This is a total chill out night, just me and Spencer. Sometimes we take friends with us but something in the air has shifted and I only want to be with her. Not that I don’t have fun with the others girls, it’s just I’d rather be alone with her tonight.

We decided to keep it low key, just dinner and then we were going to go walking on the beach to talk.

“Ooh Ash look! Let’s do karaoke. Please?” How could I ever compete with the cutest pout and puppy dog eyes ever. I don’t tell her that but I relent and we walk into this trendy bar.

“Thank God, it doesn’t smell like smoke in here.”

“I know. So, are we going to sign up. Yes?”

“Whatever you like.” I don’t know why I’m all passive and I can tell she has caught on to my over exaggerated nonchalent demeanor. I don’t know what’s wrong with me but I feel like I’m in a trance. Like this is all really happening but I’m in someone else’s body and can’t speak. I still smile when appropriate and our body language hasn’t changed. The hand holding, the lingering touches, the eye gazing, it’s all there but my body is on autopilot and it’s not in tune with my speech. Everything I say, if I speak at all is mumbled and not the least bit sarcastic like I’m used to. I don’t know what my body is telling me but I don’t like it at all.

“Ash?” She’s looking at my funky and I mumble some sort of noise to let her know I’m with her. I must have zoned on my little head scene. “Hey, you okay? You seem a little off tonight.”

“Yeah, I’m okay.” That’s the most I’ve said since we walked in the door. I stand to head to the bar. “Why don’t you go sign us up and I’ll grab us some drinks.” She gives me this quizzical look but she says nothing, smiles gently at me and goes over to the Karaoke booth.