A handsome young man sat at a table waiting for someone a girl perhaps “ what is taking her so long As he said that, a girl with blonde hair pulled up into a bun walked in. She had a red, fluffy dress that matched her lipstick. Her blue eyes shine throughout the restaurant with her complimenting eyelashes curled. Following behind her was two people, a man and a woman she’s struggling. They’re pushing her towards them “no I don’t wanna go on a date especially not with him .”she said. As she glared at that man, the woman beside her said, “darling, he has money to help us. Youknow that don’t do this for yourself but for me and your father go.” Her mother said “ yes darling just do this” said her father she slumped into feet and walked more her mother knew that she had won the battle this time, so she grinned” don’t lunch it’s rude to walk like that no remember don’t talk to him only listen that’s how you get them.” Said her mother she rolled her eyes, and her parents stopped where they were. She walked toward the man and sat down, and then looked very pleased on how her appearance was, although she was not with him. ” madam” he said, as he reached out for hand and kissed it she stared at him not in awe but in discussed, she pulled her hand away from him The man looked surprise as the night went on, The boredom began to linger then all of a sudden music came on, so music and people began to stand up from their seats and couples began to dance as a man or a drivers hand. She rolled her eyes and grabbed his hand They begin to dance. She was only dancing because she was forced to by her parents, then one thing that pushed her to the limit that was final draw as he slowly reached down her back he went down and touch her, butt she slapped him across the face and stormed out of the room. Her parents looked astonished for what happened and ran after her upset at how she acted but then the parents stopped themselves and ran over to the gentleman. They apologize for how she acted. I’m sure that would never happen again he straightened up his suit and began to walk to the girl She sit outside mad her face was red . That man had done, embarrass her humiliated her as he walked out the moon line shot on his handsome face. He began to apologize which she really didn’t mean and she knew he didn’t mean it here for a second, and how he would act better reparents looked at her Stern, she knew if she didn’t say yes, there’d be a great punishment so she did as the dread from the next week she went on her second day it is no better, but her parents scolded her night before to let it happen

I am what some people would call a “Cinderella Case” because of my family life and the events that occurred at a ball just a few months ago.

My somewhat friend had confessed to me at the ball, and now it’s Summer—hot, humid, with beach trips galore.

And I am not entirely sure what to do now. This feeling of want and possessiveness is new to me. I like it, but don’t like it. It leaves a weird feeling in my stomach whenever I look at him.

I stare at the boy laying beside me on my bed, trying to figure out what he sees in me. And why he decided, right now, to visit. My stepfather is a work—yes, over the summer—and my stepbrothers are outside in the backyard, doing whatever twelve year olds do in the summer.

I may have only one friend turned…whatever we are now, but I still have my murder shows to watch.

When Tobias sees me staring at him, he gives me a lazy grin before putting his hand in my hair. “It’s pretty hot ain’t it?” He drags a finger across my sweaty forehead slowly, giving me shivers. “You wanna go in your tub?”

“Is this your way of asking me if I want sexual intercourse? If so, I politely decline.”

He sighs, flopping back to his backside on the bed. “Way to kill the mood Van.”

“Did you—did you just call me a van?”

“Uhm, no, but yeah,” Tobias flips back over to me, back to his usual spirits, “That’s my pet name for you. Sooo, how about you call me “Tobi” now?”

I respond as every confused teenager would.

“No. And please don’t call me a van.”

Tobias blinks, then smiles. “I don’t know what else I expected, really.”

The question rushes out of me before I can stop it— “Tobias, what exactly are we?”

Tobias shuffles closer to me, a smug look on his face as his arm drapes over my side. “Well, we are definitely more then friends. I’ve kissed you more times then I can count!” He laughs, a joyous sound.

“On the cheek,” I hiss, my face growing warm, “Always on the cheek.”

I sigh, then get back on track. “We aren’t “dating”, are we? Because it doesn’t feel like it.”

