A Meet Cute

It wasn't love at first sight. Even though I'd desperately hoped it would be. This was my first date ever. Being a nerd in school who wasn't the least interested in social interactions, I decided to do better for myself in college. Well, the idea wasn't mine. I was sort of forced to consider this option once my one and only friend fell in love, and I found myself sitting in my room night after night, wondering if books were all that magical as they were made out to be. So when Lauren told me it would be fun if I could fall in love too - then we'd be able to double date - I said yes. And found myself dressed in the only respectably fashionable dress that I owned, waiting at a nearby Starbucks for, what I hoped would be the first of many dates. 

He had a beard. I hate beards. Ever since my bearded high school English teacher gave me a B- in Shakespeare, I had decided that there was something extremely vile about all bearded men. I forced my dad to shave off his that very night. And here he was. A bearded, 10 feet tall stranger walking awkwardly towards me. Okay he wasn't 10 feet, but from my 5 feet nothing perspective, he was too tall to be human. As he came closer, I noted his honey coloured eyes, and the way they lit up when he smiled at me and extended his arm for a handshake. Oh well. At least he was shaking hands instead of going all "hugsy" on me like some of the boys I saw at college. One point to him.

"Alex." He introduced himself. His voice was nice - not overly deep - but just nice to hear. He was wearing a smart blue jacket over his pristine white shirt and dark trousers. He was way too formally dressed for a date at TacoBell. It was Lauren's idea. Since I liked Mexican food - she figured in case the date was a total failure, I'd at least enjoy the food still. Alex seemed okay with the idea. Hmm. Maybe he liked Mexican too. What on earth made him say yes to mousy me?

"Kiara." I shook his hand. It was a firm shake, and I liked that fact that his palms weren't sweaty. My chemistry lab partner had extremely sweaty hands, and had broken three test tubes so far since they managed to slip right out of his grip. 

We started walking towards the general direction of Taco Bell. I found myself wondering why on earth I hadn't asked him to meet me there instead. Maybe I wanted to get to know him a little before I got distracted by the food. Fat chance of getting to know him at all if I continued to look at my shoes while covering that little distance. 

"So." I mentally applauded myself for getting a word out.

"So indeed," he chuckled. I liked his laugh. There was something extremely reassuring about it.

"Listen, I know this is weird. But Drake had met you last week, and he and Lauren thought that they reminded you of me." He shrugged, half apologetic, half amused.

"Well, do you like Mexican food?" I ventured.

"Umm, yes. I figured, even if things went badly, I'd at least have a good time eating," he beamed.

I smiled back at him, no longer dreading my first date.