#mayyu

I’m gonna kill them. I told my friends I couldn’t go to Boogerwoods with them, but did they listen? NO! Now, I have to go to work today with no voice. Thanks bitches. Today is gonna be so much fun!

Getting to work I waved to my coworkers on my way to the break room to put my purse and jacket into my locker. I had just closed my locker when I heard 

“Hey Y/N!” It’s my work best friend, Jas. We may not hang out outside of work but that doesn’t diminish the fact that she is my work best friend.

“Morning Jas!” I replied raspily.

“Did you finally get some last night and that’s why you have no voice today?” She jokingly said. She knew that I wasn’t that type of girl. I wanted to at least know the guy a couple of weeks.

I rolled my eyes. “Went to Boogerwoods with the Goofy Gublers last night. Pom wouldn’t take no for answer and Natt promised me Starbucks,” I shrugged even though I still a little tired from getting in late last night. “One asshole came at us with a knife dressed as Michael Myers and we seriously thought he was going to kill one of us. One guy had the audacity to touch Lila before she laid him on his ass. I won’t be going back to that haunted trail, not if their people touch you and get waaayyy too into character. Needless to say, I don’t think any of us have a voice today,” I shivered thinking back to when they Michael Myers impersonator coming at us with a knife. I have honestly never been more terrified in my entire life. Sometimes I curse myself for loving Halloween so much.

“You gonna be able to work okay today without a voice? Do we need to get you a little writing notepad or something?” Jas asked partly concerned and partly trying to be a brat.

“Don’t be dramatic Jas, I will work just fine. If I really need any help, I will radio someone.” I reassured her.

My voice might be scratchy as hell sure, but I am still understandable. That’s all that matters. I walked over to the board to see what my station was today. I really hoped I was on registers today; I don’t wanna talk to people and prolong getting my voice back. I am restocking today, yes! Less human interaction for me unless a customer requires my assistance. Hopefully, no one will need my help today but that’s just wishful thinking.

A couple of hours into my shift my throat really started to hurt. I told myself that once I had finished restocking these iPhone cases I would would take my break and make me some hot tea in the break room, By now, my voice is gone and it hurts to try and talk. Low and behold, a little boy -well an eight year old- comes towards me. “Excuse me, ma’am? Can you please help me find my uncle?” He asks a little shyly. My heart broke for the kid, he just seems so sweet; oddly, he looked familiar too.

I pointed to my throat and said I can’t talk.

His eyes widened, “Are you Ariel?” Awww, this kid is so sweet. Before I could shake my head no he had grabbed my hand and started leading me to who knows where. “We’re gonna look for my uncle together! When we find him, he can kiss you and bring your voice back!” He looked at me proudly and excited. Damn this kid for being so cute. Although, someone has seen the Disney cartoon one too many times. It’s sweet that he thinks a kiss will bring my voice back though. I will definitely take the complement that he thinks I’m a Disney Princess. The girls are gonna get a kick out this later when I tell them -after I message them in all caps about my voice.

By now we have reached our Halloween section. The little boy had been looking left and right for his uncle. Apparently, he had found his uncle because his strides were getting wider and he was practically running. “Uncle Matthew, quick! She needs help! She has no voice, so you have to kiss her!” He yelled out exasperatedly. I could feel my cheeks warming up at the sight of a couple of people who heard him yell to his uncle.  

“What are you talking about Buddy?” My heart stopped. I knew that voice. I would know that voice anywhere. The eight year old who is still currently holding my hand is Hunter Dahl. Laura Dahl is his mother and his mother is the older sister of the man who plays Dr. Spencer Reid on Criminal Minds. HOLY FUCK. Matthew Gray Gubler is in my store and his nephew wants him to kiss me so I can get my voice back. I don’t whether to be praising the heavens or to run away in mortification.

Matthew looked away from Hunter to look at me. His eyes are even more beautiful in person. He smiled his sweet smile at me and I swear he blushed. “Sorry about my nephew. We watched The Little Mermaid last night.” He looked back at Hunter and ruffled his hair. “Sorry buddy, that’s not how it works. Although, maybe if I ask her to go to dinner with me, it might help her get her voice back.” Both the handsome man and his adorable nephew looked to me.