Tobias’ hand strokes the back of my neck, his fingers like soft whispers. “Well, I don’t really know how to date. The only couples I’ve observed are the ones that my mom watches on TV—and you know how realistic those are. I guess, we can just be like we always are, except kisses and stuff. Oh! And dates! Definitely dates!”

I think back to my murder shows for reassurance. The dates that happened were usually in a cafe or a restaurant and at the end of it, one of the people die outside in an alleyway. But I look at Tobias, animated as always and stroking my neck in a soothing manner, and I relax. “Okay.”

“Great! Now you gotta meet my friends!”

“Your…your friends?”

Wait. Oh no.

I slip off the bed and rush to my bathroom, but before I can make it, Tobias grabs my arm and pulls me back to him, my back against his chest. Under different circumstances, I would have blushed. Now, though, I wriggle and squirm in his grasp, desperately trying to find an opening or make one.

“NEVER! NEVER! They are all probably crazy like you!”

His palms against my chest pat it. “I’m not crazy! Come on, Evan, I know they’re most likely not your type of friend—but thinking of it right now, you don’t really have a type because I’m your only friend.”I can almost hear the smug smile that’s on his face right now. “But would you do it for meee? They wanna meet you, Evan.” His lips find my ear and my body decides that it’s a good time to rag doll. “Please, Evan,” he continues, knowing how I like my name on his lips, “Please. Evan, please. Just one afternoon. You can choose where we’ll meet up if you want, Evan.”

I mumble something that even I can’t understand out loud.

“Hmm?” He already knows he won.

“I said,” I raise my voice, turning my head a bit so I can see the ends of his blonde hair, “Just this once.”

Tobias grins, his face creasing more in delight when I huff at it. He kisses my cheek and rocks side to side with me still in his arms. “You’re wonderful, Evan, so so wonderful. I like you a lot.”

“Words aren’t going to get you anywhere with me.” But my heart is thumping in my chest, pleased at his words despite my mind telling it to stop. His hand is above my heart, so no doubt he feels it thudding against his palm.

“Yeah, yeah. So when do you want to meet them? Or, for them to meet you?”

＊＊＊

It’s even worse than I imagined.

They’re from my side of town. Crap. I thought he’d have some rich friends or something—I’m not prepared for this.

Tobias steers me into the booth seat of the cafe across from them—yes, I did choose a cafe, even though the murder in the alleyway still is stuck with me. I like their biscuits.

Two of his friends look like football players, and knowing that Tobias is on the football team, they probably are. There’s a girl as well, with glasses and looking at her phone eagerly, a red jacket obscuring her form.

“So you’re Evan? Your even smaller up close. I’ve see you around the neighborhood—you got two little brothers, right?” One of the football guys starts the conversation.

“Er, yes. Stepbrothers.”

“So…it’s nice to finally meet you, Evan,” the second football player says, his eyes smiling, “The rude large boy is my twin and annoying brother Da’Shawn. I thank everything holy that we aren’t identical.” He places a hand on his chest. “My name’s Darell, and this pretty lady over here,” the girl raises her head and waves at me, “Is my girlfriend, Lindsey.”

They all look back at me. Wait. I look at Tobias, who’s been watching this with a look in his eyes. When he catches me staring at him, he pokes my nose and straightens from his slouch. “Well my boyfriend,” he grins at me after he says that, “Isn’t all that used to social interactions.”

“Since his only friend was you, I thought he’d be used to chatter by now,”Da’Shawn teases.

They all laugh, I let myself give a little smile at it as well.

Well…this isn’t too bad.

＊＊＊

It’s eight o’ clock at night. I’m staying over at Tobias’ house/mansion, recalling all that happening today.

After the cafe, we went to nearby skating rink. There, I learned that Tobias had no idea how to skate. I have to admit, it was fun watching him fall on his butt serveral times. We all split up after the skating park, though, and Tobias brought me to an ice cream shop and both a sundae for us to share. It was large, five scoops of vanilla ice cream topped with peanuts, chocolate syrup, and sprinkles was the glorious thing. He fed me the cherry, desire a fire in his eyes which I quickly snuffed out by poking him several times in the cheek with my nails as he tried to kiss me.

