“Beautiful. Almost feels like Cali.”

We both stare ahead in silence.

“So interesting how world systems work, isn’t it?”

“What do you mean?”

“Oh, I was talking about Econ since we’re both in that class. The professor was discussing societal systems the other day.”

“Oh.” He laughs uneasily. “Yea.”

Silence.

“Well, I was thinking, if you aren’t busy, maybe we can talk about Econ sometime. Together. At a café.”

“Are you asking me out? Oh, that’s so nice. You’re such a sweetheart. But honey, I’m gay. I’m really flattered, though!”

Rejection and disappointment, my old friends, squeeze in between us. I’m too shocked to speak.

“I’m sorry. I know how hard it is up here to find someone. I’ve been in a drought all year. You know what, how about we still go out? We’ll make it a pretend date. Get dressed up, go to a nice dinner, and take a stroll. No harm in that.”

I light up at the invitation. It won’t lead me to where I want to go, but I accept anyways. Even a mock date is better than nothing.

“OK,” I respond. “When are you free?”

“How about Friday? Tomorrow? I was thinking of going out by myself anyways. Now I’ll have good company. We can go to Molly’s and eat all their bread.”

“I love that place! I can eat two baskets by myself and still have room for dinner.”

“I thought I was the only one,” he says, laughing. “It’s a date, then.”

When tomorrow comes, I’m surprised I’m still nervous even though there’s nothing at stake. We don’t have to figure out if we like each other or if we want the same things. We can just enjoy each other’s company. Yet part of me feels like it’s the real thing. I search through my closet for what to wear. I’ve never been on a date before, so I don’t know what’s appropriate.

Manda Panda, who is approving or disapproving all my options, says, “Wait. I have the perfect outfit for this.”

She quickly scans through her own closet and hands me a sleek cream-colored top made of silk.

“It looks so expensive,” I say. “What if I spill something on it?”

“Don’t worry about that.”

She opens her jewelry box and pulls out a pair of diamond earrings.

“Whoa, are those real?! Are you sure it’s OK?”

“Of course! You’re gonna look so pretty. I can’t believe you’re going on a date with a gay man, but it’ll probably be even better, honestly,” she says sarcastically.

I change into the outfit and put on the diamond earrings. I make sure the earring backs are pushed all the way forward. I would never want to lose something so precious and expensive. Manda Panda claps when she sees the finished product.