First Date
Given prompt:
There is a dating app that matches couples based on browser history. Write the first date of a superhero and a writer.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
BroWser is not the only dating app that promises to find your perfect match. It is however the only one with the stats to prove its success. Who can argue with a 90% success rate? Which is why I am here right now, sitting in this cafe about to meet Lorelei. I don't know anything about her other than her name and what she looks like. All you get is a picture and assurance that the app knows best. In fact it choose the place for this meeting too. The only thing I put in was the date and times that worked for me.
I do like the look of this cafe though. It is cozy but not packed with people. The decor is simple with local art for sale on one wall. I can imagine an aspiring artist singing a mellow song on the small stage in the corner. Right now however, the stage is empty. I was glad she could meet me in the morning. I check my watch, the Batman logo taking up the whole face of it tells me it is a quarter to 10. I am always early if I can be. Figure I can grab a drink and find a comfy place to sit and wait.
I approach the counter. The barista is a 20 something with dark hair, wearing a punk t-shirt. She gives me a smile, "What can I get for you?"
I look down at the special of the day. In chalk art my options are a cold brew made with Colombian dark roasted beans or an amaretto hot chocolate. I look up returning her smile, "I'll have a 16oz of the cold brew please."
"Good choice." A deep soft voice says behind me. I jump a tiny bit and turn to look up into bright green eyes, eyes I have seen before, but the picture did not do them justice. She smiles at me. "Hi, you must be Samantha. Sorry I startled you." I stare a moment longer taking this woman in. She is at least half a foot taller than my 5 foot 4. Her cropped short auburn hair is impeccable, not a strand out of place. Dressed in slacks with a gold button up blouse and black vest, she looks like she would be comfortable in any office setting. I would guess she a little older than me, but I can't quite tell.
I shake my head, feeling a blush creep up my neck, "No worries. I startle easy and yes that's me, but you can call me Sam." I put up a hand to shake. She eyes it for a moment and then takes my hand. Her skin is soft, but I notice callouses, these are the hands of someone who works hard.
I finish paying for my drink and move to let her order. I smile when she gets the cold brew too. I point to two chairs tucked in the corner and she nods her approval. I grab my drink and head over to the corner, sinking into the well worn chair. I sigh unconsciously and close my eyes for a moment enjoying the first sip of my drink.
"That is the proper way to enjoy a coffee." Again her soft voice pulls me back to the moment. Her smile is subtle, but her eyes are studying me as she takes a seat. "How do you like it?"
That deep and sultry voice has the heat creeping up my neck again. "It is really good. I love how the cold brewing really tones down the acidity and leaves you with a sweeter, smoother taste." She just nods, taking a drink from her cup. "So...Have you been here before?" I cringe at my lame question, but quickly cover it with a sip.
She shakes her head, "No, but I enjoy new coffee shops."
"Me too!" I shift forward. Whoa, rain it in, I lean back in my chair, trying to relax. "I mean, I have this silly goal of visiting all the coffee shops in the city. This one was on my list." She raises an eyebrow and nods again. Not much of a talker. Come on Sam, you got this. "This dating app is a little weird right? I don't really know anything about you, except that we maybe google the same things?..."
She tilts her head to the side, again her green eyes seem to study me. I tense a little under the scrutiny. "It is an interesting idea." She sighs a little. "Sorry. I am new to dating apps."
"This is my first time using it too." I admit. She just nods again, but seems content with her coffee as she looks around the space. "Um, so...what do you do for work?" She turns her head back to me and I can tell she is considering me and my questions. "That is...I'm a writer...or rather I am trying to be a writer. I work for a publisher as an assistant right now, but I have a blog and a book..." Wow, stop talking.
She smiles at me, "I am an architect."
"Really?! That is awesome. I love buildings!" I move to the front of my seat again excitement getting the better of me. Her eyebrow again raises, this time she looks amused. I love buildings, come on. "I should say, I appreciate the work that goes into making them. Sorry, I am a little nervous and I ramble a little."
"Don't worry..." Lorelei starts, but is interrupted by a scream just outside the window.
"HELP!! Please, someone!"
We both jump to our feet. I pull out my phone ready to dial 911. Lorelei puts a hand on my shoulder. "This is going to be a little odd for a first date, but I do have another job. Wait here, call 911, and I'll be right back."
With that she runs out the door. "Wait! What?!" I dial for help as I head out the door to see what is going on.
