#mod mc

“Okay, today’s the day,” Tyler spoke to his reflection in the mirror. The sophomore boy went through a mental check list as he studied his reflection.

‘Clean teeth and fresh breath?’  He flashed a smile, two rows of decently white teeth winked back him. He quickly smelled his breath, pleased that the scent of his mint mouthwash greeted him. ‘Check.’

‘Hair washed, conditioned, and styled?’ Tyler carefully picked through his curly fro until he was satisfied with the volume. ‘Check.’

‘Showered with my best bar soap, used lotion so I don’t look like I come from Ash City, and used my best cologne?’ His dark skin glistened under his lamp light, faintly smelling like cocoa butter, vanilla, and tonka bean. ‘Check.’

‘Deodorant?’ A quick spray under his arms before capping the the bottle. ‘Check.’

‘A good outfit?’ Tyler studied his outfit of choice with a critical eye. A plain white T-shirt, a red flannel, black jeans, clean pair of socks, his usual silver necklace and watch, and his brand new white sneakers (well, after he did some scrubbing, used a shoe whitener, and a spot of bleach brand new... what’s it to you?). Putting on his clothes, he gave a satisfied smile. ‘Check and Check.’

‘A proper but unique introduction?’ His smile faltered. ‘Ah crap...’

One might wonder what could Tyler Woods possibly be preparing for?

Was it a group presentation?

Was he looking to make good first impression to his girlfriend’s parents? Or an important scout that was visiting his college?

Was he meeting a new group of people he hopes to befriend?

No. Nay. Nope. And absolutely not.

He was going to finally introduce himself to his crush and ask her out on a date.

Tyler has had girlfriends in the past, even though they dated for superficial reasons. But he had no issue using his boyish charm to draw them in. 

Though he might need a miracle for this round.

Who’s the girl in question?

A criminology freshman by the name of Judith.

Tyler remembers being on his morning run around the campus. It was still pretty early, dawn just breaching over the horizon, bringing forth a new day of headache inducing classes and anxiety ridden deadlines. He was just making his way by the coffee shop on campus when he noticed her through the window. He ended up skidding to a stop before turning around and peeking through the window to get a second look at the girl.

The young black girl was sitting a booth, seemingly engrossed in whatever book she was reading as she took in a few sips of her drink in between. She had a big dark mane of soft looking curls with two small buns on top of her head. Thick full brows framed big dark brown eyes. Full plump lips were naturally laxed, save when she took a quick swing of her drink. She looked cozy in her little cream sweater dress.

Tyler was a goner.

From then until now, he would frequent the coffee shop where she seemed to be at most mornings. He would sit not too far from the beauty, studying (when really at least 75% of the time he’s stealing glances at her). On one his failed attempts to edit a paper, he heard the barista call out her name.

And what a beautiful name it is...

But other than that and her major (after walking by her and seeing a book from her major), he knows next to nothing about her.

Tyler squared his shoulders, giving himself a firm nod.

But that was going to change today... he hoped.

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Judith was already in the coffee shop, nose deep into book with a steaming cup of tea sitting nearby. Tyler made sure to place an order before squaring his shoulders and walking up to her.

“Excuse me?” Big brown eyes peeked above from the top of a plain black book, a questioning brow regarding the athlete in curiosity.

‘Sweet baby Jesus and all his merciful angels, she’s beautiful... Don’t back down Tyler! You can do this!’ The boy plastered on a charming smile.

“Hi, I’m Mr. Right. Someone said you were looking for me?” The girl’s brow inched higher before her eyes returned to the page she was reading.

“Nope, wrong girl,” Judith replied smoothly. ‘Well damn...’

“Haha, right... I’m Tyler by the way,” he laughed awkwardly before taking a seat in front of her. Judith didn’t look up at him again as she spoke again,

“I know.” He blinked at the girl, bewildered. Did she actually notice him before today?

“Tyler Woods. Sophomore. Sports medicine major. One of the top track and field runners in the state,” she raddled off, taking a sip of her tea. Tyler’s face fell a bit.

‘Damn, so she hasn’t really noticed me...’

“Oh yeah, that’s me,” he said, waiting for the girl to say more. She didn’t. 

The two sat in silence before Tyler spoke again.

“So, what’s your name?” 

“Valentine.” The boy blinked again.

“I thought it was Judith.” Judith (Valentine?) looked up again.

“That’s my middle name and I usually prefer to go by that. But my real name is Valentine Judith Stone. And before you ask, I was name after the character from The Two Gentlemen from Verona, not the holiday,” she replied before returning to her book. Tyler inwardly sighed.

‘I hope one day you’ll be my Valentine... Valentine Judith Woods, I like the sound of that...’

“That’s actually really cool, Judith... Wanna you know what else is cool,” he asked. He got a raised brow as an answer.

