The Plan Was Straight and Narrow

Encounter

The street was dark and quiet as Avis walked back to her dorm on the sidewalk from the grocery store. Sure they had a meal plan but her roommate, Emy, had asked Avis to go grab some snacks for the study session tomorrow.

Looking up at the street lights blocking the view of the stars, Avis sighed, "I wish I brought my bike. I could have made this so much quicker. But no, I left it in the Pass with mom and dad."

She had a slight habit of talking to herself and making up stories in her head. For as long as she could remember she could use her imagination to escape reality. Not that any of it was ever realistic. She would create stories of vigilantes, fairies, and space criminals. All of them including herself and recycled characters. Absentmindedly, Avis had walked so far she was now passing a gas station. This gas station was one of the 24/7 ones and there was a gang of motorbikers gassing up as Avis passed. There were five of them all around Avis's age. Each of them had a sports bike.

Now despite what she was about to do, Avis is definitely an introvert. But, she had a habit of giving out compliments to people, as a way of brightening up someone else's day. Most of the time it did not end up in conversation anyway. It would be fine, right?

"Hey," she called, with a friendly wave, "I just wanted to say I think your bikes look incredibly cool."

"Thanks," one of the bikers cheered, portraying an Italian accent, "do you know much about bikes?"

"Can't say I do," Avis chuckled, "I know enough about motorbikes to know you guys are riding sport bikes but not much else."

"That's at least pretty impressive," another biker smiled, "how'd you know?"

"I have a problem of watching too many motorcycle videos on Instagram," Avis admitted, "but hey at least I learned something."

"Oh so did you learn any of our slang, 'backpack'," a different biker jested, earning groans from all of his friends.

"Yeah, I know some of your slang," Avis smirked, "and seemingly you've never had a backpack."

"She got you there, Rex," the tallest biker laughed with a hefty Scottish accent.

Avis took a moment to look at the marvellous machines surrounding her. "Who's is this one?" she inquired, gesturing to a black bike with scarlet and grey designs.

"That would be mine," the biker who had not spoken yet admitted, sounding slightly nervous.

"It looks really cool," Avis smiled, "is this a camera?"

Avis pointed to the selfie-stick attachment on the bike's handlebars.

"Yeah," the owner nodded, "I post the videos on Instagram."

"Can I follow you," Avis asked enthusiastically.

"Sure," He smiled, pulling out his phone.

He then showed Avis his screen with Instagram already loaded so she could copy his username on her own phone.

Follow request sent.

The biker clicked his screen once. Following.

Avis busied herself getting onto the bikers page and finding the 'message' button.

Follow request from Fuego_Biker. Avis immediately accepted, and went back to typing out a text to "Fuego_Biker".

It's nice to meet you! 😁

The biker appeared a little surprised.

Its nice to meet u 2

My name is Avis. What's yours?

I'm Evan

Cool!

"Well, now I know Evan," Avis smiled, "who are you guys?"

Avis gestured to the other bikers while pocketing her phone, hoping to learn their names as well.

"I'm Luca," one of the bikers with dark green eyes, somewhat messy dark hair, and a faint Italian accent.

"My name is Brandin," the tall Scottish biker greeted, "and you?"

"Oh! Sorry, I'm Avis," the girl laughed.

"Nice to meet you, Avis," yet another biker smiled, with an Argentinian accent, "I'm Jaxson."

After Jaxson's introduction, there was only one boy who had not talked a second time. It was the biker that Avis had burned with her "backpack" comment earlier.

"Oh come one, Rex," Luca teased, "you were cruisin' for a bruisin'. You can't be mad at her for that."

"Says who?" The last biker, Rex, scowled.

"Says me," Brandin smirked.

Rex rolled his eyes and groaned, "It's nice to meet you, Avis." Which made everyone else laugh.

"Sorry guys, it's been great meeting you," Avis laughed, "but I got to go back to my dorm now, my roommate is waiting for me."

"Yeah understandable," Jaxson nodded.

"Maybe we'll see you around?" Luca suggested.

"Hopefully," Avis agreed.

"I mean..." Rex started before being comically silenced by Brandin.

"It's been nice meeting you Avis," Brandin continued, "we should all be heading back home too."

With one final wave, Avis started back down the sidewalk. As she was wondering how to explain her tardiness to Emy, Avis felt a buzz in her pocket. She pulled it out, Message from Fuego_Biker.

Keep in touch?

Definitely! 😁

Sounds good see you around Avis

Avis smiled the rest of her walk home, hoping she would not have to wait too long to see those boys again.