Her words flowed dreamily with an effervescence — a dream that I’d never wish to wake from. “I almost said ‘no’ when you asked me out, but not because I didn’t want to come, I was just — a lot’s been going on is all.” “Oh,” I said before smiling half-heartedly. “Oh, no— I hope that didn’t sound too mean,” she said after slowly taking a sip from her beer. “I mean, I gladly said ‘yes’ in the end. It’s just — honestly, it’s just some stuff with my ex-boyfriend that I have to deal with. We’re completely done, but he just keeps trying to creep back into my life I guess, and it’s a little too much to deal with sometimes.” ‘Is anyone who mentions their ex on a first date truly over them?’ I thought. “No-no, I totally understand — it’s no problem,” I said. “I almost didn’t come for the same reason… Your ex boyfriend consistently tries getting back into my life, too. He’s clearly not over me — think I was his first love.” It was a bad joke, but she laughs an oddly sincere laugh, or at least it was enough to fool me. “So, honestly, why did you ask me out? I mean, we just sort-of know each other from social media and slyly ‘liking’ each other’s posts, but do we really?” She held a genuine expression as each word sweetly danced between her lips. Her nude fingertips gently cupped the glass of draft beer after each sip; it was like a piece of art. She awkwardly fumbled chopsticks in her other hand, but it was with such poise that even the chef would forgive her. Her feet would occasionally bump into mine every couple minutes as she sat across from me, and I loved that. I would initially be enamored by her smile. I would eventually find myself admiring her freely shared ideas of curious hope and playful wisdom. Is being ‘in love’ a feeling that gets thrown around too easily or one that is not recognized enough? Because I am completely and utterly in love with a girl I’d swear I’ve met in a past dream. It’s strange how the mind confidently juggles ideas in a matter of seconds. I smiled jovially. “Well…”