i. the coffee shop
Cold wind. Whizzing cars. Fairy lights decorating the little shops around the main streets.
If there was one thing I loved about living in a small town, was the sense of wonder and fantasy the Winter weather graciously delivered us. We were slowly nearing Christmas, and all around, I could see the stores adorned with artificial pine trees adorned with the most eye-catching decorations the owners could find. A mixture of golds and reds entered my vision as I trudged my way past the establishments.
The night air made it all seem much more special, and no doubt were the people going inside their stores entranced by the holiday magic they provided.
My boots crunched the fallen snow on the pavements, a particular direction in mind. Although I was in a hurry, I let myself be taken away by the sounds of caroling way behind me and relished the atmosphere created by December.
Christmas was, by far, my favorite holiday. Nothing could ever beat the experience of having a futon couch in your living room, curled up with a fuzzy blanket while one hand grips a nice cup of Mexican hot chocolate, and the other onto a book that mirrored the excitement for the festivities.
While I was a slow reader myself, I had been immersed in this novel. Ann had recommended it to me not too long ago, and it had turned out to be one of my favorites so far.
Like, Jane Eyre good.
Nonetheless, I had to will myself into letting it to the side, or else I would never get things done. My phone had buzzed several times over the day, but I had ignored it since I was nearing the plot twist.
As soon as I read, ′Quit reading, or I’ll drag you out there by your hair myself,′ I knew better than to test my best friend’s patience.
Not even caring how much makeup I needed today, I pulled up a pair of jeans, my favorite pair of boots, and a white shirt below a grey jacket and headed to where I would meet up with her.
Thus, where I am now.
The smell of freshly pressed coffee awoke my senses as soon as I pushed open the glass door. Like the last couple of weeks, this particular coffee shop was filled with customers from all across the little town we lived in. Laughter and enthusiastic conversations filled my ears, somewhat disorienting me from finding out where Ann was sitting.
It took me a while, but I finally managed to see her jet-black hair color stand out amongst the crowd.
Going to the back of the building wasn’t an easy task given the tables leading up to the one where my best friend was sitting were tightly connected, and many people seemed to disregard the needs of others for a proper walkway. Bags and extra chairs littered around, it felt more like trying to squish my way through a landmine.
As soon as I managed to let out a breath of relief, Ann narrowed her eyes at me. “You’re late.”
I rolled my eyes playfully at her. “Oh, come on. It’s only been ten minutes.”
“Still, it’s late.”
“Well, that’s what you get for suggesting I read that book,” I replied with a pointed look. “It’s not my fault it’s that good, you know.”
It was her turn to roll her eyes as she picked up her cup of coffee. “Well, I’d believe you if I didn’t know you so well. How much do you want to bet that you stopped halfway through to look at all the pretty decorations around town?”
My mouth opened in uncertainty, then closed. Her smile sealed the deal; she did know me too well.
Her sky-blue eyes looked down at her beverage with a mischievous glint shining in them. “You know, it’s a shame you lost ten minutes of your time. I thought you’d need them for the date you’ve got in fifteen minutes.”
My gaze turned to look at her directly, eyes widening to the point I could feel a slight headache taking over. In contrast to my bewildered expression, Ann seemed as carefree and innocent as if she hadn’t said something important and out-of-the-blue. She just continued to look at her drink, swirling it around as if mixing it up would make it tastier.
Still, her smirk didn’t go unnoticed by me.
It was my turn to squint my eyes at her. “Ann, please tell me this is just another one of your ‘practical’ jokes.”
“Excuse you, but I have to inform you those jokes are hilarious,” she replied with feigned hurt.
“Ann...”
Her mouth curled up higher. “Oh, you heard me. I set you up for a blind date in,” she checked her phone’s digital clock, her grin growing ever wider, “ten minutes from now.”
Shock fell on my face as her explanation replayed in my head. “Ann Elizabeth Lang, are you insane? How could you set me up for a date without even telling me?”
My best friend leaned back on her chair, arms folding across her chest. “Well Eileen, I think it’s about time you went back to the dating business. You’ve left the market for way too long now. And I knew you’d refuse to date, so I thought it’d be best if I set you up.”
“Well, of course, I’d refuse to date!” I exclaimed. Frustration pretty much took over my emotions now. “Don’t you remember the whole Frederick fiasco?”
“Honey, that was years ago,” she laughed out, although I could see slight disgust seep through her calm demeanor.
My glare deepened. “You set me up for that one too, don’t you think I’ve forgotten about it.”
“Yeah, well. You’re bound to meet perverts here and there. I didn’t know Fred would be like that. Had a hot body, though.”
A groan left me as I wallowed in my own self-pity.
