Heads or Tails

Three

Matthew and I met in college. During my roommate's twenty-first birthday, her friends and I took her out. Most of the group wanted to go to a cheesy dance club, but I was lucky enough to convince them otherwise. We settle on Scales, a more up-scale piano bar.

The night started out like any other drinking night. The girls that couldn't handle their alcohol roamed about pleading for attention. My roommate was less lucky. Her two years of pre-gaming hadn't prepared her enough, and she ended up going home early, most of her friends tagging along after her. Because these girls were well past wasted, they forgot about me. I didn't mind, though. Unlike them, I wasn't finished.

Before the pianist could take the stage, I pull up a chair to the bar and took a seat, ordering myself a gin and tonic. Without looking over, I hear the stool beside me slide across the floor followed by a small greeting.

"Heads, I buy you a drink. Tails, I get out of your hair." My eyes peer over to see this stranger holding up a quarter. I smirk to myself as I grab my drink from the bartender's hand.

"Wow. I have to admit I haven't heard that one before," I credit him, "but that's still pretty bold." He mirrors my smirk and flips the coin. I watch it hit the table head-side up. I playfully scoff and sip my drink, watching as he flags down the bartender in some form of sophisticated code. He slides the coin before me before speaking again.

"Matthew. Junior. Business and Fashion Design double major," He speaks in fragments. I hum and look forward again. A glass of whiskey appears before him. I don't care to notice.

"What if I have a boyfriend?" I ask, which doesn't faze him in the slightest.

"If you did, I would simply pay your tab, apologize, and walk away. The question is, do you?" He replies. Despite him coming on a bit too strong, his charisma is enough to keep me invested. I click my tongue.

"No," I reply which causes Matthew to smile just a touch. "Kennedy. Junior. Computer Science major," I introduce, leaning my elbow on the bar. Matthew nods his head once and looks back down at his drink.

"Ah, a computer girl. That's impressive," He replies. I roll my eyes, assuming he was just coming onto me. He must have noticed as he quickly backpedals. "I heard only sixteen percent of the computer science field is women. I appreciate a bad ass not afraid to stand out," He compliments. This, I actually take to heart.

"I have to admit, I'm impressed that you're willing to break boundaries too. Fashion?" I ask. His grin widens.

"Oh, fuck yeah. I want my own line."

"Impressive. I respect that," I reply. Matthew takes another swing from his glass before holding it out towards me.

"To breaking down walls," He toasts. I can't help but laugh.

"Breaking down walls."