Third Date-Short Story

Chapter 2

By the time Tim got home that night he forgot about Dance moms and checking to see that his mom's door was shut he put everything away quietly before grabbing a beer and sitting on his bed, running through all the information he had on Stephanie-which wasn't much considering he didn't know her last name. Eventually he gave up and resigned himself to bed, where he slept fitfully tossing and turning all from the thought of difficult to place hazel eyes.

Tim woke up far before his alarm went off on Friday, giving up on having peaceful sleep to try and completely wake himself up and forget haunting nightmares.It was 6 when he woke up and trudged himself into the kitchen yawning and scratching himself at the same time. He set to work making coffee and playing around on his phone until it was ready.When he finished his coffee he trudged through the house back to his room before pulling off his clothes on the way t the bathroom. The warm shower did him good, it soothed his sore back and enveloped him in a peaceful thoughts. After Tim had finally stepped out of the shower wrapping the closest towel around his waist he grabbed his phone, unlocking it with a few taps of his thumb. The first thing he saw was the time (7:32) great I still have time to get ready. Then he saw the text notification from a new contact.

Stephanie: Are you free tonight?

With Eyebrows furrowed he typed back a reply.

Tim: anytime after 4 yeah.

Stephanie:Great. Where do you think we should go?

He paused before his fingers could type out the name of the movie theatre. what would people think? Him toting a younger woman on his arm as they basically go on dates? But on the other hand Stephanie had something... about her . Something that was gnawing at Him, something he couldn't let go.

Tim: The Stargazers Cinema. If your okay with watching a movie.

His phone buzzed before he could even put it down.

Stephanie: sounds great! What time?

Tim: 8?

Stephanie: I'll see you there.

And with that Tim set his phone down and continued getting ready for work.

It was 7:56 and Tim was standing outside the Stargazers Cinema this hands stuffed in his jacket pockets, cheeks red from the cold wind as he kept his eye out for a tall brunette. It was exactly 8:00 when he spotted her, Stephanie was walking up the street the same denim coat wrapped around her and the hood of it forcing her hair to spill onto her shoulders.

"Hey." She pushed her hood back, "Sorry I'm almost late."

"No it's okay. Want to head in." Stephanie smiled and Tim followed. They decided on the 8:10 showing of The Watched, a suspenseful horror about something watching some kids in the woods. They squeezed past the other patrons Stephanie holding popcorn and Tim holding their drinks. When they got their seats they were quiet sipping on their drinks and turning their phones off, as they watched the movie Stephanie was still, only flinching when someone popped out of nowhere. Tim couldn't focus not when someone so distant yet familiar was sitting next to him like an Enigma, waiting to be solved. Tim's thought ran in confused circles throughout the movie only noticing the movie was over when Stephanie called out to him.

"Tim? You awake?" He snapped out of his daze and turned to the all too haunting hazel eyes.

"Yeah. Lets go. I think you'll like Buzz's, he has the best burgers in town."

She smiled, standing up the almost empty popcorn and drinks in hand as they left.

Who are you? Why are you so suspicious?

That was the only thoughts in his head as the eyes kept darting to her profile His mind running rampant with accusations that she was lying..

"Tim?" He looked up.

"Yeah?"

"Are you okay? You keep dozing off." He smiled and it crinkled around his eyes.

"I'm fine. there's Buzz's." He pointed toward the diner as they walked faster; their destination in sight.

Tim was determined to get to the bottom of this, to solve this haunting and beautiful enigma."So, Steph I guess I don't really know much about you. Can I ask questions?"

She paused before responding "Only if I can ask you questions too."

He nodded and jumped in.

" I don't actually know your name."
"Stephanie Eloise Jones. And you?"

"Timothy Jon Hangul. Age?"

"I'm 22." Tims eyes widened.

"Caught you off guard?" Tim was confused for a whole new reason why was she with him? Stephanie was young and hot and she decided to ask a middle age gym teacher to show her around town?

"What?" He met focused hazel eyes.

"I asked you your age since were asking questions but now i aslo gotta ask, do you that alot? Space out?"

Tim leaned forward, "Im 34 and I do space out a lot."

She leaned back humming as the waitress came to the table.

"Sorry for the wait. Now, what can I get you?'

Stephanie jumped on the question and started talking.

"Breakfast burger with mayo, french fries and a Coke."

She nodded and wrote it down as she looked to Tim.

"Caesar salad and a Coke."

"I grew up in Michigan if your wonderin."

"Michigan. I lived there a while back before I moved back home with my mom."

"Why do you live with your mom?" He was expecting Judgement not curiosity.

"She had a stroke so I thought it would be best to come back home, not to mention she was gonna sell the house."

By then end of the night he learned she was a college student with a minor in forensic science and majoring in computer tech and that she preferred her burgers medium well with an egg on it. But that didn't help him with his internal conflict over who the hell she was and why it felt like she was haunting him, He fixed that at home opening his phone to text her less than an hour after their...Meeting?

Tim: Tonight was fun. If your willing I was thinking that next Friday we could meet at the Blue club on 7th? If your into dancing.

Stephanie: I love dancing! I'll be ready. We meeting at 8 again?

Tim: yeah, see you then.

Tim spent much of the next week worrying passing through his jobs as if on autopilot spending far to much time thinking about mysterious hazel eyes as he ate, and why she a stranger, a strange stranger had found and chosen Tim of all people.By the time friday came Tim was half nervous wreak and half determined that tonight was the night, that after this she would no longer be an enigma but a person.

AN: I know its a bit short but a longer c