Episode 20: As Fate Would Have It

As I cleaned up my pigsty of an apartment, I realized something; I was a new man. There was an extra hop in my step as I raced around cleaning and getting ready to go out. Jack was back in town and he had stopped by just two hours ago and somehow pulled me out of a funk that I never thought I would come back from. On top of that, I am in love. The best part about that was, I knew, now, that Stacy loved me too. The only thing that I had to do now was go get her.

As the afternoon progressed, I found myself getting more and more nervous. It had been two weeks since I had talked to Stacy, so it was definitely going to be awkward. However, the main reason I was nervous was that I had absolutely no idea what I was going to say to her. Hopefully, it wouldn’t have to be much.

No one knew yet that I was coming. I received a text from Jack earlier saying that everyone was going to meet at his place and that they would be there for a while, so I decided to surprise them.

Joel stood in front of his bathroom mirror with a can of shaving cream and his razor, staring at his beard. He tilted his head back and leaned it to the right and then to the left, admiring his ability to grow such an impressive beard in just two weeks. He lowered his head and sat his razor on the counter. He began to run his fingers through his beard, contemplating whether or not to shave it.

“I do look good,” said Joel, continuing to rub his beard, “but it is itchy.”

After another few minutes of gazing admirably, Joel made the tough decision to shave his beard.

“Goodbye old friend,” said Joel, spraying shaving cream into his hand. “It has been a good run... well, not really good, but it has been a run nonetheless. Perhaps our paths will cross again someday.”

After shaving and having a moment of silence for his fallen friend, Joel finished getting ready and exited his now clean apartment, and headed down to Jack’s.

As fate would have it, I arrived at Jack’s apartment the exact same time that Stacy did. This was even more of a surprise considering the fact that John told me earlier that Lauren and Stacy were going to a movie tonight. Focus Joel! Stacy is right in front of you and all you can think about is John. Say something!

“H-hey, Stacy,” said Joel, smiling awkwardly.

“Hi,” replied Stacy, stopping a few steps away from Jack’s door.

Wow, this is even more awkward than I had expected.

Both Stacy and Joel started to say something, but stopped when seeing that the other person was going to say something. They repeated this process three times before laughing.

“Go ahead,” said Stacy.

“I’m really sorry that I haven’t called you back,” said Joel.

“It’s okay,” replied Stacy.

“Really?” asked Joel.

Stacy smiled while walking up to Joel. She stopped if front of him and raised herself up onto her tip-toes. She leaned in and kissed Joel, who welcomed the unexpected surprise.

It was really happening; Stacy and I were actually kissing! I kept waiting for something to ruin the moment like myself waking up, but nothing like that happened. This was for real. As Stacy’s soft lips were pressed against mine, I drifted away. I was completely lost in the moment. I was not one bit let down. It was everything that I though it would be and more.

After relinquishing the kiss, Stacy took a step back from Joel and looked into his eyes. “Yes, Joel,” she said. “It is okay.”

And at that point, all of my worry melted away. Everything was truly ok. I guess when you love someone, it is easy to forgive them.

“Now what do we do?” asked Joel.

“Well, we could go inside,” said Stacy, “or we could just hang out here in the hall.”

Joel smiled and nodded. “Well played,” he said. “I kind of like it out here though.”

“Oh really?” asked Stacy, who smiled and leaned in to kiss Joel.

After the two of them kissed again, they turned and headed into Jack’s apartment. Upon entering everyone but the two of them had already arrived. They turned to greet Stacy, who they expected, and were shocked to see their long lost friend, Joel.

I was actually surprised at the way that my friends greeted me. They acted as if I had been shipwrecked on a deserted island for the past ten years. I guess it had been a long time and part of the surprise might have been that Stacy and I walked in the door hand-in-hand.

“So,” said John, pulling Joel away from Stacy and smiling wryly, “what’s up?”

“Very funny,” said Joel. “I thought they were going to a movie?”

“Yeah, well,” said John.

“You were trying to get me in the same room as Stacy, weren’t you?” asked Joel.

John nodded like a child that had been caught sneaking desert before dinner.

“You, my friend, are an ass,” said Joel. “Trying to set me up like that.”

“That is hardly fair.” said John. “Look at you two! It would have worked out fine.”

“Yeah, yeah,” said Joel, “just get me a beer.”

As the night continued, I met Rachel, Jack’s girlfriend, who was a really cool girl. A little quiet at first, but she warmed up to us and fit right in. On a side note: her and I clicked really well. Of course, Dustin was there. I managed to keep my distance, though, as he did the same. Anyway, things between Stacy and myself were great, although at certain points during the night, she acted as though something was bothering her. Overall, the night was off to a great start. Little did I know, that was about to change. It happened when we went to Shenanigans.