It was fun. A thought comes into my mind—there’s lots of thoughts about Tobias in my head, nowadays.

“Hey, Tobias.” We are down, tucked underneath the sheets beside each other. My head is on his chest, our bodies are curled, sharing our heat, but it doesn’t feel sexual. It feels more than that really.

I can only think of the word “nice”, though.

It feels nice.

Tobias gives me a grunt, half-asleep but still awake to hear what I want to say.

“The ice cream place was our first date, right?”

He’s quiet for a moment, and I think he’s done to sleep, but then his hand is on my back and pulling closer to him. To his warmth.

“I’m glad,” he whispers, “I’m glad that you think that was our first date.”

“It wasn’t?”

“No. No, it was. But the fact that you’re acknowledging it—I dunno, Evan, it makes me happy and I like that feeling. I like this.” He kisses my forehead softly, settling back to go to sleep. “I like your voice. I like your eyes. And I even like your attitude—sometimes.”

He sighs. “I like you.”

It’s some time before I answer, before I have my thought back organized. But when I answer, he’s already deep asleep.

“I like you too, Tobi.”

But let me just tell you—

**I, respectfully, am not sure. **

Not yet anyway. But I am sure it’ll work out.

My name is Thomas Miller, 46, a former antiques thief and master of sarcasm. Originally from Vancouver, Canada, I have lived in Miami since I was 25, where I am now the head of security for a hotel group. I have hazel eyes, graying black hair, and a sturdy build. After spending 11 years in prison for stealing an antique vase, I got out two days ago. While incarcerated, I corresponded with Emily Rivers, a 38-year-old librarian with blue-green eyes and strawberry blonde hair. During our online exchanges, I quickly realized that she was my complete opposite: sweet, serious, and apparently incapable of understanding a joke. We had never met in person, only in photos.

Tonight is our first date. I wait for her in a chic little café downtown, a place where the waiters wear leather aprons and the coffee costs more than a good wine. Emily arrives, punctual, wearing an elegant floral dress and a shy smile. I stand to greet her, a smirk on my lips.

"Good evening, Emily. You look even more gorgeous than in your profile picture," I say, hoping she catches the irony. She blushes slightly and sits down across from me.

"Thank you, Thomas. You are... different than I imagined," she replies, visibly nervous.

"Different how? More handsome? More charming? More... sarcastic?" I raise an eyebrow, amused.

She laughs softly, a melodious sound that contrasts with my scathing humor. "I would say... more mysterious."

We order our drinks, and I choose an espresso, strong and bitter, like me. Emily opts for chamomile tea, of course. The conversation starts slowly, but I decide to break the ice with one of my favorite anecdotes.

"You know, Emily, I have a funny story to tell you. I once stole an ancient Greek statue from a museum. The security guard chased me, but he tripped on his own shoelaces. I nearly died laughing."

She looks at me, her eyes wide. "You're kidding, right?"

"Maybe," I shrug. "Or maybe not."

Emily shakes her head, an amused smile on her lips. "You really are unique, Thomas."

The evening continues, and despite our differences, I discover that Emily has an undeniable charm. She is sweet, yes, but also intelligent and full of surprises. At one point, she tells me a story about her volunteer work at an animal shelter, and I find myself listening with interest.

"You know, Emily, I think you might be the most fascinating person I've ever met," I say sincerely.

She blushes again and smiles at me. "And you, Thomas, are the most unpredictable."

We end the evening with a walk in the park, and I realize that, despite our differences, there's something special between us. Maybe this date wasn't such a bad idea after all.

As I walk her home, I wink goodbye. "See you soon, Emily. I can't wait to see what our next date has in store."

She smiles at me, and for the first time, I see a twinkle in her eye. "Me too, Thomas. Me too."

