#date gone wrong

Dreams of You

Fragment///001 — Just about enough

Each ticking second felt like it was growing closer to a light year.

The dread of how much more to endure was almost parallel to finding what useless thing could be said next.

Melanie gave a weak smile as she snapped out of disassociation to rejoin the tables atmosphere and conversation.

Kate gave a quick questioning glance before laughing at a joke thrown to the table by her date. Ever the most polite one.

Melanie shook her head and took a deep drink of her fizzy spirit.

Just a little more to go.

Looking up with a plastered expression of neutrality.

"Do you always do that?" The boy across from her asked.

"Excuse me?" Melanie's under eyes pulsing a quick squint that briefly flickered judgement.

"Uh—just, it looked like you were on another planet for a second. Sorry?" Donny gripped his drink, taking a nervous sip, and looking down the table at his friend Gerard.

"Oh. No... just on double dates." Melanie replied with a sarcastic smile. "—Ow!" receiving a quick kick under the table from Kate.

"Kidding." Melanie added quickly.

Kate's gaze hardly left Gerard.

Melanie sighed with a smile. At least her dearest friend was having a great time. But her patience was beginning to spread thinner by the moment. She had just about enough of faking it this long.

Donny cleared his throat and looked like he wanted to speak but nothing came out.

Kate finally broke divided attention with Gerard and looked down the table. "I'm glad we could all do this!"

"Yea! However, I want credit for these two hitting it off though." Gerard's tone was somewhere between aloof and teasing.

"Com'on now, we've barely just met." Donny chuckled and rolled his eyes at his friend.

Kate gulped her sip.

Melanies gaze snapped up from her glass, flowing from Gerard to Donny.

He didn't remember her.

He didn't remember tormenting her as children.

He didn't remember being a bully—to none other than his current double date.

"Oh is that so?" Melanie's mood ran cold, to the point where she could no longer contain herself.

Kate was about to interject but was cut off.

"You're telling me... you don't remember the way you put gum in my hair in the second grade?!" Melanie's tone laced with poison and disdain.

Kate covered her eyes with one hand, already embarrassed.

Gerards eyes widened and filled with curiosity.

Donny squirmed in his seat under the sudden direct pressure.

It felt like the radius of silence expanded around their table. Nearby conversations becoming faint whispers.

"Wait, no, of course not! You never even apologized, or card about the people you bullied back then. Not enough to even remember them, apparently." Melanie rolled her eyes before taking a sip of her drink to cut the tension.

A pause.

A sigh.

"Well—I didn't know that was you!? You look so different now?!... How was I supposed to know? Plus, we were just kids back then!" Donny tried to defend.

Gerard took a drink as well and glanced between his friend and Melanie "Well this was unexpected—ow!"

Kate hissed something inaudible to him after also kicking him under the table and began to gather her purse and sweater.

"I'm going to call a cab." Melanie looked at Kate before getting up from the table. "I need the restroom."

As she walked away from the table she could hear Donny and Gerard already beginning to argue.

Virgil gave into temptation and stepped closer, his hand carefully covering his mouth and nose, directing his breath downwards – away from the painting he was studying in enraptured detail.

He had seen Constables before, but only in public museums, and they discouraged any kind of focused contemplation; so when he had been offered the run of the extensive Creighton-Ward art gallery while Gordon and Penelope were on their ‘date’ he had jumped at the chance.

Parker had suggested he might be interested in this painting, pointing it out with a casual, “I think you’ll f’hind that corner m’host h’interesting, Mister Virgil,” and a small smile, before excusing himself to his other duties in the manor.

DIE 173

it came to me in a vision

Maybe, just occasionally, my best friend was right about things. However, this was not one of those times. 

“...So that’s how I got into the stock market! You know, if you ever wanted to start investing, I could definitely help you out with that.” My date, Ryan? Or possibly Reid? smirked at me. I hadn’t gotten a chance to confirm what his name was once he started talking about his many accomplishments and luxurious life. 

