Finding Ourselves, Together.

Arny--2.10.22

"Howdy, Gorgeous."

The fuck was that?

Edith is standing over me, crouched over with her hand in mine. Her curls are wild and frizzy thanks to the humidity, and the fuzzy creature that tried to kill me is standing close behind. My comment made her expression change from one of concern to exasperation--and a little pink tint in her cheeks.

She helped me to my feet and asked if I'm alright, but it didn't really sound like she meant it. "Yeah, I'm straight," I confirm, dusting the grass and dirt off myself. "Alright cool, later," she says nonchalantly, scooping up her dog and walking towards the street.

Well, I've never had that happen with a woman before.

"Hold up! Archer!"

I'm lightly jogging after her because shit, she's a fast walker. It takes some effort to hold in a laugh when she turns around since she looks utterly bewildered, her bright green eyes blown wide. "Yes?" She sounds breathless, and her face seems redder than before. Her dog is glaring at me too, as if it's waiting for a signal to rip my balls off.

"Well, uh," I start. I wanted to talk to her because her just up a leaving seemed kinda awkward, but now I don't know what to say. "Number...?"

"I'm sorry?"

God, what is wrong with me today?

"Your number. Could I get it for the project?" Edith still doesn't seem to be processing what I'm saying. "So we can, y'know, communicate?" That seems to snap her out of it.

"Oh. OH--yeah sure, my bad haha," she let out a nervous laugh as we exchanged phones, each putting in our contact information and shooting each other a message as a test run.

"Right, nice. See you in class," I conclude, not wanted to make anything more awkward that it is.

"Wait!" She's surprisingly loud. "S-sorry, that sounded sorta demanding. I was just gonna ask if you had any plans for tomorrow?"

Damn. Asking me out already?

I knew no girl could resist me after calling her gorgeous.