clutching a coffee cup in my hand, i slid into the chair across from a blonde haired man. from what i'd learned, we were both twenty-two, and his blue eyes studied me from across the table. we met about two weeks ago through friends. we got along well at the party and exchanged numbers. we've been talking ever since, and we planned to meet up face-to-face again. and here we were.
"hey, gabbie," he grinned. i smiled, "hey, luke." surprisingly, it felt natural to talk to him. we'd already learned a lot about each other and had many different conversations, but it was mostly texting. we'd shared a few phone calls, but this was the closest we'd gotten since the party. we didn't even have to do the usual first date small talk because we'd already gotten through the awkward phase.
"thanks for letting me take you on a date," he smirked. "oh, this is a date, is it now?" i asked, raising my eyebrows at him. he flashed his teeth, and we both laughed a little. "what'd you get?" i asked, referring to his drink. "i don't even know. i try to mix it up everytime. i think it's got caramel in it," he said shrugging. "what'd you get?"
"oh, i got a vanilla latte," i said, taking a sip. "do you want some?" i asked. he nonchalantly declined. "nah, i don't really like drinking after people. thanks, though," he said. "what, are you, like, a germaphobe or something?" i teased. he laughed. "let's go with 'or something'."
we talked for a little longer in the coffee shop before we decided to walk the streets. conversation never dulled, and i felt so warm inside. his smile made me smile, and we had similar humor. there were times we would joke around, but other times we would discuss heavier topics. i learned that his mom hadn't been there for him, and i shared various details about my past as well.
"i think i like talking to you in person better," i said, watching the lines on the sidewalk as we walked side-by-side. "me, too. you have a nice face," he agreed. i gave him a puzzled look, and his cheeks flushed. "that came out weird," he laughed, and i giggled at his embarrassment. "i got what you meant. your face is nice as well," i said playfully, though it wasn't untrue.
we kept walking and enjoying each other's company. he walked me back to my apartment building, and we agreed that we should meet again. i told him i'd text, and i truly meant it this time. most of the time, i have no intention of speaking to that person again, but i was looking forward to our next "date".
"well, i hope the rest of your day goes spiffy," he says in an accent to imitate royalty. i curtsied slightly. "and you as well, good sir." he grinned that smile again, and i waved before going up to my apartment. i found it difficult to wipe the smile off my face as i walked up the stairs, avoiding eye contact with people. oh, i'll definitely text you.