I let out a fake laugh. “Sure.” An awkward silence sat between us. God, this was painful. I was going to kill Keyshia as soon as I got out of here. Finally, it got to be too much for me. 

He opened his mouth once more, but I quickly butted in. “Ralph,” hope I got that right. “I’m just going to head to the restroom really quick. Be right back.” I smiled warmly and quickly turned on my heels, evading the bar’s various patrons. I rolled my eyes when I thought about his choice of location once more. Not only was this place noisy and crowded, the booth we were currently sitting at had a weirdly sticky table and highly uncomfortable wooden seats. 

“Should’ve known better than to let the man pick the location, Harper.” I sighed and made my way to the bathroom. Quickly doing my business and washing my hands, I paused at the door. This date hadn’t even properly started. We’d be here less than thirty minutes, twenty-eight of which had been unbearable. Minus the two he’d allowed me to get a word in apart from replying to what he was saying. A drink could make things more bearable, I thought to myself. Or five. 

My mind settled, I made my way to the circular bar in the middle of the establishment, making sure to pick a side opposite from where Ryder? was waiting for me. Hopping on a stool, I waited patiently for a bartender to attend me, drumming my fingers on the counter. Soon enough, the most gorgeous woman I’d ever seen stood before me. I blinked twice, taking her in. Short maroon-reddish hair sat on top of a striking face. Sharp features filled my view, an angular jaw and straight nose. Her arms were tan, lean, and muscled; tattoos littered among them. She was tall, taller than me, close to six feet. And her eyes. Dark, inky black eyes bore into me, every inch of them inviting. This woman was... hot didn’t accurately describe her. Tempting, enticing, a bad idea a voice in the back of my mind warned. 

“What can I get you, gorgeous?” The corner of her mouth twitched. My face warmed. 

After a moment, I swallowed and regained my composure. “Do you use that name on all your patrons?” 

She smirked. “Not all of ‘em.” Was that an accent I heard? 

“I’ll take a whiskey, neat.” 

She whistled. “That’s a strong drink, didn’t think a girl like you had the guts for it.” 

“Yeah, well. I’ll need it.” I muttered, glancing back over to where I’d left Rob? I seriously needed to ask for this guy’s name. 

A brow raised. “Rough night?” She asked, sliding the drink my way. 

I took a large gulp and winced. “You have no idea.” 

She let out a deep, sultry chuckle and I savored the sound. 

“Seems like your boy toy is waiting for you.” There was that small lilt of an accent again. Absentmindedly, I wondered if it became stronger when she was upset or more emotional. 

“Where are you from?” I blurted out, not wanting this conversation to end just yet. Anything was better than getting back to this miserable date. 

Her eyes twinkled and there was a small pause, before, “Mississippi. Moved here as soon as I turned eighteen.” Mississippi. A country accent then. 

“City life more your style?” 

Something imperceptible flashed across her eyes before she blinked it away and grinned cheekily at me. “Somethin’ like that.” 

I held her gaze for a moment before the sound of glass breaking broke me out of my reverie. Pun not intended. “Right, well,” I cleared my throat. “Thanks for... this.” I held my drink up. 

“Anytime.” 

My face lit up with a genuine smile before I turned away, making my way back to Rex? 

I forced myself to sit through another hour of boring conversation with Ryker—name now confirmed, hooray! —before I started genuinely questioning my sanity. I had refrained from ordering another drink when I figured I’d likely have to find my own way home. No way in hell I was getting into a car with this dude. 

Just when I thought I couldn’t take another second of this, some sort of divine intervention stepped in. 

“Hey, beautiful, you ready to go?” A warm hand rested on my lower back. I shifted to look up at this mysterious person and blinked once, twice. The cute bartender from before? I hadn’t gotten her name either. I was really on a roll tonight. 

“Huh?” 

“I said I’d take you home, ‘member? Seems like your date was coming to an end anyway.” My brows furrowed once more, and I opened my mouth to respond when her eyes widened slightly. Play along, she seemed to say. 

“Who the hell is this?” Ryker demanded. 

I forced a smile for his benefit. “Ryker, this is my friend...” 

“Quinn. Pleasure.” I pressed my lips together to hide a smile. The expression on Quinn’s face indicated it was anything but. 

“Well, Quinn, that’s nice of you to offer but our date is anything but over. I’m happy to take Harp home.” He said smugly. My eyes narrowed. I hated it when people called me Harp. 

“Actually, Ryker,” I pushed my irritation to the side as best as I could. “Quinn is right. I’m quite tired. I was just about to let you know I’d be heading home.” I pushed my way out of my seat. Quinn’s hand stayed where it was on my back, now tracing slow, idle circles. 

“But—” 

I didn’t let him finish. “Thanks for the food. Have a wonderful rest of your night.” 

The corner of Quinn’s mouth quirked up as I led her out of the bar and into the cold night air. I turned to her, fully prepared to sing her highest praises. 

“I can’t thank you enough for what you did back there. Seriously. I was genuinely preparing myself to fake a stroke to get out of that.” I joked. She threw her head back in laughter and stuck her hand in her pockets. I grinned, feeling accomplished that I’d made, what seemed like a very stoic and serious woman, laugh. 

“That bad, huh?” 

“That bad. Worse, actually. We sat there for two hours but it felt more like two days. Not to mention I think those were the most silent two hours of my life! I shared more words with you in that small interaction than I did throughout that entire date.” 

She snickered again. “I was happy to help, Harp?” She posed the last part as a question. 

I shook my head. “Harper. I hate when people call me Harp. Of course, that asshole wouldn’t know it because he didn’t bother asking.” 

“Harper.” She repeated, the sound pleasant on her lips. I didn’t know that it was possible for my name to sound so good on anybody’s lips. 

"Nice to meet you, Quinn.” 

“You too.” She smiled a real smile, and my breath caught in my throat for a moment. She’s beautiful. There was a small pause that bordered on awkward, before she filled it. “Hey, listen. I just finished my shift. I’d be more than happy to actually take you home if you needed a ride.” 

I raised a brow. “Hmm... I don’t know. How do I know you’re not just trying to kidnap me?” I teased. 

“That’s a good point,” She nodded. “You could always go back to Mr. Boring in there. I’m sure he’d be ecstatic you came back.” 

I huffed out a laugh and playfully pushed her shoulder. “Low blow!”  

She grinned at me. 

I glanced down at my feet, my cheeks warm despite the cold breeze, and spoke earnestly. “That would be great. I don’t live too far from here, if you wouldn’t mind.” 

“It’d be my pleasure, sweetheart.” 

“Lead the way then.” 

We made our way to Quinn’s car quietly, who had parked about two blocks from the bar. On the way there, I had shivered for the fifth time in the row—curse me for allowing Keyshia to convince me to wear a little black dress tonight—before Quinn had declared she’d had enough of my poor shivering and handed me her jacket. It was a warm, black leather jacket that I now sported, sticking my hands into it as soon as we’d reached the car. 

She owned a navy-blue sedan and gave the car a little rub before she’d hopped inside with me. I got the impression that this was more than just a car to her but a prized possession and smiled to myself. 

Once inside, she immediately turned on the heater, likely for my benefit, and I softly thanked her. 

“So, where am I takin’ you?” 

I gave her the address to my house and soon enough we were on our way. The silence that stretched between us wasn’t uncomfortable, I noticed, but calm. After a while, I broke it anyways. 

“So, I noticed you like, rubbed the head of your car before you got in. Is there any particular relationship I should be aware of? I wouldn’t want to get in between true love.” I teased, snickering to myself. 

Quinn grinned to herself and shook her head. Her hands rubbed absentminded circles on the wheel of her car. “I’ve had this car since I was eighteen. It’s what got me out of home. Guess I’m sentimental about it.” She shrugged. I hummed in response. 