My foot taps impatiently on the dirt path. I had parked my car in the parking lot of the, leaving my phone there stupidly. Or, maybe I did that so I wouldn’t be disturbed by business calls while on this date. Either way…

I check my watch just as a twig snaps and a large, muscular man stumbles forward, a drooling infant strapped to his chest.

“You’re late, Charles,” I say, voice clipped.

Charles laughs weakly, his amber eyes searching to see I’m actually mad. When he sees that I’m not, he steps forward and brings our hands together.

“Ba!” Carmela coos when we lock eyes, big eyebrows, the same as her father’s, high on her small forehead. “Ba!” I touch her brown, chubby cheek with my free hand while she stares at me happily, drool running down her face.

“Alright, Barry!” Charles lifts our entwined hands to the sky; I laugh when Carmela lifts her own arms. “Let’s get this date started!”

I look towards his empty hand, smile faltering. “Charles, where’s the freezer bag?”

Charles’ face freezes up. “Oh…uhm….”

Carmela frowns as though she understands. “Ba,” she looks at me, eyebrows low, “Babababa, Dada.”

“Don’t tell on me girl.” Charles turns to me, “So Barry, there may be a complication—“

I shake my head. “Where’d you forget it?”

He tightens out hands together, his daughter still frowning. “I may have forgotten.”

“Yum!” I hold out another spoonful of ice cream to Carmela’s open mouth. She closes it, shivering when her tongue hits the icy metal of the spoon.

“Aren’t you a good girl,” I stroke her cheek with a finger gently. Charles is below us while we sit comfortably on the gray couch in his apartment. His been quiet ever since we came back from the park. Probably disappointed we had to cancel our date.

I check my phone, and then grimace at the amount of emails on there. I’ll have to go back sometime in the evening.

“Da?” Carmela pats her father’s curly head. He looks up, eyes still sad.

“Yes, Melly?” Charles places his head on my knee. I absentmindedly stroke his hair as I read one of the most recent emails.

**_Mr. Hilman,

I have an offer I want to make you…._**

Carmela takes the spoon out of my hand. I’m too distracted to stop it from happening.

I have received notice that you have some land for sale. I would like to purchase that land, if I may. Please call my business number so that we may speak more about it together.

Thank you, John Smith

I frown. Turning my phone off, I put it down and find out what’s been happening while I was distracted.

Charles smiles at me, ice cream covering every part of his face like shaving cream. Carmela is giggling. The spoon in her hand dripping with melted ice cream.

“What…?”

“Melly was trying to feed me some of her ice cream,” Charles wipes some of it off his face with his forearm, “Now I know why babies can’t feed themselves.”

Carmela pulls my arm, spoon outstretched towards me. “Ba?”

“Oh,” I hold my hand in front of me, “No, thank you.”

Charles clicks his tongue, taking Carmela out of my lap as well as the bowl of ice cream. “Don’t mess with Barry, he so boring; Daddy’s awesome though right?”

Carmela looks at my, eyebrows raised. “Ba?”

Before I know what I’m doing, Charles’ head is in my arms and I’m shaking him. “Say that again! I dare you!”

Charles stands up, taking me along with him. “Boring! You’re boring.”

“Ba-riiing!”

I grin. “I’ll show you boring, Macy’s.”

…

(Mep. Thanks for reading!)

Claire couldn’t tell if the date was going well. She was trying to be open, she really was. But walls built as strongly as hers don’t crumble easily. This has been her 14th first date in three months. None of which had ever led to a second. No matter how hard she tried only one word answers would leave her mouth and anything else was a comment that could come off as rude if you didn’t know her specific sense of humour. She couldn’t pull up the edges of her face into a smile. She sat across Zoey in a booth inside of the arcade. Pretty basic first date spot but a nice atmosphere. Zoey was doing all the talking her box braids swinging back and forth over her shoulders. Her baby blue nails matched her blue tank top and white jeans and her gold bangles complemented her brown skin. Claire had thrown her curly into a bun because she couldn’t be bothered to brush it. Her plain black shirt plus her black jeans and shoes made her look like a void of happiness. Her nails had been bitten down to the nub with anxiety.