The building on the corner is on fire. I can hear sirens already approaching. I look up and see a woman yelling out a top floor window. "Please! Up Here!"
The ground begins to shake. I see a figure in a black and gold suit. Once they reach the base of the building the ground shakes more and a pillar lifts the figure right up to the window. The figure helps the woman onto the pillar, as it lowers back to the ground.
"Wow! That was amazing!" I take step closer. This masked figure appears to be a woman.
Green eyes look my way. "Sam, stay back!"
I stop moving. "Lorelei?"
She moves her hand and dirt begins to douse the fire. Two fire trucks arrive, firefighters streaming onto the scene to take over the battle with the fire. I look around but I don't see Lorelei anywhere. I am ushered back by a police officer. I look around again and see the woman from the building being loaded into an ambulance, but she seems to be doing okay.
Unsure what to do I move back to the front of the coffee shop. What the actual heck just happened? Did my date just save someone's life using powers? I look down at my watch. It is only 11 am. I see the Batman logo and can't help but say out loud, "Is she a super hero?"
"I wouldn't go that far."
I jump a full foot in the air, "Holy shit!"
A hand on my shoulder calms me and green eyes make me feel calmer. "Sorry. Didn't mean to sneak up on you."
I take a deep breath, looking from Lorelei to the building that is no longer on fire and back. Meeting those eyes a billion questions on my mind. But she smiles at me, a full smile and I forget how to speak.
Her smile falters. "I know that was a lot. I can explain if you would like. If you still want to finish this date that is?" She looks nervous.
I laugh, "Of course I want to finish this date. That was the coolest thing I have ever seen." I pause concern clouding my features. She frowns, looking worried. "You're not like going to have to erase my memory or...kill me or something like that?"
This time she laughs and it is a beautiful sound. I feel myself relax, "I would be a pretty bad superhero if I did that and I can't erase memories." She takes my hand in hers and for a moment becomes very serious. I freeze looking hard into her eyes. "I do have a request though."
"S-sure..." I stammer a little.
She smiles, "I have a wish list of coffee shops too and I read about one that makes really great pastries. Would you like to go with me for lunch?"
"Yes please!"
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Thanks to Shelby for the prompt and the edits. Always looking for more prompts or advice on writing. Thanks for reading this.
Sharebear
There is a dating app that matches couples based on browser history. Write the first date of a superhero and a writer.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
BroWser is not the only dating app that promises to find your perfect match. It is however the only one with the stats to prove its success. Who can argue with a 90% success rate? Which is why I am here right now, sitting in this cafe about to meet Lorelei. I don't know anything about her other than her name and what she looks like. All you get is a picture and assurance that the app knows best. In fact it choose the place for this meeting too. The only thing I put in was the date and times that worked for me.
I do like the look of this cafe though. It is cozy but not packed with people. The decor is simple with local art for sale on one wall. I can imagine an aspiring artist singing a mellow song on the small stage in the corner. Right now however, the stage is empty. I was glad she could meet me in the morning. I check my watch, the Batman logo taking up the whole face of it tells me it is a quarter to 10. I am always early if I can be. Figure I can grab a drink and find a comfy place to sit and wait.
I approach the counter. The barista is a 20 something with dark hair, wearing a punk t-shirt. She gives me a smile, "What can I get for you?"
I look down at the special of the day. In chalk art my options are a cold brew made with Colombian dark roasted beans or an amaretto hot chocolate. I look up returning her smile, "I'll have a 16oz of the cold brew please."
"Good choice." A deep soft voice says behind me. I jump a tiny bit and turn to look up into bright green eyes, eyes I have seen before, but the picture did not do them justice. She smiles at me. "Hi, you must be Samantha. Sorry I startled you." I stare a moment longer taking this woman in. She is at least half a foot taller than my 5 foot 4. Her cropped short auburn hair is impeccable, not a strand out of place. Dressed in slacks with a gold button up blouse and black vest, she looks like she would be comfortable in any office setting. I would guess she a little older than me, but I can't quite tell.
I shake my head, feeling a blush creep up my neck, "No worries. I startle easy and yes that's me, but you can call me Sam." I put up a hand to shake. She eyes it for a moment and then takes my hand. Her skin is soft, but I notice callouses, these are the hands of someone who works hard.
I finish paying for my drink and move to let her order. I smile when she gets the cold brew too. I point to two chairs tucked in the corner and she nods her approval. I grab my drink and head over to the corner, sinking into the well worn chair. I sigh unconsciously and close my eyes for a moment enjoying the first sip of my drink.
