Lovely Chat

Ch-1: Hello, How are you?

For the seventh time in the past two months, I've been going on blind dates. I knew I shouldn't have answered the phone. Once I did, my friend Zachary immediately said:

"Hey bud, how you doing? You up for a date tonight?"

I sighed and rolled over in my bed; sleepiness fighting with my conscious. My room was dark. The only light came from the sun that was covered by my curtains, and the artificial blue light illuminating my languid face. I placed my head in my left hand, my right holding the phone up to my ear. I look over at my digital alarm clock, it had read 9:17 Am. 

"What..? Zach, you know today's my day off. I would actually like to spend it off my feet." 
Zach pouts.

"Aww~ Come on, man! I swear she'll be the one this time! I met her at Marcus' pool party. You'll love her, she's definitely your type!" I pinched the bridge of my nose and closed my eyes as I sighed once again. I stayed silent for a few moments. I groaned. 

"...Fine, text me the details later. I'm going back to sleep." 

Zach cheered. Sometimes his peppiness got on my nerves.

"Yes! Okay, I'll text it to you after I take my shower. Talk to you later!" 

"Wait," I said right before he ended the call. 

"Why are you so enthusiastic about getting me a date?" I asked. 

The line went silent for some time, making me wonder if he did hang up until I heard him speak.

"You know why, Fraze."

And with that, he hung up and so did I. 

He was right. I did know why, and I recoiled at the thought. I didn't want to think about the past.

~***~

I stepped out of my 2013 Honda Civic clad in a brown turtleneck, brown dress shoes, and a pair of white dress pants. I closed the door and stepped up on the curb locking it as I started walking away from my parking spot. Zach had told me to meet up at China Two, a Chinese food restaurant that he and I frequented on the weekends. He also said to meet my Blind date at 8:15 dressed in,  and I quote, " Fancy but, not too fancy, BUT, fancy enough that she digs you." So Here I was, standing at the front entrance at 8:12, waiting for my date. I brought my watch instead of my phone just so it wasn't a disturbance. I really wanted to be playing Candy Crush as I stood there, though.

"Hello," I jumped a little at the sudden voice. I turn to my right and a beautiful lady about my height (5'11) stood there. She wore a beige tent dress with a pair of black jeans and white flats. I smiled. 'Hey, we're kinda matching.' I thought. She had beautiful swampy green eyes and her brown hair in a short, straight, hairstyle that showed off her yellow feather earrings. A mole dotted a spot to the left of her nose. "- Um, are you...Frazer Beagle, perchance?" She continued. I blinked.

"O-Oh, yeah. Hello, you must be Amelia, it's nice to meet you."

 I regain my composure we shake hands and then I gesture to the entrance. "Would you...like to go inside?" She nods with a smile adorning her face. I could feel my face grow hot. I hold the door open for her, "Ladies first." She giggles and gives a mock curtsey. "Thank you, Sir." I smile again walking in after her. 

After getting checked in we sat down at our table by a big open window letting us look out at the beautiful plaza. People passed by, either couples or families coming to get a bite to eat here, or at one of the other many restaurants in the plaza. Immediately, Amelia started up a conversation as she picked up the menu and skimmed over it. "Hey, Zach told you right?" I raised my eyebrow at her and shook my head. "Told me what? Do you have a boyfriend already or something?" She shook her head and then looked me in the eyes. "I'm Trans." I stared at her for a little while, my mouth agape.
"You're...Trans?" I asked in disbelief. She nodded and gave a small laugh.
"Yes, I'm surprised you didn't know. Zach didn't tell you after I shut him down at my friends' pool party?" She smirked. "Didn't you check me out?"

Figures why he knew a cute girl and didn't go after her himself.

I wanted to say, 'That was not true, I definitely checked you out.' but, obviously, I didn't. I leaned my elbow on the table and placed my chin on top of my palm.
"You look like any other girl. I-I had a different image for what trans females look like, I've never met an MTF before." I stated. The only time I saw a trans person was on T.V. She gripped the end of her table, her eyes still locked with mine. "Does that...Change anything for you? Because, if you're uncomfortable..." I sat back up in my chair. I waved a hand. "No, It's fine. We came here to have a date, its fine. Actually, my sister, she's taller than even me and we have the same shoe size so, I didn't really find your appearance that unusual." Amelia searches my eyes for a little while. I couldn't help but notice how beautiful hers looked under the chandeliers golden glow. Instead of being a dark, swampy green they were now shining like green emeralds. I suddenly felt self-conscious. I wasn't sure if she liked my stubble or my boring dark brown eyes. Was my nose too big? Were my lips chapped? I licked them just to make sure, and just out of nervousness. The waiter walked up to our table causing Amelia to break eye contact as her shoulders relaxed. She placed down the menu and looked up at the waiter.

"Hello Ma'am, what can I get for the two of you?" Amelia answered first. "I'll get the teriyaki chicken and shrimp fried rice platter and," She looked at me.

"Oh, I'll get the pot stickers with your chicken pad Thai noodles." The waiter jotted it down onto his notepad. "Alright, any drinks?"

"A Jasmine tea." Said Amelia and I at the same time. We both looked at each other, ignoring the waiter. "Alright," He said. "I'll be back with your food and drinks in about thirty minutes." With that, he walked away. Amelia and I still looked at each other. She leaned forward with her elbows on the table, and her chin rested between her palms. 

"You know, I usually don't get this far with dates." She stated as she closed her eyes and smiled.

 "I'm enjoying myself so far!"

I gave a smile back.

"I am too. So, you like Jasmine tea, I see? I like to drink it with-" She cuts me off.

"Honey and lemon, right?" I smirked this time.

"-And peppermint. I like most of my teas with peppermint." 

Her eyes widened. "Real, or in a tea bag?" She questioned the answer would determine if I would live or die.

"Both, really- it doesn't matter."

Amelia placed her hand on her chest dramatically and said, "Where have you been all my life?" 

I chuckle. "Right here, m'lady." 

  ~***~