“I like your tattoos.” I remarked. “They’re cool. I’ve always wanted tattoos myself, just never had the balls to get one.” 

Her eyes shifted my way before focusing back on the road and I thought I saw a smirk on her face. 

“Thank you.” 

“Any particular reason you got them?” 

“Yeah.” When she didn’t elaborate further, I figured she was tired from a long shift and let the matter drop. She offered a ride, not a get-to-know-each-other chat. A voice inside me sneered. I stamped down the thought and tried to keep my mind blank.  

“All my tattoos have some sort of personal meaning to them. I have a couple for my family, different experiences I’ve gone through, stuff like that.” She said after a while. 

I shifted to her, surprised she’d answered. 

“Oh, wow. I always thought if I were to get a tattoo it’d be of something I just thought was pretty but... I respect that.” 

She bowed her head in thanks. I hid a smile and looked out the window. Just then, my stomach decided it’d had enough and wanted to enter the conversation too. I cringed, great timing dude.  

Quinn raised a brow. “Hungry?” 

“Slightly... Ryk—I mean. Mr. Boring didn’t offer to get some food, and it slipped my mind.” I admitted. 

“I know a place. We’ll head there now.” 

“Oh, no, no! That’s not necessary. I have some leftovers at home I’m looking forward to eating anyway.” Not true, but Quinn didn’t need to know I was currently in the financial trenches. That was third-date type of information. Not that this was a date. It definitely wasn’t. Right? 

“Nonsense. Let me make up for that boy’s lacking.” 

“I swear it’s fine! I—” 

“Harper. Let me take care of ya.” She spoke low and deep, in a way that left no room for discussion and a slight shiver down my back. “Okay.” I squeaked in response. 

Fifteen minutes later, we were sitting in the parking lot of a shopping center’s eating the best burgers I’ve ever had. 

“My god.” I moaned through a bite. “Thishishsogood.” 

Quinn chuckled as she watched me engorge myself. “Told ya. Benny’s Burgers. Best place in town, and they’re open twenty-four-seven.” 

“I can’t believe I almost let you not take me to this place.” I shook my head, grinning. 

She snorted. “I wasn’t gonna take no for an answer, but it’s cute you think you had a choice.” 

My face warmed. “I must admit, you have definitely been better company than Mr. Boring.” 

She smirked. “That’s mighty praise.” 

“Do savor it. I don’t give such compliments often.” 

We both burst into laughter once more and after a couple minutes, finished our meals. 

“I suppose I should take you home now. I’m sure you have many more awful dates to go on, which you need your beauty sleep for.” 

“God, I hope not.” I laughed, taking a sip of the milkshake she’d also convinced me to get. Superior food taste and she insisted on paying for my food? Someone out there was looking out for me, bringing this woman into my life, even if it was just for a night. 

I looked up to find her staring at me with a peculiar look on her face. 

“What? Something on my mouth?” 

She pressed her lips together, shook her head, and turned to start the car up again. “No. Nothin’ like that.” 

Before I knew it, we were parked outside my apartment. I gathered my stuff quickly and began to shrug off her jacket when she stopped me. 

“Keep it. Looks nice on ya.” 

My mouth parted slightly. “Are you sure? I promise I’ll survive the two-minute walk in the cold to my apartment door.” I teased. 

“Positive.” 

“I’ll have to meet you sometime then.” I offered. “To give it back to you.” I added hurriedly. 

“I guess so.” She smirked. 

My face warmed and I hid a grin. “Well. Thank you for tonight. Seriously. You made what was turning into an awful night wasted, a million times better.” 

Her mouth curved into a smile. “My pleasure. Have a good night, Harper.” 

My lips pursed for a quick moment, and before I lost my nerve, I pressed a chaste kiss on her cheek. Her eyes widened at the action, and I quickly climbed out of the car.