If there was one thing I had promised myself for this year, was the fact that I would not date a single soul from January to December. Last year had been terrible, and even though I had rooted myself that the dates would be better after the previous one, they only grew worse.
Frederick was a perfect example of the Bad Date Train. After I realized he was just a pervert out there looking for a "friends-with-benefits" relationship I had no intention of having, the next guy, Manuel, turned out to be exactly like him, only asking for a threesome. The sad part? We had another date set up but never texted me back.
Dating was hard. Especially when you’re well above the age of twenty.
Or maybe because I consider myself to be part of the ‘old generation’; just casual conversation, a relationship where we’d be both a couple and goofy best friends.
Apparently, it was too much to ask for nowadays.
I sighed as I rubbed my eyes with the palm of my hand. “Ann, please call this off. I’m really not in the mood to deal with dating some random guy.”
“Well, you’ll have to honey, because he’s in.”
I hated her. At this moment, I didn’t consider her my best friend. Right now, I only wanted to choke her to death.
“Oh, and this is the great part. You guys will go to that small Italian restaurant down at Little Rome Road.”
As soon as I heard this, I felt my heart drop from my ribcage.
Oh, hell no. She did not just say that.
Breathing quickening in what I could only assume to be a mixture of panic and anger, I uncovered my eyes and stared at her. Ann was peering at me in pure happiness, obviously ignoring the heated look I was giving her. Her blue eyes shone with excitement as if the news would be as amazing to hear as she might’ve thought.
When she saw my fingernails piercing through my palms, she rolled her eyes again. “Oh, stop it, Rambo. It’s not that big of a deal.”
“Not that big of a deal? Ann, I told you I didn’t want to date this year! Not only that but forcing me and this... this idiot to have dinner in Little Rome Road? Are you kidding me?”
“It’s perfect!” she replied. “You’ve never had a date there before. And, I’ve heard that that street always brings good luck. Did you know my uncle met his wife there? He was forty and they married last year.”
I almost felt like crying. “I don’t care! I mean, it’s great, but that’s not the point. The point here is, I don’t want to go on this date, Ann. Especially if it’s a blind date in that stupid street.”
She unlocked her phone again, a playful look crossing her features. “Whine all you want you big baby, but your date’s due in six minutes. You can either ask me to borrow some makeup to cover those bags under your eyes or go au naturel and scare that poor guy with your morning face. Either way, you’re still going.”
Her bossy personality made the situation 10 times worse than it already was. Her tendency to order people around usually didn’t affect me, given I would always ignore her, but right now, it was more than enough reason to make me want to slap her on the spot.
Casting her a fury-filled glare, I stood up from my seat and snatched her purse all while she burst out laughing. My walk there was a little less tight than when I first arrived at the coffee shop, and I was genuinely surprised to see only two more people inside the girl’s bathroom.
Walking to the large mirrors above the sinks, I did a do-over across my entire body and grew self-conscious at my wardrobe choice. I hadn’t had much time to think about what outfit to wear, and while I didn’t look as bad as I did when I was alone in my apartment, it still wouldn’t be my first choice to pick out for a walk around town.
I applied basic makeup, given that was all Ann had with her. While the mascara did little effect on my eyelashes, what was really a lifesaver was the foundation. All sorts of irregularities like Winter pimples and the bruising under my eyes disappeared from view, which made me feel less worried about my appearance.
In less than three minutes I was ready, and as I pushed through the bathroom door into the shop, I caught sight of a stranger talking to Ann.
They were laughing as if they knew each other well. Was this guy my supposed date?
Sky-blue eyes connected with mine as she waved me over, and as soon as I was close enough, she presented him to me.
“Hey Eileen, this is Matthew Hughes. He’s a friend of mine,” she said.
My vision shifted from her to this Matthew guy. A bit taller than Ann, athletic build and chestnut brown hair curled on top of his head. His light brown eyes scanned my face for a few moments as if I had something hidden in it when he grinned at me and took out his hand for me to take.
I shook it. “So, are you my date?”
He laughed. “I’m flattered. But nah, your date’s already there. I was about to head out but got a text from Ann saying her friend was getting ready here. I just wanted to see how you looked like.”
Matthew pointed at me as he glanced at my best friend. “You never told me she was short.”
Ann shrugged. “Any reason I’d tell you about that?”
“Uh, I’ll let you guys see for yourselves,” he turned to me and grinned even more. “Shall we?”
Of course, Ann would also arrange for her and this Matthew to take me to Little Rome Road. Knowing her, she’d want a front-row seat on the drama, and even though I had made it clear I could walk, they were persistent in driving me there.
I had been too nervous and focused on the whizzing colors outside the car’s window, I hadn’t realized the vehicle had stopped until it was too late.
We arrived at Little Rome Road. And I was not prepared for this date.
