3Chapter Five - Phone Call
"I do not believe what I am hearing right now."
"What's so wrong about it?"
"Ava, he's creepy!"
"He's honestly not that bad. He's pretty funny, and he's really interesting! Did you know he speaks four languages?"
"I can't believe you're dating him!"
"We're not dating! We just spent time getting to know each other. I think we're friends now."
"When did that happen?!"
"You weren't working that day. I bought him some coffee, and we talked for like an hour. We're goin' out for waffles next time!"
"What?! When?!"
"I dunno, he told me to text him when I'm free."
"YOU HAVE HIS NUMBER!" Maggie racked her fingers through her coiled hair, her eyebrows knitted themselves together. Ava sat aside from Maggie dipping into a small cup full of vanilla ice-cream. Maggie slouched over the table and groaned. "Ava, I get I may have been a little mean to you during our childhood, but if this is your way of getting back at me, well you win, and I am sorry!" Ava rolled her eyes, polishing off her cup of ice-cream.
"This isn't part of some vendetta towards you, Maggie. I think you two would get along."
"No thanks, men like him want one thing from girls like us," Maggie said curling her hair on her index finger, "And it's not our friendship." Ava sunk in her seat, cringing slightly, 'Odin wasn't like that… Right?' Ava shook her head of those thoughts and huffed.
"You get your mind out of the gutter, Magnolia Lacivi! I haven't even called him yet." Huffed Ava as she turned up her nose to her friend.
"Are you going to?" Ava was taken aback by that question. She sunk even further in her seat, playing with the small plastic spoon in her hand. They had agreed to it, he was probably expecting her to message him, he wouldn't have given her his number otherwise. It was only a matter of 'when'.
"Well yeah, but... It's been a day. Wouldn't it be too soon?" Maggie propped herself up, resting her head in the palms of her hands.
"It would seem a little eager. But some guys like that. You wanna see him don't you?" Ava looked down, suddenly bundled with nerves.
"I guess so."
"Then call him. Lord knows you're getting more action than me, so why not?" Ava dropped her head onto the table and sighed.
"Maggie, please don't make this about sex. I like him, and I don't wanna feel awkward about it." Maggie leaned back in her seat and shrugged her shoulders.
"Since he gave you his number, I may finally get to see the first of a new instalment I like to call: 'Sex on Fire, with Ava Ire'." Ava rolled her eyes.
"Sorry, the executive producer already cancelled that program."
"That's a shame. You could use some dic..." Ava's face burned bright. She pushed Maggie before she could finish.
"MAGGIE!" Ava covered her face. "Oh my god, please, just stop!" Maggie snickered at the blonde's reaction.
"Odin and I aren't like that, and we'll never be like that! I'm comfortable being friends!" Maggie rolled her eyes. Leaning back in her chair.
"Whatever." The green-haired girl leaned back in her chair.
The thought of contacting Odin felt too soon. 'I'll call him in a few days.' She decided finally.
Ava sat cross legged on the couch of her apartment. It had been a whole five days since Ava and Odin had coffee. Ava clutched her phone in hand, she had saved Odin in her contacts the first chance she had days ago.
"Okay, it's been long enough! I'll call him and say hi, we'll arrange a date and it'll be done!" Her thumb hovered over the call button. Deciding there was no point in wasting time she pressed the screen.
'Dialling' ...
'The number you are dialling is unavailable at the moment, please a message after the tone.'
He didn't answer. She tried again, it was dialling. A loud cackling pulled Ava away from her phone.
"Oh, Ajax! You so awful, I love it!" Wrathia emerged from the bathroom, in a silk bathrobe. Ava gave her a harsh shush before turning her attention back to her phone. "Hold on babe, I'll call you back." Wrathia hung up and turned to face Ava. Odin still wasn't answering.
'He must be busy..' Ava thought to herself. Maybe she should have done this earlier.
"What's got you all huffy?"
"Nothing, I just tried to call Odin, but he's not answering." Wrathia looked at Ava, blinking.
"You're trying to call him?" Ava rolled her eyes. "Odin, the coffee guy you went on a date with?"
"For the last time, it wasn't a date, and Yes!"
"The deaf one?" The older woman snickered at the look of realisation on the blonde's face. "You're not bright honey." The woman retreated into her own room, leaving Ava alone. Finally, Ava slapped her palm to her forehead. Why was she trying to call a deaf man? Ava switched to texting him.
[To Odin]
I am so stupid.
I am a stupid girl.
I was calling you, I forgot you're deaf.
Why would a deaf guy answer a phone call?
Why am I like this?
[6:14PM]
'Typing...'
[From Odin]
Ava?
[6:14PM]
[To Odin]
Unfortunately...
[6:14PM]
[From Odin]
i knew it!
i could tell by the awkward vibes emanating from that text
[6:15PM]
[To Odin]
Shut it. You know very well that I am not socially graceful!
