Page 73 of Lessons in Timing

Armand:I mean I don’t like them.

Armand:I mean I wasn’t happy about being approached. And made to talk.

Armand:I’m sorry I missed you.

Armand:Sorry

I tried to breathe a sigh of relief that he didn’t seem to have stood me up, but I was met with such a wave of disappointment that I had to sink onto the couch.

Lucas:its ok, just glad you’re not dead

Lucas:and you didn’t stand me up, that would’ve sucked

I shouldn’t have typed that last bit. It was too vulnerable.

But he wrote back immediately this time—

Armand:I honestly was looking forward to seeing you, it was going to be the highlight of my rubbish day

Armand:& I really mean that, not just being biscuit

Armand:*British kill me

I let out a soft laugh despite myself.

Lucas:hey don’t talk about your fans that way, you’re talented and they’re appreciating you! :)

Lucas:but speaking of biscuits, if you’re on your way you shall have food waiting for you, I can wait up

Armand:I swear I’m trying to leave but this one young person keeps crying

Another half hour passed, though, and no sign of Armand. It was getting late, and knowing the schedule Armand kept, it was likely he wouldn’t make it in until double-digit hours. I stared forlornly at the lasagna.

Lucas:hey look I’m sorry but I have work in the morning and I can’t stay up much longer

Armand:I’m so so so sorry Lucas, do you see why I hate this

Lucas:no worries! the food’s in tupperware in the fridge so you can help yourself whenever you get in

Lucas:drive safe!

Lucas:oops just remembered robin would be driving, so I guess he can drive safe and you don’t get eaten by fans ok

Armand:I’m so sorry again, I promise I’ll make it up to you

Lucas:maybe I’ll see you at robin’s play :)

Armand:I’ll save you a seat.

I stared at our conversation for entirely too long, chest buzzing. I tossed a modest portion of the lasagna into the microwave for a minute, then chewed absently, barely noticing how sub-par it tasted reheated.

Hehadbeen planning to show up. Hewantedto meet me. He wanted tomake it up to me.The implications of this fluttered around my brain, not making a lot of sense and coming dangerously close to flooding my stomach with butterflies. When was the last time I’d looked forward to something this hard?

I needed something to distract me before I melted into a complete breakdown.

Surely it wasn’t too early to start planning my outfit for the play.

It would be nice to goout. Somewhere that wasn’t work and wasn’t the apartment. It turned out that a lot more of my social life than I’d realized had revolved around Darren.