*Next stop, zomerlaan. The doors will open on the right* The automated voice brings me back to reality, and force of habit, I fish my phone out of my bag to check the time. My heart sinks as I unlock the screen and see a message from a 07 number I don't have saved in my contacts. I open it, and there, on the screen, is my name, spelt correctly, with a question mark at the end.
"Congrats, mason" I think to myself. So I reply:
"Very good! 5 points to you!"
I barely have time to click the arrow at the top of my screen that I see that grey bubble at the bottom.
"I love the enthusiasm." My phone dings audibly now that Do Not Disturb has been disabled, and my heart skips a beat. It's gonna have to stop doing that...
"Fellow coffee lover?" Connor says.
"I guess you could say that!" I send, with a pic of the coffee I had left in my hand;.
"Oh lovely !" is his reply.
Now, I don't know what to answer to that, but this conversation cannot die.
"Yeah, I'm a coffee addict! So, you like coffee as well?"
"Haha, if you're adicted so am
I. I was actually thinking of getting another coffee tonight, but I don't know where I should go. Do you mind if ask you for recommendations
"Haha for sure! You can find a lot of nice baristas in Amsterdam ."
And I didn't get a reply after that. After a few minutes, I start to overthink and be worried, but then I remember how boys are. So I put on a playlist and clean up around my apartment. I want to call my best friend and tell him what happened, but I also know how I have a tendency to jinx things, so I keep my mouth shut. I've been single for a while now, and a cute, interesting guy might show interest in me? I can't afford to take any chances.
Later that night, my phone
starts quacking, and I curse the day I thought it was funny to change my ringtone to the duck. But the more it plays, the funnier it gets, so I smile and pick up.
"Hello?"
"Uh, sorry? Is Emma there?"
"Oops! Sorry, yes it's me. Hi!"
It's Conor . He's calling me?
Why didn't he just reply to my text?
Why couldn't he text me all afternoon?
I'm calling about: there's a lot I don't know about you, and I'd like to take you out, to get to know you better."
There's a pause in the conversation. My thoughts are going a mile a minute. Of course I'd wanna go on a date! Why else did I give him my number? But then again he has to ask! Oh why can't I be smooth... I bet I'll be falling asleep tonight and I'll find the perfect thing to say. Isn't that how it always goes? Oh no, I've been silent for a while. Just say something, Alice, anything!
"Yes!" I exclaim, unable to hide my excitement. "Uhm," I clear my throat, "I mean, sure, that's a good idea. Anything in mind?"
"Are you free on weekdays? 'Cause I know this great place for tea coffee and a slice of cake "
A cute coffee date . On a first date. What could possibly go wrong?
"I get off work around 5, so any time after that is good," I hear myself say, agreeing to drink coffee in front of someone I want to impress.
"Perfect! We can meet there at 7! I'll text you the details."
We say goodbye, and as he's about to hang up, I realize I technically never asked for his
"Oh wait! I never caught your name!"
That is a bit risky, I know. I already know who he is, but he doesn't have to know that. I'll let him bring up his superstardom on his own.
"Ah yeah, right, uh, it's Conor or connory whatever you prefer ," he seems surprised at the question.
"Alright then, good night Conor ."
I immediately save his contact
as 'Conor(sp?)' and chuckle to myself. Tuesday night cannot come soon enough.
