#melbstarter

Standing right outside the door to Georgia’s dorm, Tony reached in his pocket and grabbed his cell phone to text his friend.

Tony [20:16] Stop studying nerd Tony ]20:16] I’m coming over Tony ]20:17] We’re going out Right after he sent the last text, he waited for a few minutes giving her ample time to check her messages.  Though he was sure she most likely had her cell phone on silent to focus on her academia.  Finally, he gave a couple of knocks on her door before he waltzed right in. No doubt, he would find the woman in her favorite position…studying at her desk.  Scanning the dorm, he smiled when he saw her.  Running up to her, he wrapped his arms around her and lifted her along with her chair having zero respect for personal boundaries.  “C’mon, you need a break.  I have not seen you in two weeks so I know you have been studying too much.”  He said as he lowered her back to the ground.  “And I am not taking no for an answer.”  Of course if she was adamant, he would.  But he was hoping she be inclined to spend some time with him and enjoy a night out.  “I was thinking first food at a local diner and maybe a few drinks?  What do you say?  Relieve my boredom?”  He asked with his lips pouted.

“How the hell do you not know how to tie a damn tie Tony?”  Looking up towards his older cousin allowing him to borrow the tux, since all the tuxes he owned happened to be easily pulled off his body.  He shrugged.  “Sorry Rocco, I didn’t have a dad to teach me these things.”  Tony commented playing the father card, knowing it would shut his cousin up.  His cousin fixed his tie and glanced over him.  “The suit is a little big on you, but other than that you look great.”  Glancing at himself in the mirror, he had to admit he cleaned up nicely.  “Hey man, thanks again.  I’ll bring it back later this week.”  With that said, he bid farewell to his cousin and headed out the door. Before he could even get to the gate towards the uber, his cousin was shouting at him.  “Tony don’t forget to get her flowers. She is a photographer inviting you to an art gala”  He rolled his eyes, “not a date.”  Not sure how many times he had to say that to the man, he thought to himself as he slipped into the back of the vehicle.

“Geez everyone thinks I am made of money,” he murmured to himself staring out the window. Just ten minutes away from Cassandra’s place, Tony groaned as his cousin’s words played in his mind.  Leaning forward in the car, he smiled towards the driver.  “Uh can we make a quick stop; there is a flower place just down the street.”  With the quick pit stop, Tony nearly fell over at the prices marked on the flowers.  Picking the cheapest assortment, he ran back to the car.

Once he arrived at her place, he stood outside the door for a moment trying to straighten his suit and make sure he looked presentable.  After all, Cassie invited him of all people to go to some art gala.  He figured the least he could do was look decent.  With the flowers placed in one hand, he knocked on the door and waited for it to open.  “Hey, uh these are for you.”  He stated holding out the arrangement.  When his eyes finally fell upon her, he grinned widely.  “Damn, you look amazing.  Not that you don’t always, but wow.”  He took a step forward, “and lucky for you, you will have the hottest piece of eye candy on your arm all night.  Feel free to show me off.”  He teased.

No one told him 2017 was not going to be his year.  Geez someone could have at least given him a warning.  From the get go, things have been crumbling all around him. First losing his job right before Christmas and now back on stage taking his clothes off for people nothing he certainly wanted to brag about to his mother to say the least.  Not to mention the disappearance of his bestie.  For someone so usually relaxed and happy, he had been finding himself in the dumps lately.  Just needing a break from everything and he knew the perfect person to contact.  Reaching for his phone, he text an old friend.

Tony [13:42] WHY HAVEN’T I SEEN YOU ALL YEAR? Tony [13:42] Seriously tho, I miss your face. Tony [13:43] You wanna meet up at the park and skateboard. Tony [13:44] I might even be inclined to buy you some food.

Despite the lack of communication between the two in the last few months, Tony knew she was the right person to contact.  One, he missed her terribly but also he knew she wouldn’t turn down a friend.  Plus anytime the two went long times without talking, the moment they were reunited it was as if no time has passed.  After they agreed on a set location, he grabbed his board and headed down towards the park to see she got there before he did. “I guess the idea of a free hot dog really grabbed your attention,” he smiled as he walked up towards her with the board in hand.

From his view, Tony was sure he ended up on top when it came to the race. However, if one is being technical the woman he learned was Alice won the race and the ultimate victory of shaming him and getting the victory beer they agreed upon.  Apparently she won by quite the distance since Tony did not pass the line until moments after her.  Sadly, the two had to part ways before he could buy her that bottle of amber deliciousness at the event, so he asked to postpone the humiliation for another time and luckily for him…well her since she was the one getting the free drink, she agreed to meet up at a bar later that week.

Per usual, Tony arrived a few minutes later after the agreed upon time. At first, he did not see her and he figured she either forgot about the beer or did not find it necessary to show up for one free drink.  But as he made his way towards the bar, he quickly noticed the brunette and he slid up next to her.  “And for a moment I thought you might have forgotten about the beer.”  He said with a smile as he sat on the stool next to hers. “Since I had to dash right after the race, am I in for a brutal humiliation?”  He asked before looking up at the bartender and lifting two fingers up to indicate he needed two beers.  “Anyway, I am ready.  To quote Pat Benatar, hit me with your best shot.”