My eyes must have widened in panic. I mean, how could I say yes to him without a voice. Nodding didn’t even cross my mind, I was too focused on the fact that the most important moment for me to have my voice and it’s gone. The Goofy Gublers we will definitely be getting an earful from me later. He have read the panic on my face.

His smile widened, “ If we can find a pen and some paper, I am more than happy to give you my number so that when you get your voice back, you can call me.”

HOLY. SHIT. I tried to come off as not too excited, I hope it worked. I tried mouthing the words electronics and pointed in the direction of the cash register in the electronics.

“Lead the way Ariel, we will follow you.” He gestured to me. His smile will be the death of me, I swear.  I hope my face isn’t a horridly read color, that would be a little embarrassing.

I lead us to the electronics cash register and grab a sticky note and pen. I handed both to the tall, handsome pool noodle. I hope my smile didn’t look too creepy. He took the pen and pad from me and began jotting down his number in his familiar messy scrawl. This moment feels so surreal. Once he had put his John Hancock and his infamous heart, he handed the sticky note to me. “I hope to get a call from you soon Ariel,” he smiled and winked. He patted Hunter on his back. Hunter waved at me as they made their way back to the Halloween section. I smiled at the sweet boy and waved back. I looked down at the sticky note in my hand. WHAT JUST HAPPENED?

It was two days before I could talk again. I just hoped that Matthew hadn’t changed his mind. I took a deep breath before clicking his number that I had already saved in my phone. I had saved it as soon as I had a hold of my phone on break. I haven’t even told the girls on discord about this yet. This still feels like a dream. I hit his number and waited with a bated breath while it rang. It rang twice before he picked up.

“Please tell me this is Ariel from Target,” Came his sweet voice.I blushed and let out a giggle I was hoping to keep in.

“My name is Y/N and it’s nice to meet you.” I managed to get out without stuttering.

“Hi Y/N, it nice to finally hear your voice.” I couldn’t help but let out a laugh. “I like the sound of your laugh, it’s a sweet sound.” I blushed even harder. 

“Thank you, it’s really sweet of you to say” I smiled into the phone.

“So about that dinner I want to take you on, are you free this weekend? Like say Saturday?” I could hear the nerves in his voice.

“I’m sure I could pencil you in,” I teased. Then it hit me, Saturday was Halloween. “You don’t have plans with your friends for Halloween?” I asked. I was confused. Didn’t he have a Halloween party to go to with his friends?

“I want to spend Halloween with you, actually,” his voice giving away just how shy he actually is. It’s endearing actually.

“I know a great place where we can eat and still rock costumes, if you want…?” I was unsure if he would like the idea. Granted, anyone who knows Matthew for more than five minutes knows that his greatest love is Halloween.

“Really? That would actually be really cool!” Was his reply.

“Awesome! I must warn you though, the place is owned by a friend of mine. She is really chill though. And I hope you like Mexican!”

“I can’t wait. Send me your address and I will come pick you up. You can be my eyes and my guide.”

Another giggle escaped my lips. “It’s a date!”

I figured as a good joke I would dress as Ariel in her blue human dress when Prince Eric takes her out on the lake. I even got a red wig. I already had a blue bow so I was good on that. I can’t wait to see what Matthew will be wearing. I walked towards the mirror in the entry hallway to get one last look at myself. I like how it all turned out!

There was a knock at the door. He’s here! I took one last look in the mirror before I grabbed my Sebastian clutch that held the essentials (my phone, keys, lipstick for an emergency touch up). I opened the door and I let out a big laugh.

“What do you think?” He looked so proud of himself. This man is just too cute for words.

“You make a dashing Prince Eric! I honestly wasn’t expecting Prince Eric, I thought you would go with Poe or something spooky,” I admitted.

