Train Tracks // Nick Wilkins x OC

lobster

I think I've lost my appetite.

Did I ever have one, though?

Can I handle affection so soon? I didn't know.

The heat of the restaurant blew onto my face as I opened the door. It was a stark contrast to the windy fall crisp, the one you only feel when it's truly cold, with hardly any humidity at all.

He was sitting at a corner booth. By himself.

I had to walk up to it now.

It's okay, Liv. He's obviously doing this because he likes you.

Wait, he likes me. He likes me! How hadn't I–

"Liv! Over here!" He smiled at me. His face was slightly pink. He was wearing a suit I recognized from somewhere; his tie was neatly tucked over his shirt.

There was a singular white rose in a vase on the table.

I stiffened as I sat. We weren't across from each other, or next to each other either, but instead in the corner of the booth on opposite sides. I hoped I sat in the right place.

He eyed me, then looked back at his hands, which rested on his knees. "You look really nice."

"So do you," I said, and I meant it, but it's not like I was, you know, staring.

We didn't make eye contact.

A waitress in a red plaid dress walked over to us. "Hey, can I get you something to drink? Any appetisers?"

I'm so glad I looked at the menu online. I otherwise didn't dare to move. The only problem was that it was a four-course meal. Four. I don't know how to eat that much.

"Uh, yeah. I'll get a crab soup bowl, please," I said. "And could I have a lemonade?"

"Absolutely!" She smiled. "And for you?"

He stuttered. "I'll have the same," he eventually said, "But swap out the lemonade with just a water, please."

The woman pulled her pen away from her notepad. "I'll get that right to you."

"Thanks," I smiled. I felt a little more relaxed now.

"Oh, and," she smirked at Nick, "Good luck with her. She's a catch."

I giggled, and she gave me a wink.

"How are you feeling?" he shyly asked me. I could tell he had no clue what to do. It's a good thing I researched conversation starters with my girlies before I left.

"Good. Uh. What's your favourite extinct animal?"

I was stiff.

"Ha- what?"

"Nothing," I looked away. Crap.

"I like the dodo bird, it's a pretty cool creature. I wish it didn't go out."

"Me too," I smiled. Hurrah, I've captured him into my special interest bubble. "Have you ever heard of the hallucigenia?"

"Is that a drug?" he laughed, and kept looking into my eyes.

"No, it's this bug-lookin'-thing from the Cambrian period. It has seven pairs of legs and seven pairs of spikes on its back. I definitely recommend going down a research rabbit-hole with this guy."

"Alright, noted," he smirked. There goes my conversation idea. "W-what do you want to order?"

"I don't know," I laughed nervously. I had some ideas, but they were all too big for me, but I didn't want to ask to share.