Date with a Stranger

5:00 am Saturday

5:00 am

"Are you sure we're going the right way? We've been walking for half an hour" I ask, growing impatient. I'm sleepy and hungry. That is not a good combination for me.

"Trust me. I know where we're going." Marcel answers, as we turn into an alley, looking around.

"Is the the part where you kidnap me?" I half joke. In the back of my mind, I curse myself for agreeing to go out with a complete stranger. Technically, it's not a date, but still. What am I doing here with someone I know nothing about? Another voice in my head reminds me that he is Michael's friend, so that should account for something.

"Ha ha. Very funny." Marcel says sarcastically.

We turn find the main street and walk to the stoplight to cross the street.

Marcel presses the button for us to cross and he points at a building across the street. "See, I told you I knew the way. The diner is right there."

The sign for us to cross the street lights up and we begin walking.

Right before I step onto the sidewalk, a cyclist speeds right in front of me, almost running me over.

Marcel wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me towards his body. I unconsciously place my hands onto his shoulders and look up into his eyes. I barely notice now how green his eyes are. We are so close together, I can feel his breath on my cheek and he can probably feel my heart pounding against his chest.

Breaking me out of my trance, Marcel asks, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, no, I'm fine," I stutter as I try to compose myself. I feel blood rush to my cheeks as I recall of the event that had just taken place.

We continue to walk towards the restaurant. "Are you sure?" He places a hand on my shoulder.

"Yeah. Thanks for saving me," I turn and smile at him.

"No problem. Wouldn't want you to get hurt," Marcel smiles.

We reach the front of the diner and he opens the door, signaling for me to walk in.

5:30 am

Marcel and I order a cup of coffee before scanning the menu.

"Do you know what you're getting?" I ask.

Marcel continues to squint at the menu, as if he is having a hard time reading the menu. "Uuhh," he says before reaching for sometime in his pocket. He then takes out a pair of over-sized glasses.

I can't help, but smirk as he puts his glasses on, seemingly embarrassed.

"I hate wearing these," he says looking down at his menu.

I smile, "I think they're cute."

Marcel pushes on the middle of his glasses up with a finger and snorts, pretending to be geeky. "Gee thanks," he says with a goofy smile.

I giggle.

A few minutes later, a waitress comes to take our order.

"Good morning, I'm Jane and I'll be your server today. What can I get you two?"

"I'll have the pancakes and scrambled eggs," I say.

"Me too," Marcel smiles at the waitress.

The waitess leaves and we continue our conversation.

"So, how do you know Michael?" Marcel asks.

"He and I go to the same school. What about you?"

He takes his glasses off and puts in on the table. "We've been neighbors since I could remember and now we're roommates."

"Why'd you take your glasses off?" I ask, trying to hide the disappointment.

"I look funny in them," he says shaking his head.

"No, you look cute in them."

His smile grows wider. "So you think I'm cute?"

"No!" I say a little too loud. "I mean, yes." I can feel my cheeks slowly heating up. "I mean you look better with them on."

He lets out a small laugh and places a hand on top of mine that's on the table. "I was joking, Heather."

I bring a hand to my face and shake my head in embarrassment. I don't know why Marcel is making act like this. A boy had never made me so nervous before. It's probably his long, brown curls, sparkling green eyes, and adorable smile accompanied by dimples.

At this time, our waitress, Jane comes back with our order.