“I did think about it, I admit, but I thought Prince Eric would be the better choice since you are Ariel,” He winked at me. I almost let out a moan. The man need to quit being so attractive, it’s quite unfair honestly. “You ready to get this date started?” He asked me while hold his arm out for me to take like a gentleman.

I looped my arm through his, “I am ready sir, please lead the way” we walked out this hi car, where he opened my door for me.

The short car ride was quite but not awkwardly so, it was a comfortable quite that only my giving directions disturbed. We pulled up to the little hole in the wall Mexican restaurant where Kat awaited us. I told her I had a special date, but I didn’t say who.

I walked in first and Kat was the first person to greet us. Here got really wide but she quickly schooled her features.

“Ey apa, voy a garar esta mesa!” She called out in Spanish. “I told my dad that I was gonna wait on you. He won’t care. Everyone is out partying anyway.” She grabbed a couple of menus and sat us in one of the very back corners. “What can I get y’all to drink?” She looked from me to Matthew waiting patiently.

“I will take a water please,” I looked to Matthew to see what he would order.

“same for me please.” He responded. Kat turned and went to get our drinks situated. I opened my menu to see what the Saturday special was and figure out if I’d had yet or not.

“What do you normally get here?” Inquired Matthew.

I looked up from my menu, “Honestly, everything is good here. You really can’t go wrong. I haven’t had their dinner special yet, the enchiladas supreme but I don’t doubt they’re just as good as everything else. I will probably stick with my usual though.,” I flipped the page over and pointed to an item that was under “from the grill”. “I get this second one right here, it’s called the Pollo Con Crema. It’s grilled chicken with their white cheese sauce and rice and beans. It’s so good!”

“Here y’all go!” Kat put down our drinks along with some chips, salsa, and bean dip. “Y’all ready to order?” She looked to me first. It will never cease to amaze me to hear her speak Spanish and then turn around and speak English with a southern accent that has a hint of a Spanish accent. I wish I could speak another language. Maybe I will ask her to teach me one day. I looked to Matthew. “Are you ready to order?”

“Yeah, if you are.”

I looked back at Kat. “I want my usual, please.”

“You got it Y/N, you doin’ rice and beans tonight or double rice?” She asked me.

“Rice and beans is fine.” I told her.

We both looked to Matthew. “How about you Sweetheart? What would you like?” I could see a little blush begin to color his cheeks.

“I will have what she’s having, please. It sounds really good.”

“You got it! Would like it with rice and beans or double rice?” She questioned him. “It’s good either way, we just have a lot of customers who have preference.”

“Rice and beans is fine.”

I handed her our menus. “Alrighty then, I will get this put in for y’all! By the way, y’all look fantastic!” As she was walking away, she gave me a look that read we would be talking later. She was gonna rat out me on discord. Not in a mean way, she was just gonna elude and have me tell everyone the news. Oh well. I honestly can’t say I’m mad about it. I’m on a date with Matthew Gray Gubler, nothing can make this happy feeling go away.

“So, she’s a friend of yours?” He asked me as he was grabbing a chip to dip in the salsa.  

“She’s a friend I met on a messaging app. She’s a sweet person. A little crazy and sometimes annoying but she’s a sweetheart. She’s not gonna say anything. She has thing with privacy so, we’re safe. She might hint that I was on a date with someone to the rest of our group but she won’t flat out say who it is. She’s have me do the honors. That is, if it’s okay with you. I don’t want you think that I’m only here because of who you are.” I bit my lip nervously. I really hope he doesn’t think that. That couldn’t be further from the truth.

“No, I don’t think that at all. I knew from the moment you walked over with Hunter that you were a good person.” He smiled.

I smiled back. “I’m really glad to hear you say that.”

He reached for my hand, “I know this is only the first date, but I can already see that there could possibly be something between us.”

I held in the fangirl scream that wanted to let loose, so I just let my smile grow wider. “You can?”

He rubbed his thumb over the back of my palm. “I really do think that.” He spoke softly looking into my eyes.

Even if he is wrong and there isn’t something between us, at least I had this one night with him. A night that I know I will never forget and cherish for the rest of my life.

Wheels Up Fam: