Chapter Two: Danger Zone

Eight days had passed since Eddie's uncomfortable interaction with the caramel-haired beauty in the Silverbell. Try as he might to forget, their conversation replayed on his head and skipped like a bad cassette tape. He threw himself into his studies and preparing for his Sunday game of Dungeons and Dragons. Mid-week one of his best players, Tyler, shared that he was going on a family vacation and would not be available to join the session. This was particularly disappointing as the party was going to be having a huge battle. During an occasion when everyone was one roll from their character dying, it was imperative they have a full party.

Brian, another avid D&D player, said that he had found someone who was perfect to join the party as a fill-in. This felt like a common occurrence for Eddie: needing to find a replacement for an important session last minute. Determined to provide his party with a memorable experience, he decided it wouldn't hurt to meet this potential replacement. If their character aligned with the rest of the group, and they were fairly leveled, he couldn't see why it would be a bad idea. They had agreed to meet at a popular Boston coffee shop frequented by fellow students. They were meeting at breakfast time and Eddie loved their breakfast sandwiches.

At approximately 9:52am on Saturday morning, Eddie wandered into the establishment, ready to indulge in his breakfast. They were meeting the fill-in just after 10, so it would give him enough time to order his food and devour it before needing to get down to business. The rest of the party was already there discussing common interests at a table in the back. With a friendly wave at his friends, he went to the counter and ordered his bacon, ham, egg, and cheese on a bagel and a black coffee. Here they put the bacon right against the bagel which soaked up all of the delicious grease. Last night was Friday, which meant playing with his band. He may or may not have consumed several beers and needed a greasy meal to make up for the indulgence of the night before. Two indulgences cancelled each other out, after all, right?

Breakfast in hand, he haphazardly wandered to the back of the coffee shop and plopped into the corner of the cheap, pleather booth. One thing about breakfast places: the dingier they looked, the better their food and drinks usually were. It was just science, or something.

"So, tell me boys, what are we looking at here?" Eddie gnawed into his breakfast sandwich like a hungry cavemen immediately after the words left his lips.

Brian placed down his own cup of coffee and smiled, as though he was proud of his find. "She's great. You're going to love her. Annie," Brian's girlfriend, "Goes to Wellesley with her. They were in an Psychology course together and immediately bonded. You wouldn't expect her to be a fan of D&D though. She's…not like the rest of us."

Eddie furrowed his brows and turned his head. "What do you mean? She doesn't scare small children like us? She doesn't have tattoos like us? What makes her so special? Maybe this game, this campaign are too good for her."

"That's not what I mean, man. Wait until you see her. I love Annie, you know I do. I am going to marry that woman as soon as we graduate. But this girl…wow. I think she must have some weird gene where everyone thinks she is attractive. I don't know."

This description made Eddie hopeful. Another woman coming around could be good for him. He could finally stop pondering over this one that he had less than a five minute interaction with. "I don't care what she looks like." That was half a lie. "I care about what her character is like. Being pretty doesn't mean her gameplay is any good."

Conversation continued as they discussed the campaign. About five minutes passed when the bell signaling the front door had opened. The four men at the table looked at the door, as they did every time it opened. While chomping on his meal, Eddie's jaw opened as his mouth dropped. Bits of sandwich hit the table, followed by an "ew" by a couple of the guys. Out of all the coffee shops she could have entered, here she was in the flesh. Caramel hair girl.

"See?" Brian whispered to Eddie while nudging him with his elbow in the side. "You just saw her and you are already drooling on yourself."

Not necessarily true, but he was making a mess of himself.

Almost choking down his food, the long haired man swallowed his bite. "What?! That's her?! I met her last week at my gig…just for a few minutes…" He turned to Brian and attempted to discreetly grab the other man by the t-shirt with both hands, while speaking in hushed tones. "This is who wants to join our party?!" Good character be damned, even if she had the worst design, he wanted her to be involved in his party.

Knowing his impression left much to be desired, Eddie wanted to show just who he was without behaving like a fool. Both times they were meeting on his turf. The first time he fumbled, this time would not be the same. Dungeons & Dragons discussions made him feel confident. He could do this.

"Hi Brian," greeted the young woman chipperly. Her gaze shifted over to Eddie, blue eyes twinkling. "Hi, Eddie. Fancy meeting you here. Brian didn't tell me you also played in this party. Let me guess, you're a level two dwarf?" A small smirk played on her lips as she gracefully slid into the booth near Eddie.

A frog must have sat happily in his throat at the most inopportune moment. His throat felt hoarse and dry. Eddie sipped his scalding coffee, instantly regretting it, and had to hold back his reaction. Once he felt able to respond, he smiled broadly at the girl. Now was the time to try to be confident. "Level two? Me? No, sweetheart, I am actually your Dungeon Master."

Throwing her head back, the brunette laughed. "It sounds funny when you say that. Like you're trying to make yourself sound official."

Brian, being the one who brought this addition to the party, felt responsible for including her. "Hannah, it seems like you already know Eddie. Eddie, this is Hannah. Her character is great. She's…." he trailed off as Hannah opened her notebook which was full of notes.

"Don't ruin the surprise, Brian!" She smiled kindly at him. "My character is an eighth level Elven Wizard." Her gaze traveled back to Eddie. "What can I say? I like magic. So,what do you think? Do I make the cut?" Hannah held her chin in her hand as she looked interestingly at Eddie. Being the Dungeon Master, the decision was his.

"You were in the moment you walked through the door." He responded, attempting to match her cool confident. It was more difficult than he imagined though. Stares from the other men and the smirk on her face made the familiar feeling of embarrassment come rushing back to him. "How about you and I discuss your character over dinner tonight?" Bolder and bolder he became. It was as though he was trying to show that he could keep up with her.

Mascara coated eyelashes fluttered as she blinked at Eddie. He tried his best to shine a bright grin at her, but his lower lip quivered with nervousness. Other guys were here, guys who looked up to him as their DM. DMs were supposed to be self-assured and leaders. Was she going to deny him right then and there to continue to have the upper hand?

Without response, Hannah closed her notebook and slid out from the booth. Eddie closed his eyes and slightly leaned back, accepting defeat. Once again this girl was proving to be too good and out of his league. He was ill-equipped to deal with her. He had to blame it on being a small town guy, never mind trailer trash, in a big city. When he opened his eyes back up, he saw her smirking down at him.

"Meet me at the Italian restaurant on the corner at 5pm. Be even five minutes later and that's it for you."

With those words, she waved at the table delicately, then turned and sauntered out of the coffee shop. The bell dinged above the door once again as she opened the door. Once the door resumed closed position, Eddie let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.

Brian looked on at his friend absolutely floored. "How did you do that?! You are a God!" The man mimicked bowing motions with his hands.

Mission accomplished, he supposed. The guys of the party thought he was cool and confident. But that was just because they couldn't feel his heart pounding against his ribcage.

What awaits Eddie at dinner with Hannah? Will he finally find some confidence in her presence?