Chapter Twelve:  1/2

Shay:

Was it possible to feel so terrified and so excited at the same time?

These feelings are fighting inside of me, and it is painful. My stomach hurt.

I was thankful at least that I talked to Jody about what I should wear today. We settled on something cute.

A thin white long sleeve shirt. The dark gray skirt has that ripple at the ends. It is high at my waist, and it has the v shape down.

I wore black tights with black heels. A single strap went over and buckled at the other side of the shoe.

My nails are still done the same. Black toes, and black nails. My ring finger being the exception, a black heart instead of solid black. My makeup is done simply. My eyebrows, mascara, and eyeliner. The black lipstick is the finale.

I left my hair down, nothing fancy there.

With me pulling my small black purse over my shoulder, I was ready to leave.

I didn’t get very far before my phone went off.

From: Jody – ‘Good luck today <3.’

I couldn’t quite explain what I felt when I saw her message. It was a combination of love and warmth.

It was something I needed.

To: Jody – ‘Thank you <3.’

To: Jody – ‘See you later?’

I walked outside, and before I even had the door locked behind me, I had a new message.

I smiled to myself while I finished the last lock.

From: Jody – ‘Of course.’

From: - Jody – ‘Just let me know when you are done.’

I felt better, and I was thankful for her.

I made my way to the familiar facility.

My nerves only got the best of me, the closer I got.

I had to remind myself to breathe properly. You’d be surprised how often I had to do that.

I took in a deep breath.

The large building was now in my sight.

Was I shaking? Damn it.

I just hoped I didn’t trip and fall on my face. Maybe heels weren’t the best idea, after all.

The walk to the side entrance where we met Baird at last time felt different.

I didn’t see the ginger-haired man waiting like last time.

I pulled my phone out to check the time.

11:42 AM.

Good, just making sure that I’m not late.

Part of me thought I should wait to go in, but the other more dominant part said fuck it.

I walked through the doors.

Baird was inside, looking at the tablet in his hands.

“Oh,” he said as he looked up to see me.

“Good afternoon,” I said.

He smiled politely, “Eager, are we?”

I wanted to run away now.

Instead of answering with words, I just laughed awkwardly.

“It will be similar to before,” he said, “When your friend Jody came in.”

I nodded.

“Your lanyard,” he said, “Before anything else.”

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a lanyard and held it out for me.

I didn’t hesitate to take it and put it on.

“Thank you,” I said, just above a whisper.

“This way,” he said, gesturing for me to follow him.

I was quick to fall in behind.

I wanted to ask all kinds of questions, but I didn’t even know where to begin.

He led me through the same way we went with Jody.

So this is the standard meet and greet then?

The room covered in chairs is where we stopped.

“Same as last time?” I asked, “Need to make sure everything is ready?”

He glanced over at me and smiled lightly, “Yes.”

“Then I will take a seat right here,” I said, “Just let me know when you’re ready for me.”

I sat down before he opened the side door.

Could I be any more nervous?

I took in a deep breath, and I let it out slowly. I repeated it about five more times before I felt better.

It always felt like forever when you were forced to wait. I don’t know why time worked that way, I just know that it does.

Sometimes it just felt a little cruel.

I pulled my phone out of my purse so that I could check the time.

12:07 PM.

Alright, so I most definitely waited a little bit already.

I heard a click, and my heart sped up.

Voices filled the room, and I felt silly.

Steven led the new volunteers into this room.

“Shay,” he greeted.

“Hey,” I said.

“Baird told me to let you know that your match is running a little late.” he said, “But don’t worry, he’ll come to get you soon.”

I nodded. Isn’t this how it always worked?

I leaned back in my chair as I watched the others take their seats.

This was the last thing I wanted to sit through again.

I focused my attention on the girl with the extremely short bangs.

She had one of those larger gauges in her the side of her nose.

I felt like I wanted to ask her about it. It looked painful. She pulled it off, though.

“Shay.”

I was quick to stand up and look around.

The guy next to me laughed at me.

I didn’t really give a shit. I was about to meet my match.

Baird stood in front of the door expectantly.

“It appears that we lost you for a little while.”

I felt embarrassed.

“Sorry,” I said, “I zone out sometimes.”

Even though I was so focused on that girl's nose piercing.

He opened the door, and I don’t know what I was expecting.

The room was small. A table was at the center of the room, and at the opposite corner was another door.

So that is how the others get in here.

“Have a seat at this end,” he gestured for me to sit at the end closest to the door I entered.

I heisted just a moment before sitting.

He took a seat at the end with his tablet still in his hands.

“So,” he said, “Let me start by saying welcome.”

“Thank you.”

“Next,” he began, “I know you and Jody are close, so after this, you two are free to discuss your interview.”

“Was she not allowed to before?” I asked.

“She had to sign this,” he handed me a piece of paper.

I glanced at it before meeting his eyes.

“You can only talk about the process, and your match with others involved in the program.”

“So, I can’t even mention it in passing?” I asked, “Like if I need to go somewhere, and my brother asks where I’m going?”

“You can tell him where you are going, that is not a problem,” he said, “You just cannot go into specifics.”

I nodded, “But now I can, but only with Jody?”

“Yes,” he said, “And anyone here that works here, or that has gone through the interview process.”

“Okay,” I said, “And this paper is me agreeing to that?”

“Yes,” he said, “Before you can meet your match.”

Damn it.

I didn’t even read the paper, I just signed it.

He looked at me a little confused before taking the paper.

“So now we can begin,” he said.

I watched him type something on the tablet.

“He will be here shortly.”

I nodded.

My nerves were kicking up again.

A small knock at the door made me stand up quickly.