"That is the proper way to enjoy a coffee." Again her soft voice pulls me back to the moment. Her smile is subtle, but her eyes are studying me as she takes a seat. "How do you like it?"
That deep and sultry voice has the heat creeping up my neck again. "It is really good. I love how the cold brewing really tones down the acidity and leaves you with a sweeter, smoother taste." She just nods, taking a drink from her cup. "So...Have you been here before?" I cringe at my lame question, but quickly cover it with a sip.
She shakes her head, "No, but I enjoy new coffee shops."
"Me too!" I shift forward. Whoa, rain it in, I lean back in my chair, trying to relax. "I mean, I have this silly goal of visiting all the coffee shops in the city. This one was on my list." She raises an eyebrow and nods again. Not much of a talker. Come on Sam, you got this. "This dating app is a little weird right? I don't really know anything about you, except that we maybe google the same things?..."
She tilts her head to the side, again her green eyes seem to study me. I tense a little under the scrutiny. "It is an interesting idea." She sighs a little. "Sorry. I am new to dating apps."
"This is my first time using it too." I admit. She just nods again, but seems content with her coffee as she looks around the space. "Um, so...what do you do for work?" She turns her head back to me and I can tell she is considering me and my questions. "That is...I'm a writer...or rather I am trying to be a writer. I work for a publisher as an assistant right now, but I have a blog and a book..." Wow, stop talking.
She smiles at me, "I am an architect."
"Really?! That is awesome. I love buildings!" I move to the front of my seat again excitement getting the better of me. Her eyebrow again raises, this time she looks amused. I love buildings, come on. "I should say, I appreciate the work that goes into making them. Sorry, I am a little nervous and I ramble a little."
"Don't worry..." Lorelei starts, but is interrupted by a scream just outside the window.
"HELP!! Please, someone!"
We both jump to our feet. I pull out my phone ready to dial 911. Lorelei puts a hand on my shoulder. "This is going to be a little odd for a first date, but I do have another job. Wait here, call 911, and I'll be right back."
With that she runs out the door. "Wait! What?!" I dial for help as I head out the door to see what is going on.
The building on the corner is on fire. I can hear sirens already approaching. I look up and see a woman yelling out a top floor window. "Please! Up Here!"
The ground begins to shake. I see a figure in a black and gold suit. Once they reach the base of the building the ground shakes more and a pillar lifts the figure right up to the window. The figure helps the woman onto the pillar, as it lowers back to the ground.
"Wow! That was amazing!" I take step closer. This masked figure appears to be a woman.
Green eyes look my way. "Sam, stay back!"
I stop moving. "Lorelei?"
She moves her hand and dirt begins to douse the fire. Two fire trucks arrive, firefighters streaming onto the scene to take over the battle with the fire. I look around but I don't see Lorelei anywhere. I am ushered back by a police officer. I look around again and see the woman from the building being loaded into an ambulance, but she seems to be doing okay.
Unsure what to do I move back to the front of the coffee shop. What the actual heck just happened? Did my date just save someone's life using powers? I look down at my watch. It is only 11 am. I see the Batman logo and can't help but say out loud, "Is she a super hero?"
"I wouldn't go that far."
I jump a full foot in the air, "Holy shit!"
A hand on my shoulder calms me and green eyes make me feel calmer. "Sorry. Didn't mean to sneak up on you."
I take a deep breath, looking from Lorelei to the building that is no longer on fire and back. Meeting those eyes a billion questions on my mind. But she smiles at me, a full smile and I forget how to speak.
Her smile falters. "I know that was a lot. I can explain if you would like. If you still want to finish this date that is?" She looks nervous.
I laugh, "Of course I want to finish this date. That was the coolest thing I have ever seen." I pause concern clouding my features. She frowns, looking worried. "You're not like going to have to erase my memory or...kill me or something like that?"
This time she laughs and it is a beautiful sound. I feel myself relax, "I would be a pretty bad superhero if I did that and I can't erase memories." She takes my hand in hers and for a moment becomes very serious. I freeze looking hard into her eyes. "I do have a request though."
"S-sure..." I stammer a little.
She smiles, "I have a wish list of coffee shops too and I read about one that makes really great pastries. Would you like to go with me for lunch?"
"Yes please!"
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Thanks to Shelby for the prompt and the edits. Always looking for more prompts or advice on writing. Thanks for reading this.
Sharebear
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