I didn't see Brian for three days after that first night. I was surprised at myself by how much I thought about him. Something had changed in me. I was excited every time the phone rang and smiled in anticipation every time I checked my e-mail. My heart jumped when I got a voice mail from him asking if I wanted to go out to dinner. I rushed home and called him back. I did my best to hide any excitement in my voice as he seemed to speak with me just the same way he always did.
I showered quickly then dug into my closet looking for some cute to wear. I thought about him telling me I was gorgeous and his friends wanting my number as I held up different outfits. I pressed a fun black dress up against myself and looked in the mirror. I saw that my hands were shaking with excitement. My own hands were shaking just to see my brother. I stared in the mirror. What the hell was I doing? I wanted to ask out loud. Why was I being like this? Sure we did something most people would question, but we still are just brother and sister...right?
I took a deep breath. The dress was way too sexy for just a bite to eat. Besides, I reasoned, he sounded the same on the phone as he always did. I wonder if he forgot about the whole thing...or maybe he didn't want it to happen again. My heart sank. What if things are weird? What if he wants to meet at a restaurant, somewhere safe...to tell me he doesn't want me to come over anymore? I frowned at the thought. With my mood successfully deflated I grabbed some jeans and a tank top. I was just going to act like Michelle and I would expect him to just act like Brian.
I drove to the restaurant calmly and found him waiting for me in a booth. He looked happier than the other night. He wore a polo shirt and some khaki pants. When our eyes met he smiled all the way until I sat in front of him.
"Hey Brian," I said trying not to blush at his handsome face.
"Glad you could come," He said looking at the menu. "I thought you had drama or something tonight."
"Not anymore," I lied. Monday nights had been my reserved drama group night for months now. Funny how priorities can change.
We talked and ate just like we always did. I wondered the whole time if he would talk about Friday night but he never did. We joked and laughed and when he asked for the check I realized all my awkwardness was gone. Things were right back to normal.
He walked me to my car then stopped me before I got in. "So...um...do you want to come hang out at the dorm?" His manner was cutely nervous.
I looked at my watch. School started at 7 am the next morning and it was already 10. "I don't know Brian, I have some homework to take care of for tomorrow."
His face fell. "Oh...ok...that's fine. I guess its not Friday yet so..." He put his hands in his pockets.
Not Friday yet? My heart sped up a bit. My mind went blank and I couldn't think of what I had to do when I got home. "Well...I think I can come by for a little bit. I really don't want to rush back to homework really."
"Are you sure?" He asked.
"Shut up, of course I am sure," I said. "I will follow you back."
He nodded and jogged back to his car. He seemed so excited that I laughed out loud. My brother was adorable.
We drove back and found parking easily. I looked in my rearview mirror to check my make-up. This was fun. My heart was pounding and I felt my hands start to shake as I stepped out of the car.
Brian walked over to me and we went back to the dorm at a brisk walk. He seemed quiet and a little awkward as we walked. I made little jokes to ease the tension, but I had to admit, as we climbed the stairs toward his room I was pretty nervous too. He fumbled with his keys and finally got the door open.