Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Sims 3: Athena Sparks 6

Without me even ringing the bell, Desmond opens the door and steps out.
“Hi there!” He says looking very surprised.
I just stare.  It’s like I’ve reverted back to my toddler days when I had a lot that I wanted to say, but I just didn’t know the words to say it.
Desmond is two feet in front of me; standing there in all his beautiful glory.
Then he smiles.  “You must be my neighbor.  I’ve seen you around a few times.”  I just stare at his smile.  His teeth are beautiful.
Finally, he takes my hand.  “I’m Desmond.  Please come inside.”


“Uh,” I answer; totally focused on his warm firm grip.  His hand is touching my hand and my brain turns to mush.

Then I find myself doing the dumbest thing ever… before I know what’s come over me, I run.
Yep, as Desmond is leading me into his house, like a fool…I run away.
What’s worst is that it’s not like a light jog type of running.  No, that would be forgivable.  It‘s more like a prison break, the neighbor’s pit bull is after me…run for your life type of running.
I run without even looking back.
I never even knew that I could be so athletic.  I could probably clear a hurdle right now. I’ve been known to trip while standing in place, yet tonight I run full speed without coming close.
As I reach my house, I finally begin to slow down.
Only when I reach my house, does my mind start thinking again.  My first thought…how can I ever face him again?
I can only imagine what is probably going through his mind.  Who goes to someone’s house, stands on the porch without even ringing the bell and then runs after the person comes out to greet you.  It’s like some type of backward ding dong ditch.
I retreat to the safety of my house. 
I am so disappointed in myself that I almost want to cry.  What an imbecile!   How could I blow a chance like that?
And he was so fine standing there in the moonlight.  He actually touched my hand.
Oh well…never one to dwell in disappointment too long, I decide to crawl into bed with a book.  If I can’t experience romance, I can at least read about it…
…only the words are a blur.  I forgot that I did not have my glasses.
I lay back on the bed suddenly feeling strangely content.  Now that I know I’ve ruined any chance with Desmond, I can relax in knowing that it was never meant to be.  Being single for the rest of my life can’t be that bad...can it?

Sims 3: Athena Sparks 5

It turns out that paying bills does not take enough time to use them as an excuse to not do something.  I could stand out there near the mailbox all night like an idiot or I could stop acting like a grade schooler and do what I know I must do.With all of the will that my mind can muster, I take the first few steps toward Desmond’s house on legs of jelly.
I trip a few times, but I keep moving using the stars as my guide. As I keep walking, my mind begins to wander, which is something that it often does when I am nervous.
I start thinking about my parents.  For the life of me, I can’t figure out why they named me Athena, after the goddess of wisdom.  Why not after the goddess of love or beauty.  Then again, being named Aphrodite would have been a bit odd.
With these thoughts still running through my mind, Desmond’s house comes into view. There is a taxi in front and a young guy steps out of it.
I stop in my tracks.  He has company…I can’t interrupt him when he has company, I say to myself.
I watch as the guy rings the doorbell.  At least I’ll know whether he’s home or not.  Nothing would be worst then getting my hopes up and ringing the doorbell and he is not home.
After he rings the bell, the guy steps aside.  Maybe he’s not home…I could just come back tomorrow, I think to myself almost relieved to not have to go through with this whole thing tonight.
My abatement is short lived.   Before I had time to turn and begin walking home, Desmond answers the door and steps out on the porch.
 
Damn!  I say, almost out loud. Although I know that I’ll never get a chance to know him if I keep avoiding, I was ready to let it go for now and put it off.
Desmond and his guest go inside.  Now is the time, I say, but my feet don’t move right away. I stand there like a kid staring down at a pool beneath a diving board.  I know that if I just do it, it won’t be as bad as I think, but I just can’t get myself to do it.
I begin to cross the road.  You know, I say to myself, I’d bet the lake is extra pretty right now.  Maybe I’ll just go and take a look at it.
I am just about to pass Desmond’s house and head to the lake when a burst of courage shoots out of nowhere and my body seems to voluntarily head toward Desmond’s door.
I’m ready, I say giving myself a pep talk.  I’m really going to do this, right now…today!
I walk until I am standing on Desmond’s walkway.  Okay, any minute now…walk up to the door and ring it! Is what goes through my head, but my feet have stopped following directions.
Again, I go for it.  I’ve rung thousands of doorbells before and I am determined to ring this one…
…but my finger freezes inches away from it.  If I ring the bell, he will hear it.  If he hears it, he will come to the door.  If he comes to the door, he will open it.  If he opens it, I will have to talk… but what will I say?
I don’t ring it.  I get close but I flake out at the last minute.
I stand there on the porch like an idiot. I cannot even ring the bell.  Then the most unexpected thing happens…

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Sims 3: Athena Sparks 4

I feel like such a dork.  I fell asleep with my glasses on again and broke the frames.
Now I have to wait to have a new pair made and today was the day I promised myself that I would approach Desmond. 
As I bathe, I go over my options in my head.  I can either put off introducing myself to Desmond or go through it although I’ll be blind as a bat.
It would be just my luck to go to his house acting all flirty, not realizing that it’s his father or someone else that has answered the door.
I’m already clumsy.  Do I really want to introduce myself to the man of my dreams while blind and clumsy? Just the thought of what could happen horrifies me.
Maybe I should just use my old glasses.  But then I’d really look like a geek.
Deep inside I know that I am just trying to use my glasses as an excuse to avoid meeting him.  My eye sight is not that bad.  I’m far-sighted which means I need glasses to read, not see things in general.
I will not allow myself to back out of this.  I will meet Desmond and I will meet him today.
Worrying myself over Desmond has totally taken my mind off another fact.  Today is my first day of work at the bookstore.  I pray that I won’t be required to read anything, because I would need my glasses for that.
Get it together Athena!  With or without Desmond in my life, I still have goals that I want to achieve and this job at the bookstore is the first step.  I need the money until I can begin writing.
It’s a gorgeous afternoon in Hidden Springs when I leave the house and walk to my awaiting carpool.  If nothing else goes right today, I can rejoice in that.
My carpool driver says in a cheerful, friendly voice, “Good morning, I’m Mark.  How are you?”


He is obviously looking for good conversation. “Fine, I’m Athena…”I say, not knowing what else to say.


As usual, I spend the rest of the car ride lost in my own thoughts.  Mark turns up the radio once he realizes that’s about all the conversation he’s going to get out of me.

As we pass the hospital, I cannot stop myself from glancing over expectantly. 
I sigh in disappointment when I don’t see anyone.
The carpool pulls over in front of the bookstore and I hurry out; relieved now that I’m not expected to hold a conversation with a total stranger.
I enter the bookstore and approach the manager, Cynthia, who also seems to be very reserved and quiet.  She quickly shows me my duties before rushing off to a more isolated part of the bookstore.  We are both more comfortable this way.
I leave work pleased with my first day. My glasses were not much of a hindrance, so I was able to perform my duties as expected.  Still my heart is pounding so hard that I can feel the pulse in my ears. 
What is wrong with me?  I ask myself, then I remember…it’s time to go and meet Desmond.
Ugh!  My stomach clutches and my head begins to ache.  I don’t think I can do it.
I’ll just pay these bills first, I say to myself just to postpone my date with destiny.