Page 1 of Blind Bite
Chapter One
“No! You don't love him, he's manipulating you with empty promises.” I flung popcorn towards the TV that cast a blue glow across my living room. Love Village, my favorite reality TV show, played while I cuddled on the couch with my sweet cat, Mysti. “Sarah, you're way too good for that narcissist.” The kernels bounced off the screen with tiny pings as I continued my assault in frustration.
I slid off the couch and scooped up my mess before Mysti could consume the buttery goodness. She watched intently as I snatched each piece from under her nose.
“Ugh, stupid. Just stupid.” My mind reeled as I tossed all of the popcorn in the trash and turned to face the TV once again to see Sarah smiling brightly at this jerk. This show was my guilty pleasure. Not only is the drama at an all time high with each episode, but the leaks on social media really gave each person some depth. Sarah was my favorite contestant this season, and I really wanted her to find love, but she kept falling for this tool of a guy, Chad, instead of the sweet musician who had more green flags than anyone else there. Reality TV is a cesspit, at least that's what Amelie, my best friend and roommate, always said when she caught me watching it. I've taken to catching up while she's at work to avoid her teasing, thanks to our opposite schedules.
My phone pinged and I looked down to see her name flash on my screen with a text. My stomach dropped as I remembered what day it was.
* * *
Amelie
Are you ready for your date???
Lilith
Ugh, is it too late to say I’m sick or have a paper due?
Yes! Lacey said he was super nice. How often do you get to go on a blind date that has someone like Lace talking about how great they are? She’s such a hater! I love that bitch.
* * *
Since Lacey pressured me into accepting this blind date, I've been dreading it. Her sales pitch rung in my ears: “He's so sweet. He's artsy just like you! I bet you two would look so cute together. Plus, it totally seems like he showers.”
I should've known something was off when our friend, who criticizes everyone and everything—she once spent two weeks shaming me for wearing heels with jeans—suddenly became someone's biggest cheerleader. Honestly, this is the same woman who once wrote a three-page critique of my coffee brewing technique. For her to actually praise someone? Major red flag.
* * *
Lilith
If he ends up being a serial killer, don’t let my mom see my kindle history.
Amelie
Nah, I’m keeping that for myself.
* * *
Crap, my first class for the morning was in thirty minutes and I was still in my pajamas, wearing my favorite worn-out Sailor Moon sleep shirt and shorts. The university was a twenty minute walk. I scrambled to my room, tossing clothes aside as I reached my closet, clothes flying in every direction. There's no time for a shower and I had work right after my second class. I yanked a skirt and a sweater from the hangers and wrestled them over my bra and panties. Racing out of my room, I stumbled on my boots lying near my door. I barely caught myself on my door frame as I fell. Time was of the essence though so I leapt into our little shared bathroom. My reflection showed my rumpled state. Lavender hair escaped the messy bun I had thrown it up in before bed last night. I pulled my hair out of the band and brushed out the tangles. I scrubbed my teeth quickly and sprayed deodorant everywhere to stay fresh for the day. Who needed body odor?
After I swept black eyeliner above my lashes and put on a little blush and lip gloss, I checked myself out one last time. My vivid hair color always drew attention, but I loved it too much to care what my date might think. Lavender was my favorite, and it felt more right than my natural brown hair. I fixed my oversized evergreen sweater so it dropped off one shoulder, showcasing the little stars tattooed across the space and tucked the front into my black leather skirt. This would have to do, and I needed to leave like five minutes ago.
I returned to my room and pulled on my boots. Mysti sat on my bed near my bag as I scooped my laptop into it and patted her on the head.
“I’ll be back later, pretty girl!” I cooed as I made my way out of the apartment, locking our front door behind me.
I stepped out on the street, brick buildings towering along our block. It wasn't student housing, but the next best thing in an affordable neighborhood. I rushed down the road, looking down at my phone and calculating my chances of making it on time. With every cross walk stop, I thought about my blind date later. Could this be the one? Lacey did say this guy was nice and ‘one of the good ones’, whatever that meant. But what did she really know? They'd only worked on some class projects together.
It didn't seem like she knew him all that well, but seemed pretty sure we would hit it off. When she first brought him up, I waved her off, not taking it very seriously. But she persisted and finally got me interested enough to give the go-ahead to pass along my number. Only instead of doing that, she set up this whole blind date. Thanks to Amelie, she knew my schedule enough to find a time that worked for both of us. I didn't even know the guy’s name, but I was meeting him at a restaurant near my work.
Butterflies fluttered in my stomach as I finally made it to campus. I've always wanted to fall in love, and many times I did, only for it to go wrong. I've had too many dates turned into boyfriends that quickly fizzled out. Was it me? Amelie was adamant it wasn't, but how could one be sure?
Racing to the second building to my left, I grabbed the heavy handle and pulled it open, the hinges let out a loud groan. Maybe this date wouldn't be so bad. Maybe Lacey would be right and this time things would end up working out. I'd finally find my happily ever after just like in all the fairytales.
Thankfully, my classroom was the first in the building as I slid in a minute before the class started. I grabbed the nearest seat, my earlier anxiety settled into nervous excitement.
Chapter Two
