Alan #1

Summer jobs are the worst part of summer. Especially when it requires hard labour and watering the never-ending gardens while also providing them with "premium care," whatever that was supposed to mean. Luckily, they didn't have many rules.

Don't get me wrong, I truly enjoy summer; it's the perfect time to hit up the beach, sipping refreshing limeade, partying with friends, and binge-watching movies. Yet here I stood, working as a gardener of all things. The scorching sun never failing to turn the conservatory into a sweatbox.

Still, something, or rather, someone… made the job more bearable. The silhouette standing in the doorway was enough to distract me from the heat.

"Alan! It's been a while!" The mysterious guy waved, his radiant smile never failing to brighten up the room.

"I was wondering when you would come join me." The words slipping out of my mouth without a thought in mind.

He began waking over to me, his green eyes locking onto mine. "Listen… There is a small gathering with a few friends later tonight; I was hoping I could drag you around. I know, I know it's kind of last minute."

My brain raced with thoughts. Was he asking me out? Could this be a date! Or was this just a regular guy's night? The possibilities of every possible outcome filled me with a mix of excitement and anxiety. A familiar feeling, seeing as I am a person filled with anxiety.

"You okay, Alan?" he asked, his eyes filled with worry.

"Y-yeah. Of course I'll go!" I replied, perhaps a bit too eagerly. "Is that why you were acting all nervous?"