Shallow Heart

Chapter 1 Date with Destiny

The gorgeous beach city of Bodhum was in full swing, as beachgoers and tourists alike roamed the streets. People often came far and wide to visit the city, as it was often noted as one of the world's most famous vacation spots. Currently, the sun was setting over the horizon. The warm rays reached across the water, creating a beautiful orange hue, as soon the sky would light up with twinkling stars.

Families and tourists often went to Bodhum for one of its famous events, a fireworks festival which "spoke" of legends of wish-granting fireworks that foretold that whoever wished upon them would be granted their wish and that their wishes would come true for a single day of the year. However, the beautiful sights brought a fun festival that tourists and townsfolk cherished. The festival had people traveling near and far to visit each year. The festival was coming up in a few months.

An irritated woman stood outside of a small restaurant called Bodhum's Pearl, where she was to meet someone. Bodhum's Pearl was a seafood restaurant and bar scented of saltwater and fish. The pungent smell of seafood wafted through the air and it was an acquired smell that a tourist would turn up their nose at, and the townsfolk to smile. The mouthwatering fragrance of steamed and fried fish came from within, as did the smell of bar patrons and cigarette smoke.

The bar was settled at Bodhum's pier along a strip of restaurants with a club. The town was in its full swing as people came and went through the restaurant's doors, staying to admire the famous Bodhum sunset at the pier. However, the Pearl was a fan favorite of tourists and Bodhum's populace with a 4.5 out of 5 stars on its reviews.

Bringing out a contour mirror from her purse, a woman opened and looked at her reflection. On her face was a scowl as she ran a hand through her pastel pastel pink hair that hung along her right shoulder.

Dressed in a nice pair of khakis, with a white button-up shirt underneath a white blazer. She felt foolish; her heart beat quickly in her chest as she waited for her blind date to arrive.

Grasping the lightning bolt pendant around her neck, she sighed. Her limbs felt heavy, and she could already feel a headache building from her frustration. Her parents wanted her to go out and meet the young man her sister had set her up with, but she just wanted to go home. (With her family, she knew this blind date was set up in hopes she'd change her mind and settle down with some unlucky man but most of them were like dogs.) College parties were a reminder that though careful, men all want one thing from a woman, and frankly, she wasn't about that life. She did her best to avoid them, even though her sister kept insisting she go out with a date.

The woman really just wanted to live her life freely without a care. She was twenty-two, and should've had a say in who she dated. However, the fact she came from a high class family only meant one thing to her parents; expand the family name. Frankly, she didn't want that; she just wanted to find someone who loved her for her, feed her appetite for mischief, and maybe even understand her. No one had done that yet, but a girl could hope.

However, she eventually noticed the man her sister had set her up with and sighed.

"Claire Farron?" he asked. "I noticed you from your picture. It's nice to meet you. My name is Eric Thorne. I come from Eorzea, but I have lived in Bodhum for several years. I met your sister at Eden University. She said she had a beautiful sister who was single and I was nervous about coming here tonight."

"I go by Lightning, not Claire," Lightning warned. "Don't get your hopes up, whatever Serah said, I'm not really that interested. Let's get this blind date over with because I just want to go home. I'm doing this simply to humor her, so don't get comfortable. Is that a problem?"

"No, ma'am."

"Good. Let's go then."

The two walked inside as Eric gave the front desk the reservation name. Eventually, the two were led to a table for two.

Eric went behind Lightning and grabbed her chair for her, but was surprised when she stopped him.

"I'm not helpless. I can do it myself."

"I'm sorry, Claire-I mean Lightning. Uh, please tell me about yourself."

Lightning sighed, grabbing her phone from her bag. Sending her sister a quick text, 'Serah, please stop setting me up on blind dates.'

Within moments, Lightning received a text message back from her sister, 'What's wrong? Eric is a nice gentleman and he's sweet. You two would hit it off together.'

'I just want to go home and relax. Is that too much to ask?'

'Well, sorry, Claire; Mom was thrilled when I told her you were actually going.'

'Newsflash Serah. I'm not having fun. This was a big waste of my time.'

The ambient noise of people talking and light jazz music playing overhead entered Lightning's ears as she glared silent daggers at the phone sitting on her lap. Sliding it into her back pocket, she groaned internally, looking at the man in front of her, he had lightly tanned skin, and from the side he was sort of handsome.

Eric had a handsome face, with soft blue eyes. He had muscular arms and enough muscle in his body. He ran a hand through his soft dirty-blonde hair that had been fastened in a ponytail. He was trying his best to please her, and his attempts were failing.

"Look, I can tell you didn't want to come here; but if you stay, I can make it worth your while," Eric begged. "Not every day I meet a beautiful woman as yourself."

Lightning wanted nothing to do with this man and rolled her eyes.

The waiter came and noticed the tense couple. "My name is Levi; I will be your waiter tonight. Uh, may I get you two started on drinks or an appetizer?"

"I'll take a Besaid Island drink," Lightning looked at the waiter. "Thank you."

"And I'll take a Blood of the Ancients, good sir."

Eventually, the waiter left, leaving Lightning with her blind date as they stared at each other awkwardly.

"I really don't know what to say to you," Lightning admitted, gripping at the pendant around her neck.

"This was a stupid idea, wasn't it?"Eric asked.

"Yeah, it was. I don't know why I keep thinking I'll find the right person with Serah setting me up on these stupid dates. I'm going to leave after my drink. I'm not staying for dinner," Lightning glanced at Eric once more.

"Well, whatever happens, I hope someday you find the right person."

Eventually, the waiter returned with their drinks. "Can I get your orders taken care of?"

"No sir, after the drink, my date is leaving," Eric gave Lightning a small smile.

"Alright, then. I'll bring the check," The waiter said before departing.

Lightning heard the disappointment in Eric's voice. Looking down at her drink, she paid little attention to her guest as possible. Every single guy Serah had set her up with all had their hearts broken. They'd just end up disappointed, and Serah would be upset that her sister turned down another one. 'Why can't you just be happy?' Serah's voice rang in her head.

'Because every guy you try to set me up with is either a loser, or they think I will fall head over heels for them right from the get-go.'

Taking her time with her drink, Lightning knew she hurt every guy she had been set up with. As she finished, Lightning got up and started to head out but was met by Eric. "Hey!"

Eric approached her, "Do you need someone to walk you to your car?"

"No. Now please stop following me."

Eventually, Lightning disappeared from Eric's view and quickly made her way towards her car without looking back.