Speed date
You stepped inside a bar. It was filled with people. You had promised to go to a speed dating –night with your friend. First time for a long time you were having a weekend off and your friend had made you to give your word that you would join her when there was a speed date –event happening and you were not working. You got a nametag and sat down by a small table. The host explained the rules; the men always moved one table to the left when the alarm went off. There were always five minutes per table to find out if you wanted to get to know each other more.
The guys did not impress you much, the handsome ones were just too self-absorbed and the not-so-handsome ones were boring. It was a time for a break. You decided to get yourself a drink, there was no way you could survive the second half sober.
You noticed a handsome, tall, blonde man surrounded by women. It was Steve Rogers, better known as Captain America but you did not recognize him. His friend Sam had asked him to be his wingman but had been more like a plot to get him out and possibly meet someone… your case was pretty much the same. He walked to you.
- Having fun? he asked casually.
- Uhm… it depends on the definition of the word “fun”. If getting equally annoyed and bored is being considered as “fun” then sure; I’m having time of my life.
- That bad?
- Unfortunately so.
- I get an impression that you did not come here willingly…
- That is correct. I’m here for a friend… who is apparently doing quite well without me. you said and pointed at your friend who was surrounded by guys
- Ah… I see, well, if it makes you feel any better… my situation is very much the same. he said and pointed at Sam who was flirting quite openly with a redhead.
- Yeah, the only difference is that every girl here would die to get a date with you.
- Ha-ha! What makes you say so?
- Well… You have the looks, obviously. But… I’m curious… you’re talking with the most unpopular woman here tonight and I assume that you’re doing so free-willingly, it makes me wonder if you either are planning to embarrass me, or you’re feeling sorry for me…
- What?
- or… you just have a weird taste of women.
Rogers was speechless.
- Relax… I’m only teasing you. you said and chuckled.
You finally got your drink and then the host asked everyone to return to their places. You sat down and looked for the man you had enjoyed talking with the most whole evening. Soon however you had been swept back to the despair and boredom. The man was having fun. He was laughing at the jokes that the women told to impress him. You were annoyed; such a handsome, tall, well-build, polite… man.
- Oh, stop it! you said half aloud when the alarm went off again.
- Well hi there. you heard a familiar voice saying.
- Still having fun?
-Yeah… tremendously. So… Steve… you said as you read his name from his nametag.
- Are you having fun?
- I am now…
- Ha-ha! Thanks! you exclaimed.
- No… I didn’t mean it like that… I am having fun in the general meaning of the word.
- Really?
- Yeah… Tell you the truth, after the break, this is the table I’ve been most looking forward to.
- You’re kidding, right?
- No… So… (Y/N)… What do you do for living?
- Uhm… nothing too special… I work with computers, quite simple and boring stuff, really... I am an office rat that no one notices. you answered.
- And how about you?
- Well… nothing that special either. Security…
- Ah, should had guessed.
- Why?
- Well… you look like you are practically living at the gym and you’re too pretty to be bouncer.
Steve laughed. You shared a lively conversation with him and then the alarm went off again.
- Thank you for a lovely chat. you said and smiled. You never felt connection to anyone, mostly because you never let anyone close or opened yourself up to anyone to get actually to know you. It was rather dangerous to connect with anyone in a metaphorical sense so you just kept your distance and had managed to avoid heartaches for many, many years.
After a few more boring speed dates it was time to go home. You did not see Steve and figured that he had gone home already, or most likely hooked up with someone. You got your jacket from the cloakroom and saw the handsome guy, Steve, speaking with your friend. “Figures” you thought to yourself as you walked to her.
- Hi… excuse me… you said and got your friends attention.
- I’m calling it a day.
- Yeah… Steve here came to tell me that he was going to take you home.
- Uhm… I did not know that.
- Yes… I saw you getting your jacket so I figured that you might need someone to make sure that you’ll get home safely.
- Well thank you for that gallant gesture but I can assure you…
- It’s not necessary?
- Yes… it really isn’t. I’m not a damsel in distress kind of girl. you told him smilingly. Steve smiled back.
- It will be my pleasure. he said and it was obvious that he wasn’t going to take a no for an answer, besides you did not mind. You just did not want to seem too interested or desperate or easy.
- Very well. you said and wished your friend goodnight.
You walked slowly with Steve. It was spring and trees were blooming. You were almost wishing that things were different, that you were different, that it would be easier to just go with it and not to think about what might happen in the future; "if I let this man walk me home, will he break my heart within next 10 years" -kind of BS. It was nice to connect with someone. You stopped in a park for a moment to sit under a tree on a bench. The atmosphere was relaxed in a friendly way but there were sparks between you two and there was no way of denying it.
- You seem far too interesting for a boring office-work… What is it that you really do? he asked suddenly.
- What do you mean? Did you not know that behind every big corporation is an army of office rats just like me? It is not the most interesting job in the world but it does pay the bills.
- Where do you work?
- I... rather not discuss it... I signed a contract and I could get into trouble if I talked about my employer. But I am pretty sure that since you're working in the field of security... you are familiar with this kind of... privacy issues. you said and stood up.
- Listen, I'm a bit cold... I think I should get going.
- Or... I could give you my jacket and we could stay for a moment. he said almost shyly. You checked out your phone.
- The truth is that there should be a meteor shower tonight and as I happen to be interested in space... I have planned to camp on the roof of my department building and catch a shooting star... and maybe even stay up until the sunrise.
- Oh...
- You could, of course, join me. I have bought snacks.
- Maybe some other time. I will walk you home, though.
"Damn" you thought, nodded with a smile and stood up. You lived just on the other side of the park and after a ten minute walk you were standing at the door of the building.
- This... is me. you said and pointed at the building.
- Alright. Well I'm glad that you got home safely. Have a lovely stargazing... night.
- Thank you. you said and smiled. Steve smiled and then left.
- By the way... I had fun... in a normal meaning of the word. you shouted and waved your had as a goodbye. He turned and shouted "likewise".