I can’t believe I’m doing this. Why did I agree to meet Nancy today? Is it just me or is my heart pounding like a drum? It’s like there’s a whole marching band inside my chest. But wait, what if she can hear it? Can she hear my heart? No, that’s ridiculous. Focus, Simon, focus.

Alright, here she comes. Wow, she looks amazing. Her smile is like a ray of sunshine. No, not like sunshine, that’s too cheesy. It’s more like… like a burst of energy. Yeah, that’s it. Energy. Okay, stop staring, Simon. Say something, anything.

“Hey, Nancy! How’s it… um… how’s it going?” Smooth, real smooth. I sound like a bumbling fool. But hey, at least she’s smiling back at me. That’s a good sign, right? Or is she just being polite? Oh god, what if she’s not interested? What if I’ve made a huge mistake?

Okay, breathe, Simon. Just breathe. Keep the conversation going. What do people talk about? The weather? No, that’s too cliché. Maybe I can ask about her day. Yeah, that’s safe. “So, Nancy, how was your day? Anything exciting happen?”

Oh no, why did I ask that? Now she’s looking at me like I have all the answers. I don’t have any answers. I barely know what’s going on in my own head. Quick, think of something else to say. Anything. “Um, have you tried that new coffee shop downtown? I heard they have some really unique blends.”

Smooth recovery, Simon. Talking about coffee is always a safe bet. But wait, did she just raise her eyebrow? Is she not a coffee person? Did I just ruin everything with my coffee talk? I should have known better. I’m such an idiot.

Okay, stop overthinking. She’s just waiting for you to say something else. Say something interesting. Say something that will make her laugh. But what if she doesn’t find me funny? What if my jokes fall flat? What if she thinks I’m boring?

Just say whatever comes to mind, Simon. Let your thoughts flow. Stream of consciousness, remember? “You know, Nancy, sometimes I feel like my brain is a never-ending roller coaster. It’s like a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions, all jumbled up together. But being here with you, it’s like the roller coaster slows down, and everything just feels… right.”

Whoa, where did that come from? Did I just say that out loud? I did, didn’t I? But wait, she’s smiling. She’s actually smiling. Maybe I didn’t mess up after all. Maybe she understands what I mean. Maybe… just maybe, there’s a chance.

And in that moment, as Simon’s thoughts continued to swirl and collide in his mind, he realized that sometimes, being true to oneself and letting the words flow freely can lead to unexpected connections and genuine moments of connection.