“I love this place though it’s so much fun.” Squealed Zoey before taking a sip of her cherry cola. “Fun if you like snooty kids and over prized foods.” Claire mentally hit herself in the face. “That’s fair.” Zoey laughed, picking up the menu. “£6.50 for a burger, it better taste like how it costs.” Not having expected a joke to her reply Claire found herself becoming incredibly awkward, she crossed her arms and looked down at the table. Zoey thinking her joke had fallen flat placed down the menu and started speaking about how her job at the hairdressers had become insanely busy because of COVID. She thought her rant was falling on deaf ears but Claire was hanging on her every word.

At the end of the date they spilt the bill and walked out the car park. They stopped just before Zoeys car and stood there looking at each other very awkwardly. “I sorry.” Zoey blurted out her eyes scrunched up and arms fisted tight by her sides. “I should have known from the start that you weren’t having fun and I kept on wanting to suggest we go something else but by the time I worked up enough nerve our food had already arrived and I didn’t want to-“ “What makes you think I wasn’t having fun?” Claire caught her off. Zoey opened her eyes and looked up. “You kept making sarcastic comments… and you didn’t smile.” “No no no no,” Claire rushed waving her arms about. “That’s just- that’s just me, I’m always kinda rude and stand-offish, I come off as mean. I know that. But, honestly… I really like you… and I would really like to see you again.” Zoey stood their staring up at her shocked face, eyes blown wide and mouth slightly hanging open. Suddenly a startled laugh came out of Zoeys laugh and she started rapidly nodding her head.

“Yes, yes that would be really cool. You free next Friday?” “I have a collage lecture that ends at 2 so maybe we could grab a late lunch.” Claire said rubbing the back of her neck. “That sounds amazing.” Zoey said. They stared at each other for a few awkward seconds before they said their goodbyes and Zoey drove off in her car. Claire felt the sides of her face pull up into a smile and breathed out what could have been called a laugh. She was really looking forward to that lunch.

The woman across from me was sobbing hysterically, snatching her hand away from me and sobbing harder when I reached out to try to comfort her — I had been on bad dates before, but never one that had ended quite this dramatically.

It had started when she mentioned her cat. “Ah yes,” I had replied, “human’s narcissistic asshole best friend.” Turned out her beloved cat of 17 years had just died the week before. And it was only downhill from there…

I hate myself. Why do I do this? Why do I put myself in situations like this? I could have said no, that I’m in a relationship, or not looking for a relationship. Of course when she asked to go on a date with me that popped into my mind immediately. Obviously it’s because I’m self destructive and insecure. She’s everything good about life. Her laugh makes people warm, and her smile is perfection. Being around her can instantly uplift you. Strange how such a joyful, carefree person would be drawn to me. I’m an anxiety-ridden human being with very little experience in relationships.

I tried, honestly. 6th grade was the last time. We were on a school bus heading to the museum for our class field trip. My buddy Alex was sick that day, and Jenna Lawson ended up sitting next to me. The whole ride she talked about her dance competitions. How she does her hair, the routines she practices, literally everything. I was immersed in the world of dance by the time we had arrived. She asked the teacher if we could be partners and it all went downhill from there.

I look up to see her walk in. Her wavy blonde hair is tied up in a bun. She looks toward me and smiles. No. She sees me. Which means I have to actually stay here and talk to her and make a fool of myself. Making a fool of myself can’t be prevented. I’m genetically disposed to humiliating myself. “Hey, it’s good to see you!” She walks toward me. I give her a genuine smile, keeping my sweaty hands in my pockets. “Same for you. “I don’t see Jeremiah with you, that’s a first.” I let out a nervous chuckle. Her demeanor instantly shifts to uncomfortable. “Why would he be..?” The urge to slap myself appears.

