I had so much fun on our date on Tuesday night that by Friday
 
 afternoon my excitement to have another one was nearly more
 
 than I could contain. Even my students noticed how jittery I
 
 was. I dropped a beaker and nearly burned my eyebrows off
 
 with the Bunsen burner because I was distracted.
 
 The days seemed slow and sluggish, and now that it’s
 
 almost six and I’m almost ready to head over to Adley’s place,
 
 it seems that time is standing still. I keep checking my phone
 
 and not even a minute or two has gone by. I’m surprised every
 
 single time to see that it’s still only just after five.
 
 I run my straightener over my hair for the thirtieth time
 
 or so, careful not to burn it off. It’s past straight, sleek, and so
 
 shiny that anyone could probably see their reflection in it. I’m
 
 about to reach for my phone and check and see what time it is
 
 now, when it startles me by going off.
 
 My heart slams wildly when I see Adley’s name there
 
 on the screen. I set the straightener down and it slides off the
 
 counter as I reach for the phone. I let out a yelp and jump
 
 away as it clatters and lands near my right foot.
 
 I set it back on the counter and pull the plug. I’m done
 
 with dangerous implements for the day. I grab my phone and
 
 answer the call before it goes to voicemail.
 
 “Hello?”
 
 “Hey…” Adley sounds disappointed and my stomach,
 
 heart, and hopes all fall simultaneously. “I’m sorry, I’m going
 
 to have to cancel on tonight.”
 
 “O-oh.” I gulp out the word.
 
 “I’m really sorry. I’m not trying to ghost you. Really. I
 
 know it probably seems like that, but my sister just called me.
 
 She has a massive headache and Tildy is driving her nuts. She