[6:15PM]
[From Odin]
im telling you, one day. you'll grow out of it.
if i can do it so can you!
[6:15PM]
[To Odin]
Oh yeah? How old were you when you grew out of your awkward teenager phase?
[6:15PM]
[From Odin]
25
[6:15PM]
[To Odin]
Aren't you 25 now?
[6:15PM}
[From Odin]
what's your point?
[6:15PM]
Ava snickered at him. She had almost forgotten how easy talking to him was. She shifted her position on the couch, reclining slightly.
[To Odin]
So how have you been?
[6:16PM]
[From Odin]
struggling...
made the mistake of falling asleep near the terror twins
i look like a contestant on Ru Paul's drag race
[6:16PM]
Ava snorted at the thought of Odin done up like a drag queen.
[To Odin]
I'm afraid I'm going to need to see some proof.
[6:16PM]
[From Odin]
[image]
proof
[6:18PM]
Ava couldn't help but laugh at image. His sisters had gone all out. His eyelids where done up in purple glitter, and around the crease of his eyes the shadow was perfectly smoked out. The false lashes weighing heavy on his eyes were boared by thick, black eyeliner. His face was contoured, the highlight on his cheek bone was blinding. He was wearing nude lipstick which suited him. He looked really pretty.
[To Odin]
You look like Manny MUA
[6:18PM]
[From Odin]
I choose to take that as a compliment.
asfnrgnddkwwcals
THEY GOT TO MAGPIE!
[image]
[6:18PM]
The next image was of Magpie striking a pose. Her makeup was a lot cutesier than Odin's. They had put bright pink and yellow eyeshadow on her. With bright pink lipstick and blush to match. He sent another picture of what Ava assumed to be the "Terror Twins". They two were wearing make up the one on the left was darker and gothic, but the one the right was more red, and preppy. They were an attractive family.
[From Odin]
me and the girls are out to steal some hearts
[6:19PM]
[To Odin]
In all seriousness, you guys look really good.
You gonna let them doll you up again for when we go out?
[6:19PM]
Typing...
Ava stared at the phone screen. Was that too forward?
[From Odin]
oh definitely.
gotta look good for such a momentous day
[6:20PM]
[To Odin]
I'll be sure to wear my Sunday best!
[6:20PM]
Ava breathed a sigh of relief.
[To Odin]
So when do you wanna go?
[6:20PM]
[From Odin]
you busy this saturday?
[6:20PM]
[To Odin]
I don't think I'm doing anything.
[6:21PM]
Ava knew very well she wasn't doing anything.
[From Odin]
cool, how's 12pm sound? That's a prime time for waffles imo
[6:21PM]
[To Odin]
Sounds like a plan!
[6:21PM]
Ava flushed, they were officially going out together. She was happy.
[From Odin]
get ready! You're gonna pop your waffle cherry.
[6:21PM]
[To Odin]
[6:21PM]
[From Odin]
your right that sounds gross and i apologise
[6:21PM]
She snorted.
[To Odin]
Are you sure you grew out of your awkward teenager phase?
[6:21PM]
[From Odin]
i'm a work in progress.
afoefowpjflfrw
THEY GOT THE DOG!
[6:22PM]
When Ava entered the cafe the next day she had a spring in her step. She was so excited for Saturday, that she couldn't hide it if she tried.
"Hello Magnolia!" Maggie whiped her head to face Ava.
"Someone's unusually chipper. What's you deal?" Ava grinned, bouncing on the balls of her feet.
"I'm officially seeing Odin this Saturday!"
"Oh?"
"Yep! I messaged him last night we ended up talking to each other for hours! Oh my goodness you wouldn't believe what his sisters did to him." Ava snorted, remembering the pictures Odin had sent. Maggie eyed Ava with an odd look placed on her face. "What? What's that look?"
"So you two are actually meeting... alone." Ava nodded, confused as to where Maggie was going. "Here's a fun thought! How 'bout I go with you, it'll be the three of us!" Ava recoiled slightly.
"What? No that'd be weird." Odin had said he couldn't have cared less about what happened between him and Maggie, but Ava didn't want to risk another confrontation between the two. "Plus aren't you working Saturday?"
"I can pass off my shift! No offense Ava, but you're really small, and he's like a total werewolf. What if he snatches you up!" Ava rolled her eyes.
"I think he looks more like a scruffy Wes Bently, than a werewolf."
"That is not the point." Maggie droned.
"Maggie, we're going to Gelaré, in the afternoon, not some cabin in the woods. I don't think I'm going to get snatched up."
"You're going to Gelaré? I always go to Gelaré, I'll take you there myself!"
"I don't wanna go with you, I wanna go with Odin. Plus, I already promised he'll get to see me pop my waffle-cherry." That really did sound gross. Maggie looked unimpressed.
