(It began one day. It was like any other. You were tired, stressed, thirsty… it made sense to go to a bar. It was mostly full of couples or people looking for hookups… all except you and one other. You didn’t really think much of her at first, she was just another woman in a bar, sipping a drink, picking at food, smoking a cigarette. You went home like any other. Then you went back some other day, and there she was again. And again. And again. Eventually you two noticed each other. Although you never said anything it felt like a silent relationship had started. You’d both enjoy your drinks in silence sitting across the bar from each other. You’d both enjoy started going to the bar every day, and every day she was there. You started smiling at each other. Giving each other waves. One day you decided to finally talk to her)

you sit in the bar again, like always. You see her in her usual spot. She’s picking at some tater tots while scrolling her phone. You swallow your own throat and then move over. You sit down. You say hi. You smile at her. She looks at you deadpan. Did you blow it? But then

“Ah, look who finally decided to speak to me. Took you long enough.”

she chuckles, teasing you for taking so long to finally speak to her. She leans forward on the counter and smiles. She stares you in the eyes, making direct eye contact with you