Chapter Two - Tattoo

I waited, and waited and waited.

I hadn't realized how much I'd really counted on the lunch guy coming back with some information about his conversation with the guy at Chevron, until the dang guy didn't show up.

There were a few days at lunch that came and went with no sign of the guy who had days earlier seemed so determined to spill the beans on my stalking secret.  I'd leave my bowling class (yes, I took bowling) and head to the Cafeteria with my friend, lightheaded and barely breathing.  Only to feel my heart sink when the new guy with the info wasn't around. 

How was I allowing this guy who'd I barely even spoken to dictate my mood for the day?

I didn't like it, and neither did my friend.

For reasons still unknown to me, my friend began filling my mind with negative stuff.  Saying things like, "Come on - like this is really going to happen. Get real."

One night, in the "not knowing any new info" period of time, my friend became really mean and told me I was being ridiculous for believing this guy was actually possibly interested.

It was not cool to say those things to me, so I walked out of the house.

But, really, he was right.

I was slowly taking off my pretty red shoes and preparing to hand them over to some guy who was working at the local gas station.

But, man...there was just something about this guy.

A few days and one weekend later, I was back at school and eating lunch with my friend.  I had gotten over the suspense of pending information, assumed the irrational hope had been shut down, and was back to rocking my heels.

Then, he showed up.

Crap.

All rational women's lib. thought processes were quickly pushed aside...and my heart began entering cardiac arrest city.

"Hey Jenny...he's going to ask you out," said with a smirky little brother-ish kind of attitude.

"No way. He doesn't even know who I am,"  I said quickly and snidely.

"Uh, ya he totally does. You go to Chevron a lot, remember?"

Busted.

"He thought you had a boyfriend because you are always with guys."

(Well, at least that part of my stalking plan had merit)

"Well, we'll see..." I said with apprehension and arrogance.

I'm positive every person in that room could see through the vague mask I was wearing in defense of my pride.

We walked to our cars in the parking lot on the opposite side of campus after lunch was over.

It may have been the cool October breeze mingled with remnants of Summer temperatures...

...but for some reason it felt as if I was walking on air...

"Jenny, by the way - he has a tattoo," said the guy with the info.

I kinda like tattoos.