“My shirt.” Finally the girl looked up again. Narrowed eyes study the white tee before meeting his gaze.

“And what about it?” Tyler grinned.

“Do you know what my shirt is made of? Boyfriend material.” Tyler couldn’t see the bottom half of her face thanks to her book but he could’ve sworn he saw the corner of her eyes crinkle before quickly fading.

“I’m pretty sure that is 100% cotton actually. It is the fabric of our lives,” the girl hummed before silence fell on them again. Few moments turned into a few minutes and Tyler could feel his nerves get the best of him. The girl didn’t seem to much of a conversationalist or maybe she just found him to be annoying.

He honestly couldn’t tell.

“Was there something you actually needed from me,” Judith asked, still not looking up at him. Tyler perked up at this opening.

“Yeah, actually. On a scale of 1 to America, how free are you tonight?” Judith flipped a page as she spoke,

“I’m afraid Harriet Tubman hasn’t freed me from my plantation yet. So, still enslaved.” Tyler’s jaw dropped before he let out a laugh.

‘She’s so feisty, it’s cute. I’m going to get her one way or another...’

“Sassy, I like it. Mark my words Judith Stone, you’ll agree to go out on a date with me,” Tyler smirked. He perked up when his name was called. Judith eyed him as he slowly stood, thankful for the book covering her face just enough to hide her flush when he flashed flirty smile.

“I’ll see you around, Miss Stone. And that’s a promise.”

‘Trust me Tyler Woods, I don’t doubt you for a second...’

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And so it began. 

Almost anytime Judith would be in the coffee shop, Tyler made it his business to come in and try any of his pick up lines. Not so much so to see if they’ll work on her, but to see what she says.

He finds her sass and wit to be amusing.

But it was also a good way to start a conversation or get a smile out of her (he thinks she smiles at least. It was hard to tell because she seems to always be hiding behind a book).

“So tell me something interesting about yourself,” Tyler prompted one day. Judith looked up for a second before returning to her book.

“I can speak Portuguese.” Tyler made a soft curious noise, causing the girl to explain.

“When I was little, I had caretakers that spoke the language. Since I’ve been around them so much, I picked up on the language and can speak it fluently.” Tyler smiled.

“This sounds totally cliché but could you say something in Portuguese,” he asked, making a pleading hand gesture, “Please?”

Judith rose a brow before lowering her book. Tyler felt his heart give a hard pound against his chest as he took in her whole face. It was one of the few times that he could see it without a book obscuring it.

‘God really took his time creating her because good Lord is she gorgeous...’

“Na verdade, eu acho você muito fofa e charmosa. Mas adoro ser difícil para você me convidar para sair,” Judith said smoothly, a hint of smirk tugged on her full lips. Tyler blushed before clearing his throat.

‘She sounds so... I don’t know, it feel hotter in here for some reason.’

“Wow, you weren’t kidding, you sound really good. But what did you say just now,” he asked shyly, subconsciously scratching the back of his neck. Judith’s smirk inched wider.

“That’s for me to know and for you to find out,” she said coolly, clearly enjoying herself. Tyler pouted.

“Seriously?”

“As a funeral.” The sophomore tried to keep up his annoyed expression but ended up cracking a smile in the end.

“Wanna know something I’ve heard,” he asked innocently. Judith did a cute impression of an owl head tilt, curious to what the boy had to say.

“I’ve heard it said that kissing is the ‘language of love’. Would you care to have a conversation with me about it sometime?” Judith rolled her eyes, but Tyler caught a faint half smile appear on her face.

“Last I checked, French was considered to be the language of love. But cute attempt, Woods,” she drawled. Tyler laughed. 

“Hey, think about it like this. You’re pretty and I’m cute. Together we’d be Pretty Cute.” Judith held her poker face for a solid ten seconds before she let out small smile. 

“Tyler, you’re like cheddar because that was cheesy. Like white cheddar cheesy,” she said, highly amused. Tyler gave a dopey grin, slightly dazed by the cute sparkle in his crush’s eyes.

“Can you blame a man for trying?” Her raised brow was an answer enough. He raised his hands in mock surrender.

“Haha, sorry. that was probably too forward of me,” he said lamely, glancing away. Judith paused for a moment before saying,

“Talvez, mas eu me pego gostando. Você adorável idiota.“ Tyler raised a brow.

“I may not understand the language but I’m pretty sure I heard the word ‘idiot’ in there.” Judith gave a guileless smile.

“Did you, now,” she asked, a teasing tilt can be heard in her voice. Tyler narrow his eyes before chuckling.

“If you’re going to insult me, at least say it directly to my face in a way I could understand.” Judith’s answering laugh both surprised and pleased Tyler. It was so rich and warm, Tyler almost forgot why he was annoyed.

