kara.

“Thank God you’re here. It’s so busy! Why did Stu have to get the flu?” she whined and we both stifled our laughter.

“I don’t know, chica. Go take five in the break room. I got this.” I smiled at her.

“Thanks, you’re a lifesaver!” she cried. She hugged me and walked off, presumably to take a short break.

--

The whole night, I was distracted. Thinking about Zack. And people were starting to catch on. Kara came back out to help me.

“Are you sure you got this? I can totally take over,” she told me.

“It’s fine,” I assured her.

“Are you sure?” she asked.

“Yup.” I nodded.

“Alright. We’re starting to slow down, so I’m just gonna chill here with you,” she said, taking out her iPhone.

“Who ya texting?” I asked.

“My ex, Rian,” she replied.

“Ooh, ex drama?” I asked.

“No. He’s with another girl and I’m interested in another guy. We ended it mutually, so we decided to stay friends,” she explained.

“Well, tell him I said hi!” I joked.

“I will!” she laughed.

--

Zack’s Perspective

The guys were all hanging out again. This time, we were drinking at a bar, but I wasn’t feeling it.

“Come on, man. Get drunk! That’s the key to forgetting about her!” Jack urged me.

“Jack, he gave her his number last night. There’s still time. Don’t tell him to move on,” Alex argued.

“Man, maybe Jack’s right. If she hasn’t called by now, I don’t think she’s interested.” I sighed.

“Don’t say that! Give it a few more days,” Alex advised.

“Thanks, Alex.” I grinned.

“No problem, dude,” Alex replied, bumping fists with me.

“Hey Zack, what did you say her name was?” Rian asked, suddenly looking up from his phone, which he’d been glued to all night.

“Arianne. Why?” I asked back.

“I think we found her,” Rian told me.

“What are we waiting for? Let’s go!” Jack yelled, throwing a fifty down on the counter to cover our tab.

We hopped in the car and drove off.

“Where is she?” I asked.

“She works with Kara at The Greene Turtle,” Rian replied, speeding towards our destination.

“I’ve never been more thankful for your creepy obsession with Kara,” I told him.

“Shut up. I’m with Cassadee!” Rian defended.

“You didn’t deny it!” Jack pointed out.

“Whatever. At least I’m not a faggot, Zack,” Rian jabbed playfully.

“Just shut up and focus on driving.” I laughed.

“Yes sir.” Rian saluted me.

--

Arianne’s Perspective

I was suddenly gripped with a wave of nausea. I rushed to the bathroom and locked myself in a stall, just in time to throw up in the toilet. Stu must’ve coughed on me or something. Damn, what next?

I came back out after washing my hands.

“Kar, you’re totally right. I’m going to clock out,” I told her.

“Kay, Ari. Feel better,” she said, patting my hand.

“I’ll try.”

--

Zack’s Perspective

We got to the restaurant and parked. I went up to the door, but I could see the hostess’s podium through the big window next to it. And Arianne wasn’t there.

“What’s up, dude?” Alex asked, putting his arm around me. He followed my eyes to the podium inside. “Oh. That’s rough. Sorry man. Are we still going in?” he asked.

“No, that’d be too fucking embarrassing. Let’s just go,” I replied, trying not to be too whiney about it.

Had Kara tricked me? Did she and Arianne even know we were coming? I had no idea, but it would be common sense to get over her now.

If only I had common sense.

Notes

Title: Dark Blue, Jack's Mannequin. That song is still important.

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