“Yeah, right. It’s just- you know since he’s always around you. Sort of like a duckling trying to stay close to its mother.” She gives me a confused look. “I’m tutoring him. His parents asked me if I would be able to after school 3 days a week, to which I said yes. He’s usually bugging me about helping him with homework.” “Ah.” Ah? Ah!?? That’s what I say to the girl I’ve liked for two years? Something in my brain is wrong. My whole brain is wrong. “Should we, uh, sit down?” I remember that we’re at the park, near where the picnic tables are. “Yes, we should do that.”

She sets her purse on the bench beside her. “Spring is my favorite season. The weather isn’t too cold or too hot, and the nature is so beautiful.”
I nod my head in agreement. “Do you have a favorite season? Wait, let me guess. It’s winter.”
“Why do you say that? Because my heart is cold and empty, and the freezing weather represents my soul?” She looks at me. “I wasn’t trying to say that, Isaac”. Of course. I say something that sounds funny in my head and in reality, it’s complete nonsense. “No- I know that. I just have a dumb sense of humor.” She chuckles slightly, probably to make me feel better.

Why do I do this to myself? Every time they say something nice, every time they compliment me or comment on the layout of the room or the deliciousness of the food I make a joke. They probably hate me. I’d hate me, why would you want to date such a pessimist?

I did warn them beforehand and they said it was okay, they keep smiling at me too which I guess is a good sign. But I wish I could just stop it.

“You don’t need to pretend to be something you’re not for me.”

Are they a mind reader or something?

Hello, can you hear my thoughts?

No response. Must just be a weird coincidence.

They’re reaching out for my hand and looking deeply into my eyes, I start to blush and say something ridiculous that I can’t even remember, but they’re still looking at me.

“I loved this date, it’s okay to be nervous.”

They say as the check arrives. Maybe I haven’t blown it after all?

She’s doing it again. That thing where she keeps talking about herself in this whole “whoa is me” type tone. It’s annoying. I thought she said she didn’t want to be know for her past, yet here she is constantly showing me songs she wrote when she was a child, to music videos she released 5 years ago. It’s cool, sure. But it’s also super lame, and nothing I would have been remotely interested in if we ran in similar circles. I made the mistake of mentioning I was a former musician myself. I wonder if this is how people feel when on a first date with me? I made the conscious decision to NOT mention my musical past to new people in my life. It can be a lot for someone to digest within the first hour of meeting someone. Plus, it just doesn’t play a major role in my life anymore. Maybe she thinks that my past is something that I’m running from, that by her telling me all of the “great” things she’s done will somehow rekindle something within my creative being. Yet what she may not know is that I am a fucking adult, and I made this decision years before this terrible first date. Plus she’s just not that special. Despite her millions of views on YouTube or her thousands of Instagram followers. It’s all bullshit anyways.

Why am I such a nice guy? Here I am like a chump, just nodding, “oooo-ing” and “ahhhh-ing”. None of this interests me. At this point I would rather NOT get laid, as that may require more punishment of listening to further “accomplishments”. I need a game plan. A way out. Think god dammit, think. I don’t own a pet. A great excuse to leave a social situation prematurely. Reminder to myself to consider the purchase of a dog. But then I would lose the many freedoms I have grown fond of. Fuck. I do have my own business that I constantly use as an excuse to seem busier than I actually am. That’s it!

“I would love to stay longer and listen to another one of your live albums, but I just realized, that I gotta be up early tomorrow to meet with a client about a project they want finished in the next few days” She leans over, kisses me and says “That’s fine. I can think of a few ways to make sure you’re up early tomorrow morning”.

Fuck.

“So what do you do for living?” I ask

“I hack into people’s social security and steal their money” he says jokingly

“Really!?! So do I” I tell him

“wh-what” he replies “I was joking”

“I wasn’t” I say dead panned

“Alright.. what’s your favorite hobby? Mine is football”

“Oh my girlfriend is the star goalie of her local foot ball team.. she’s a keeper.” I tell him

“We need a check”