The Strange and Mysterious Corbin

Chapter 1.

Dedication: For my best friend Andrew who is my biggest encouragement. He continues to inspire me every day.

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It was a normal night for Rowan in Crest hill, a small town just off of Seattle. Rowan was in bed after a long day, casually scrolling through a dating app called 'Let's meet'. Rowan had been taking college courses and she had been doing an internship for the local newspaper so she didn't have much time to socialize. Usually, Rowan already knew most of the boys on the app unless they were from the main city (Seattle). She didn't get a lot of chat requests though. Rowan wasn't what you'd call pretty. She had stick straight that didn't do anything but hang there by her face and down her back. Her hair was an ombre from dirty blonde to regular blonde and it was clear her hair had heat damage. Her nose and ears were slightly too big for her face. Both features made the top of her insecurities list. Her teeth were still slightly crooked even after years of braces.

    Sitting there, in bed, Rowan came across a profile from her town. A boy that she hadn't seen before. His name said, Corbin. His photos showed a lean boy, very skinny. His complexion was close to the same as Rowans, pale and fair. He had messy curly black hair that flew all over his face. He dressed in all black with silver chains coming out of his pockets. She figured that he was new to town because she had never seen him before.

Rowan sent a request to chat with him. She had doubt that he would accept it though. Cute boys tend not to like her. But, to her surprise, he accepted.

"Hello," He said.

"Hey" she replied, slight butterflies appeared in her stomach. Just one or two carefully fluttering around.

"Would you be interested in meeting up tomorrow morning for a cup of coffee?" He texted. Another butterfly appeared in Rowan's stomach.

"Sure. Would you like to meet at Cafe Ricco at 10?" she offered.

"Where is that?" he replied very quickly. Rowan knew he must be new if he didn't know the most popular place in town.

"If you hop on one of the buses and ask for them to drop you off at Cafe Ricco, they'll get you to the right place." In a small town like crest hill, everyone knew everyone. Rowan knew all of the bus drivers and they were all kind so she had no worry about Corbin's transportation method.

"Okay, will do. See you tomorrow" He responded. Another butterfly fluttered in her stomach.

"Kk, goodnight" She replied.

The next morning, Rowan got up at a decent time and got ready. She slid on a black and white striped sweater and slid into a pair of tan shorts even though it was supposed to be cold, even though it is summer. She grabbed her new black peacoat to keep warm. Before leaving, she slid on a pair of black flats and headed out the door for her date with the cute Corbin.

She walked to the bus stop and hopped on the first bus that came. The driver was Dylan, her best friend. Rowan has been friends with him since diapers. Dylan was her age, 18. They had just graduated high school together. Dly (short for Dylan) has been driving the bus since the beginning of their senior year.

    "To Cafe Ricco please," She said to her bestie

    "Can do. What's the occasion?" he asked while pulling the small bus into the street.

    "I have a date," Rowan giggled.

    "With who? Haven't you already been on a date with everyone in town?" He asked in a playful manner.

    "I haven't been on a date with you" she pointed out. Dylan was like a brother to her. The idea of dating her brother disgusted her.

    "Good luck," He said, opening the doors of the bus to reveal a quaint little coffee shop. It was very modern. The outside walls were baby blue. Rowan loved the color.