It's 5:29 and Lily began the countdown for his alarm about an hour ago. The mindless counting had worked wonders for his nerves, but the approaching end is causing them to return. Usually, he's a morning person. Usually, he is eager to start the day and conquer whatever new challenges it has in store. Usually, he jumps out of bed at his alarm and begins his daily routine. Usually, he goes through his daily morning workout routine, takes a quick shower, then heads onto the back porch to read the newspaper and drink his tea around 6:30.
If you haven't guessed already, this morning is not usual.
*BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP…*
He allows it to ring far longer than usual, opting to stare at the ceiling fan for a few more seconds instead. Accompanied by reluctant sigh his right arm slowly lifts off of the sheets and lands on top of the alarm clock beside him. After a few unsuccessful, limp pats, he finally succeeds in turning it off.
He lazily swings his dark, muscular legs out from under the thick comforter and completely bypasses his slippers in favor of the cold, hardwood floor. Still silent, he trudges through the open door of the bathroom and comes to stand in front of the sink, staring himself down in the mirror. Contrary to the rest of his body language, his face is wound tight due to a combination of exhaustion and extreme stress. If this were a movie he'd be having a discussion with his mirror image:
"Why the frown?"
"Hi me...I didn't sleep too well last night."
"Come on, you can't lie to me. I am you after all."
"I know, I know. I'm just so nervous! I've fought overseas for crying out loud and it wasn't this bad!"
"Lily, you're being melodramatic. Just take a long shower, put on some cologne, and realize you're amazing."
"Yeah! Thanks self!"
Then he leaves refreshed and ready to take on the day ahead... but this isn't and movie and Lily is far too rational for a mirror pep talk. Instead, Lily sees a slightly graying beard, dark circles, and bloodshot eyes. Another characteristic of Lily is that he is a man of his word so, despite the fact that his appearance makes him feel even worse about today, he will go through with his plan. It's either carry it out or risk dying of shame. His best friend, Gajeel, would never let him hear the end of it. Who would've ever thought a decorated war veteran would get taken down by a girl.
His staredown continues as he brushes his teeth. A flurry of thoughts and emotions whiz behind his dark eyes: anxiety, curiosity, dread, panic, and a pinch of excitement. Some good may come from this. He certainly puts an emphasis on the may. Before he can descend into further self-doubt he spits out the minty foam, turns on the radio, cranks the classical music all the way before, and heads into the shower.
When he finally steps out of the steam filled room and into his favorite pair of jeans and a plaid button up, his mood hasn't improved much but it's better than nothing. Hopefully the comfy jeans- that he's been told make his butt look great- will chase the rest away with time. There's nothing like a great pair of pants to make you feel… well, great!
He's humming Brahm's "Hungarian Dance No. 5" and scanning the newspaper as he pours his first cup of Earl Grey tea. An adorable bear container waits on the overhead cupboard patiently waits for his will to break. He always adds a dollop of honey- or two- no matter how much he attempts to convince himself that he doesn't need it. He's a sucker for sweet things. Looking at him you wouldn't think so, you wouldn't think most of this. He's a buff, tall, black, man with a large scar decorating his left eye. Yet he keeps his late grandparents garden in pristine condition, drinks tea in the morning, has a major sweet tooth, obsesses over classical music, and, most recently, is terrified of talking to a certain platinum blonde jogger.
The back porch swing creaks as he eases onto it; the old wicker had seen better days yet he doesn't have the heart to get rid of it. Too many memories of sweet tea with Granny on hot summer days and hot chocolate after the leaves had fallen. The entire backyard is like a time capsule, from the bright yellow daisies along the white fence to the pastel pink bird bath that he and his grandfather painted rather poorly. He sighs into his cup of tea, partly due the pleasant aroma but mostly from nostalgia. It's been about six years since they're passing and missing them can definitely be added to his daily morning routine.
"Good morning, Lily!"
Maria Jackson, the latina mom from down the street, almost always stops to chat with Lily during her morning walk. He inwardly cringes as she leans against the flimsy, white fence. One of these days she's going to break the decorative little thing. He quickly sets his face with a smile that isn't completely forced. He's always happy to see a neighbor's smiling face.
"Good morning, Mrs. Jackson! A lovely day for a walk. How are the kids?"
"It's Maria, hun. Kimberly is going to graduate from university soon and the twins are constantly on those darn smart phones. I guess there are worse things they could be into but it still pisses me off when we're at the dinner table.
"That's very true, but there are also better things. Feel free to send them over for a day in the garden whenever you'd like."
"You're too kind, Lily. I'll be sure to run a day past you soon." She pauses to noticeably lean further forward over the fence, "You know, if I was a younger woman…"
"I'm sure you would. Always a pleasure to see you. Have a great morning."
With a disgruntled sigh, the busty middle-aged woman pushes off the fence and begins her exaggerated walk once more, a large sweat stain already forming on the back of her gray t-shirt. She's a nice woman, just a little too flirty whenever her husband is out of town. Of course, that's none of his business. He goes to take another sip of his tea when his grip on the cup suddenly tightens and his eyes shoot wide open. Maria just walked by which means he only has about five minutes to prepare for the blonde jogger. Five minutes! Or less!
