So, his name was Earl. (Short Story #1) Part One

 

 

This is why I hate dating apps. I don't know what to say. I met this guy on BLK. And he was around my age (31), Christian, and a recent college grad. Not the best profile picture, but what guy takes good selfies anyway? Really the only issue is I am not a fan of his name. Earl. I don't know why his name bothers me. But it does. I think it has something to do with the fact that I don't particularly like my own name. Ashley is not unique, nor does it really fit who I feel like I really am. ANYWAY. It just sounds stereotypical, and when I think of the name, it sounds like an old black man who has missing teeth. Not really attractive. 

He messaged me first, late Thursday night. He asked, 

"Hey, Ashley. How are you? How was your day?"

I sat and looked at my phone and struggled to find what I wanted to really say. I wanted to say that my day was horrible and just unleash on him what happened. However, I knew that if I did that, it might scare him off. You can tell I have no experience with this right? So I just settled and said. 

"I am well! Thank you for asking. How are you?".  And pushed SEND. 

Then I immediately regretted sending that. I mean it was too formal. I am not talking with an employer! Why can't I just be me and not feel weird about it? So out of embarrassment, I threw my phone on my bed and all of a sudden got extremely productive. See, I have this aversion to uncomfortable situations, and although this is a low-level feeling of discomfort -it met all the requirements of embarrassment. I went to go and finish an assignment and came back to the phone...He responded. I plopped myself back on my bed and read what he said back. 

"That's good to hear. I am doing great...Long day. Well, it is getting late. I hope we can talk sometime tomorrow. I have to be up early for work. Have a great night Ashley". 

I hugged the phone to my chest. I just need to keep it short and simple. We can talk tomorrow. Just say okay, and I would love to continue the conversation. I texted back, 

"OK. Good night". 

He immediately responded, 

"Goodnight 💕"

O. M. G.....I think I am talking to someone. Eeep. 

There was no way I could sleep. I had a chem review in the morning, but I was on cloud 9. I was really proud of myself for talking to someone and getting out of my comfort zone. I don't do this. Normally, I would be too scared. But since I moved to Santa Barbara, I really have been more open to trying new things. Not a lot of new things, but some. And this is the scariest so far. 

I woke up the next day, groggy from not getting enough sleep. But I checked my phone and there was a text.

"Good morning Ashley." 

I just received my first good morning text from a guy! That's crazy to me. I'm serious. This is my FIRST. I responded back, 

"Good morning Earl. Have a great day."    Right. Keep it simple. Don't overdo it. He responded back quickly, 

"Oh wow, you're up early. Busy day ahead?" 

Hmmmm. Tell him the crap ton of work that you have procrastinated to do and left to be done today..Or just say yeah??  I responded, 

"Yeah. Long day ahead. Have some classes and a lot of work to do today. What about you?" 

I went to start getting ready for class before I was late. When I came back from the bathroom, he had texted back, 

"Can't complain. It's  Friday, you know? The weekend is here."

I couldn't respond right then because class just started, so I put the phone down and tried to focus. It was at this moment that things took a turn. 

...To be continued...