He Stood Me Up.

I had done everything I thought I needed to.

I contacted him when I was running late.

I set up the restaurant we were going to.

I let him pick the movie and I got the tickets.

A perfect date was lined up.

I truly thought I liked him. I had called my best friends about it right after our first coffee date.

"You're so excited about it!" My friend was enthused by my enthusiasm and thought that maybe I was finally ready to like someone after my last break-up.

I told everyone about this. Everyone at work knew what I would wear, where I was taking him and that I let him pick the movie. I was so ready to go out on a nice night on the town and of course, my waitressing job went a little later than I expected. As usual. Right when you don't want it to.

I went up to my last table that had wanted me to take one of their chicken wings (because they had ordered too many) and leveled with them.

"So ladies, I'm not really supposed to do this, but I've got a date tonight so I was wondering if you would mind if I brought you your check."

I volunteered more information about the dress, the place and the movie when they inquired more about it, and yet, I realized that I was still running a little late for the 6:30pm pick-up time. Considering I left the restaurant at 6pm, I figured I should contact him to let him know. When I finally checked my phone, he had left me a message.

"I got off of work earlier than expected. Can I come by at 6:20?" I laughed out loud and immediately texted him that I was running late and if he wouldn't mind coming fifteen minutes later. "No problem." He was to pick me up at my house, so I knew where I was supposed to be and my goal was to get there. FAST.

I got on the next El towards my house and of course, its last stop was exactly one stop before mine. When it rains, it pours. And this time, it literally was raining. So not only was I running late, the train stopped too soon and then water fell straight from the clouds. So I grabbed an Uber.

Immediately connecting with the Uber driver because we had the same car, I thanked him profusely for picking me up because I was going on a date. I got him talking so much that we both forgot about the directions. He went a block out of the way, which I quickly excused and continued to pay attention to the directions until I knew we were close enough to home. I finished buying the tickets for the movie on my phone, jumped out and ran upstairs to primp for the next 15 minutes.

It's exactly 6:45pm and make-up, adorable dress and excitement face were on. My roommate even commented, "I haven't seen you this excited in a long time." I grabbed my purse and walked towards the door when I realized I hadn't left my phone on the counter. I frantically began to search my room and the few places I could have left it in the previous 20 minutes and then it hit me.

I had left it in the Uber driver's car. Fuck.

Checking my email, it was verified. I used my roommate's phone to call and he said he wouldn't be able to bring it by right away. The time now read 6:55pm and I was late for my date. So I waltzed outside in my cute black flats and short red dress. Opening my umbrella, I looked for him.

I didn't know what kind of car he had.

I couldn't remember whether he had verified if he was going to come at 6:45 or not.

I questioned whether I had given him all of the information he would have needed.

While searching for him on my block, I knew I must have looked like an idiot. And yet, I knew I gave him everything he would need and that he would be here. Why wasn't he here?

My brain, exhausted and frustrated and hungry, went to phase 2. Maybe I could reach him on my computer. I tried to text him through the app my roommate told me about and there was no connection. It wasn't working.

I immediately blamed myself.

Why had I fucked up?

Then I realized. I didn't fuck up. He did. Why didn't he come up to the door and ring it? Why couldn't he have made sure that he was here at the time I said to come? I remembered I DID give him the right information. And that means...he stood me up.

I couldn't get over it. A first time that I won't ever forget.

#hestoodmeup #baddates #boys #boysarestupid #experiencing #firstworldproblems #firsttime