To think, I was so confident when I left my house this morning.

Boy oh boy, if past me saw me now, he woulda stayed in bed. For like, the next twelve years until we had a proper glow up.

But here we are- here I am? Now I was just confusing myself. I hope my hair looks okay.

The obscure diner had been a regular of ours for a long time. I always ordered a grape soda. She always had a sparkling lemonade with a poppyseed muffin. How iconic we were, really.

She’d always sit in that corner booth and read her book, occasionally looking out the window but that never bothered me. I would always write my music with lyrics inspired by her and feel like I belonged when I saw her smile.

Staring at my cold soda grown warm, I felt like the carbonation was bubbling in my stomach churning up nervous energy. I felt like throwing up. So, naturally, I made a bad decision.

I got another grape soda.

Things were going great.

Was it hot in here? It’s hot. Yeah, it’s hot in here. Right?

I sipped my grape soda. The warm one, but it was kinda gross, so I sipped the cold one.

And then she walked in. I hiccuped and started to panic.

_She came. _

__

__

__

Her smile seemed to light up the room. It always did. I started to rise from my seat to greet her but wondered if that’d be weird so it was more like a half-standing squat before siting back down and trying too hard to appear casual.

She walked up to the counter to order.

Sparkling lemonade and a poppyseed muffin. Just like always.

My chest fills with warmth as I watch her. She’s beautiful. Long dark hair and gorgeous hazel eyes. I loved her. I do.

She takes her drink and muffin and scans the seating area with that dazzling smile. I notice the book in her hand. Today she had with her pride and prejudice. I knew how she loved her classics. And I always found that endearing.

She spots the corner booth and walks that way.

Right past my table.

It was now or never.

I got up from my seat and stood in front of her booth next to the open chair.

She had already dived into her book and looked up when I cleared my throat.

I smiled anxiously.

“May I have a seat?”

She open her mouth to speak, her eyes just so breathtaking.

“Do I know you?”

I faltered.

“Er, well no,” I sat down although technically she hadn’t invited me to. Was that rude? That was rude. I should stand back up. But that’s awkward, so I stay put.

“My name is Liam. And um well, I’m in love with you.”

Her eyebrows rose in surprise. “I’m sorry?”

I’d brought both of my grape sodas with me. Why had I done that? Normal people don’t do that.

I gesture to them. “Grape soda? I mean, I already drank a little of each. And that one’s warm, but if you don’t mind you’re welcome to either.”

She was adorable utterly confused. “Wait, I’m sorry, could we back up to the part where you said you…”

“Loved you? Yes I do. So what’s your name? I’ve been mostly just calling you diner girl in my head and it would be nice to know.”

In a sort of shocked daze she responded,

“Hannah.”

“Well Hannah, I love that name along with so many other things about you.”

“I er, Liam was it? You’re serious?”

“Yes.”

“I have no idea who you are.”

My smile fell.

“But I’ve been sitting at that table just over there for years. How could you not notice me?”

She looked remorseful.

“Sorry, Liam. I’ve always been told I tend to live in my head.”

I nodded slowly, processing.

“It’s the hair isn’t it?”

“What?”

“The hair. It’s horrible.”

She laughed and I smiled at the sound, but still felt dejected internally. How could she not have even noticed me?

“Sorry. I shouldn’t laugh. You just caught me off gaurd. Your hair is lovely, I’m just not very observant.”

I nodded again.

“Well I’m sorry to waste your time.”

She cringed. “It’s okay, really.”

I stood up.

“Well. Bye, Hannah. Love you.”

She smirked, still shocked I guessed.

“Bye, Liam. It was nice to meet you.”

I hesitated before making my awkward walk of shame out the door to go pretend I still felt like a man.

“…was it?”

She paused seeming to think sincerely about it.

“It was.”

I smiled and looked at the grape sodas in my hands.

I held out the cold one.

“Grape soda?”

She smiled and accepted.

“Sure.”