#aaronhirsch

Opening the shop with a yawn was a morning staple. Begrudgingly, rubbing the night’s rest away, Ethan and the other unlucky suckers that were rostered on a morning, slowly got to work in preparation for the daily trudge. Though, there was an upside to early starts, not only did he bore witness to the island waking up, its slow shuffle as it roared into the week, mornings also meant a slew of regulars, for whom Ethan had orders memorised. 

One of these people was Aaron. After an awkward encounter that had yet to leave his brain, Ethan quickly caught onto his coffee order and his visits to the coffee shop, and eventually they fell into a pattern of small talk over coffee — a great ice breaker and vanquisher of awkward moments, for them anyway. A quick glance at the clock told him Aaron’s imminent arrival, making Ethan ditch the grogginess that clung on and work quickly to set up the cappuccino machine, pushing yesterday’s absence aside. It was a new day after all.

JAS: HAPPY HOLIDAYS I hope you're having a wonderful time!

JAS: I wanted to take a moment and send you a bunch of emojis to put a smile on your face!

JAS: 💝🎄🎁✨💝🎄🎁✨💝🎄🎁✨💝🎄🎁✨💝🎄🎁✨

WHERE: antonio’s pizzeria.

only jasmine would think pizza was a good idea for a first date, let alone with someone she had never met. it was the compromise she gave to her friend who set all of this up. obviously, it was not her own idea. even if she was the mastermind of crazy plans, blind dates were out of her imagination’s league.  dates in general, she might add. there was no way she could turn down this opportunity. her friend had worked so hard, or so she said, to find a potential suitor minnie would not scare away. he was no stranger to energetic people, that was all she knew about him. it sounded promising. the young woman arrived early, so she had time to lurk through the menu for something less messy than her usual order. she made the terrible decision of wearing a white strapless dress. she did not mind embarassing herself by sharing too many informations or saying a terrible joke, but staining the outfit she bought for this special occasion was not in her plans.

so, she waited. she always kept an eye on the door while she checked her phone. she was growing hopeful that this date would do her good. she, still, had a knot in her stomach that gave her a bad feeling about this. her doubts were washed away when she noticed the familiar face walking towards her table. "this is one nice surprise!” jasmine exclaimed and stood up from her seat to greet the man. “i hope elena does not mind me stealing you for the night! and i also hope you like pizza, or else we’re starting whatever this is on the wrong foot!”

Really though, there was no need for him to travel all the way out of his apartment for a drink, a short walk to his fridge would suffice, but Ethan’s tongue itched for something more that store-bought beer, something different and he sure wasn’t going to get that sitting at home. Bootlegger’s had been a pretty fine choice, a speakeasy establishment was perfect for someone that wanted to drink in secret, so that’s where he found himself. On a plush chair by the bar, two Sidecars down and contemplating whether or not to change to something else, when a something else was placed in front of him. 

Confused look was given to the bartender who’s only reply was a nudge of his head sideways, and Ethan made the mistake of following his gaze, and he knew it was a mistake because the sight sobered him up almost instantly. “Oh no, oh this will not do,” he replied to most himself as he left his seat, alcohol filled him with false confidence and directed his feet and moved him by sheer stupidity alone, drink in hand, all the way towards him. Too much time had passed for them to meet like this, the culprit received no hello, no how are you, just a plain and simple, “What is this?” followed by a “Why are you here?” Nothing more was required really, not to Aaron.

“Oh my God, hi!” Her voice comes out louder than excepted, squeaky and a tad hoarse from a night of drinking and dancing with Ardin. 

As the words leave her mouth, she clears her throat, retracting her energy for a moment. “Oh, wow, I did...not mean to scream at you like that...” Cue a nervous laugh, her hand now shooting out for the other to take, “I’m Maya,” She starts, her wide smile never faltering, “I’m Ardin’s girlfriend. I keep meaning to like, get us all together to meet but I suppose this is the way the universe wants this to go.”

“I have to say, the food is pretty good” said Sage, before taking another bite of their dinner. After they swallowed, they added “Usually catered food is not that great, in my experience.” Sage had been to plenty of weddings and other catered events over the years, and was surprised that the food was better than they’d expected. “Are you enjoying your dinner too?” they asked the person sitting closest to them.