He gingerly places the mug on the table next to the swing, takes a deep breath, then dashes back into the house leaving the screen door to slam shut behind him. He's in front of the nearest mirror fussing over his appearance within seconds. Are the dark bags still under his eyes? Does he need to shave really quick? How does this shirt fit? Does it look like he's trying too hard with a collared shirt? Is there anything in his teeth?
Everyday since he first saw her two months ago he has watched her run by his backyard without so much as a greeting. Not today! Today he says "hello" and it needs to be the best darn "hello" of his life. After a few test runs of different tones and volumes he heads back onto the porch with fake confidence. His outside appearance says cool and collected, but his insides are crashing and burning in fits of anxiety. Let the waiting game begin.
Longest. Five. Freaking. Minutes. Of. His. Life.
Finally, he hears the familiar sound of her shoes against the pavement. His hands relax against his thighs as he attempts to assume a relaxed posture. Every light thud increases his urge to run back into the house… not that she'd notice. No! Stay on your ass,soldier! His old drill sergeant barges, uninvited, into his mind and that shrill, demanding voice distracts him long enough for him to be forced into the situation. The lovely platinum blonde braid flutters behind her pale, freckled shoulders. It's a purples tank top today. The pink flowered one is still his favorite… God, he's such a creep.
Now. Just do it. Come on, she'll be gone in a second. Now. Right… Now!
"Ahem! Um, good morning!"
She's still moving forward, not even a glance in his direction. Maybe he wasn't loud enough?
"Good morning! Lovely day for a run, isn't it?" He even tosses in a friendly wave.
Zilch. Well, that's not entirely true. There is a whole lot of disappointment… Wait! What's that on her arm? It's an iPod holder strappy thing! She can't respond to him because she can't hear him! Thank the heavens.
This discovery gives Lily a boost of confidence that puts the lovely idea to run after her into his mind. That "hello" really is now or never apparently. Screw the gate, he leaps over the flowerbed and the fence to jog after the mysterious and beautiful woman. He's just in time to see her turn right rather than left as he would've expected considering that is towards the park and the former is towards downtown. Maybe she lives there?
He turns the corner and spots her on a bench, taking out those darn headphones. It's so perfect! He can ask to sit next to her and they can chat and fall in love and stroll through the farmer's market with their baby daughter every Saturday. His steps are quick and sure as he approaches the bench until she lifts her left leg and she... Woah. She just took her leg off.
It was under her black yoga pants and now it's laying casually on the bench where he's supposed to be. What is he supposed to do now?! This was not a part of the plan! Does he address the leg? Does he act like it's not there? Does he move it to the ground? Ah! Now she's looking his way! What the heck kind of look is that? Pull yourself together, Lily! He exhales deeply as he locks eyes with her. Goodness gracious, she's stunning… His confident stride and charming smile return. Did she just relax? was that a sigh of relief? Is she happy he's still approaching her?
"Hi!" Really?! His voice hasn't cracked since middle school but it decides to do so now? I guess it couldn't be helped. She's even more stunning up close. Her cute button nose is spattered with freckles and a light pink from the physical exertion. Oh, and her eyes. It's like reading a novel at 2am that you keep telling yourself you will only read one more chapter of. He wants to dive into their smooth, silver surface and float around in all the joy and intelligence he sees so clearly in them, "Uh, ahem, hello. My name's Lily. All of my friends call me Pantherlily to make it seem more masculine." Well… that was stupid.
"Well, Lily, do you normally go running in jeans and sandals?"
"You'd be surprised how much support a good pair of sandals has. Nike needs to step up its game."
Her laugh isn't anything like he expected it to be. It's boisterous and hearty and carefree. it's like a long, warm hug that lifts you up and spins you around. She somehow manages to fill the room without there being a room to fill in the first place!
"Maybe I'll try them out sometime." She sticks her small hand out expectantly, "My name is Shagotte and it is a pleasure to finally meet the handsome swing guy."
Words? What are words? He didn't think it was possible for a black man to be as red as he knew himself to be in this moment... Handsome? … Finally?
"You had me worried, Sir. I didn't think you'd pass the leg test, yet here you are… looking like you're about to pass out. Are you feeling alright?"
Don't screw this up, soldier!
"I'm fine. Just a little frazzled I guess."
"That I have a fake leg?"
"Haha! No. I was shocked to hear you say that I'm handsome. Although, I'd be lying if I said the leg didn't throw me off a bit. There were so many crazy scenarios running through my head this morning and this was not one of them. You caught me off guard, Shagotte, but you've got to do better than that to chase me off. I'm a hardened man. I've seen some things you wouldn't believe."
"A hardened man with a pink bird bath?" she smirks up at him as she attaches her prosthetic. Some of her hair came loose from the braid and is falling in front of her gray eyes. It should be illegal to look so lovely while working out.
"Hey! I'll have you know that real men love pink! That's a new thing for the kids these days, right?"
"I wouldn't know, but I'll go with it." She stands up and readjusts her earbuds, "How does this Friday sound?"
"For what?
"A date, silly. Pick me up in front of Exceed Apartments at 8. I've gotta run."
She takes off towards town as he shouts down the street at her retreating form.
"Um, yeah! Friday at 8! Perfect! I'll, um, see you then, Shagotte."
She flashes a stunning smile back at him in response. Boy, does it feel good to be alive! If there ever was an appropriate time to double fist pump the air it's now. A dog walker and some old dude are staring at him but who the heck cares?! Friday cannot come soon enough.