It was almost noon the next day when an unknown number popped up on Chris' phone. He almost didn't answer it...Then remembered he had given Larissa his number, but didn't have hers.
"Hello?"
"Hi," a soft, feminine voice answered on the other end. "I didn't wake you, did I?"
"No," Chris scoffed and pretended to be offended. "I woke up 10 minutes ago." Larissa laughed on the other end.
"What are you doing? I'm on my break at work. I thought I would give you a call and see what you were up to. I'd hate for someone so young to go to the looney bin over me." Chris could sense her smile on the other end of the line.
"Trying to find my damn glasses at the moment." He had fallen asleep watching tv on the couch after he had gotten home. He woke up in bed, not remembering walking there at all, and had no clue where he left his glasses. Chris has been hunting for them since he woke up.
"You wear glasses? Oh, that's right."
"Yah, I usually have my contacts in. Sadly, these beautiful blue eyes come at a price," he chuckled at his own joke as he continued searching. Then something Larissa had just said clicked in his groggy brain finally.
"What do you mean, 'Oh, that's right'? How could you have possibly known I wear corrective lenses of any sort?"
"Ummm...About that...And please don't be mad, but I kind of looked you up online after I got home last night." Chris groaned.
"Why?"
"I told you. You looked familiar and it was still driving me nuts trying to figure out where I knew you from."
"Well, which cheesy movie was it?" Chris sighed and rubbed his eyes. He was starting to get a headache already.
"Two, actually. That really terrible one with Lindsay Lohan and The Princess Diaries 2. It should go without saying that I also enjoy watching romance movies, cheesy or otherwise. I have to admit, though, despite the movie being a fucking train-wreck overall, you were adorable in that one with LiLo. I can't believe that's only been a year. You look so different now." Chris grumbled again.
"You think that movie was a train wreck. Lindsay in general was a fucking train wreck. She's a hot mess." Larissa laughed.
"Yah, I can't believe you worked with her. Anyways, don't be mad. I'll try not to tease you too much...When do I get to see you with those sexy glasses, though?"
"I want you to know I'm rolling my eyes at you right now," Chris replied. "And never, at this rate. I still can't find the damn things."
"Hey, I don't have much time left," Larissa's tone changed suddenly. "I was actually wondering if you wanted to get together tomorrow. I have to work the afternoon shift, but I get off at 4." Chris was caught somewhat off guard. Not that he was complaining, but he hadn't expected her to want to get together again so soon.
"Yah. Sure. Of course," his words fumbled out. "Anything in mind?"
"Surprise me." Chris could just imagine her eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Alright. Send me your address and I'll pick you up around 5?"
"Sounds good. Bye, Chris. Good luck finding your glasses."
The next day, Chris received a text message from Larissa just as he was about to head out the door.
4:15-Just got home. What should I wear?
4:15-Something nice. We're going on a proper date. :) I was just about to head to your place.
4:16-How nice? Take your time. I still have to shower and get ready.
4:16-I don't know. Just something nice, like you'd wear to a dinner party, I guess. Quit being such a girl and get ready.
4:16-Chris I've never BEEN to a dinner party.
4:17-Do I need to dress you when I get there?
4:17-Shit, I didn't mean it like that.
4:17-ha ha You're cute when you're flustered. I'm getting in the shower.
4:18-Well thinking about that is not helping. See you soon.
Chris couldn't remember the last time he felt so excited. About anything. Well, except the first day of shooting for "So This Is Life" a couple of days before, of course. He even felt more energetic, too, as he drove to Larissa's house. It would take him close to 45 minutes this time of day, if he were lucky, but even that wasn't getting to him. Chris couldn't believe how amazing he felt. On the other hand, though, it was a little troubling that he hadn't even realized what a funk he had been in until now. It was always invigorating, in a way, when he dated someone new, but this felt different. Deep down he felt like his whole life was about to change in a good way.
Chris pulled up to a cute two-story bungalow per the directions of his GPS. He parked his ugly, gray 2006 Toyota Corolla and took a second to gather his thoughts. He hated that car. He wanted something sexy, not this piece of shit. It was at the top of his list of "things to save up for". Chris tried to calm his nerves as he got out and approached the front porch. The door opened before he was even able to knock.
"Hi! You must be Chris," a short, black-haired woman close to his age answered the door. "I'm Molly, one of Larissa's roommates. Come on in. She's still upstairs getting dressed." Chris followed her into the house silently.
"Nice place," he commented politely as he looked around the large living room.
"Come, sit down. She shouldn't be too much longer," Molly invited him to sit on the couch as she exited to the kitchen off of the right side of the living room. Chris looked at his watch. It was already after 5 and he had made reservations for 6 o'clock at Providence. It was going to take a miracle to get there on time in rush hour L.A. traffic. Just then he heard someone coming down the stairs.
"Wow! You look amazing!" Larissa came down the stairs wearing a form-fitting black dress that ended in the tiniest bit of ruffles mid-thigh, black pumps to match, black beaded chandelier earrings, her make-up was done darker, more sultry, than usual (well, at least from what Chris had seen so far), and her blonde hair swept up, tucked away in a perfect up-do.
"You're not too bad yourself," Larissa replied as she laced her arm through his. He had tried to look spiffy. Chris wore his black Armani suit, which his father insisted on buying for him for business reasons, a powder blue dress shirt, and black Gucci loafers which his dad had also insisted on buying him.
"Perfect timing," Chris said as he guided her toward the door.
"Oh good. I'm glad you didn't have to wait long. Where are we going?"
"It's a surprise, remember?" he grinned evilly as he escorted her to the car and opened the door for her.
"My, aren't you a gentleman?" Larissa spoke in a fake southern belle accent.
"Hmm," Chris snickered. "My plan is coming along accordingly. I already have you fooled," he joked as he started the car.
"Oh, please. I can see right through your macho exterior. You're a big softy deep down."
"I wish that were true," he mumbled, more to himself. "Just for you, my dear."
"You are. You'll see," Larissa insisted.
"Reservation for Pine," Chris told the host standing at the podium as they entered Providence. The man looked at the schedule book in front of him and crossed a line off.