When the group of nine arrived at Shenanigans, they paid and entered. Stacy, Lauren, Tiffany, and Rachel headed for the dance floor, while Joel, John, Jack, Brian, and Dustin made their way to the bar. Upon reaching the bar, they ordered a round of shots to toast Jack’s return.

“Here’s to Jack,” said Dustin, lifting his shot glass into the air.

“And to Joel coming out of his cocoon,” added John sarcastically.

“Let’s not make this about me,” said Joel,

“Good, because it isn’t,” said Dustin.

Sometimes it is better to ignore ignorant people and their ignorant comments. However, this is not one of those times...

“And here is to the return of Dustin’s home,” said Joel.

“What?” asked Dustin, looking at Joel with a confused look, as did everyone else.

“Yeah, to you,” said Joel, “Jack has returned and now you can crawl right back up into his-“

“Okay, okay,” said Jack. “That is enough.”

Dustin glowered at Joel and Joel smiled at Dustin as John and Brian snickered, trying to hold back their laughs.

“To Jack,” said Brian after a moment, breaking the tension-filled silence.

The five of them took their shots and placed their shot glasses on the bar.

“Rachel seems cool,” said Joel to Jack.

“Yeah," answered Jack mundanely, “I guess.”

“You guess?” asked Joel.

“I don’t know,” said Jack. “I’m starting to think that her moving here was not a good idea.”

“You two have only been back for one day,” said Joel.

“I know,” said Jack, “but it just does not feel right.”

“Well, give it some time,” said Joel.

“Yeah, I guess,” said Jack.

I do not know what is wrong with Jack. He has-from what I can tell-a great girl, who he got to move down here, and is already second-guessing himself? That’s not right, but this is not the time or place to discuss it, so I let it go for now.

Shortly thereafter, Dustin and Jack made their way onto the dance floor to dance, leaving Joel, John, and Brian at the bar.

“That was sweet,” said John, "what you said to Dustin."

“Yeah,” said Brian, “the look on his face was priceless.”

“Glad I could provide you with some entertainment,” said Joel with a smirk.

“I’m going to go dance,” said Brian. He then made his way through the crowd toward his friends’ current position.

“So, I guess you and Stacy are official?” asked John of Joel.

“I wouldn’t necessarily say that,” said Joel. “Not yet at least. I want to take it slow with her.”

“That’s the last thing I expected to hear you say,” said John, a little surprised.

“Yeah,” said Joel, “me too.” Joel then looked at John with a sincerity in his eyes. “It’s just that I have waited so long to be with her, that I just want everything to be perfect. I don’t want to rush anything and mess it up.”

John smiled and let a slight laugh escape him.

“What?” asked Joel. “You think that is funny?”

John shook his head. “That’s not it.”

“Then what is it?” asked Joel, becoming impatient.

“I know everything that happens with you and Stacy will be fine,” said John, “because I see the seriousness in your face when you talk about her. It is the same thing when she talks about you. What you two have; it’s the real thing.”

Joel smiled. “Thanks man. Let’s get a drink.”

“Finally,” said John. “I thought you were going to try and hug me or something.”

Joel rolled his eyes and started toward the bar. It was not long after, that Stacy and Tiffany came over to them from the dance floor.

“You two are being antisocial,” said Tiffany, “so we thought we would come drag you out onto the dance floor.”

“I would,” said John facetiously, “but my leg kinda hurts and I have a beer and I don’t want to spill it on anyone.”

“You’re dancing,” said Tiffany. “Now come on!”

“Fine,” said John unenthusiastically, allowing Tiffany to pull him onto the dance floor.

After a laugh, Stacy looked up at Joel. “Hi,” she said with a smile.

“Hey,” said Joel, who found himself getting lost in Stacy’s eyes like he always had.

Wait a minute. I can finally tell her how beautiful she is without the fear of making things awkward.

“What is it?” asked Stacy, seeing that Joel was on the verge of saying something.

“I have always wanted to tell you something,” said Joel.

“Yes?” asked Stacy,

“You have the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen,” said Joel. “I get lost in them.”

Stacy smiled, but then looked down as if she had something on her mind.

“You okay?” asked Joel.

“Joel,” said Stacy, “I’m leaving.”

This caught Joel by surprise, but he went with it. “Okay,” he said. “Let me pay my tab and I will go with you.”

“No, Joel,” said Stacy, looking up at him with tears in her eyes.

And once again, as fate would have it, just as everything had become right with the world, did it come crashing down all around me with Stacy’s next few words.

“I am leaving Charlotte.”