Date Night

“C’mon Rachel, you haven’t been on a date since you broke up with Jake, I think it would be a great idea”, she said grinning at me. I knew Candace for six years; she was like a sister to me. We met in high-school and have been joined to the hip ever since. I sighed; she had a point. I needed to get out of the house, and this was a perfect opportunity. I grudgingly agreed to go on the blind date she wanted to set up for me for the past weeks, she said she would text me all the details as she finished her shift at the bakery. It was five o’clock and my shift had just end, so I began to walk my usual route, two blocks from the bakery to my apartment on 8th street.

Once home, I took a shower and spent the next two hours reading a chapter of,” The Outsiders,” by S.E. Hinton. Then, I saw my phone screen light up on the nightstand, it was a text from Candace. Sitting my book down on the bed, I picked up my phone and opened her text. It said, “Hey girly, his name is Brandon, and you will be meeting him at the Bar on 11th street”. I began to roll my eyes before I could stop myself, it just all felt “typical”. Did this Brandon guy think that he could choose the bar just to buy me a couple of drinks and possibly have his way? I don’t think so.

I responded to her text by saying there has been a slight change of plans, and if she could tell him I would like to meet at the diner next to the bakery. She texted me back within five minutes saying that it would be fine. I could feel myself becoming antsy, I played some music on my phone and started to get ready before I could think about backing out. Forty-five minutes later, dressed in a white sleeveless dress, black cardigan, and heels, I left my apartment and drove to the diner.

It was a little after eight o’clock when I arrived at the diner. It looked terribly busy tonight, but thankfully I was able to find an empty parking space. When I walked into the diner, my eyes scanned the people at the counter and sitting down. I noticed a guy who was sitting by himself facing towards the window. I walked up to him slowly and tapped him on the shoulder.

“Brandon?” I asked as he turned around to look at me.

“No, sorry,” he said apologetically while turning back around.

I let out a sigh as I sat down to the next table over from him. A few seconds later, I slightly jumped forward when a hand touched my shoulder. I quickly turned my head and looked up to see—

“Brandon...Brandon from Ms. Bakers class?”, I asked shocked.

“Yes”, he replied happily.

It has been a couple of years since I last seen him, although he had not changed very much. He was dressed nice, still tall as ever and muscular, with his hair grown slightly pass his shoulders. He looked handsome; I began to blush at my thoughts. I do not know how Candace pulled this one off, she is always doing the unthinkable.

I stood up and gave him a hug, a few seconds later we were indulged in a deep conversation about our childhood and plans for the future. We talked for what seemed like hours but was merely one hour. That is what happens when you are having a great time, it just flies by. Brandon was a sweet guy, exactly how I remembered him, he had a great sense of humor as well.

“So, what made you choose the bar for our first date?”, I asked curiously.

“I heard from a buddy of mine they serve my favorite wine there, it’s called Merlot and I wanted you to try it”, he answered.

I let out a small chuckle, I guess I had it all wrong.

“Well...how about we have that glass of Merlot to go?”, I said.