Time heals nothing unless you move along with it…
9. I will die alone
— A Year Later —
Jacob
“It’s time Jacob!! I told you to get ready half-hour ago!”
I grunt, trying to reach my shoes below the bed. I should listen to my mom often. It’s getting more and more difficult to find things in this messy room lately. And how the hell did my shoe go this far under the bed? Coco’s deed. I am sure. They say dogs don’t hold grudges, but I call it animal dung theory. She knows how to annoy me. I should have taken her for a walk last night.
“Just Go!! I know their house, “I yelled at mom in annoyance and grimace immediately.
“OK!! We will talk about your condescending tone later.” I wince, imagining the late-night lecture. Thanks, Coco. She sits next to me amused, watching me move the bed. It’s heavy… Wish I hadn’t thrown all my shit on bed earlier.
Considering the level of enthusiasm, I should be the first one to reach there. But looks like, Thanks to Coco, we will exercise play-it-cool tonight. This girl has been on my mind ever since we came here to view this place as an Open house. When dad was trying to close the deal, I was trying to figure out where she lived.
Just when I am about to wear my shoes, Coco decides to go tug-of-war.
“No Coco! I am late! "
That gets a whine from her. After patting her and rubbing her ears for a minute or two, I go downstairs and she follows me with enthusiasm.
Perceiving her mood, I ensure her idiotically, “I will take you to a walk after coming back”
It gets her super excited. It was dense of me to mention W-A-L-K. June says it is a forbidden word now. I can see why.
I am sure she will create mayhem once I am gone. She has barely been with us for a month and Mom is already fed up with her. Nobody claimed her even after many social media posts and flyers. She isn’t well trained and gets on our nerves sometimes. Could be the reason her previous owner dumped her.
I don’t want her to end up on the streets or shelter again. They put down dogs sometimes. I shiver at thought and tie her harness to take her out for a walk. The Possible-Future-Love-of-my-Life can wait.
Looks like I will die alone…
I don’t even know if that girl is single or what. I stopped my conquest after finding her house. Ahem! yeah… I might have played a mind game or two with my mom to get this dinner planned. Our families think it’s just a ‘know-your-neighbors’ get together, which it totally is. They came to our house first. For a brief visit. I was disappointed when she didn’t come. My heart will splinter if I don’t get to see her tonight.
As I start walking Coco in the opposite direction of their house, I cannot help but wonder if it’s freaky? My interest in this girl…. I don’t know how normal people feel. For a long time, I didn’t even understand the concept of sexual attraction. I sincerely hope it falls somewhere in the normal range.
I have only dated a girl so far and barely went out with her a few months. It’s difficult to pretend when you don’t have an attraction to someone or anyone, for that matter. I don’t think I have gotten attracted to anyone in my life yet.
Ok, that’s an overstatement.
I do get attracted. But it’s usually an urge to know them better. Rarely sexual. In peer pressure, I did try to date. Not a good experience. I will rather be called black sheep than feel that awkwardness and disgust again in my life.
I am much happier jerking off alone than sticking my dick into something or someone I don’t like.
But for a change and for the first time, I have an urge to know a stranger.
10. My first crush
Jacob
After walking for a good 10 minutes, I turn back towards home and Coco is resisting. Smartass dog! she knows it’s time to go home. After five minutes of back and forth, I finally manage to get her home.
When I finally leave for their house, my phone gives me 4-5 chimes back to back.
June: ‘don’t tell me you got cold feet’
June: ‘ohh it smells nice’
June: ‘ohhh she smells nice’
June: ‘Are you not coming? I am freaking out. They are asking me questions’
June: ‘about my private life!’
June: ‘where the actual F are you?’
Me: ‘Language young lady!!’
Drama Queen! She is there to watch the drama of my life unfold. She had no interest in dinner otherwise. A year younger than me, but as nosy as a grandma.
I knock at their door, and Mrs. Relish opens the door.
“oh look, here you are”
“Sorry I had to walk my dog”
“oh… Natalie would love to hear about your dog. Come on in.”
So this indeed is her name. Natalie...
June already tried to pass me some information about her, including her name. But I refused.
Things were never normal for me. So I don’t mind getting to know her in a different way than usual. I want to experience everything with her old-school. The thing my parents always talk about. Getting to know someone slowly. Not by the click of a button on the screen.
Finally, I have found my first crush ever. I will savor this experience as much as I can.
"Did you say there is a Dog?" A voice booms from their living area and then I see her...