9:00 PM, NYC, Downtown Let Go

Well, it's fine. Even if that dude abandoned me, I still have this dog next to me. I sigh, patting the weird looking one next to me as I look down at my phone. It's not too bad... It's not like I haven't been stood up before. The Let Go was my favorite place in the city. It was just an outdoor bar with benches and seats surrounding small fire places with fairy lights all around the sky. I used to go here as a kid, but I stopped after my grandmother passed since I always went with her.

"Sorry I'm late. I was caught up in...things. I hope you understand, Oak." I jolt at the sound of Cori's husky voice behind me. Furthermore, I instantly spun around, seeing him with a small apologetic smile and a bouquet of flowers.

"... I-It's nothing too bad. Just a little late, that's all. I don't mind," I breathed out, quickly recovering from the surprise that filled me. "Come, sit down, Cori." I said, patting the bar seat beside me as I glanced gave him a once over for his outfit.

He looked fine. He just wore a simple black turtleneck, a nice looking winter coat, and some black dress pants. It really stood out against his pale skin. He sighed slightly, now feeling a bit out dressed compared to him. I should've gone through the first outfit idea my sister proposed...

"You look nice," I finally voiced out, filling the uncomfortable silence that I found cringe. Cori snapped out of his daze from staring at...me? No, probably just at the fire or something. But besides that, I saw him sit down beside me on the barstool before nudging me with his shoulder. "Thank you, but I find you looking cuter." Cori spoke, his voice lowering slightly to where I could only hear. Woah... I-I didn't think he sounded like that. It was always just small answers and maybe some conversation, but I didn't think he was that capable. I stared at him for a while before shaking away the thought. "Uhm…. Thank you," I rushed out with my voice, blushing slightly. "But I don't look that good…" I murmured, now feeling self-conscious about my looks.

It wasn't as pokey as his. I wore a pair of baggy light jeans, a large t-shirt with a checkered pattern sweater over it. My glasses rested on top of my head, pushing back my bangs and slightly crooked, but I didn't care.

"I wouldn't put it past you to be a model if you weren't a barista. You're so beautiful, you put flowers to shame." Cori purred, scooting closer. I flush red slightly, sitting up straighter in my seat. "W-What did you say?" I stuttered out, gripping the bar tighter as I tried to process his words.

I watched as he was about to speak, only to feel disappointment wash over me as the bartender interrupted us to take our orders. Cori looked away from me, already ready to take his order. Has he been here before? Has he been here enough times to already know what he wants? I shrugged it off, now paying attention to what was going on around.

"I'd like a Shirley Temple. And maybe even a chicken sandwich. Don't make it spicy and put the coleslaw on the side please." Cori said, putting in his order before turning to me and silently gesturing for me to order now. "Oh! Uhm… I'd have just a Sprite! And…a chicken sandwich. Though make it spice with ranch on the side." I blurted out, thinking of the first items on the menu that I'd think would be in there.

The waitress nodded, walking off before Cori turned back to me. He leaned his chin against his palm, smiling slightly as his eyes held the brightness that could rival a firefly. "Anyway. I'm happy that you agreed to this. I must say I'm enjoying my time with you, Oak." Cori said, sounding almost sultry but could be mistaken as just politeness.

"...I enjoy the time as well. I normally go straight home whenever I finish my shift, but it's nice to do something out of the ordinary." I spoke, tapping the table with my nail as I held eye contact with him. "But anyway, I want to know more about you. All I know is your name is Cori and you come every day to the café to get the same thing." I said, trying to put humor into the conversation.

Cori chuckled, a rich and smooth laugh leaving his lips as his eyes crinkled. "Well that's one way to describe me I guess!" I chuckled slightly, finding his laugh amusing but also his reply to it. "Well then let's start with something like twenty questions? I'll ask you questions about you, and then you ask me questions about me. Is that good?" I voiced, leaning on the counter as I watched him nod.

"Well then," I paused before a grin grew on my lips, "let's get started."

(Thank you to all the Pookies out there, especially since I kinda don't know what's going to happen in the future. xoxo, loves and kisses, your friend)

-Spookie Pookie ❤️

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