Frowned Upon [H.S. AU]

SEVEN

"Well, I know that getting you alone isn't easy to do

With the exception of you,

I dislike everyone in the room."

✿ ✿ ✿

IRIS MONROE

September 10th, 2021

"Thank you!" I say as I shut the car door of my Uber.

As soon as I step onto the sidewalk, the car drives away, and I take a deep breath as I look for the name of the bar my date, Jake, sent me earlier today.

It was just a short drive here, but given that I wanted to be able to have a drink or a few and not worry about driving, Uber seemed like the best option. I definitely wasn't going to ask Jake to pick me up, not before a first date.

I want to get to know him more before I get in a car alone with him.

My eyes read each sign as I slowly walk down the street, and I finally see the familiar name after passing a few other restaurants. Before I start walking toward the door, I tug the top of my red dress up to make sure I'm not close to having one of my nipples slip out.

I'm used to not having to worry about it, given the school's dress code. It's nice not having to make sure my dress is below my fingertips for once.

The loud noise of music and people talking overwhelms me the second I walk into the bar that was texted to me earlier today. It's a mixture of people that are dressed in casual clothes or the clothes they wore straight from their day at work.

A huge part of me is thankful that he mentioned a place that's much more casual.

There have been times when I've had guys recommend incredibly upscale restaurants to meet up at, and the pressure of a first date is only amplified.

It may not be ideal, given how loud it is, but I've been doing my best to keep an open mind with dating online. I need to put myself out there more, and this is a step.

I've always been the person that has dreamed of having the romantic love stories I grew up watching in movies and reading in novels. It sucks that now dating begins on an app when I grew up being naive and believing that I would be the lucky one.

The one who is lucky enough to have someone belt out a love song in front of a football field while trying to escape security. The girl who manages to meet a guy who will go on ridiculous IKEA dates and act like a total fool. The woman who gets proposed to at a gas station in the pouring rain because the person I've fallen in love with can't wait any longer.

Unfortunately, reality will never measure up to those fictional scenarios.

I stop letting my eyes wander across the bar aimlessly, and I begin to search for a face that matches the pictures I've seen.

Well, hopefully, a face that matches the pictures I've seen.

My legs feel slightly weak underneath me as I start making my way further into the loud building, surrounding myself in the unfamiliar atmosphere while trying to get a glimpse of each face I pass subtly.

Just as I'm about to pull my phone out to see if he's changed his mind, I see him.

Our eyes connect, making both of us smile politely at each other, and I begin to squeeze my way past groups to meet him at the standing bar table.

"Hi, Jake?" I ask, just in case, once I'm close enough for him to hear me.

"That's me," he smiles brightly at me while wrapping his arms lightly around me to greet me.