"I promise if he tries anything weird I'll call you. But I really don't think he will." Ava signed slouching slightly. "Can't you just be happy I'm going out, and making friends? You always rip on me for never putting myself out there." Maggie bit the inside of her cheek.
"But I dont like him." She whined.
"Pretend." Ava whined back nudging Maggie.
"Fine. I'll try." Maggie groaned "But if he tries anything, tell me and I'll beat him up." In all honesty, Ava didn't doubt that Maggie could give Odin a run for his money.
"I promise I will. But you really don't have to worry, he's a softy. His sisters did his makeup last night and they had a little photo shoot!" Ava giggled helplessly.
"Oh my god, show me!"
It was the night before Ava was meeting Odin, and the blonde was deciding what to wear. She had checked the weather, and it would be around 69° tomorrow. Neither too warm nor too cool. Ava was regretting leaving her outfit to the last minute, she looked at a variety of dresses she had laid out.
She picked up two dresses eyeing them down. The first was a baby pink, trapeze dress with lace inserts along the sleeves and hem. It was among Ava's more pretty dresses. The second dress was a peach coloured shirtwaist dress. The sleeves were see through, and it came with a brown waist belt with a white bow for a buckle. Ava biting her lip.
"Why is this so difficult?" She mumbled to herself.
"Getting ready for your hot date?" Ava whipped around and saw her cousin leaning against the door frame, dressed in the bare minimum as always.
"It's not a date, and who told you about that!"
"Maggie." Ava hated that those two got along so well.
"So what if I am." Wrathia slunk into Ava's room, eyeing the dresses in Ava's hands.
"Honestly if she hadn't have told me, I would have thought you were going out for a tea party." The older woman sneered. "Why not wear something a little more revealing? Not that you have much to reveal..." Ava scoffed.
"First of all, we're just going to Gelaré, not some night club. And second, not everyone's out to reveal things to anyone who spares a glance."
"I'm just trying to help you, Ava. Stores have glass windows so you can see the merchandise."
"I'm not for sale, now get out!" Ava pushed Wrathia out of her room.
"FINE! Go with the orange one, the pink one makes you look fat!" She bellowed from the other side of the door. Ava huffed, locking her door. She looked at the two dresses again, deciding the put the pink one back in her wardrobe. Ava threw herself onto her bed. Her phone chimed, it was Odin.
[From Odin]
we still on for tomorrow?
[8:53PM]
[To Odin]
Yeah, unless something came up?
[8:53PM]
[From Odin]
nah, I just found the perfect outfit.
[Image]
[8:53PM]
It was a picture of one of those t-shirts with a picture of a tuxedo printed across the front. Ava smiled.
[From Odin]
ta da
[8:54PM]
[To Odin]
If you don't wear that I will be very upset.
I may cry.
[8:54PM]
[From Odin]
o damn
well then you're going to have to excuse me it seems I have shopping to do
see ya tomorrow
[8:54pm]
Ava snickered as she put her phone on its charger. She felt excited. She really wanted to see Odin.
The two had agreed on meeting at Gelaré. She had looked herself up in the mirror four times, she had gone with the peach coloured dress. She pinned the sides of her hair back with a barrette, before deciding that she was ready to go. The café wasn't terribly far from her, a short bus ride away. Ava thanked the bus driver as she got off, she looked at the navigation app on her phone and followed it. She could feel butterflies in her stomach, she really hoped she wouldn't get lost.
She turned a corner and could see the sign of the café. And there standing in front of it was Odin, who was twiddling on his phone.
'He really came.' She thought to herself, though she had no reason to suspect he wouldn't. Ava smiled and ran up to Odin. He still hadn't noticed her so she gave his side a good poke, making him jump slightly. He looked at her and smiled.
"Hey, little lady." He turned his body to face her. He was wearing the bomber jacket he had on when they had coffee together. "Don't you look pretty." Ava eyed him up and pouted.
"I thought you said you were going to wear that shirt for to commemorate popping of my waffle-cherry?" Odin visably cringed.
"Please let 'waffle-cherry' die, I regret ever having said it." Ava snickered. "And to answer your question…" He unzipped his jacket, revealing a suit-shirt similar to the one her had sent her last night. "BOOM!"
Ava cupped her mouth, laughing into her hands. The shirt was tight fitting. The design stretched across his body, in a way that wasn't particularly non-flattering.
"I don't think that shirt is your size." She said between giggles.
"It was so hard to find one of these. This was the only size they had, and I bought it just for this."
"I appreciate it. You look beautiful." Ava eyed the shirt. "This is truly a momentous day."
"C'mon let's go in, I'm hungry." Odin placed a hand on Ava's back nudging her towards the entrance. She nodded walking into the café.
