Being Zoe

Annette walked briskly as the street lights at Burns Park across the street from the old Foundry winked into existence. She scowled at the ugly steel industrial street lights. It wasn' t that she didn't appreciate the illumination, but the dark did suit her mood better. This was the last time she'd let her twin, Angela talk her into a cos play party.

Angela received all of the twin's social genes. Annette preferred to sit at home curled up with her cat, Bugsy, either watching a movie or reading a book. One of these days, she might even try her hand at writing.

A cool breeze teased her long black hair curled into ringlets caught at the nape of her neck into a loose ponytail styled like Zoe from the Firefly TV series. The skin tight clothing made her want to run home. At the same time, she felt powerful and authoritative. Firefly by Joss Whedon was one of her favorite shows to binge watch after a day working at the local big box retailer and her online college classes.

Annette wished she was more like Zoe. She had tried to get Angela to let her wear a Kaylee outfit. It was so much more her.

She could hear Angela reply, "You want to attract the right kind of men; ones that will embrace your authority." Annette wanted to reply that she Angela should be wearing the costume as she was the bossy twin.

Sadly, Annette knew she couldn't wear the Inara costume. She wasn't sensual enough. She was clumsy and awkward. Angela pulled it off beautifully.

She could only imagine what a fit Angela would have thrown if she had told her how she really wanted to go only as a Browncoat, one of the generic soldiers. Standing on the threshold of the Foundry door, Annette inched away from the door retreating to the darkness of the shadows. Maybe she should just go home?

She was running late and she hated being late. The manager of her department needed her to stay until her replacement, which always ran late, arrived. She hadn't seen anyone else arrive or depart. Maybe she was at the wrong location.

The door opened. A man walked out dressed as Walsh, Zoe's husband. Annette took another step into the shadows.

"Don't think I didn't see that," a stranger's voice said, "Your sister sent me out here to find you. She said you might be hiding in the shadows." He let the door swing shut as he walked towards her.

Annette found her voice, "I'm not hiding, just trying to decide if I want to go in." She picked at a spot on her purse. It would cause a rip if she wasn't careful.

"Are you standing me up?"

"What? No! I didn't make a date with anyone." Annette fumed. Dark, crazy thoughts coursed through her mind about what she would do when she saw Angela next.

"You didn't know we had a date?" He stepped back a step. "I didn't think Jarrett would do something like this to me."

"Jarrett? You mean Angela's boyfriend whom we are to meet here with his friend, Cole?" Annette retreated further but she was at the end of the building. She guessed she could make a run for the tree line next. "Angela never said anything about at date only that she needed me to complete the ensemble." She shook her head, stepping forward with her hands raised in a gesture of sympathy. "I'm sorry, but she knows I have a no blind date policy."

Cole shook his head, "I'm sorry. I usually don't need help securing a date. Jarrett, however, assured me that you were a great girl and they just wanted us to meet in a fun setting that wouldn't be awkward. I guess they failed at that." He leaned up against the building, looking up towards the stars. He turned to look her in eyes, "I didn't mean to imply that you needed help getting a date either, sorry. You are very beautiful, just like your sister."

She joined him in leaning against the building. The stars were almost visible, maybe another couple hundred yards away from the street lights.

In some ways she did need help getting a date. She was so shy. "It's okay. The blind date policy came after the third blind date Gel set me up on in high school. It was a total disaster." She slipped back into using her childhood name for her sister.

"Are you a Firefly fan?" he asked.

She giggled before replying, "Yes, I am a Browncoat." They began to share their favorite scenes.

She gasped, "It was your idea of bringing them to the cos play. I was wondering why Angela would be interested. She has no interest in my fandoms."

"Guilty, but in my defense, I did mention this to them months ago. They have a Firefly cos play once a quarter here at The Foundry." Cole sighed.

The door opened again. Angela shielded her eyes, "Nette, are you okay? Is Cole with you?" They could see Jarrett straining to see over Angela.

Cole leaned over and whispers, "Can you play Zoe for a few minutes?"

She whispered back, "I don't know. I'm no good at that kind of stuff."

Angela called out to them, "We love you both and you guys have so much in common, just like. . . this . . . cos play of Firefly. Are we forgiven?"

When Angela received no reply, Jarrett continued, "Hey, guys, we were sorry to lie to both of you that way but we didn't see any other way to get you two to meet."

"Okay," Annette whispered back to Cole. They stepped away from the building. She dug deep into her love for Firefly.

As they approached the door, Annette reached out pulling Cole to a stop and kissed him. Turning to Jarrett, who is dressed as Mel, she said, "Sorry, Sir, we can't talk now." Annette pulled on Cole's hand dragging him behind her towards the park across the street.

Cole turned as he was dragged, "Sorry, Mel, but I pledge to obey my wife." They giggled and ran until they were out of sight.

Slightly winded, they stopped at a picnic table.

"That was fun." She smiled up into his green eyes.

"Yes, I enjoyed that very much." His eyes sparkled. "Would you like to go get a cup of coffee and talk about what other fandoms we may both enjoy?"

"I don't like coffee." She smiled.

"Well, I think they may serve something else." He leaned towards her and breathed deeply, "like hot chocolate or a shake, maybe?"

She smiled sweetly, "Those I like."

"You kiss well."

"You think so?"

"I know so." Cole smiled, "I'd take another if you let me."

"Maybe tomorrow."

"That sounds promising. Are you planning on seeing me tomorrow then?"

"Maybe." She smiled. "I have school and work tomorrow first."

" Me, too." He sighed. "So would like to go get something to drink with me tonight?"

"Yep." She smiled.

He took her hand and they walked towards the diner on the corner.

© 2015 Kim Izzy