Libby
Happy freakin’ anniversary.
I speak these words into the void.
I roll my eyes and check my iPad’s screen.
Then I make sure the volume is up…
And that everything is working.
Libby
Where are you, Brandon?
I pull up his contact information…
The calls ends, but then…
My heart lifts before it plummets.
Instead, my best friend’s face fills my screen.
Jemma
Makeup and straight hair.
Jemma
You even have a little cleavage showing.
Libby
I’m supposed to be FaceTiming with Brandon.
Libby
Today’s our one-year anniversary.
Libby
Yeah, and it looks like he did, too.
Jemma
Long-distance relationships are hard.
Libby
Sometimes, I wish Brandon and I had gone to the same college.
Libby
Other times, like now…
Libby
I wish we were in separate countries.
Jemma
You’re sure he forgot?
I lean back in my wheelie chair as I sit at my desk.
Libby
He said he’d FaceTime me…
Libby
At 6 p.m. on the dot.
Libby
It’s now 6:15. He’s late.
I blow out a frustrated breath.
Libby
This isn’t even the first time.
Libby
He was late to our first real date, too.
Jemma
That’s not a good sign.
Jemma
I can’t believe you went out with him again after that.
Libby
When he did show up…
Libby
He gave me some wildflowers he had picked.
Libby
And he had a Band-Aid on his chin.
Jemma
A Band-Aid on his chin?
She says it sarcastically.
But at the time, it kind of was sexy.
Libby
He said he was so nervous about our date…
Libby
That he cut himself shaving.
Libby
It was the worst date.
Libby
First, he was late.
Libby
Then, he was bandaged.
Libby
And he had this horrible music playing in his car.
Jemma’s face corkscrews now.
Libby
And every note was out of tune.
Jemma
And yet, you went out with him again.
Libby
There was just something about him.
Libby
I fell hard and fast.
My iPad alerts me to another call.
Jemma
Have fun on your date.
She puts the word date in air quotes.
Jemma
Talk to you tomorrow.
She disconnects the call.
And then Brandon’s face fills my whole screen.
I check the time on my phone before connecting the call.
Libby
You’re 23 minutes late.
Brandon
And hello to you, too.
Brandon
You look beautiful.
Brandon
Did you do your hair differently?
Libby
You just haven’t seen me in a while.
That part isn’t his fault, of course.
But right now, I’m blaming him for everything.
I fold my arms across my chest…
And narrow my eyes at Brandon.
Libby
Is that a Band-Aid on your chin?
Brandon
I cut myself shaving.
Brandon
I’m fine, Nurse Libby.
Libby
I’m not a nurse yet.
Libby
But blood takes priority…
Libby
In every situation.
Then he reaches to his side…
Brandon
It hasn’t been so long…
Brandon
That I’d forget that.
I open my mouth to speak…
I’m temporarily speechless.
Libby
It’s rude to make someone wait.
Libby
Especially on our anniversary.
Because there’s loud music playing in the background.
Libby
Is that Barbra Streisand?
Brandon
The one and only.
He starts to sing along with her—
Libby
Can you turn that down?
He reaches off to the side…
And the music grows softer.
Brandon
It’s kind of romantic, though.
Libby
Nothing about long-distance dating is romantic.
Libby
I’m so annoyed with you right now…
Libby
I know if I could hug you, though…
Libby
None of this would matter.
Brandon
This is only temporary, remember?
Brandon
Just while you’re in nursing school.
Libby
I just wanted tonight to be special.
Brandon
You’re important to me.
Libby
Right. So important that you were 23 minutes late.
Brandon
Each minute was torture.
Brandon
Waiting exactly 23 minutes…
Brandon
To tap that FaceTime button…
Brandon
Felt like forever.
Brandon
It was especially hard not to connect…
Brandon
Every time you called me.
Libby
You were late on purpose?
Brandon
Yes, because I wanted to recreate…
Brandon
The best first date of my life.
And my eyes are blurry with tears.
Libby
Did you really cut yourself?
And yanks the bandage off.
Brandon
Love hurts sometimes.
He grins at his stupid joke.
Brandon
The Band-Aid was for effect.
Libby
And the wildflowers.
Libby
Just like the ones you gave me…
Libby
The horrible music, too.
Libby
And the even more horrible singing.
Brandon
Ouch. That hurts.
Libby
Love hurts sometimes.
Brandon
I could recreate the rest.
Libby
You mean the goodnight kiss?
Brandon
That was the best part.
Somehow, he has won me over…
Brandon
Happy anniversary, Lib.
Brandon
I have one more surprise.
Brandon holds up a finger.
He disappears off-screen.
All I see are the flowers.
I wish I could hold them.
And carry it to the door.
Brandon is still MIA on my screen.
All I see are wildflowers.
Then, I see Brandon’s face.
He’s standing on the other side of my door.
Brandon
Are you going to let me in?
Brandon
Or do I need to stand here all night?
Libby
I was thinking I might…
Libby
Keep you waiting a while.
Brandon
That would be rude.
He knows I’m only teasing though.
I can’t wait another second.