“Tyler, Tyler. You already know me to be direct. The only thing you don’t know there are times where I’m not. When you may ask? Well, looks like you’re going to have to figure out that one yourself.” Before Tyler could respond, the girl placed her book in her bag and got up.

“See you around, Tyler.” 

“See you...”

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“Girl, he’s got it bad. You said this has been going for a month?” Judith best friend, Stevie Sun, laughed. The girl had the decency to blush.

“Oh hush... it’s cute,” she mumbled. Stevie snorted, playfully shoving her usually stoic friend.

“A bit cringe is more like it. Didn’t you say that one time he greeted you with a line that went something like ‘What’s a smart, attractive man like myself doing without your phone number?’“ Judith cracked a smile, partially due to Stevie’s silly impression of Tyler’s voice but mostly because the memory of the silly pick up line.

She remembers clapping back with “Clearly not getting a phone number from a smart, beautiful young woman like myself your cheesy pick up lines. How are you this morning Tyler?”. 

She meant this playfully, of course. She was glad at least the Tyler had eased up around her to the point he understood when she was teasing him.

“Yes, he did say that. Like I said, I find it to be cute...” Stevie regarding Judith with a curious head tilt.

“So why haven’t you put him out of his misery and gone on a date with him yet?” The criminology major let out a soft sigh.

“I don’t think he’s super serious about going out with me, Stevie. No guy really paid me much mind in high school, especially due to the fact I prefer to be alone and being a PI part time. Sure I might seem interesting at the moment, but he’ll probably lose interest in a at some point,” Judith vented. Stevie rolled her eyes.

“Okay Ace, allow Mama Sun to speak some sense into you. One, you’re my best friend, so there’s no way you can be boring even if you tried. Two, those guys in high school were either idiots or too intimidated by you to even approach you. Their loss, by the way. Three, this has been going on for a month. I bet the man’s search engine is full of entries of what pick up lines he could use to get your attention. He approached you first, which is a first for any guy, and he seems as genuine as they come. If he’s not then I’m kicking his string bean ass all the way to Hong Kong.” Judith laughed.

“What! I’m being serious. Besides, you can be a college student, a kickass PI, and still be a relationship. Look at your cousin Jude Rose. He works full time and managed to bag himself a whole prince! And he acted just like you, playing hard to get and yet still Trystan managed to get him,” Stevie pressed. Judith shook her head fondly, remembering her surprise at how her equally hardass cousin got in a relationship with the exile Crowned Prince of Darkovia. 

“Hey! It kinda just happened, okay? When a man wants you, he’ll stop at nothing to get you.” Jude once said when they got on one their weekly phone calls. Judith remember laughing at him, appeasing her cousin with a playful “sure” before he started ribbing her.

“Okay, okay. I’ll accept his offer on a date next time he asks, just as long you promise to never call yourself ‘Mama Sun’ to me again,” Judith said. Stevie smacked her with a pillow.

“Mama Sun is always right!”

“Stevie!”

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Judith was at her usual booth, fiddling with her fingers. She’s never been asked out by any guy before, thus her lack of experience on being on a date. She knew the whole point of a date was to get to know the other person while (hopefully) having a good time together. But she had so many questions.

Where will they go?

What will they do?

Will they go out to eat?

What if she somehow managed to stain her clothes?

Should she get dressed up or should she dress casual?

Will Tyler try to make moves to be close to her?

Will Tyler try to kiss her-?

“You look down, Judith. Do you know what you need?” Judith’s head snapped up, slightly surprised to find Tyler’s boyish grin greeting her.

“A healthy dose of Vitamin Me.” She hide her giggle behind her hand, though to no avail. Tyler’s grin grew bigger at the sound of her laugh.

“Hey, there’s that beautiful laugh,” he cheered, causing the younger girl to blush. 

‘Damn it, what’s wrong with me?’

“Hello, Tyler,” she finally said, giving him a soft smile. Tyler let out a curious hum.

“No book today,” he promptly asked. Judith forced herself to steel her nerves as she answered.

“No... I wanted to give you my attention in case you had something important to ask me,” she said slowly. Tyler blinked, feeling the hope rise inside his chest.

“You know what, I do actually. I’m learning about important dates in history. Wanna be one of them?” Judith snorted.

“Another pick up line? Seriously,” she laughed. Tyler gave a one shouldered shrug.

“You haven’t told me to stop ever since we met so I don’t see the problem now. But on a serious note, will you go out on a date with me, Judith?” The girl let a shy smile cross her lips.

“Yes, I would love to... where would we go?” Tyler looked thoughtful for a moment.

“I’d like to take you to the movies, but they don’t let you bring in your own snacks,” he smirked. The girl blushed.

“Tyler!” 

“Okay, okay. I was think we could see the movie “Nope” say around 6:45?” The girl shook her head with a smile.