Curvy Girls Can’t Date Soldiers by Kelsie Stelting

Fifty-Five

Nadira

My phone was proppedon my dresser in a video call with my friends while I finished getting ready for my very first date with Apollo. My hands were shaking as I worked the mascara wand through my eyelashes. I capped it and shook out my wrists, breathing deeply.

Des said, “Remember, you have nothing to be worried about. He fell in love with you. And he forgave you.”

Cori nodded emphatically. “I can’t believe he was making out with you where anyone could have walked by!”

Adriel smirked. “I can.”

Faith nodded. “Tonight’s going to go great. Do you know what he has planned?”

I shook my head. “I texted him to ask, but I’m still completely in the dark. I’m going to wear sneakers just in case we’re going to be doing something more active.”

Des waggled her eyebrows. “You won’t need sneakers for that.”

My cheeks instantly heated. “Stop it!” The girls cracked up laughing, and I said, “Ha ha. Laugh at the girl who barely got her first kiss.”

Des rested her chin in her hand. “I wish my first kiss would have been like that. Mine was so... sloppy.”

“Ew,” Faith said.

“His tongue was like...” She gestured at her entire face. “Everywhere. Like an eager little puppy.”

“Okay, I’m vomiting in my mouth now,” I muttered.

Des smirked. “Don’t worry, I’ve gotten better guys since then.”

Cori snorted. “When is he coming anyway? You’re still getting ready, so... another hour?”

I glared Cori, who was still chuckling at her own joke. “I’ll have you know, he’s supposed to be here in thirty minutes, but since he values punctuality like I do, he’ll probably arrive in twenty.”

Adriel giggled. “Sounds like a match made in heaven.”

I crossed my fingers, holding them in front of the camera. “Here’s to hoping.”

Faith said, “Promise you’ll text us right after and tell us how it goes?”

“Girl, you know the group chat’s going to be blowing up the second I get home.” I smiled and shook my head. A notification slid down my phone. “That’s him.”

Apollo: Can’t wait to see you.

I grinned and read them the text.

Cori raised her eyebrows. “Texting you thirty minutes early? He’s a keeper.”

I grinned. “I think so too.” I waved at the camera before ending the call and taking a few deep breaths. Not hyperventilating was a full-time endeavor at the moment.